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Showing posts from September, 2014

Hollering Contest and other adventures

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Have you ever been so busy that you didn't know if you were coming or going? This is how my life has been lately. Last night for the first time in awhile, I was home on a Monday night and wasn't sure what to do. On Saturday (Sept. 6), I attended the National Hollerin' Contest in Spivey's Corner for the first time and it was quite interesting for me. I have wanted to go ever since I drove through Spivey’s Corner in 2001 to a job interview in Mount Olive. As I traveled down Highway 13 and into Spivey’s Corner, I saw a sign that said “Third Saturday in June.” I wondered what in the world did that mean. Did this town have its own version of “The Lottery” from that story by Shirley Jackson? It had me wondering until I found out about the Hollerin’ Contest. Since 1969, the National Hollerin’ Contest has been held there and is the main fundraiser for the Spivey’s Corner Volunteer Fire Department. In its heyday, between 5,000 to 8,000 people came out to this eve

A possible break in, six police officer and I

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Let me begin by saying everything ended okay and I am fine. Duplin County in North Carolina is a huge county. Each reporter at the newspaper where I work has a certain area and things to cover. I cover the southern end of the county, which includes several towns. One of those is Wallace. And in Wallace, my newspaper has a satellite office that is not open to the public. In the past, the building used to house another newspaper.  My Wallace office. So when you walk in there is nice area up front with a nice desk, computer and phone. If you head toward back of the building, it is a huge cavernous space filled with various desks, shelves and other stuff. It leads to the warehouse where the circulation guy sorts newspapers on Tuesday night. There is huge metal door back there that rolls up. I am pretty much the only person who uses this building. Sorry to be so wordy but these details set up the story. So fast forward to Thursday evening after 6. I am at the

27-year-old Jackie visits 40-year-old Jackie

Last week was a very low week for me. After being sick and spending the weekend with old friend and nesting, I decided to start the week with a new outlook. Plus, I see my new therapist next week. As I continue the job of unpacking and organizing my life, I came across a list of things about me that I made when I was 27 for a new boyfriend. I remember making this list because Robb wanted to know more about me. As I read it, I realized how much I had changed in some ways but stayed the same in others. I am going to share this list with updated notes in red. Who is Jackie? --I have never drank coffee. I started drinking it out of necessity in August of 2009 when I had to be at work at 7 a.m. --I love music. This has never changed. I still make cd mixes for road trips. --I hate to sweat. Still do. --I love hot baths. Now I love hot showers. --I have a really serious thing for office supply stores. I still do especially when things are on clearance. --I love dais