The last few months, after a long day at work, I’ve been relaxing with TV. Not network TV, mind you, or cable or political com- mentary, but with a warm and wholesome television show that those who grew up in the ’70s will remember: The Waltons. This nine-season semi-autobiographi- cal series created by Earl Hamner is about John and Olivia Walton in 1930-40s Virginia, making a living during the Depression and World War II, with seven children and Grandma and Grandpa Walton sharing their home. It just so happens that John Walton and his father Zebulon operate a sawmill on their proper- ty. This mill keeps them afloat dur- ing the Depression though money is tight. As the Depression draws to a close, the family expands the business into crafting fine furni- ture. In an episode called “The Choice,” John Walton’s sec- ond oldest, Jason, must choose between accepting a scholarship to attend the conservatory and become a musician or learning the family’s trade. John, Sr., is scripted to usually be very accepting of his children’s decisions, such as supporting his eldest son John- Boy’s decision to attend college in pursuit of his passion of becoming a writer. But in this episode, he is staunch about the importance of Jason learning a trade to be able to eventually take care of a family and put food on the table as he’s been able to do even in this eco- nomic crunch. He makes a strong case for the necessity of learning a trade and how it is something you carry with you for the rest of your life. This very old show brought to mind the very contemporary real- ity that young people face today – what path will give you a good liv- ing? What career will support your future? What can’t be outsourced? And what will fill you with pride each day? Jason hedges his bets by choosing the conservatory – AND studying his family trade (It’s a television show, after all!). EDITOR’S LETTER Lesley A. Goddin “One of the things that I find distressing about life today is that people don’t really seem to enjoy their work anymore. When I was growing up on Walton’s Mountain, my father and my grandfather loved their work and they instilled a respect for work in each of us. But I recall one time when my brother Jason had to make a choice, a choice that was dif- ficult for him, but even more difficult for my father.” – John-Boy Walton, reading from his journal 16 TileLetter | June 2019