Lewis County Person Of The Week : Cyn Ring

CYN RING

Q.) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

A.) I consider myself an artist and creative maker. I love to "build a space". I enjoy collecting very old books and shiny crystals. I love thrifting vintage clothes and finding broken things to fix. I have a very patient husband. My kids and grandkids never know what to expect when they visit. I spin a lot of plates.

Q.) Where did you grow up?

A.) I was born during a record-breaking snowstorm up north, in a place called Wyandotte. Mind you, this was not so very long ago. Then my dad (who was born in Hohenwald) replanted us here near my ninth birthday. Apart from a few years away here and there, I've spent most of my time here.

Q.) What is one of your fondest childhood memories?

A.) 1. Getting picked up by an elephant at the zoo when I was around 3-4 years old. It was so thrilling! I didn't know why the gatekeeper was running so fast though or why my dad was turning white, but they stopped my adventure and wouldn't let me go with the elephant.

2. The first time I ever went to a scholastic book fair in elementary school. Not just ordering from the paper form, but all those shiny new books in their neat stacks in pretty rows. I've been hooked on smelling books in orderly fashion ever since.

3. The confidence I gained and the sense of freedom I felt the day I learned how to ride my bright yellow bicycle. It had a white banana seat with brady bunch flowers. That feeling was unmatchable until I got my driver's license. I bought a new bicycle this summer and have been riding it ever since.

Q.) What did you want to be as a kid? What did you actually become?

A.) I always to be an artist/ballerina/inventor/writer/body builder, but I wimped out and studied accounting instead. I'm entering my third adulthood though and this time I have an adorable gift shop in town with all sorts of cute things and most of the art inside is mine. If that doesn't work out, then maybe even a scholastic book fair lady someday?

Q.) Who was/is your biggest role model?

A.) I think I basically cut out my own path and didn't have any role models to follow, but I do admire Dolly Parton. We both come from poor rural communities high on a mountain top. We both love all kinds of music, singing, dancing and making people laugh. We both love big hair, fun clothes that maybe we wear a little too tight, and we both love books. I think she is very kind and generous and is always giving back to her community. I would vote for her for President and would like to be as confident and successful as she has.

Q.) What are some of your favorite hobbies/ how do you like to spend your free time?

A.) That depends on the day and the weather and my ever-changing mood. When its nice weather, I like to be outside as much as possible working in my yard or outdoor projects. When the weather is cooler, I work inside on my book or crystal collections or being crafty. Probably I should be cleaning more but hey, we are all works in progress.

Q.) If you could go anywhere, in or out of the states, where would it be? Why?

A.) I have a bucket list of destinations I want to visit, but currently we are on a crystal digging and, on the side, Indian mound touring. We've been going to places nearby like Arkansas and next is Missouri to dig from real crystal mines. I've never had so much fun as when I was digging earlier this summer. Maybe I would have been a great archaeologist!

Q.) What is "your" song?

A.)I honestly can't name just one song; I love so many. But if it came out before 2005, I probably name that song in three notes. If it came out before 1998, I would probably want to dance to it.

Q.) What is one of your favorite things about living in Hohenwald?

A.) Being so close to precious nature and more rural surroundings is something I appreciate very much. Theres a sense of security that comes with that, but it is very fragile when change comes.

Q.) What is your favorite time of year? Why?

A.) We live in such a beautiful place that is has all four seasons: I love them all. Hawaii is always sunny and Washington was always gloomy. In Tennessee, we get to experience them all. Sometimes all four seasons on the same day!

Q.) What do you enjoy most about your job?

A.) Not only do I get to be artsy and crafty and do lots of cool things, I get to meet new people every day and hear so many interesting and fascinating stories. Sometimes I help them with sharing my experiences, sometimes they help me with theirs. There's always growth and expansion happening in one form or another and it is never dull.

Q.) Do you have a nick name?

A.) The only real nick name I have is when my husband calls me "Hobby Lobby West". I cannot argue. Some days, it is fitting.

Q.) If you could be a TV character for a day, who would it be? Why?

A.) My first impulse was to answer Michael Scott. I can't say why. My second answer would be the original Samantha on the first Bewitched. They both have the power to hire and fire people, they just use different techniques.

Q.) Is there any life advice you could give to our readers?

A.) This could be a book I'd write someday, but for now my first advice to anyone reading, if you aren't feeling well or are not too happy with yourself, remember; your body hears every single word you say! The body is a machine, and it can heal itself. We must change our perceptions and flip the script. We must listen to our body when it tells us what it needs to run properly. Good food, good sleep, safe spaces and warm hugs are not a luxury, but necessity and the body will revolt on you eventually if you do not take care of it. And when you do give your body what it really needs, stand back and watch the healing begin!