THE FALLS OF DAVIS CREEK

For the Wills family and Hinton WV.

Davis Creek runs of Swell Mountain past where my dad grew up. Just down the “holler” from the house the creek runs over two sets of falls. The first and biggest was a favorite spot to pass the time.

OLD WIVES’ TALE

For Melinda “Mom” Watkins and Estelle “Granny” Wills.

I wish I would have asked more questions and listened more often.

MUMBLY PEG

We played this classic knife throwing game growing up. I don’t remember winning very often.

LONG’S RETREAT

For the campground of its name.

We had a permanent spot in the camp. A lake for fishing and swimming, hiking trails, riding our bikes, shooting BB guns, an arcade and game room, camp fires…

THE MAGIC TREE

For my dad.

Just down the road from the Falls of Davis Creek was the Magic Tree. It stood on the bank by the road and boasted a large hole four or five feet from the ground. Dad would put a rock in the hole for us and it would magically come out the bottom of the tree splashing into the creek below.

STUMP AND RIGHT

For the Ridge Drive residents of my childhood.

When a grand old tree in our front yard died and was cut its stump became a central figure in our football games.

STOMPING GROUND

For all of the people and places of my past. Especially my home town Chillicothe, OH, Hinton and Bluefield WV, Granny and Ted, Mom and Pop. They still haunt me.

BLUE FIELDS

For my mom.

Also for the Watkins family and Bluefield WV. Running up and down the cement sidewalk at “Mom’s,” sitting on the big rock by the side of the road, making paper boats and sailing them down the creek behind the house, riding my uncle Calvin’s dirt bike…

MONKEY TRICKS

For the Spencer family.

The oldest son Jim brought home a pet monkey one day. That’s probably saying enough right there. It didn’t stay too long.

YARN SPINNING

For the stories in al of us.

Yarn Spinning - Inclined to telling long and involved stories often of incredible happenings.

AMALIA

For my oldest daughter.

The first song I wrote for this project when she was just two years old.