Black Bear Clock Repair

08/26/2026

Dolly Parton was just one of those people who wasn’t supposed to die. She was supposed to be here forever. Maybe because, for so many of us, Dolly represented something that feels increasingly rare in this world, simple, genuine goodness.

She was giving. She was kind. She was wickedly funny. She cared about the least among us. She believed children deserved books and opportunities, families deserved help when they were hurting, and people deserved to be loved for exactly who they were. She put books into the hands of millions of children, including children who might never otherwise have known what it felt like to have a book arrive with their own name on it.

She loved her community fiercely, but her compassion never stopped at the Tennessee state line. She welcomed people. She included people. She stood beside LGBTQ people when others wouldn’t. She had this remarkable way of making almost everyone feel like there was room for them at her table.

And somehow she did all of that while never losing her humor, her humility or that wonderful ability to laugh at herself.

So how do we move forward in a world without Dolly Parton? I really don’t know. Maybe the only thing we can do is try to be a little more like her. Give a little more. Judge those who are different a little less. Help somebody who needs it. Put a book in a child’s hands. Make somebody laugh. Stand beside the person who feels like nobody else will. Love people a little more freely.And every once in a while, wear something with rhinestones on it just because it makes you happy.

My heart hurts today. But I think if there is one thing worth carrying forward from Dolly’s life, it is this, We should all just try to be better. A little kinder. A little more generous. A little more accepting. A little more willing to take care of one another.

And maybe, for the rest of my life, every time I see a butterfly, I’ll think of her.
I think she’d be okay with that.

Rest well, Dolly. Thank you for leaving this world so much better than you found it.
———
I cannot take credit for these perfect words about someone as precious or more - our equivalent to Princess Diana - our Angel Dolly Parton. Lee Hostettler said these words.
Beautiful. Thank you
I think we all feel a little empty tonight
XO. Joanie

08/19/2026

THE CLOCK LADY UPDATE: without showing too many graphics…. The first cast is off. They cut the top and bottom of my hand. The new thumb joint and a spring to maneuver my thumb. The stitches removed. New cast is on. No problem. We can do this!!! This cast comes off August 31st and a hand/arm brace comes on. Nothing will stop this clock lady. Slow me down? Maybe but clock springs etc breaking is all part of the business. The drop off/pick up location at The Great Smoky Flea market is open. I was even there this past weekend. The clocks in the shop are being worked on. Status calls/Estimate calls have slowed but have no fear - we are here! We are doing the work for other clock shops too but bring them directly to us at The flea Market (booth E-15) and save a bunch of money cutting out the middle man - we are doing the work anyway….. love you all! Your Clock Lady Joanie. Thanks for your patience.

08/10/2026

A Clock Lady UPDATE: four days ago from surgery…. Joanie is in EXTREME PAIN to say the least. Hand is extremely swollen. Hitting insides of cast and pressing, very painful. Removing first cast on August 17th and removing stitches then putting new larger cast on which will be on for 10 weeks. Then I go into an arm/hand brace and start special hand therapy for my clock repair work. I’m attempting a tiny bit of stuff each day, it’s hard and I thank you all for your patients. The shop is open and the rest of the staff are working away putting out clocks. It has caused a slow down in my estimate calls and my grandfather clock service calls so thank you in advance for your patience.
Thank you all for your Prayers.
- Joanie

08/06/2026

Fun information from the clock lady. XO

19 Facts About Time That Actually Change How We See Time Itself 👇

08/06/2026

UPDATE: The Clock Lady is home. My new thumb joint and hand are hidden in ice in this blue foam tower. I feel like the Statue of Liberty. Ha Ha
Loads of pain, throbbing building through the evening. They said the first week will be tough. Healing is painful. The Great Smoky flea market pick up/drop off location will be open Friday and Saturday 9:30am to 4:30pm. Kenny will be there alone without me. Be kind to him, he’ll be handling it alone. Ha Ha. Hugs from me, Joanie, to all our legions of customers and friends. XO

08/05/2026

Joanie got attacked by a clock click spring again! My room for the day is at Parkwest hospital having surgery on my hand. Looks like we are replacing a thumb joint “again”. Kenny will be at the market this weekend but if Joanie doesn’t return phone calls for a few days, you will know why. XO. Your Clock Lady

07/15/2026

XO. From your Clock Lady, Joanie

07/04/2026

July 4th, 1976. I was at the Tall Ships bicentennial celebration in Manhattan. We were VIP’s on the 43rd floor of The World Trade Center Twin Towers. The picture is of my Aunt Kathy, Uncle Hughie, Grandfather (John Montgomery) and myself. I was 14 years old and in that picture we were up in the roof of the tower. They were dedicating the towers. They didn’t even have the railings on the roof yet. It was so windy up there.

06/21/2026

To all the dads out there…. Fur baby dads…..soon to be dads….. step dads….HAPPY FATHER’S DAY from Black Bear Clock Repair. XO

06/12/2026

I’m singing
🎶 I am the birthday girl, I am the birthday girl 🎶

No abusing The Clock Lady at the market today, it’s her birthday!!!