Author Archives: Becky Dingle

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.”

Loving Being Back Home

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Yesterday when I walked around my yard…surprise after surprise greeted me! This large snowball camellia stunned me with its purity of beauty….no other camellia color could compete. (Libby it reminded me of the “Snow Moon” last Friday night!) … Continue reading →

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Sunflowers and Pawley’s Island Shell Necklaces

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader; When the Ya’s  arrived Thursday afternoon Libby surprised us with Pawley’s Island shell necklaces that she discovered (on-line. ) *A  Pawley’s Island resident made the necklaces from her home after strolling the beaches for shells daily. The “shell … Continue reading →

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“Once Upon a Shoe”…

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Becky Dingle

  Dear Reader: Somehow, someway….The Ya’s ended up with the best planned winter retreat of all by simply reversing when we did our annual meals and adventure shopping. We usually held off to the  last day or two…but this year…we … Continue reading →

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We’re Heading “Home”…Shadows of Ourselves

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Every time we have to leave a retreat it seems these days- Whether it is our summer Edisto one and or our mid-winter Pawleys retreat…there is a piece of us that gets left behind…a shadow. It takes all … Continue reading →

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The Frozen Winter Retreat of 2015 at Pawleys!

Posted on February 9, 2020 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: This retreat stands out for me (and all the others) for the Arctic frigid conditions that turned everything frozen…Frozen I and II. This was the year Libby gave me my sofa-size electric blanket that didn’t die until two … Continue reading →

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The Amazing Story of How One Idea Can Create a New Life Story

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Another mid-winter retreat that stands out for me from the rest was the legend of the Pawleys Island Shell. I remember the year was 2017 and I did some research before we left looking for local historical places … Continue reading →

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“Gone Fishing!” (Nah…Gone “Booking!’)

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Since this is our 10th Mid-Winter Retreat Edition…I want to remember one small incident from the past few years each day we are here…. Thought I would start with Libby’s famous Press N’Seal (from last year-March 2019) her brilliant … Continue reading →

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The Rendezvous to Start the Pawleys Mid-Winter Retreat

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Becky Dingle

  Dear Reader: For ten years (2010-2020) three of the Ya’s have kicked off the Ya Mid-Winter Retreat by meeting in Georgetown at the famous River Room Restaurant for lunch. Brooke picks me up from Walterboro and we head to … Continue reading →

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When Someone’s Heart Talks…LISTEN!

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: When Someone Deeply Listens to You When someone deeply listens to you it is like holding out a dented cup you’ve had since childhood and watching it fill up with cold, fresh water. When it balances on top … Continue reading →

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The Day that Restored Hope

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Valentines Day might be the day for love and hugs but yesterday, February 3, was my day for hope and restored strength…gifts more precious than jewels. Thank you Father for blue skies, warm temperatures, kind people, and fresh … Continue reading →

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