Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow Tree

 

This is the view from my favorite sitting spot on our front porch. Summer has arrived in Appalachia. I see green wherever my eyes look-my world is hot-I hear birds tweeting, bugs bugging, and bees buzzing.

 

I'm not sure what it is about summer-but it always takes me back to childhood-makes me feel like I'm a skinny barefoot girl again (me and Paul in the pic above). There is just something magical about summer here-it's as if the outdoors beckon you like a seducing siren. The woods-the land simply comes to life. I'm sure others feel the same calling the same awakening in other parts of the country-but I can only speak of what I know-and summer in Appalachia is something I know.

 

The word summer makes me think of- barefeet, slamming screendoors, being sent to the garden for something, sending someone to the garden for something, katydids, lightning bugs, warm tomatoes, canning jars, hard work, swimming, sunning, watermelons, blackberries, flip flops, cotton night gowns, warm dirt, baseball, sun kissed faces, corn on the cob, fried squash, fresh cucumbers, guitar picking on the porch, clotheslines, honey bees, orange day lilies, red hot pokers.

For this week's Pickin' & Grinnin' In The Kitchen Spot- Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow Tree. The first song The Carter Family ever recorded-in 1927. Even though the old bluegrass standard is about an unfaithful lover-somehow it shouts summer time to me. (don't forget to stop the music player before you start the video)

Hope you enjoyed one of my favorite summer time songs. What does summer make you think of? Is there a song that shouts summer to you?

Tipper

p.s. There were some outstanding comments left on the post about the economy and education if you didn't read them-you should-click here to read them.

Comments

[Carolyn A.]

What a great melody, even for a kind of sad song. Thanks Pap and Paul for the great harmony. Tipper, loved seeing you playing along too. I could just about pick out every string you strummed and it just flowed.

My favorite Summer song? Why that would have to be the Drifters 'Under The Boardwalk' as you know I am an Ocean City girl. :) xxoo

[Miss Cindy]

You're right, Tipper, summer makes me remember childhood summers. I think it is because when I was young I spend all my time outside in direct contact with the earth. Now I just look out the window!!
This summer we have had so much rain everything is lush and beautiful.

[Paula]

Summer to me is so many of the things you listed, warm star-lit nights, fresh veggie's from the garden, the smell of fresh mown hay, the golden light of wheat fields, fishing, county fairs and so much more. We moved to the Oregon Coast a few years ago and our high temps here are usually between 65 and 70. I love it here, but do so miss warm summer nights.

[Amy @ parkcitygirl]

Well said Tipper! I love the warm nights outside :)

[Becky]

Yay! We finally got to see Tipper keeping the beat for the boys. And I must say you made them look better!!
The main thing I look forward to in the summer....taking off all those darn clothes, shoes, socks....
I hate keeping bundled up in the winter to keep warm.

[Annie]

Hi Tipper,
Always love to hear your dad, Paul and the others play and sing. Reminds me of summer afternoons on Grandpa's porch when he and my uncle played "Dueling Banjos."
When I was a teen, I didn't appreciate Grandpa's bluegrass roots as much as I do now, but what sweet memories I have of him with his long agile fingers picking the banjo.

[My Carolina Kitchen]

The slapping screen door brought back such wonderful memories of summer. We saw fire flys last night as we sat on our screened porch and they too reminded me of catching them in a glass jar (no plastic then) as a child. You have a gorgeous view.
Sam

[fishing guy]

Tipper: I did enjoy the song in the kitchen, really neat. I think you might be surprised at the summer song I choose. It is by Kid Rock "All Summer Long", yes Kid Rock. His best song and it is a country song. Check it out if you haven't heard it.

I love Summer and we will have so many things growing really soon.

[Granny Pam]

I sure enjoyed this one. I like summer, but I don't do too well in the very hot weather. I guess that is because I've always lived somewhere cool. 80 is hot for me!

[Frances]

In the deep south near the gulf coast, it is hot and muggy so much of the time. It makes it worth the effort of being up at the crack of dawn to enjoy the sweet sounds of birds twittering, and the leaves rustling. The Righteous Brothers song Summertime when the living is easy...." always comes to mind.
Love your thoughts.

[Glenda]

I have two favorite summer memories. When I was very small, I loved sitting on the porch at night with all my family talking and my sister and I chasing lightning bugs and hearing the the chorus of bull frogs from the swamp across the road.
My favorite adult memory was when we had a pontoon boat on Lake Chatuge. We'd go out late and stay until the sun set over the water making a shining shimmering path as far as we could see.

[martina]

Is that you playing the guitar to the right? Why weren't you singing along? Your description of summer is perfect. I'd include blackberry stains on the fingers,Mom's potato salad(yum!), ponytails, the pffft pfft pfttt daa daa daa daa noise of sprinklers.

[pappysbalderdash.blogspot.com]

Hey Tipper,
You just about covered it all. I always liked swimming in the creek until my lips turned blue and my skin shriveled up. Looks like a new musician in the picking in the kitchen segment today. Were you thumping out a bass line? Sure enjoyed that. Pappy

[Shirley]

You go girl. Sad so many people will never have such memories, maybe your blog will be the closest they get!

[Rick]

The one thing that makes me think of summer that I didn't see on your list was cheeseburgers and hot dogs on the BBQ grill while my son Tyler and my dog Sampson run around the back yard.

[Janet]

I like all the things you mentioned, too. Some other things would be thunderstorms, going on vacation, and family reunions.

[Brenda Kay Ledford]

Tipper,
I love the same things about summer: sitting on the front porch, lightning bugs, the sunshine. What a great post with such an appropriate song.

[Nancy M.]

I love all those same things about summer! The song that always reminds me of summer is Walking on Sunshine. It reminds me of going to the pool everyday with my friends when I was a teenager. Great times!