Last week was tough, with too many important decisions being treated carelessly, too many people too full of themselves, and too many guest columns for the space available (which was why I didn't write last week; since I don't get paid to write, it's no skin off my nose, but apparently the trolls think I'm off somewhere on a fainting couch because I can't handle the pressure).

So of course that means one of the kindest people to ever grace the planet had to shuffle off this mortal coil (followed the next day by another kind and creative soul, Tim Curry). But I don't hate that Dolly Parton had to leave us; she's been ill, and with her dear husband Carl already gone, we can't begrudge her the rest.

Dolly was a big part of my early childhood; in our family, we watched the umpteen syndicated country music shows on KFSM on Saturdays until 6 p.m. when we switched to KHBS to watch "Hee Haw" (evidenced by my tendency to break out in "Gloom, Despair and Agony" and "Where Oh Where Are You Tonight"). Dolly was often on those shows. Dolly also happened to be a favorite of the family next door to us, where I spent many hours listening to and singing along with "Coat of Many Colors" and many others with my friend Jill.

Dolly's voice was captivating and sweet, her words sincere, and when she smiled wide with those dimples, it seemed like the whole world was bathed in........

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