This blog originally was an outcome of trying to find more balance in a life that was largely devoted to work for the last 40 years. I retired in 2017 to care for my husband who suffered a major stroke in February of that year. He passed away in September, 2020. Prior to retiring I had two jobs: teaching Social Studies at a high school that has classes in the late afternoons and evenings for students in rural Appalachia and teaching U.S. History at a nearby university. Previously I taught Social Studies for 15 years in a girls boarding school located on the university campus. In my previous life (before teaching) I spent a few years as a newspaper reporter and several more as a civil rights investigator. I love my family, books, world music, Appalachian culture and folklore, Native American history and culture, genealogy, photography, the natural world, and now blogging… My blog posts may be about almost anything, hence my “Eclectic Musings.”
I am learning that “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
Unexpected in common hours 
All the best to you! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog 🙂
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You have had such a wide career! I would love to hear more about your time as a civil rights investigator. I hope you find your connection that always helps you advance towards your goals.
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Thank you! I am enjoying my two part-time teaching jobs now and learning to relax now that I have the time. (My civil rights job was an amazing adventure.) I appreciate your comments.
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The last sentence is spot on, I totally agree. I know I will like following your blog. Thank you for following mine.
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I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for a Super Sweet Blogger Award, you can find it here: http://haksphotos.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/super-sweet-blogger-award/
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Thank you so much! I am expecting visiting family and may not have a chance to properly respond for a few days. I appreciate your nomination. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your beautiful world in words and images that makes us smile and feel truly inspired.
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Thank you for your kind words. Cheers!
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Your blog is welcoming. I also love flowers. May good fortune guide your path… J. A. Ireland Sesla’s Enchanted Tales
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Thank you very much! Cheers!
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Hi! Please accept this award http://goldyigal.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/the-liebster-award/
It’s an awesome idea spread through out the blogosphere getting people together in a funny and interesting way.Have fun with it !
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Thank you for this award as well!! I feel very honored today. I hope you are enjoying your blogging experience.
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I’m loving every single part of it ! It’s amazing and I’m glad I tried it 😀
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Oh and PS . Welcome to the family !
http://goldyigal.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/welcome-to-the-wordpress-family/
Thanks for following , thanks for being here and I wish you a lovely day ! Hugs!
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Though I’m sure it’s more work that pleasure what I’m doing to you right now, I appreciate the idea behind the awards,so therefor I pass them along..
Second time to you now :D..The Super sweet blog award 😀
Find everything here.http://goldyigal.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/super-sweet-blog-award/
Have a wonderful week!
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Thank you! I already have received that award, so I don’t think I should do it again. But I appreciate your nomination. Cheers!
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Thanks so much for dropping by my blog and that allows me to discover yours. I share the sentiments of Thoreau’s quote you have used and I guess we are going through a fairly similar life stage. I am now following your blog and hope you’ll do the same with mine too.
http://opallaontrails.wordpress.com/about-2/
Nice meeting you in blog sphere. 🙂
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Thank you for your comments. Yes, I shall follow your blog. Nice meeting you, too. Cheers!
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Thank you for always dropping by my blog and leading me back here. You have an inspiring and wonderful blog and I hope to read more of your posts. Cheers! 🙂
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Thank you so much! I really love reading about your travels, and your photos are beautiful.
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I’m looking forward to following your blog. Very interesting! I share your love of all things Native American as I work in a native daycare center.
You had me at the “Playing for Change” video, United but I am sure there is much more for me to catch up on in this wonderful blog. 🙂
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Thank you so much for visiting and following my blog and for your kind comments. You have some beautiful posts from what I’ve seen so far, and I look forward to seeing more. Cheers, Deb
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I am fully retired but take care of my SO but I did find extra hours on my hands and decided to pursue my passion for writing. We sound similar in the way we look at our retirement…not an end, but a new beginning. I’ll look forward to more of your posts!
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Thank you for stopping by. When I began my blog, I intended to write more, but now I find myself more interested in doing photography. So mine has become more of a photography blog… Glad you’re enjoying writing and entering into a new era in your life! Cheers!
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This is a gorgeous blog–I LOVE the header photo of the single leaf on gray wood–simple but spectacular!
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Thank you so much! I just put this header image up a couple of hours ago. I took this photo last year of a sweetgum leaf that was on our fence. Surprisingly, this year the sweetgum leaves have turned more of a yellow color.
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Hmm, I’m unfamiliar with sweetgum–but how interesting that the leaf color is different this year. I’m so glad you got the red one “snapped”, as it looks so striking on the gray wood. God bless you BIG!
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I do believe that you and I have a love of Henry David Throeau in common! I was born in Concord, and grew up swimming and skating on Walden Pond.
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How wonderful! I have been to Concord only once, but it was a wonderful visit. What a lovely, historical place in which to grow up! I like Thoreau and Emerson as well. I find myself quoting Thoreau and Emerson quite often.
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I was born at “Emerson Hospital” as were all my children. Thoreau, as you probably guessed is where I got the title of my blog. “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation…”
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Love it! 🙂
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Forgive me Mr. Thoreau for the spelling error!
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I have granted you the Most Influential Blogger Award. I hope you enjoy it. I can totally understand if you do not wish to participate. Please don’t be offended if yours an award free blog…I just wanted you to know that I think your blog is great.
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Thank you so much. I am honored, and I shall enjoy it. I appreciate your kind comment.
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Hello neighbor! We live near each other, I think … I’m in Sautee Nacoochee, too. And, I’m working on a story about the ACA (Obamacare), and really loved your post about your experience with BCBS. Is there any chance that we can chat on the phone for a few minutes? I’m trying to finish up my story (for Georgia Trend magazine, whom I write for) about the ACA and would love to share your experience. The only thing is, my deadline is this weekend! Anyway, maybe we know each other already (small valley!). I’m Jerry Grillo, live just off Duncan Bridge Road, and my email address is fourcrickets@windstream.net … if you can spare a few minutes for a phone interview, drop me a line, and I’ll email my phone number to you, or whatever … either way, great blog!
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Hello Jerry Grillo! I sent you an email. Thanks so much for visiting and following my blog. I’m returning the favor and look forward to reading your blog posts and your Georgia Trend article.
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Hello
Good to know you , I will be around to know more about your blog
May Allah bless you and your loved ones. ameen
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Hi, this is just to let you know that we nominated you for a inspiring blog award. You may have received many of them already. You do not have to do anything, just know that we like visiting and your blog! We’ll be posting the rules on our blog post/page, just as soon as I’ve figured them out. So please check this out…this week, if you’re interested.
We look forward to your future posts.
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Thank you so very much! I am honored. It’s nice to know that someone finds my posts at least somewhat interesting. I greatly enjoy your posts as well and love following everything little Boeta is doing.
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Pleasure is all ours.
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Hi Ashley, I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award since I love your posts so much 🙂 Visit : http://thinkdowrite.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/very-inspiring-blogger-award/ to honour it 🙂 Have a great day and keep blogging 🙂
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I saw your post on the photo challenge and there was something in your title that got my attention. 😉
https://spiritinpolitics.wordpress.com/2014/11/09/advances-confidently-in-the-direction-of-his-dreams-thoreau/
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How nice! Love your post and photo! Isn’t that a great quote? And thank you so much for the follow.
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Hi!
I am very happy to nominate you for The Sunshine Award. Please find the link below.
https://simplemomentsoflife.wordpress.com/2015/06/01/the-sunshine-award/
Best,
Nimi
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Thank you. I am honored!
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My pleasure☺
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It’s nice reading about you. You have a nice story to tell. Doing great work here. Bravo!
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I appreciate your comments! Very encouraging to me!
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May you receive even more encouraging words from more people so that you may shine brighter and brighter everyday!
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Good to meet you 🙂
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Nice to meet you, too. I’ve been enjoying your blog for some time now. Thanks for the follow!
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Thank you so much for returning the visit and for your comment about liking my photography. I like your photos too 🙂
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Thank you!
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Thank you for coming to “The Badger & the Whooping Crane,” – and saying those nice things, too. I’m so glad I found Your Blog! (Found it last week , and now can’t even remember just how I found it – hopping around from blog, to blog, I guess – and of course your blog name caught my attention – so interesting!) You’ve traveled a lot of interesting paths – and are exploring so many – I know I’m going to enjoy returning often.
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Happy New Year Deb! hope 2016 will bring you lots of happiness, blessings and excellent health! Hugs:) – Alisha
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Thank you, Alisha! I wish the same for you! Happy New Year! Hope you are doing okay!
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You’re welcomed Debs! will be better in couple weeks once Ive gotten past moving house thanks 🙂 Hope you’ve been great as well! x
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Hi, good to meet you, you have a great blog!
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Thank you so much! Sorry I took so long to respond; I’ve been away.
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Hello again, I mentioned we were visiting Atlanta and when I read your About page I remembered reading that you teach at a nearby University. My brother teaches Law at Georgia State University and I thought you might just know him! Long shot I know but that would be neat!
All the best
Sally
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Hello. I’m sorry I didn’t respond sooner. I am in hospital and have been here about 3 days but am on the mend now. I’m sorry to say I don’t know your brother. I teach at Brenau University on Gainesville, about 50 miles north of Atlanta. That would have been neat, though. Enjoy your trip!
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Oh, I do hope you are recovering well and send you all the best for a restful recovery time. It would have been neat if you had known Patrick but there you go!
Take care. 🙂
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so glad I stumbled here – & now to know that tho you were ill, you’re ok now 🙂
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Thank you! I still have residual medical issues but am doing well.
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oh – wishing you the best, speediest of recoveries
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Thanks so much!
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many many happy returns of the day Deb. I, Ranjeeta Nath Ghai aka atrangizindagieksafar, Mr.Ngobesing Romanus and all bloggers of Success Inspirers’ World., take immense pleasure in wishing you a very warm and happy birthday.
https://yoursuccessinspirer.com/2016/12/28/happy-birthday-deb/
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Thank you so much! I have had a wonderful birthday.
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Glad I was able to spread some smiles and send some happiness. Hope you shine through out the year..
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Thank you, thank you!
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Hello, love your blog and thank you for visiting mine. Pleased to have made the connection.
Dorne x
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I appreciate your comment. I really enjoy your blog, as well!
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I may have posted this twice…but here it goes. I grew up in Habersham Co. and entering year 30 in teaching (26 at North Hall). I was also adjunct probably at where you were …Brenau. used hind catcher all my life…How bout calling a washer a “washing machine”? Ever heard that?
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I’m in White County now but grew up in Gainesville and, yes, I was at Brenau. I worked at The Times after college and then moved to Indiana for grad. school and stayed there 20 years. After coming back to Georgia I taught 15 years at Brenau Academy and then taught adjunct at the university. A couple of my Brenau Academy colleagues made the move over to North Hall. You may have known them: Dr. Gary Kerley and also Jan Ewing… I always call the washer a washing machine, and I cook on the “eyes” of the stove, not on the burners. LOL
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Hello,
I stumbled onto your blog, while searching the web for Mountain Witchalder. You have some beautiful specimens growing in your area. I would like to ask you some questions about the Witchalder. Please give me a shout back on this. Thanks!
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I will be glad to answer questions, if I can!
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Thanks for the reply. I have included my email address. I am a ‘plant guy’-so I don’t want to fill up your blog with a lot of plant-related questions. But I would like to learn more about the Mountain Witchalder you have growing on your property. Please give me an email reply and I’ll list my Witchalder questions or comments and email them to you. Thanks for this favor.
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I don’t see your email address. Can you send it again, and I’ll be happy to respond.
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