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.”

Digging Deep Inside Our Pockets…and Finding Happiness

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: If this all-purpose weather coat could talk it would have some tales to tell…some of you long-time readers know this was the “coat”…the one Mandy and John gave me for my Ireland trip with Anne back in 2014. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

It Always Comes Back to the Hug

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: As I was thinking about Bob Williams’ closing remarks yesterday concerning the best thing he receives, in exchange, for his Hershey candy bar giveaways…getting a hug and that at 94 it was the best gift of all…it made … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

You Can Take It With You…and Then Give It Away

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: I remember several years ago doing a blog post on Hershey’s candy bars in connection to my mother’s love of them. She always had some stashed around her house or apartment. It was a pleasure she looked forward … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

…And This Little Piggie Went, “Smile, Smile, Smile…All the Way Home”

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Becky Dingle

(Jo Dufford Pooh Cards for Daily Messages) Dear Reader: I love days, like the one Piglet describes in the title photo…and yesterday was one of them. The cold weather prompted me to make spaghetti…there’s just something so comforting and soothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

The Story Behind the Carolina Parakeet

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Becky Dingle

  Dear Reader: After finding the Carolina Parakeet glass engraving ( absolutely magnificent) by Lex Melfi (sponsored by Sculpture in the South) last Saturday on our scavenger hunt…some facts about this (sadly extinct) bird kept trying to pop up in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Press N’ Seal

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: *Before we get started today I would like to send out a personal request…my wonderfully talented (jazz guitarist) nephew, Lee Barbour, is up for Musician of the Year for Charleston and we want him to win this year…he … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Stories Beneath the Surface…Waiting to be Told

Posted on March 3, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Like stories beneath the surface…so lies nature’s beauty. For years I have wanted a redbud tree and yesterday Anne and I returned to Hollow Tree nursery where I bought this sapling…ready to plant… with the first hint of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Signs of the Times

Posted on March 2, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: None of us wanted time to fly by…in fact the Saturday evening after arriving it was like none of us wanted to go bed because we would have, then, spent one day at Pawleys already…and we didn’t want … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The “Velveteen” Ya’s!

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: I didn’t even have to go look through my old books to find a copy of the Velveteen Rabbit for this title photo…I have my own “Velveteen” Rabbit! He started out as a garden Easter Rabbit, one spring long … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Keeping the Candle Burning

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Haven’t we seen the candle used as a metaphor for life many times…particularly in celebrity passings? In popular culture it has made a come-back with its symbolism of the short passage of time we each are allowed.  In … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments