Blind Pig & The Acorn

Choking Out The Whippoorwills

 

This time of the year I start listening-hoping to hear the first Whippoorwill of the season. I grew up hearing Pap tell a story about the Whippoorwill.

In days gone by, the story was quite popular in our area-so popular a man once came to record the story-straight from the source as they say. Pap was lucky to hear the story from both-the source and the recording.

Old Man Jeff Dalrymple told the tale. He claimed to have been responsible for choking out  the Whippoorwills in Bellview(a local community). According to Pap, at one time, Whippoorwills were so plentiful, that fox hunters claimed they interfered with their hunting.

 

Old Man Jeff and his brothers were out fox hunting one night-and the Whippoorwills were so loud they couldn't hear the dogs running. Old Man Jeff told one of his brother's to pull out his shirt tail and tie a knot in it-to choke the Whippoorwills. As soon as he tied the knot the birds quietened a bit. Old Man Jeff told him to tie another one-and the birds got even quieter-Old Man Jeff instructed his brother to tie one more knot-as he tied the last knot-all the Whippoorwills fell out of the tree dead! And there hasn't been a Whippoorwill in Bellview since.

The story or should I say "tall tale" is funny enough-but Pap says the recording is even funnier. At the end of the tape-you can hear a lady say "anybody who'd believe that is standing on their head" then you hear the interviewer ask who the lady is-and Old Man Jeff says "That's my crazy old woman she don't believe nothing!"

I love hearing the call of the Whippoorwill-it's kind of eerie and lonesome. Seems each year I hear them less. Today I was surprised to learn the population has decreased by as much as 80% in some areas-no wonder I'm not hearing them as often.

Do you like to hear Whippoorwills? Have you ever heard one?

Tipper

Waste Not Want Not

"Waste Not Want Not" was a saying past generations used and lived by-because they had too. Wasting for past generations was considered shameful. Hard times caused folks to use what they had-to make do-and to never waste.

 

Miss Bonnie, The Deer Hunter's Grandmother was born in 1914. She was a typist for Champion International, then after having children a stay at home mom.

 

At the age of 55 Miss Bonnie started a new career as a lifeguard at the YMCA. She taught half the town of Canton, NC to swim. She worked as a lifeguard at the Y until she retired at the age of 76.

Miss Bonnie lived her life with a "waste not want not" attitude. Even during the later years of her life she still carried the saying along with her in her mind-and in the daily actions of her life. 

Miss Cindy (Bonnie's daughter-The Deer Hunter's mother) recently shared a few details about Bonnie's waste not time at the Y with me.  The YMCA supplied soap, in the form of little brown bars, for the patrons to use. Most folks would shower-and leave the little brown bar laying in the stall only having been used one time. Miss Bonnie would collect the soap instead of throwing it away. She took the bars home and put them in a plastic mesh bags that oranges came in. She used it to wash clothes and dishes-holding the bag under running water. She just couldn't bear throwing the perfectly good soap in the garbage day after day.

Miss Cindy said Bonnie felt the same way about the clothing and towels folks left at the YMCA. The Y's policy was to keep the items a few weeks to see if anyone came back for them, if no one did the items were thrown away. But not on Miss Bonnie's watch. Once Bonnie found out the unclaimed items were being put in the garbage-she started taking the items home to see if anyone she knew could use them-and if they couldn't she sent them to the local Salvation Army.

My Papaw grew up with the same "waste not" attitude. I remember one time he accidentally poured tea in his cereal-not wanting to waste it-he ate it anyway.

While I can't live up to Miss Bonnie's actions-I do hate to waste things. I feel bad about food that isn't eaten-but I do feed it to the neighbor's dog. I feel bad about clothes or shoes that somehow never get the use worn out of them-but I donate them to a local charity or send them to the consignment shop. What about you-do you have a good example of "waste not want not" for me?

Tipper

Mountain Folk

 

I'd like to introduce you to Hubert Kirkland. Hubert is a native Appalachian-born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I recently interviewed Hubert about his life in Appalachia.

 

What was life like when you were a child?

There was lots of work to be done and everybody had to help. Having a garden was a major chore-the whole family helped with it cause you had to have the food it produced to survive. Cutting wood was a full time job cause you used it to cook and to heat your home. Two neighbor boys cut wood everyday from 10-4 just to provide enough wood for their family.

 

What did your Mother usually plant in the garden?

Mother kept the seed from year to year so she always had a supply of what she liked to plant. We grew beans, corn, squash, parsnips, turnips, greens and some other things as well.

Can you share a few memories of your childhood days?

I mowed folks yards and did other chores to make money. One time I mowed this little old lady's yard and when I was through she handed me a dime.That was the last time I ever mowed her yard I was expecting at least 35 cents! I used to collect bottles to sell to the bootleggers. One of my neighbors threw his empty liquor bottles at the back of his house and I'd sneak in there and get them. The bootleggers paid a penny a piece for coke bottles and a nickle a piece for liquor bottles.

The funnest times I ever had was running around with my friend Glenn. He had an old jeep and we'd drive to Tellico Plains and jump off the waterfalls or the high rock. Sometimes we'd go to the Ocoee River. Those times are some of my best memories.

 

Hubert is a master craftsman when it comes to woodworking. He turns beautiful bowls,

 

carves animal figures, hand crafts fiddles (you can see one he made in the picture at the top), and made most of the furniture in his home.

 

Hubert grows a garden each year-saving the seeds as his Mother once did. Hubert has pear, apple, and fig trees-he also has had great success grafting trees.

 

Showing true Appalachian generosity-Hubert shared some of his saved seeds with me and dug up some of his Blueberry Bushes for me. As the interview wound down, I asked Hubert one last question.

Can you sum up what you think of Appalachia-the past and the present?

The government has to much influence over our lives now. One bunch of people get paid too much one bunch too little. I believe if they're going to have a minimum wage they should have a maximum wage too. I'm afraid greed has took over the mountains-it's got too crowded with houses all over the mountainsides. Growing up in Appalachia was a rough way of life but a joyful way of living. I wish I could go back to the way it was.

If you're wondering when Hubert was born-he wouldn't tell me. He said he would for sure tell me how much he weighed-but if I found out how old he was-it wouldn't be from him!

Hope you'll leave a comment for Hubert.

Tipper

Memories Of Winter Months Spent In Appalachia

In the old days the long winter months following Christmas and New Years were a time to catch up on housework, sewing, quilting, barn work, hardware repair, and planning for spring and planting time. Certainly folks still had work to do-feeding/caring for the animals, and making sure the wood supply would make it till spring-but the weather conditions forced the late winter months to also be a time of rest (compared to the long work days of spring, summer, and fall).

 

Recently Wanda Stalcup, Director of the Cherokee County Historical Museum, and Native Appalachian, talked with me about her memories of winter months spent as a child. Three yearly occurrences stood out to her as she looked back through the years.

The first:

Her family's primary cash crop was tobacco. Wanda recalled payment for the previous summer's crop generally came around Christmas time. The money was used to pay off lines of credit at local stores, paying tithes to church, and having the fields turned and readied for spring planting. To be able to "clear the ledgers" brought a welcome relief to her family.

The second:

Wanda's first grade teacher, Mrs. Axely helped make Valentines Day special for the entire school. Mrs. Axely was a beloved fixture of the school, her birthday fell on Valentines Day.

In those days most children couldn't afford to purchase Valentines or even buy supplies to make them. Mrs. Axely provided materials for the children to make Valentines. Some years she helped them make a "mail box" to place the cards in-on the special day Mrs. Axely would hand out the Valentines one by one. Political correctness was unheard of at that time-and children were left to choose who got a Valentine and who didn't. Wanda recalls the popular kids got the most (guess some things never change), but each child treasured the Valentines they did receive. Wanda remembers taking hers out all through the year and marveling over the lovely creations.

The third:

Ground Hog Day! Wanda's family was isolated from the outside world-the only influence being the radio-which didn't forecast the weather. Her family anxiously awaited the Ground Hog's appearance and his revelation about spring. The results could bring hopes for a warm moist spring to help the plants get a head start or the drudgery and work of getting more firewood to make it till a late spring.

The Blind Pig family uses the late winter months for crafting, painting, cooking, reading, and planning our garden for the coming summer. What do use them for?

Tipper

p.s. Only 3 more days till Spread the Love-so comment!!

LOL In Appalachia

Some laughter by way of Pap and an old friend Ollie.

 

Horace was well known for being a prankster-never one to pass up a chance to poke some fun at someone. He had a new tool in is arsenal-a dog whistle. One afternoon Horace went up the road to visit Ollie. After arriving on the porch to sit a spell, Horace told Ollie to call his dogs-he wanted to see if they were any good. Ollie called to his dogs and one came bounding up the steps just in time to hear Horace allow "that dogs crazy". Ollie said "why thats one of the best dogs I got!"

As was typical with most older gents in those days-Horace always had a black gum "toothbrush" hanging between his lips. Right quick like he replaced it with the dog whistle and gave a good blow. The dog began whining and scooting around. Horace said "see I told you Ollie he's crazy." As Ollie examined the dog to see what was the matter-Horace took the opportunity to give another blow to the whistle. The dog went to wallowing and whining all over the porch floor. The third blow sent the dog careening off the steps wildly running for the woods. Just at the wrong moment the dog snuck a look back and ran straight into an old turn plow. Now convinced, Ollie yelled "Lord Della get the shotgun that dogs gone straight crazy."

 

When Ollie and Della were newlyweds, Ollie cut timber for a living. After a long hard day of being on the mountain he came home to no supper on the table. Having quite a temper, being slap worn out, and hungry he flew into a rage, grabbed a bowl and threw it against the wall. He looked at Della and said "now how did you like that?" Della picked up a bowl threw it against the wall and said "pretty good now how did you like that?" (I think this was the way Della showed Ollie she could handle anything he put out there)

 

Part of the fun for coon and fox hunters, is standing around the fire listening to the dogs run waiting for them to bay or tree. Ollie had a dog, Old Joe, that really wasn't much of a hunting dog. Everyone teased Ollie that Old Joe would just get out of the circle of light, made by the fire, and lay down to nap-leaving the rest of the pack to run.

One night Ollie and some fellows were out hunting. Ollie went to check on the running dogs, while some of the others were standing around the fire. One was whittling a stick-he cut 2 holes in it-just fooling around. One of the others noticed-remarking it looked like a pair of glasses. As they started laughing about the glasses-one of them came up with the idea of tying them on Old Joe-and they did. A little while later Ollie showed back up and said he'd been thinking about it "Old Joe wasn't lazy-he was probably so old he was going blind." The fellows couldn't believe their luck-they quickly told Ollie they agreed and he should call Old Joe in so they could look at his eyes. Ollie called Old Joe and there he came-trotting up to the fire wearing those homemade glasses. The men he-hawed and agreed yes Old Joe must be going blind. Ollie-he got very very mad.

I hope you enjoyed the memories of Ollie-people like him-they're what folks refer to as salt of the earth. Ollie was good, decent, honest-and funny too. Ollie is long gone on-yet Pap still wishes he could walk over the mountain and sit a spell with him. If you know someone like Ollie-I urge you go for a visit-enjoy a story or two-it'll do you both good!

Tipper

Christmas in Appalachia 1938

 

My Great Aunt, Hazel Currie, recently shared a Christmas memory with me-an Appalachian Christmas memory.

 

The first Christmas I can recall clearly was in 1938. We lived in Cherokee County, NC along the Hiawasse River on the Harshaw Farm, where my Poppa was a sharecropper.

I remember Poppa bringing in a pine tree he'd cut in the woods-he'd even found one with pine cones-already decorated by nature.

 

My step mother, Carrie, allowed us children to use flour and water to mix up a paste to make chains of paper. In those days, flour was hard to come by- it still pleases me to know she wanted us to enjoy the act of decorating enough to allow us to use her flour. We also drew pictures of trees and stars and cut them out-threading a string through the paper for hanging on the tree.

We heard the John C. Campbell Folk School was having a Christmas party for children. The road to the school went along by the side of the river-it was about 3 miles in distance. I remember my step siblings, Mary Jo, Francis, Frank, Wayne, and I walked to the party. I can still see the beauty in my mind's eye. The school had decorated a huge Christmas tree and they had a little play about the nativity-with Mary and Joseph and a little crib for baby Jesus. I sat there lost in wonder-trying to take in every detail so I could relive the magic over and over.

 

After the play, Santa Claus arrived. I'd never seen Santa before and could hardly believe he was there. Santa carried a toe sack instead of a fancy bag-and in the toe sack were dozens of small brown bags full of the prettiest hard candies I have ever seen. Santa handed out the little brown bags chug full of candy tied at the top with a string. To say we were happy doesn't do justice to the emotion we felt.

On the walk back home, I wanted to talk about the play and go over every detail of the party, but the other kids were so happy they laughed the entire way home not wanting to talk-just wanting to celebrate.

After reaching home, I shared a piece of candy with Poppa and Carrie then I hid the rest-wanting to savor every piece of happiness I'd received from the party. The other kids soon ate their candy-but they never did find my hiding place!

I hope you enjoyed Aunt Hazel's story as much as I did! Leave her comment-I'll make sure she reads every one.

Tipper

p.s. If you'd like to see Pap and Paul in a Carolina Crafting Christmas Special click here!

Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty

Today is Blog Action Day 2008, the sponsored topic is Poverty. As I thought about poverty, I felt inadequate to write about the subject. I've truly lived a rich life-not in monetary ways-but in all the ways that count.

My mind was drawn back to the stories I've heard from my elders-days with one pair of shoes per year, not much food and sharing beds for warmth against cold nights-hard times that drew mountain families closer together for survival.

 

Pap was born in 1937, I asked him to compare the poverty of his childhood with today.

During Pap's childhood there wasn't much money. He said his family might get a hold of cash once or twice a year when they sold a calf-usually $40 to $60. The rest of the year, no cash was to be had. Pap's parents were farmers, so even though there was a shortage of cash there always seemed to be enough to eat. They used what they had and made sure nothing was wasted. There were other folks who didn't have access to crops, who ate small birds like blue jays, jorees, and brown thrashers to make it through.

 

Directly related to the minimal cash flow-banks didn't lend money often or easily. Pap recalled as an enlisted Marine he tried to get a loan for $150 to buy a car. The bank wouldn't even talk to him-seems an enlisted man was a risk in those days.

Pap also recalled the hardship newlyweds faced in finding a place of their own. In most cases Pap said, unless they had family to live with or rent from, it was almost impossible to afford a place to live.

After being discharged from the Marines Pap lived in Ohio for a few years-working for a building contractor. When he and Granny were first married he figured he could build a house for about $1,100. Pap was surprised and disappointed when he visited the area banks requesting a loan-he said they literally laughed him out the door. A stark contrast from today's bank practices, which include loaning to folks who can't actually make the payments.

Pap said he'd spent his life being poor-but overall he never wanted for much-and was blessed with an abundance.

 

The Deer Hunter gets on to me for telling the girls we can't afford some things because we're poor. He says-"We are not poor, we have more than most"-I'm thankful he's right.

To read more Blog Action Day posts on poverty please visit Terry Thornton.

Tipper

p.s. Don't forget the next Acorn Giveaway is on Friday-so comment!

LOL in Appalachia

Some laughter by way of Pap.

Back in the day, Pap and a friend walked to see 2 brothers,who were musicians-in the hopes of hearing some good pickin and grinnin. Soon after arriving, they started asking the brothers to play them a song-but the boys kept putting them off. Even the boys' Mother encouraged them to play a tune-all to no avail. Just as Pap and his friend were about to leave, one of the brothers said "Mommy blow the lamp out and we'll sing one." Seems the brothers were so backward they could only perform in the dark!

A man Pap used to work with, thought his wife was going to have a nervous breakdown because she was dipping to much snuff. One day the wife said to Pap "Tell him Jerry the snuff don't make me nervous. I can be waaay out there and take a little dip and it brings me right back."

Many years ago, one of Pap's friends went to Asheville to have his teeth pulled and be fitted with dentures. On his way home he had a flat tire. As he was bent over changing the tire someone came up behind him and pecked him on the shoulder. When he looked up a gentleman, asked if he knew how to get to the apple orchard. Having all your teeth pulled can cause quite a bit of bleeding-not wanting to spit blood by the man's feet, Pap's friend just shook his head no. The gentleman went back to his car and he got back to fixing the flat. A few minutes later the gentleman came back and pecked him on the shoulder again-wanting directions to a different location. Pap's friend couldn't hold it in any longer and the blood spilled down both sides of his mouth. The gentlemen started backpedaling and ran for his car. Later, Pap's friend told him "why he thought I was one of those vampeers." Pap's friend was a little upset over the incident, because he'd worn his only white shirt and kept it perfectly clean until that man came around asking questions.

Hope you enjoyed Pap's funny memories. Got any to add?

Tipper

p.s. Another hilarious story about Appalachia, a bra, and panties can be found at Appalachian Lifestyles-The Fair Affair.

The Echo of Mountain Folk

Glenda Barrett is both a native of Appalachia and a phenomenal writer and artist. Today I am honored to share one of her poems with you.

Echoes

I cannot silence

the talk of war,

a rising drug market

or the cries of the homeless.

Yet, sheltered in the Appalachians,

I can be grateful for simple pleasures:

the surprise of the first snowflake,

a newborn colt on wobbly legs,

wild violets in the spring,

pink sunsets over blue mountains,

bales of hay in green pastures,

and a freshly plowed garden patch.

Yes, I am only one,

but I can follow in the footsteps

of my faithful ancestors,

people who were truthful,

who said what they meant

and meant what they said,

who held firm to their beliefs

and rose above their hardships.

People whose voices still echo

across these Blue Ridge Mountains,

I was born here, and I'll die here!

                              By Glenda Barrett

I met Glenda at Netwest Mountain Writers and Poets' monthly meeting, Coffee with the Poets. When I heard Glenda read about her Grandmother, and memories of growing up in the mountains-I simple fell in love with her writing. I immediately sensed she thought of Appalachia in the same way I do-as home.

Glenda's poems and essays have been published in a wide variety of publications such as Woman's World, Rural Heritage, Nostalgia, Smokey Mountain Living, Kaleidoscope, Georgia Magazine, Farm & Ranch Living, and many more. She has recently published a book of poetry "When the Sap Rises" which is available on Amazon.com.

Not only does Glenda write about Appalachia-she paints amazing scenes from her native life. They range from beautiful mountain landscapes to farm life and everything in between. You can find them at an on-line gallery Yessy.com.

Glenda summed up her view on Appalachia by saying "the mountain life is dear to me." Dear-yes, that pretty much sums it up for me too.

Hope you enjoyed Glenda's wonderful poem!

Tipper

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.