I didn’t even know that I used to be that a lot of a Dolly Parton fan ….

By Mary Jane Pitt

Last Tuesday was a kind of annoying days. The web went out in the entire darn Town of Highlands earlier than 11 a.m. Early estimates to get it again had been 2 p.m., after which 7:30 p.m. Fortunately, Spectrum mounted no matter the issue was by about 3 p.m. The drawback for me is that the one day of the week that I completely, positively want the web to work is Tuesday. Of course, proper?

So, I set out with my iPad and my cellphone to discover a good cell sign someplace in order that I may work from my hotspot. Couldn’t make it occur. I referred to as associates in companies and municipal workplaces to see if they’d some secret Wi-Fi supplier that I may latch onto for just a few hours. Nobody did. So, I headed to my workplace in Newburgh, however as I drove over Storm King Mountain I noticed that I may go work on the Cornwall Library (Munger Cottage was supplied as an choice too, thanks!). I went to the library, settled myself in a snug chair, and received the job finished.

An hour or so in, I had a down second so clicked on one among my social media accounts. The very first thing I noticed was that Dolly Parton had died. It hit me like a ton of bricks.

Dolly Parton has at all times been in my peripheral imaginative and prescient – my dad and mom had been/are nation music followers, so, rising up, I typically heard her songs. In more moderen years, she’s finished collaborations with pop stars, so I’ve heard these. Of course, I’d additionally seen her in films and on TV exhibits (whilst a child – I really feel like there was a range present on the Grand Ole Opry we watched). I’d additionally heard about her Imagination Library – however I by no means actually explored what it was as a result of we’ve at all times been lucky sufficient to verify our youngsters and grandkids had/have all of the books they want and need.

But the factor that at all times stood out to me about Dolly Parton is that she simply appeared so actual. And every thing I’ve heard within the final 24 hours since she died backs that up. She was unapologetically herself. She cherished who she cherished – and it seems like most everybody. She was sort – gifting away bazillions of {dollars}. She cared – supporting the underdog. She cherished her massive hair and rhinestones – so she wore them. She appeared to stay life to absolutely the fullest. She was only a good individual.

Maybe it’s as a result of I’m getting older, however the factor I’ve determined that I like most about Dolly Parton was that she totally believed “only God can judge you”. In a world the place most individuals spend method an excessive amount of time – I do know I do – worrying about what different individuals would possibly suppose, the message that nobody has the suitable to evaluate you is a vital one. She additionally stated: “Don’t you ever forget who you are and where you came from. And don’t you ever let anybody tell you that you can’t do this or you can’t do that. You can do whatever YOU think you can do.”

Back to my day … I received my work finished, regardless of the unhappiness and aggravation. I loved spending a number of hours within the Cornwall Library. During just a few non-work moments, I perused the brand new books (Fast Fiction is how the cabinets I like are labeled) and promptly went on the Highland Falls Library’s web site to position holds on the titles I favored. I picked up a ebook of jokes from the Friends of the Library’s free shelf and received to say hi there to some acquainted faces.

A foul day, but additionally a very good day, I suppose. That takes to my ultimate Dolly quote this week: “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain”.