Brenda Crissman Musick considers herself a true product of the Appalachians, a place that holds her heart. It is where she belongs. She loves the people, the friendliness, and the natural beauty of the area. Her childhood was a time of lightheartedness, of learning, and of growing. At the same time, it was a slower-paced life and a life of hard work. She hoed corn and tobacco, pulled weeds out of those darn onions, and helped can in the summer and fall. She was taught to appreciate the area and to respect it. It was a time of imagination; a time of true socialization when you really saw the people and the surroundings. The school was an important time of her life, as she loved learning, especially writing and literature. Honaker High School, Honaker, Virginia, holds precious memories for her. She graduated in 1965 and later received a Bachelor of Science in Education from UVA-Wise. Teaching elementary and middle school was a highlight of her life, arousing students' enthusiasm for novels, writing, poetry, and even mythology. She and her husband enjoy their church and church family.
