There is another part to the story of Achilles that I didn't mention. As a child, his mother held him by his feet and dipped the rest of him into a magic body of water that was supposed to heal everything. I've forgotten the body of water, will need to look that up. Any way his whole body was protected from all harm except his ankles and feet.

Now you know the rest of the story . . .

Thank you so much, VIckie! It's always so good to hear from you! I think your yarrow will keep on growing and maybe it will bloom.

Oh my, how interesting! I had never heard that before.

I just watered my yarrow even though it is supposed to be drought tolerant. Thought it could use a little pick me up after I gave it a hair cut:)

Sharon.....I was in the film industry for many years, well, motion picture exhibitor and CEO of my own company. One of my favorite all time films was 'Coal Miner's Daughter', and the life she lived in 'Butcher Holler'. That story was so compelling to me for so many reasons, not the least the fact that I live in this same chain of mountains, these old Appalachians, which have nourished my soul for some 48 yrs. An intense 'high spiritual energy' seems to radiate out to all who share these sensual well weathered rolling mountains. You call it magic, and it very well may be.

You are a gifted writer, Sharon, and wonderful story teller. If you write this as an autobiography, I can easily see your story projected on the silver screen. Just keep following your heart, being faithful to those memories, and your Aunt Bett's folklore. You may be very surprised at the outcome. Absolutely enchanting story!

Alex, your words are so beautiful to me. It's the way you mention 'nourish my soul' and 'high spiritual energy' , such great word combinations for that feeling which is so hard to describe. It's the feeling of some kind of complete union between nature and me -- or you -- an ubreakable bond that is inside us no matter where we find ourselves planted. And that bond makes us who we are. It's something that we just absolutely know.

Parts of 'Butcher Holler' were filmed in a log cabin constructed on my cousin's property that is just above my brother's home and about a mile from the house where I grew up. The log cabin later became vandalized by so many visitors, so to reduce property damage, Sally had the cabin torn down because her own home is nearby and it all became very disturbing and unsafe.

And thanks for the encouraging words about writing as well. I just always hope I can capture the magic of those mountains in my words, so that others can feel it. It's so difficult to describe a feeling that only a few will ever know.

There is another article here on ATP, about the Mayapple, I wrote it a few years ago and if I use Yarrow and the Mayapple article in the collection, plus a few more like them, then maybe when it becomes an autobiography it might convey a bit of that unique 'magic'.

Thank you from my heart, Alex. I always hope readers will feel and recognize that special spiritual quality that defines us.