Hi all,

I started my second round of the "Basic Storytelling Skills" workshop today with one 9 year old and a couple of grandparents. It was strange at first but it turned out great! I am thinking of Doc all of the time because I learned so much from him. You know he was my hero and I watched the natural way he crafted his stories. His love for life and people came out in the sparkle of his eyes and the humor he saw in most situations. It was really amazing to watch his timing, to watch and hear how he could keep an audience in the palm of his hands with a rythm that caused a ebb and flow of laughter. Storytellers, who worked with him over the years, found it amusing that Doc could fill any time he was given, especially with "Wicked John" which sometimes would be a 5 minute story and sometimes it would stretch to 45 minutes! His skill and creativity along with constant mentoring are his legacy. I hope to be able to carry on at least a little of this gift.

BTW today I learned from someone who had been a patient at Hawkins County Memorial Hospital when she was a child. Doc was the power plant operator at the hospital at that time; and as always, he threw himself into serving the people who came there. He would give the little girl 'big nickles' (quarters) to use in the vending machine for snacks or drinks.

Guerry