Farming Songs and Happiness
The world knows we lost Dolly Parton on Aug. 25, but the truth is that her legacy is in safe hands and will live on in our hearts and playlists. There is so much to celebrate about the gift that was Dolly Parton from her talent to her intelligence and humor to her beautiful soul. She was and is peerless and yet so wonderfully human. The world would definitely be a better place if we all tried to be just a little more like Dolly.
Back in 2024, Write Across America and the Rebel Cartographers spent some time writing in response to Dolly Parton’s life and works and recently I participated in a Dolly Parton Generative Poetry Workshop via the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, but there is so much more inspiration to be found when considering this icon:
- Dolly Parton, country star, actor and philanthropist, dies aged 80 after cancer diagnosis
- Dolly Parton, iconic songwriter, singer and philanthropist, has died at 80
One of the things that continues to amaze me is how much of herself Dolly shared through her songs and long, prolific public life littered with interviews and snappy quotes yet using her flashy image to protect her privacy. We are all just weary pilgrims (see Travelin’ Thru) but our journeys have been better for doing so with Dolly Parton in our lives as Miley Cyrus sings in Farewell Dolly Parton.
How has Dolly Parton and her 1,510 recorded songs (according to the Dolly Discography) touched your life? What is on your heart and mind today? This is the Dolly I want to leave with you:
