Category Archives: Backyard Nature

Lisa’s Garden and Her Island Home

Posted on September 25, 2022 by aamontgomery

Lisa Stanley’s neighbors in the Island Home area of Knoxville have dedicated the green space just inside their neighborhood’s entrance as “Lisa’s Garden” in celebration of her life. Continue reading →

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Holes Let the Light Shine Through

Posted on November 30, 2021 by aamontgomery

Do our imperfections and vulnerabilities allow more light to shine through? Continue reading →

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The Garden Within

Posted on September 30, 2021 by aamontgomery

We have a new little one expected to enter our family and world in February 2022. May he be safe. May he find his way in this complicated 22nd Century. May he find his bliss. Continue reading →

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Stop. You Look Fabulous!

Posted on August 17, 2021 by aamontgomery

A few ideas of how we can nurture the joy within us during a global pandemic and a time of division and fear. Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Nature, Beauty, Blooming, Books, Fabulous, Happiness, Home, Joy (Joie de General), Knoxville, Op/Ed Thoughts, Uncategorized, Wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Life Needs Is a Soundtrack

Posted on May 30, 2021 by aamontgomery

Music inspires and moves me as much as anything in my life. Does life have a soundtrack? I have done my best to prove it can. Continue reading →

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Gluing Together Our Broken Places

Posted on March 17, 2021 by aamontgomery

I got my first dose of the Covid vaccine today in a drive-through operation at Ft. Sanders Hospital West here in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was a flawless experience except they did not set up a second shot right away on … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Backyard Nature, Beauty, Blooming, Books, Creativity, Family, Freedom, Happiness, Home, Ideas, Op/Ed Thoughts, Women, Wonder, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Wisdom That Does Not Cry

Posted on November 29, 2020 by aamontgomery

Wisdom is not a monopoly held only by adults. There is so much we can learn from the deep wisdom of very young children. May we stoop from our greater height, bend our ear close, and listen. Continue reading →

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Collateral Damage

Posted on September 30, 2020 by aamontgomery

Throughout history humans have sought easy answers to complex issues. When things go wrong, how can we protect the most vulnerable: Women, older people, the poor, and our children? Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Backyard Nature, Childhood, Courage, Dementia, Family, Home, Ideas, Knoxville, Op/Ed Thoughts, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blooming Out of Season

Posted on January 31, 2019 by aamontgomery

Nearly a decade ago I planted two camellias in container pots just outside the front door of our home. I never thought they would live for long–in containers, mind you– in the mercurial climate of East Tennessee. But my sister, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Backyard Nature, Beauty, Blooming, Dance, Happiness, Ideas, John Irving, Music, Op/Ed Thoughts, Stage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Backyard Excavation

Posted on June 27, 2018 by aamontgomery

After 15 years in a house we loved but that had grown too large for us, we decided to downsize and drag fewer possessions through life. We wanted to move to an area (1) we could afford, (2) in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Backyard Nature, Beauty, Family, Freedom, Happiness, Home, Ideas, Knoxville, Love, Music | 8 Comments