I knew the whistle of each of the river boats on the Tennessee.

Where the Tennessee River, like a silver snake, winds her way through the clay hills of Alabama, sits high on these hills, my home town, Florence.

I knew the whistle of each of the river boats on the Tennessee.

I hate to see the evening sun go down.

Nature was my kindergarten.

My big ears indicated a talent for music. This thrilled me.

Whenever I heard the song of a bird and the answering call of its mate, I could visualize the notes in scale, all built up within my consciousness as a natural symphony.