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In the Box, Out of the Box

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Because sometimes the box just doesn't fit….

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Author: Kim McKinney

I hate boxes....usually. Sometimes I fit, often I don't. You too? I used to want to fit in, but now I usually don't. I want to be me. Not far out there, but not quite the norm. I believe we should celebrate the unique in ourselves. I love travel, adventure, hot air balloons, live music, and kind, smart, and interesting people. Have been described as quirky and I quite like it. I love writing because it helps clear out my brain! Please subscribe to my blog and follow me on Medium (https://medium.com/@kimmckinney719). And let me know your thoughts. I'll love us to get to know each other better.

Happy Valentine’s Day

This is a day that for some is pure joy, for some grief, and for others simply disappointment. Wherever you … More

love, Valentine's Day

A Gorgeous Fresco In My Town

Here’a an article I wrote on News Break about a gorgeous fresco we have in my hometown of Statesville, NC. … More

art, Ben Long, Crossroads, fesco, frescoes, NC, Statesville

A Little Oasis in Downtown Statesville

I’ve always loved the concept of public art and love the way our city both purchases and rents pieces so … More

artists, NC, public art, sculpture, sculpture garden, Sculpture Park, Statesville, travel

A Hike At Lake Norman State Park

It was a beautiful day for a hike. The temperatures were in the 40s, the sun was out, ànd my … More

family activities in NC, hiking, hking trails, Lake Norman, Lake Norman State Park, Statesville, Troutman

Just a Little Mill in NC – Linney’s Mill

I was taking my mom for a little drive on a Saturday and ended up at Linney’s Mill, just over … More

Alexander County, cornmeal, family owned business, Hiddenite, historic mills, Iredell County, LinneysMill, NC, North Carolina, Satesvilke, small business, TravelNC, TravelNorthCarolina, working mills

Losing A Special High School Friend

They buried my friend Melissa today. The service was private, as is the responsible thing to do in this time … More

death, friends, high school, Melissa Hooks, Melissa Valentine, memorial, memories, North Iredell, remembering

Remembering O. Henry and His Life

Loving to read as I do, I clearly remember the first time I read The Gift of the Magi. I … More

author, Greensboro, literature, Memoirs of a Yellow Dog, NC, O. Henry, reading, the Gift of the Magi, The Ransom of Red Chief, Things to do in Greensboro, travel, William Sydney Porter

Come Join Me On News Break

I’m expanding! I just joined the Creators program with News Break. It’s a good fit for what I love to … More

follow, follow me, Life, NC, News Break, Satesville, winter, writing

Those First Christmas Lights

Don’t you just love the first sign of Christmas lights? I figured te day after Thanksgiving you have to start … More

Christmas, Christmas lights, community, NC, Statesviloe

When the FOMO is Real

You hear a lot of talk today of FOMO (the fear of missing out) these days. People think something is … More

exclusion, fear of missing out, FOMO, Friendship, social media

The Mixed Emotions Of Missing You

It has been a long time since I have seen you. It was right before your sisters sent you off … More

addiction, death, deathtoaddiction, family, grief, Life, loss, love

Statistics Coming To Life

As a writer, often I read and comment on the work of other writers. Recently I commented on an impassioned … More

coronavirus, COVID, Covid-19, death, grief, Life, relationships, Sadness

A Time For Change

I love autumn. I drive around town celebrating the colors of nature, my heart a bit lighter. There can be … More

autumn, celebrate, change, fall, Life

Friday Night With Sydney Lett

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and … More

#Localmusic, #SydneyLett, #WineMaestroStatesville, music, NC, Statesville

Girlfriend Day On The Lake

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls … More

friends, Friendship, girlfriend time, lake day, Lake Norman, YaYas

Lifting Spirits Around the World

This was to have been the first weekend of the 2020 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Fiesta is the largest balloon festival … More

ballooning, essential workers, hotairballoons, Liftingspiritsaroundtheworld, Statesville, thankyou

Flying the Skies in Oz

It was a beautiful night in our town, so the balloons we’re out. It was especially fun for me. I … More

ballooning, hot air balloons, land of oz, Wizard of Oz

A Little Georgia Getaway

Oh, a bit of fun for those of you who may be looking for a little Georgia getaway. The Chandelier … More

amazing bed, Chandelier Cottage, Cornelia, Georgia, getaway, Green Hills Farm, outdoor bath, outdoor shower, relaxation, travel

Volunteer Day With MedAssist

Last year I heard about a group called MedAssist, a non-profit here in North Carolina that helps uninsured people get … More

free over-the-counter drugs, free prescription drugs, healthcare, MedAssist, nonprofit, North Carolina

A Trip To The Dump – Errrr, Solid Waste Facility

I’m starting a major cleanout of my home, preparing to sell in the near future. Well, at some point. I … More

dump, Iredell Country Solid Waste Facility, Recycling, trash

Unemployed Again

Oh yes, it’s true. I am unemployed, after a month on a new job. I want to tell the full … More

job hunting, job loss, jobless, unemployed, unemployment

Happy Birthday To Sara And Maggie

I talk about my nieces and nephews a lot because they’re all amazing people. Today happens to be the birthday … More

birthdays, family, Happy birthday, Maggie McKinney, Sara Johnson

Happy Birthday To Me

Well the time has come. I am actually 60! It’s weird. I received messages from some of my friends from … More

age, aging, ballooning, birthday, family, friends, Glympse, hot air balloons, Life, turning 60

Happy Independence Day!

I’m pulling a couple from the past this year. The first one is from 2012, my first year blogging. I … More

freedom, independence, Independence Day, July 4

Jobless – No More

Just in case you have lost count, it has been 529 calendar days since I have had a job. I … More

job hunting, job loss, jobless, unemployed, unemployment, working

A New Private Balloon Pilot and A New Commercial Pilot In Our Community

It’s been a big weekend in our community. A balloon examiner (thanks Adam) was in town and we added a … More

balloon pilots, ballooning, commercial balloon pilot, David Litton, hot air balloons, private balloon pilot, Taylor Pigg

For Father’s Day

My dad was not a big fan, other than he liked having the family around. He never had any use … More

Dad, family, father, Father's Day, Life

A Bit More Ballooning

Yep, more ballooning! Today was significant because my friend Jan took her first ever hot air balloon ride. Introducing people … More

ballooning, first hot air balloon ride, Hot air ballooning, hot air balloons

A Little Bit Of Ballooning

So we went ballooning last night. I had given platelets that afternoon and wasn’t suppose to lift with my left … More

ballooning, coronavirus, friends, hot air balloons

A Jaunt Out Of Town

Well, we were going stir crazy, so my friend Jan and I went to New Bern, NC for a few … More

getaway, NC, NC travel, New Bern, travel

Marching For Solidarity – Equality and Justice

I recently was listening to The Pledge of Allegiance. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of … More

black lives matter, equality, justice, n.c., Statesville, walk for solidarity

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