Our columnist relates her adventures as a single newcomer to Knoxville.

• The Dogwood Miracle of Buffalo John Published 5/15/2013 at 10:36 a.m. 0 comments

  Buffalo John works in the cubicle next to mine. He’s built like a Navy SEAL and is frequently leered at by the cougar down the hall. I adopted him as my younger brother on the same day we met Gov. ...

• The Magic Drawer: Seeking Trinkets Worthy of Self-Reward Published 4/3/2013 at 9:42 a.m. 0 comments

  I love the flea market in Sevierville. It smells like popcorn, attic furniture, and half-priced laundry detergent. My brother and I learned the mysteries of the flea market from our father. Every Saturday he would take us with him to ...

• Date with Destiny: Pondering Iron Mike and the Maltese Falcon Published 3/6/2013 at 10:42 a.m. 0 comments

  There is nothing like a wood-fired pizza, and Hard Knox Pizza makes an inspiring pie. I am a fan of the Iron Mike. The crust is paper-thin, the ingredients über fresh, and the spinach gives you the illusion of health ...

• The Altoids Project Published 2/6/2013 at 11:33 a.m. 0 comments

  The greatest valentine I ever received was from Tom Schartz, otherwise known as the Leonardo DiCaprio of our third-grade class.

• Something To Cling To Published 1/2/2013 at 11:30 a.m. 0 comments

  Last month, a mystic of the female arts gave me a gift certificate for a manicure and said, “Honey, good hands complete the look. It’s just as important as smelling good or shined shoes.” I think our moment together was ...

• Operation Scribble: Seeking the Autograph of Number 16 Published 11/20/2012 at 11:29 a.m. 0 comments

  The woman I work for is a badass. She is diminutive in stature with a presence that is anything but “little girl.” She thinks like an intelligence operative, and is more Pink than Taylor Swift.

• Charms of Knoxville: A Few of Olive's Favorite People and Places Published 10/17/2012 at 10:47 a.m. 0 comments

  I have always loved charm bracelets. They are the jeweled storybooks of adventure and affection. A heavenly weekend for me includes wandering the isles of Nostalgia in Bearden looking for Knoxville charms.

• Ties that Bind: Overcoming Embarrassing Personal Drama by Sharing the Truth Published 9/19/2012 at 10:50 a.m. 0 comments

  When you are new in town, your history is virginal because you don’t know anyone. Of course, the tender for such a luxury is often loneliness. And there is the achingly slow process of figuring out your new world and ...

• Knoxville in My Pocket: A Sojourn to the French Riviera Published 8/15/2012 at 10:33 a.m. 0 comments

  Last February I found a list of websites for summer work-study adventures abroad. By May I had two months of savings and the choice between nanny in Mexico City or “domestic help” in Southern France. I thanked God for French ...

• Extraordinary Cup of Joe Published 7/11/2012 at 3:59 p.m. 0 comments

  A chance encounter at Pete's Coffee Shop.

• Rating Downtown Knoxville's Manly Men Published 6/13/2012 at 12:06 p.m. 0 comments

  The Knoxville buffet boasts a marvelous selection of manly casseroles, covering the spectrum from single to married and from BFFs to blatant objects of affection. In an effort to fulfill my community service this month, I highlight a few for ...

• The Ides of March Madness Published 4/25/2012 at 1:23 p.m. 0 comments

  Sports commentators had a field day with post-game, post-season analysis. I don’t know sports and I can barely write. But I damn well know courage when I see it.

• Chasca the Hair Goddess Published 3/28/2012 at 1:42 p.m. 0 comments

  I found out it was Fashion Week in Knoxville while shopping in Off Broadway Shoes. A magnificent 15-year-old creature in platform spikes of Kardashian heights whined, “These make me look faaat.”

• Finally Coming To Grips With “Rocky Top” Published 2/29/2012 at 2:27 p.m. 0 comments

  Popcorn? That Popcorn? Dad met Popcorn Sutton? Well yes, he did know his way around a shotgun. I just never thought about why.

• Nancy Drew and the Bishop’s Ring Published 2/1/2012 at 11:04 a.m. 0 comments

  The name “Friends Antique and Collectibles Mall” does not do the place justice. The basement is a Man’s World full of military items, tools, and old sports equipment. The main floor boasts a dish heaven, silver (plate and sterling) begging ...

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