modifiying-tools-for-your-own-purpose

1. The Deer Hunter modifies tools to better fit his needs. He’s smart like that.

sharing okra seeds

2. Number two is all about the kindness of okra. A week or so ago I got a call to come over to the Keith House to talk to a student. Figuring they wanted me to send them some Folk School catalogs or to inquire about a photo in the catalog I got my notepad and headed over. Steve Cox met me just inside the living room. He was holding out a white envelope of okra seeds. He said he’d read about my pitiful seed situation and decided to share some of his with me. It made my day to know he reads the Blind Pig and The Acorn and having the okra seed left a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

Finding-old-dishes

3. With all the rain we’ve been having the Stamey Branch is running at full speed. All that extra water fighting its way on down through Brasstown and beyond has churned up a lot of rocks and debris. Chitter has been in the creek every time the rain quits for a spell. She found this dandy piece of plate last weekend. This is what she had to say about it: “I found a piece of an old plate. There were a few old homeplaces (as we call them in Appalachia) up the creek. My great great grandpa even lived up there. This could have been his plate. Love my land and sharing this plate piece some 80 years later. 💜”

Waiting-At-the-Gate-Ricky-Skaggs

4. I’ve been digging Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder’s version of “Waiting at the Gate.” I just love Paul Brewster’s tenor harmony. You can go here to hear it for yourself.

handmade-afghan

5. Granny’s been working on an afghan for me. I told her way back in the fall that she could make me one for Christmas and that’s all I wanted. I said “You’ve got so much yarn it won’t cost you nothing and I don’t even care what color it is.” Well with all the other things Granny wanted to make for Christmas she never got mine finished, which was totally fine. She did finish it after Christmas, but it was pretty short. Seems Granny picked the colors of yarn that she didn’t have much of. I told her it was fine not to worry about it, but she kept on till I bought some yarn for her to start on another one for me. She finished it last weekend. It’s beautiful and long enough for most anyone to stretch out under. When she gave it to me she said “Now you can remember every row was stitched with love.”

Tipper

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9 Comments

  1. Such neat Five things ,,,, special day makers, and that edited tool, all our guys can surely relate to that resourcefulness, sure am thankful to God for our Guys, and so much more :), …what a talented musician Ricky Skaggs is….I listen often to a u-tube video of them singing ”Soldiers Of The Cross”,accompanied by an orchestra…. ha think I’ll go have a listen to your song and mine before we hit the hay :), sleep sweet all.

  2. ahh tipper so sweet, and a precious gift of the heart…..will warm you im sure in this chilly wet spring..they are calling for snow showers today here in pa…..it makes me wish for spring to finally stay…and see the flowers and birds…that was generous of your friend to share the seeds….of course you tipper are one of the sweetest ladies out there so its natural for us to want to spoil you for all your hard work on your blog…much love and ladybug hugs to you and yours

  3. Gosh, Tipper, I missed the post where you talked about the contract falling through with Sow True Seed – I’m so sorry to hear that! Would you like some seeds from my Candy Roasters? They were the ONLY squash I grew last year, so I could avoid cross-pollination and save my own seeds. It was a sacrifice not growing any summer squash, I can tell you! So it would please me no end if you would care to plant some of the seeds saved from my garden. Just drop me an email or leave a comment on Comptonia 🙂

  4. We love okra. It is good fried, pickled, and in gumbo. The key is not to overcook it or it becomes slimy. I have an afghan in that same ripple design my aunt made for us years ago, and mine is greens, browns, and beiges. It’s wonderful for snuggling under on the love seat. I can crochet, but I’d rather sew or do machine embroidery. I saw Chitter’s Instagram post about finding the piece of a plate. We have creeks throughout our neighborhood. Parts of them have been routed underground.

  5. Tip, I love the Deer Hunter’s modified tools! That is soooo him, if the tool doesn’t fit then fit the tool!
    Steve Cox, what a nice thing, that is such a treasure you shared with Tip, thank you!
    Chitter showed me that precious piece of plate the other day. I suggested she make a piece of jewelry with it!
    Nice song, Waiting at the Gate, guess that’s what we are all doing.
    And last but certainly not least…the afghan, it’s beautiful! I saw it while granny was working on it and knew you were going to love it!

    I just love your five things, they are always so interesting!

  6. I’m not sure I always liked Okra but seems like it was always on the table in the summer and was included in canned soups for fall and winter. I know I liked it in my teens and loved it more as I grew older though my husband never wanted to even try it. Oh, well, more for me:} How special that Chitter found a broken piece of plate that most likely did wash down from a home place above yours. Maybe she can incorporate that into a family heirloom. My son was out on our old place showing a cousin where his great-grandfather had a pottery shop and the remnants of the home-made brick that lined the old kiln. He took them back further a piece and found the remnants of an older chard site where they disposed of their pottery that got broken or cracked during curing or firing. My son found a couple pieces that he he took back home. I haven’t heard that song “Waiting at the Gate,” but I sure enjoyed the harmony and I must say Granny’s afghan is beautiful! I love to crochet but haven’t had much time this winter to do it and once summer gets here I want to be outside:}

  7. Five very nice things. You and yours are blessed and a blessing. And that, if I mistake not, is what a life well lived is.

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