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.”

Some Days We Just Need a “Baby Day”

Dear Reader: I remember hearing some time back a quote from an unknown author that went something like: “A Baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.” I needed to remember that quote and I needed an “Eloise” day … Continue reading

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Letting Curiosity Be Our Compass

Dear Reader: At Tractor & Supply last week the whole stock of Trisha Yearwood’s Home designs were on sale – 50% off! I love her homey decor tastes and discovered this water can pitcher that I fell in love with….the … Continue reading

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Nature’s Divine Healing

Dear Reader: While watering the garden this morning I noticed that “Cleo” (nickname for clerodendrum) and her one beautiful bloom was almost full. I, also, noticed the contrast between light pink blooms and the darker pink pods not yet open…and … Continue reading

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“Witness Trees” to History

Dear Reader: Today,  historical sites are hiring, not only, professional landscapers and lawn maintenance personnel to maintain the outdoor park areas for millions of tourists annually, but parks are also hiring landscape historians to implement a “Witness Tree Protection Program.” This … Continue reading

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Religious Tolerance and Freedom…Thank Ben Franklin!

Dear Reader: The name Ben Franklin always conjures up in my mind adjectives like brilliant, witty, earthy, curious/scientific, patient, folksy, foxy, and flirty. (He really was quite the ladies man even in his old age. Historian and one of the … Continue reading

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Leading with Our Hearts

Dear Reader: Haven’t we heard others and ourselves label someone as being nice enough…perhaps too nice…because he/she always leads with their heart instead of their head? (In the South…this comment is usually followed by a negative “Bless her heart.”) Perhaps … Continue reading

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A “Light” Lesson in Weight

Dear Reader: Sometimes the best lessons (or perhaps reminders) in life stem from some of the simplest daily rituals. A few years ago I was walking by a neighbor’s house (a few streets over) as she was just pulling into … Continue reading

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Taking a Moment to Thank George Washington!

Dear Reader: The history teacher in me wouldn’t let me walk out of Walgreens Tuesday without a copy of this special Time magazine…featuring our Founding Fathers. Before leaving for the July the Fourth family gathering in Mt. Pleasant yesterday afternoon, … Continue reading

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Having Fun on the Fourth!

Dear Reader: I decided to forgo any serious, personal commentaries on freedom and our country this Independence Day, but selected instead, humor for this Fourth of July. Sometimes when the times we live in and the images we live with … Continue reading

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Woof! Woof! The “Canicular” Season is Upon Us

Dear Reader: “Canicular” means “of/or relating to the period between early July and early September when hot weather occurs in the Northern Hemisphere.” According to the Old Farmers’ Almanac…’Dog Days’ start today…July 3! After reading the almanac’s predictions… we all … Continue reading

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