Lessons from the Mountain

Photo Insert

In 1961, I joined my brothers and added to the family. My mom was always so pretty. She worked hard to make sure all of us were well-dressed for family photos. (Author’s personal collection)

Mom and Dad on their way to Hawaii in 1967. They look so happy to me. (Author’s personal collection)

With the TV Guide. It was meant to be! (Author’s personal collection)

With two of my favorite people, my brothers Michael and John, in 1963. (Author’s personal collection)

Me as a toddler. (Author’s personal collection)

I loved this red velvet dress. It looks like a future Walton pinafore. (Author’s personal collection)

First grade photo. Nice bangs! (Author’s personal collection)

The beginning of ballet recitals. I was a marionette that cut away from her strings for a solo. Hmmm, a sign of things to come? The glue used to paste on those pink sequins burned my skin. Early performance trials, ha ha. (Author’s personal collection)

Daddy’s girl at her First Holy Communion. (Author’s personal collection)

The Homecoming cast. Patricia Neal and Andrew Dugan played the parents. (CBS)

In Ike Godsey’s store with Judy and Kami. I like this one because it shows how comfortable we are as sisters. My elbows are on Kami. (THE WALTONS © Lorimar Television. Licensed By: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Goofing on the set in 1972. (Author’s personal collection)

With Ellen at a race car event in 1973. She looked different when she wasn’t dressed as Grandma. (Author’s personal collection)

Cheerleading practice in junior high. (Author’s personal collection)

Turning thirteen with a cake my mom made and decorated. (Author’s personal collection)

On tour with Eric for the show. Love my vest and Eric’s groovy shirt, glasses, and necklace.(CBS)

Going to the Emmys with my dad. (Author’s personal collection)

With Erin Moran at my parents’ house. Love us here. I’m wearing a silver Taurus the Bull necklace Richard gave to me for Christmas. Still have it. (Author’s personal collection)

My self portrait of Hog Body. This is how I felt and thought I looked. Very sad to me now.

This is how I actually looked. I was starving in this photo. (CBS)

With Patrick Cassidy on Midnight Offerings . (CBS/Paramount)

With Melissa Sue Anderson. We witches, we couldn’t keep a straight face. We kept cracking up during the PR photo shoot. (CBS/Paramount)

The 1980s! The PR years of posters, photos and bathing suits. I can’t believe I thought I was fat in this photo. (Charles William Bush Photography)

No fly aways here! (Charles William Bush Photography)

One of my favorite pictures of me, taken by my friend Michelle Laurita. It’s the Top Gun era. (Michelle Laurita)

A different kind of bride. With Bill Paxton in Mortuary just before I stuck an ax in his back. (Author’s personal collection)

With my roomies, Linda Blair and Steve Lundquist. (The Shevett Studio/Anita & Steve Shevett)

It was bound to happen. As a nun in Impure Thoughts. Thanks to Michael Simpson. I also played a nun on American Dreams. (Michael Simpson)

Walton Reunion special. I love my period hair. The beginning of those character roles. (A WALTON THANKSGIVING © Warner Brothers Television Production, A Division of Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. All Rights Reserved.)

With my darling daughter Sydnee at a Walton fan club reunion. (Jason Gilmore)

As director, a proud moment for me. (Author’s personal photo)

With Senator Roy Blunt and Pam Saraceni. (Author’s personal photo)

With Senator Kennedy. I treasure this picture. (Author’s personal photo)

Sybil and me at the FDA. (Author’s personal photo)

With dear Patricia Neal at a film festival for May. (Jason Gilmore)

The beautiful girls (left to right): Sydnee, Kylie and Robyn. (Author’s personal photo)

With my Don at a Walton reunion in Virginia. (Author’s personal photo)