I just wanted to send well wishes to everyone during this health crisis. These are certainly extraordinary times. As a nation, we are forced to slow down when we’re so used to going, going, going, moving, moving, moving. Some of us have rarely, if ever, slowed down and the conceptContinue Reading

“I like the old stuff, man.” Steve’s voice is soft as he sips gas-station coffee and cruises the Little River Road. “I mean, just listen to this, dude. Sounds like you’re supposed to rock Bob Seger in the mountains.” We are heading to Rainbow Falls trailhead to climb Mount LeConte.Continue Reading

Appalachia Bare is proud to introduce a new monthly nature series written by Grant Mincy, an assistant professor of biology and (sometimes) geology at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee. He also sits on the Earth and Planetary Sciences Advisory Council for the University of Tennessee. He often hikesContinue Reading

It is wonderful to live and sing. It is a great thing to feel that one is able to help other people with one’s voice. I want to play in a new opera where the heroine does not die in the last scene or go mad. That is why IContinue Reading

For the past dozen years, the Young-Williams Animal Center has sponsored a Mardi Growl Parade and Festival in downtown Knoxville. Hundreds of dogs in costume are paraded by their owners to raise funds to support the efforts of the Young-Williams Animal Center, which seeks to find a home for every unwantedContinue Reading

With a routine smile, the waitress brought sharp, black coffee to the old couple at the diner booth. It was a gesture offered to all patrons. She placed the cups on the red checkered tablecloth. The poised, elderly lady sat elegant, gracious, and mute in her lace-ruffled blouse, and gazedContinue Reading

It stalks like a shadow and hugs like a strait-jacket. I wear it like an off-the-rack, ill-fitting coat. At times, it tightens round my throat like a scarf threatening to strangle me. It’s closer than my own skin. It itches in spots beyond my reach to scratch. I didn’t askContinue Reading