Blind Pig & The Acorn

I'd Like to Wander Back

Wandering back in time is a common theme in Terry Thornton's writing. He lives in the hills of Mississippi and writes about the history and heritage of the area. His work strengthens my belief that we need to understand what went before to gain a hope for the future. Over the past few weeks I've become a devoted fan of his writing.

Terry has an incredible memory and documents not only personal details about his childhood but also describes in detail the landscape and how it has changed or in some cases simply disappeared.

I live in the same mountain holler I grew up in and Terry has inspired me to think of the changes I've seen in my life time. If I could show my girls what the landscape looked like when I was their age, I believe they would have trouble recognizing it's the same place. One house is gone, 5 have been added, fields have turned to lawns, and many trees are gone.

Once a relative who had come for a visit teased me about "pig trails" in the holler. He was talking about the worn footpaths between the houses.

I've always been intrigued by the trails and old road beds that run through the acreage surrounding our land. Pap can remember when they were traveled by people, wagons, horses, and a few cars.

Growing up we had gravity water (water that came from a spring up the mountain). I always liked going up the creek with Pap to check on the water. He would tell me stories about the corn fields that use to be on the sloping sides of the ridges, he showed me where a stone stable had stood for horses, and he'd point out old house places and tell of the people who had lived there. Even though the houses were long gone having been erased by the woods, Pap made it all seem real to me. All that remained of the homes and fields was a pile of rocks or a few flowers planted by someone I'll never know. But the houses, fields, and people remain in Pap's memory.

When I travel the trails and road beds with my girls I point out things that have changed since I was a girl. At one creek crossing I can recall 3 or 4 remaining logs of a bridge rotted and turned green with moss. There was a whole car door leaned up against a mountain laurel-now its rusted into just a few pieces. And many of the trails have grown up with saplings and weeds cause there's no need to walk them.

I've always thought if I could sit quietly by one of those trails and wait patiently-eventually I'd be able to see some of those folks who traveled them, I'd be able to hear their voices. Maybe it'd be some of my ancestors walking to check on a neighbor or work in the corn, maybe it'd be some settlers who lived before Pap's time, maybe it'd be my cousins, my brother, and me walking, arguing, playing, and keeping the paths wore.

If you want to wander back visit Terry Thornton I know you'll be glad you did.

There's a happy child at home In my memory I can see Standing out upon the hill neath the shadow of the tree If I only had my way It would give my heart a thrill Just to simply wander back to the Cabin on the hill Oh I want to Wander back To the Cabin on the Hill Neath the Shadow of the tree I would like to linger still Just to be with those I love Joy my heart would over fill And I want to wander back To the cabin on the hill

B.L. Shook

Tipper

Mountain Momma

I never realized the worth of my Mountain Momma until I had my girls. Almost immediately a curtain was pulled back and I could see the whole picture of being a mother-Oh, now I see what you did Momma.

Of course Mothers provide-food, shelter, love-but so many other things I took for granted. Like: I really need that for school tomorrow would you drive all the way back into town for me? I know you cooked super, but would you make me an egg sandwich instead? I know we don't have much money, but I really want that new pair of shoes. I know you're really tired but would you stay up late and make sure my clothes are washed for tomorrow? On and on the list would go for me- I was a spoiled child. And at the end of the list- Mountain Momma always answered "yes".

Mountain Momma and me in our matching polyester outfits she made.

Mother is such a meaningful word. When Chatter and Chitter were just learning to talk-you could ask them who they were-and they would say Momma. Pap said "how in the world did you confuse them that bad?" I still have no clue why they thought their names were Momma.

It is interesting how people shorten the word Mother or use it in different forms. I've always thought it sweet how some older folks use the word "Mommy" when speaking of their Mother. My brothers and I use the typical "Momma". Chitter went through a phase where she called me "Ma". My Dad and his siblings used the actual word "Mother" I always thought that was so endearing.

I'm going to leave you with 3 random things about my Mountain Momma. I hope you'll leave a comment and tell me 3 random things about your Mother.

*My Mountain Momma has a contest with herself each summer. She cans more quarts of green beans than she did the year before, last year's total 98.

*She crotchets so many hats, scarves, ponchos, and throws for her kids and grandkids we have all ran out of room to store them.

*She went without her back porch for over 15 years because there was other things to pay for-mostly my braces. (our back door literally opened to a drop of about 4 feet until she got her porch)

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Tipper

p.s. In Appalachia there is a tradition of wearing a certain color of flower on Mother's Day depending on whether or not your mother is still living. White if she has passed away, Red if she is still living. In your comment you can also tell which color you would wear this Mother's Day.

Appalachian Medicine

Appalachia is a haven for superstitions, wives tails, and down right kooky advice on the subject of medicine. From putting an ax under the bed of a sick person to cut the pain, to gargling something as poison as kerosene to burn out your tonsils. The medical folklore ranges from helpful to dangerous.

However, I do think it is interesting to see what was used before modern medicine took over. Especially fascinating to me-the plants used in the remedies that grow in my yard.

This is Bloodroot, one of my favorite wildflowers. The small Daisey like flowers appear first, then seemingly over night all the petals fall off. A few days later the leaves appear. The leaves are fairly large and scalloped-I think the leaves are as pretty as the white flowers.

You can see the reddish orange juice that is in the stems and roots. The juice was placed on a lump of sugar and used as a cough drop. The roots, sometimes called "she-roots", were dried and ground into a powder to be used for female ailments, burns, coughs and colds.

The first spring after The Deer Hunter and I moved into our house, Pap and I went up the creek and got several little hemlocks to plant in my yard. This is the lone survivor of that day 11 years ago. The tree is over 12 foot tall now.

Hemlock needles were brewed to make a tea for treating coughs and colds.

This is Trailing Arbutus it grows along the bank behind my house. In the spring it has tiny white pink flowers that smell amazing and literally perfume the whole yard. The leaves were used to make a tea to aide in relieving kidney stones.

Wild Violets grow everywhere around my house, in the yard, in the woods and even in the rocks. A very prolific wildflower.

The roots were used to make a tea which was used as a fever reducer.

Some of the more wacky cures I've heard of:

Spider webs could be used to stop bleeding or swallowed for asthma

For feet cramps turn shoes upside down before going to sleep

To remove a sty from your eye-rub a black cats tail over it

For a headache- tie a flour sack over your head (for some reason I have the urge to try that one), or bury your hair after your next hair cut and you'll never have a headache again

For a black widow spider bite drink liquor heavily from 3 p.m. till 7 p.m. (alright- can't you just imagine who came up with that one)

I hope you enjoyed reading about some of Appalachia's medical folklore. All though I am a native Appalachian, I wouldn't even know where to begin with most of the remedies. If you decide to try any of them, please proceed with caution and do some research of your own.

I'm sure you have used some type of home remedy for an ailment or maybe your grandparents did. Please leave a comment I'd love to hear about it.

Tipper

p.s. My research came from The Foxfire series number 1 & 11. 

Pickin & Grinnin In the Kitchen Makes You Feel Young

Somewhere between adolescence and adulthood memory seems to bury many rites of childhood. As Chitter and Chatter grow up, I'm often rediscovering things that I haven't thought about in years.

The pure joy of playing in the creek, making mud pies, those hand clapping rhymes like Ms. Mary Mack Mack Mack all dressed in black black black, and more recently middle school crushes.

From the beginning, my life has been surrounded by music. When I hear a song from childhood it always make me feel young. Like I'm a little girl, instead of a Mom with two little girls of her own.

When I'm outside on a warm summer night hearing the katydids, and frogs, seeing the lightning bugs, if I am still a moment, I feel young again. Playing hide-n-seek, telling ghost stories, and walking home in the dark to a house lit up with love.

Today's Pickin & Grinnin Spot features a song written, by Paul, I'll Be Young.

Before you start the video, go to the radio and pause it by clicking the first "button" starting on the left under the title. You need to do this-so you can hear the video.

If you have dreaded dial up service (like I do)-I would suggest you click the button to start the video and then go do something else until it loads. Once it has downloaded then you can start it back to the beginning and watch it through.

I hope you enjoyed Paul's song. Please, leave a comment about what makes you "Be Young".

Tipper

In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. -Alfred, Lord Tennyson

I Bring You A Branch Of May

Dancing around the May Pole is a tradition which celebrates the return of Spring. Typically the occasion includes dancers dressed in white, live musicians, garlands of flowers, ribbons on the May Pole, and a picnic meal.

A few weeks back Chitter and Chatter were invited to participate in a May Pole celebration. Their days of practicing were beautiful-plenty of sunshine-

with just a little wind to make the ribbons wave.

But, before today's celebration could begin two major changes shook it all up. The first, Mother Nature decided to bless the celebration with a rain storm, after all it is spring. The second, Chitter decided to come down with an illness consisting of a 102 fever and a sore throat.

The remedy for the first was to move the May Pole in doors and...

...have a human May Pole hold the ribbons (probably a first for the record books).

The remedy for the second-I had to take Chitter's place. I was so very nervous-but the folks had been so nice to invite Chitter and Chatter-I knew I couldn't let them down.

In the end, Chatter and I had a fantastic time-the only thing that could have been better-if Chitter could have been there too. I hope you'll leave a comment about May Pole traditions, or memories you may have experienced.

                        May Day Carol

A branch of May, my love. I say As at your door I stand; It's nothing but a sprout, but it's well budded out By the work of the Lord's own hand. My song is done and I must be gone, I can no longer stay; God bless you all, both great and small And send you a joyful May.

Kentucky Version from the Ritchie Family of Perry County, KY

Tipper

Spreading the Love for April

I'd like to send a big Thank You out to all the folks who commented in the month of April!

Lori, Susan, Miss Cindy, Stacy A, Brit, Dana, Mandi, Amy, Em, Deb, Sarah, Teresa, Paula, Leslie, Lisa, Jennifer in OR, Renna, Trisha Too, Rechelle Brown, Noble Pig, Bobbi in KY, Debbie, Patti, Egghead, Writer Lady, Nikole, Leanne, Meredith, Janera, Jessica, Celene, Sarah, Beckynsc, Stephanie, Ms. Hillbilly, Miss Jean, Tamara, Carrie, Roland, Threecollie, Joan, JHS, Mary Anne, Terry Thorton, Laurie, Gracie, and Granny Sue.

And I'd like to congratulate the winner of the Spread the Love giveaway for April it is.....

Debbie! I hope you like the painting and I hope all of you keep commenting! Spread the Love for May started today!

Today is a special day at my house-not only because it's the second Spread the Love giveaway (another blog milestone)-it is also The Deer Hunter's birthday!

He's a great husband, a super Daddy, and one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. (of course he tries to hide it under all that tough deer hunter power stuff)

The Deer Hunter puts up with a lot from Chitter, Chatter and me- and I love him for every bit of it! Happy Birthday to The Stealthy Powerful Deer Hunter!

Tipper

p.s. Many of my competent commentators have blogs of their own-A very interesting bunch of folks-you can read about parenting, farming, ranching, soaping, crafting, history, heritage, food, chickens, lizards, possums, ghosts, quilting and even cemeteries. Just click on their names in orange (up at the top of this post) to go for a visit. I know you'll love them as much as I do!

Mountain Folk

This is LC my first Mountain Folk profile. LC is one of Pap's closest friends.

I've known LC my entire life and without a doubt he is Mountain Folk.

LC is a native Appalachian who was born in 1930 in Blue Ridge, Georgia. There were 16 children in his family-7 girls and 9 boys. There were 2 sets of twins-LC was part of one set. Sadly, his twin brother, JB, died at the age of 22 from a brain tumor.

LC is an Army Veteran, who served during the Korean War. After fulfilling his duty to his country LC worked as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator until he retired. He and his wife Frankie (who just happens to be world famous for her biscuits and banana pudding) raised a family of six wonderful folks.

When I started thinking of all the different things I knew about LC and why I thought of him as a true Appalachian, many different memories crossed my mind. It was hard to narrow it down to just a few.

One of the first ones I thought of is a story I heard second hand from Pap. Many years ago while LC was driving a truck on a long haul up north he developed a toothache. Knowing he had to finish his route and not having the money or time to find a dentist-LC took matters into is own hands. After stopping to buy some Listerine to use as a disinfectant he got a pair of pliers and pulled his own tooth. If that isn't tough I don't know what is, and it definitely shows the strong independent trait attributed to Appalachians.

When I was in 5th grade my Mamaw (Pap's mother) died suddenly in the middle of the night from a heart attack. She was only 67 years old. The following morning when I got up and went into the kitchen-LC and Frankie were already there sitting with Pap and Granny. There to do what they could at such a sad time. I think this one sticks in my mind because Mamaw's death was the first one in my life that truly broke my heart and it was the first time I ever saw Pap cry.

LC is dedicated to helping out his community. He regularly volunteers at the community center and if anyone is hosting a benefit for someone in need-LC is the first to offer help by selling chances, collecting auction items or anything else they need him to do.

LC is known as the chewing gum man to all the kids. He always has a pocket full of gum for them and is even willing to share it with the grown-ups like me.

As you can see, LC has a true generous nature-another great Appalachian trait.

As I explained to LC that I wanted to feature him on my site where I celebrate our Appalachian Heritage, I asked him if he had anything to say about Appalachia. LC's reply "If I didn't live here, I'd be getting here as fast as I could". I think that pretty much sums it up for me too.

Tipper

p.s. Those are not initials-LC is his real name. If you would like to leave a comment for or about LC just click on the word comments (in orange) below and follow the directions.

Dropping The Love

Only three more days till the Spread the Love giveaway for April, so I thought I should show you what's up for grabs this time.

I painted this mixed media Angel right before I started the blog-you can see I was already thinking about Spreading the Love.

I used acrylic paints, paper, and a reclaimed frame. Its nice to think about someone flying around dropping love along the way.

That is exactly how I feel when you leave a comment on one of my posts-you're dropping a little love my way. I am ever so grateful for each comment. Without a doubt, your comments make the blog.

Last month's winner Trisha Too sent me a beautiful handmade card to let me know the Angel (Ms. Spot) she won, is sitting on her mantle watching over her family. Nice.

To be entered in the Spread the Love giveaway each month-all you have to do is leave a comment on the blog-and your in!

So please keep leaving comments and dropping the love my way!

Tipper

p.s. Miss Cindy frames all my paintings. And what a wonderful framer she is-Thank you Miss Cindy!

Lightning Strikes & Granny

Chitter took this picture of lightning from a recent spring storm we had.

When my brothers and I were growing up, Granny had all kinds of admonitions about storms, specifically about lightning.

According to Granny you can't take a shower, talk on the phone or run water when it is lightning. You also can't flush the potty or stand by a window.

And, at all costs, Granny said you should have shoes on-real shoes-even in the house-because if you don't it will draw lightning.

Granny had so many warnings about lightning that my younger brother and I started making up our own. Like-don't stand on one foot and open the frig it will attract lightning.

Or don't cross your right arm over your left arm while crossing your left leg over your right leg because it will attract lightning (obnoxious I know).

Silly or not Granny lives by her "lightning rules" and if you happen to be with her in a storm she'll make sure you do too.

If you have an admonition from your Granny-please leave a comment I'd love to hear about it.

Tipper

p.s. I have a Grannyism page where I talk about Granny. Some other folks have left wonderful comments about their Granny too. Check it out I know you'll like it.

Way Back In The Hills-I've Made Some Friends

This week I have had the pleasure of making some new friends over at World Wide Bluegrass . For all of you who enjoy bluegrass music you must check their site out. You can listen to the streaming bluegrass as you go about your day and if you want you can chat with some of my new friends-Tamara, Gentleman Jim, Mckneely, Gracie and Tonya.

Today's Pickin & Grinnin in the Kitchen Spot features one of my favorite songs Way Back In The Hills. It was written by Bob Amos from Front Range-one of my favorite bands. First go to the radio and pause it by clicking the first "button" starting on the left under the title. You need to do this-so you can hear the video.

If you have dreaded dial up service (like I do)-go do something else for a while then once it has downloaded then you can start it back to the beginning and watch it through.

Please leave a comment if you liked the pickin & grinnin (by clicking on the word comments below in orange). The pick off (argument) is still going on between my talented nephews Guitar Man and Mandolin Man. They are thankful for the comments that have been left so far-its how they gage who is ahead in the fight... I mean pick off.

Tipper

p.s. Don't forget to take a trip to World Wide Bluegrass to hear some great music! There are several different programs from gospel to old time bluegrass. Something for everyone. I know you'll like it.