"hunter s. thompson", "johnny depp", "julie wilson", "kentucky", "lexington", "mama knows best", "mother's day", "story magazine", "women in business", "writers", "writing" Heather C. Watson "hunter s. thompson", "johnny depp", "julie wilson", "kentucky", "lexington", "mama knows best", "mother's day", "story magazine", "women in business", "writers", "writing" Heather C. Watson

Mama Knows Best: Julie Wilson

With Mother's Day coming up, we thought it would be fun to ask our writers, friends, and favorite Kentuckians to share the best advice their own mothers ever gave them.

Image via Lexington Herald-Leader
Julie Wilson, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Lexington-based Story Magazine, shared some great advice. Julie is smart, hard-working, and all-around awesome. Did I mention that she recently interviewed The Coolest Kentuckian, Johnny Depp, for Story's Hunter S. Thompson issue? That fact alone makes her my Kentucky Writer Girl Crush.

Here's the sage advice Julie passed along to us:
"My mother told me to never settle. No matter how outlandish my dream might seem to others, I should always go for it. I know my Mom would be proud of me for not giving up." 
 Julie was recently named Business Owner of the Year by the Lexington chapter of NAWBO, was the subject of a KET documentary, and can't keep Story's Gonzo swag on the shelves. That's all pretty impressive for a business that's barely two years old! I'd say her mama's excellent advice paid off!!


{Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous advice with us, Julie!}
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Happy National Bourbon Day!

Today is officially National Bourbon Day!  Sure, I'll celebrate!


My husband is becoming a bourbon aficionado, so more and more we are choosing our dinner destination based on its food AND bourbon menus.  Trust me, I am not complaining. Recently, while dining at Jonathan's at Gratz Park (Lexington), we sampled the Pappy Van Winkle (23 years old) and Parker's Heritage.  Both were superb and highly recommended. 


Pappy Van Winkle (20 years old), The Village Idiot, Lexington

 Two other bourbons we recently purchased and recommend are Angel's Envy (my personal favorite) and Jefferson's Presidential Select (18 years old):

Angel's Envy

Jefferson's Presidential Select (18 years old)

What's your favorite bourbon?


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Mark Twain and Lincoln

I have the privilege to work in our beautiful State Capitol building in Frankfort and walk by this statue of Abraham Lincoln each day.  Whenever I find myself in the presence of this great Kentuckian who takes center stage in the Capitol Rotunda, I cannot help but agree with Mark Twain.  Yes, indeed, Lincoln "belonged just where he was put." 

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