The Years of Living, Loving, and Learning

The “Pinnacle” of Happiness

Dear Reader:

I was so happy to be on top of Pinnacle Mountain when Mike surprised Honey with a watercolor landscape painting of their treasured mountain home! He had it commissioned and then made the frame surrounding it! Beautiful!

Mike decided a couple of years ago to sell his motorcycle and get a lawn tractor with the payment. The backyard has never looked more beautiful… he started from scratch and has been learning through each new endeavor! Mike and Honey are prime examples of lifetime learners! How gifted and talented they both are!

Since Honey knows how much I love history-especially local history and her family connection to the most famous inn that attracted Presidents and many celebrities … the Pine Forest Inn-look at the surprise I got for my birthday! A silver teapot with the initials of the inn engraved! I came home and filled it with garden flowers!


So proud to have this treasured relic!
Pine Forest Inn

I started remembering Tuesday ( on the way to Trust) different ” secret” signs that showed we were nearing Trust and the Chapel of Hope!

Christmas Tree Farm
Life-size art replica of two giraffes!

The first memento left in 2010-Honey found the picture/me, Mandy and newborn Eva Cate!

Eleven years! Wow! Still there!

Many of you who have gone to the chapel remember this cross-Sam and Donna even gave me a framed photo one Christmas!

Jesus is still there, no doubt, but the cross gave way to nature and crumbled-just leaving the Rock of Ages!
Honey is my rock!

The ” Plum Nilly” Civil War Home and pie bakery is still there-name given to the Barutio’s home and land-” Plum out of Asheville and nilly to Tennessee.”

Beverly Barutio always wore an apron that said ” You May kiss the cook”

So until tomorrow … May I never forget all the blessings bestowed upon me on my special birthday!

” Today is my (and Jake’s) favorite day! ” Winnie the Pooh

Jake… by far you have been the best birthday present EVER-arriving on my birthday SEVEN years ago!

I think we should have Seven-Up Party-since Jake is seven and I am way”UP” past that- (but still have a 7 in my birthday +2!) 🤣

Jake and his ” night night” blanket-it died in shreds and is now just a memory from the past!
Party 🎉 Time! Let’s do our birthdays up right Jake!!!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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4 Responses to The Years of Living, Loving, and Learning

  1. Honey Burrell says:

    Happy Birthday dear friend! I send lots of love and happy wishes to you and Jake! Love you lots! ❤️🎂❤️🎂❤️🎂❤️🎂❤️🎂❤️🎂❤️🎂

    • Becky Dingle says:

      What a birthday this was spent in the mountains with a long-time friend and mentor!!!

    • Rachel Edwards says:

      Honey …Love the picture that Mike had painted for you…it is beautiful like your home.

      Happy Birthday Becky and Jake…loved visiting with you and catching up. Enjoy every minute of your fun filled bday wkd. Love you lots.

  2. Rachel Edwards says:

    Oops…Happy Birthday sweet friend. Enjoyed hearing about your trip to the mts and your upcoming celebrations this weekend with your family. Enjoy every minute…love you lots…

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