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.”

Summerville….”A Plethora of Petals”

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: I was  happy to see an unexpected vine dangling a gorgeous cobalt-colored morning glory’s petals (the other morning)… down from the top of the fence. It looked like an artist had added the beautiful bloom at the last … Continue reading →

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Finding the “MORE” in “There’s More to Life.”

Posted on October 5, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: When I saw these three pretty purple Mexican petunias blooming one morning I thought about the three guiding principles in my own life…Spirit, Faith, and Heart. The spirit of God leads me every day through tests of faith … Continue reading →

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A Lesson in Sharing… with Corn

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Becky Dingle

  Dear Reader: A few days ago I read a most wonderful, thought-provoking article on the power of sharing…using corn as the example. I will never look at corn exactly the same again. (Resource: Awakin Weekly: “My Neighbor’s Corn“…by Naren … Continue reading →

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These Swirling Days of Random Thoughts…Anticipation!

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: In the excitement of getting ready for my Maine trip I find myself scattering thoughts behind me like squirrels randomly scattering acorns. I have started  several different endeavors- getting halfway through them before starting something else like…half-packing my … Continue reading →

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Birthdays Are Never About the Candles

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Yesterday I got this birthday card from Marcia…and it had the perfect  message inside…a good reminder to all of us: Birthdays aren’t about counting candles, but about counting every happiness in your life. The more I thought about … Continue reading →

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Aschenputtel…The German Cinderella

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: The Brothers Grimm ‘s  fairy tales were never originally written for children but as a way of preserving Germanic folktales/heritage amid the Napoleonic Wars… when France conquered many Germanic lands. The brothers wanted to make sure that German … Continue reading →

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“And a Little Child Shall Lead Them”

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: I have always been intrigued by this one verse of scripture: Isaiah 11:6 “The wolf  also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and … Continue reading →

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Happiness is Only Achieved by Sharing

Posted on September 29, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: If you want to see where Disney got its idea for the first animated Disney castles… starting with Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and especially Cinderella…look no farther than Bavaria and the Neuschwanstein Castle. It is the most visited … Continue reading →

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First came the Goats…then the Reindeer

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: If you are thinking this might be a strange time to hear about a Scandinavian Christmas folklore story…look around you…especially at the stores…drug stores, retail stores…any kind of store…and you will find Christmas in abundance. Halloween and Thanksgiving … Continue reading →

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Butterflies, Children, and Gardens…They are Worth the Wait!

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: As I look back on my life…particularly the years raising Mandy, Walsh, and Tommy…I understand now that growing a garden and raising a family are quite similar…both a metaphor of the beauty and challenges of daily life that … Continue reading →

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