granny donaldson

A few weeks back when I asked you about my video idea I was totally blown away by your response. I made a list of all the suggestions and got right to work creating video content and quickly discovered there’s so much to learn!

I started a youtube channel dedicated to my new endeavor you can see it here: Celebrating Appalachia. I only have one video uploaded so far, but more are on the way!

I sure hope if you have a Youtube account you’ll jump over and subscribe to the channel.

There were so many subjects to choose from for my first video. I thought about all kinds of things, including the things you mentioned.

I was flipping through a John Parris book and there was the topic for my first video: Creativity in Appalachia.


I hope you enjoyed the video and don’t forget to jump over and subscribe to my new channel if you have a Youtube account.

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16 Comments

  1. Subscribed and will watch it after I post this…I’m sure your video’s will be awesome…

  2. You little talented Appalachian Gal , watched your video and your mention of Marble MC where we still have a home.we now live in Enloe, Texas but so homesick sometimes I cry. My Truman has cancer he is near Dallas to his doctors. When he gets well I want to return home in Marble NC loved your video.

  3. Tipper,
    I enjoyed your reading this morning about Granny Donaldson sewing some more to pieces to the Baby’s blanket. John Parris was my Reporter, but I think you may have him beat. I’m going to watch Youtube for any videos you may post, but I already have the Blind Pig and the Acorn. I don’t do Facebook or Instagram or any other thing, unless I’m directed to do so by the Blind Pig. …Ken

  4. Outstanding Tipper! A wonderful leap for you and all of us who follow and very timely. With Covid running wild we can have a sane and peaceful place to go.
    My congratulations!

  5. Tipper–Your concluding comment about Appalachian folks enriching their lives through creativity is spot on. More often than not, that same creativity also had economic overtones. It saved money, brightened and lightened their days and ways, and exemplified one of many aspects of “making do.”
    Jim Casada

  6. Loved, Loved the story!! As always it seems you bring back old precious memories. My Grandmother, Mother and Aunts were so creative. In the early 1900’s, way out in the country, a young Mother without any money wanted to beautify her old dingy fireplace during the summer. She made her own paint from berries and such and used an old piece of cardboard painting beautiful flowers and sitting the cardboard to cover the old grate of the fireplace. Later when her husband started a pottery shop, she would draw flowers on some that she would make into flower pots. She did beautiful tatting. I have a star she tatted put in a picture frame and I admire it often thinking of the time she spent making it.
    I wonder if some of this creative ability is passed down in our DNA. It might have skipped me but just lately our oldest son built a water feature, which is a trough made out of cedar with a rubber lining using an old farm handle water pump. He built a cedar platform, built the trough on top, set the water pump at end of the trough, ran tube up through the old pump, ran electric box out to it, and plugged it in. Then added some Koi fish. The water recirculates up through the pump and out into the trough and up again. When he sent me a picture, I said where did you get your plans and he said he didn’t have any plans it just came to his mind. Creativity – I see it in your daughters and you.

  7. Tipper, I am beyond excited that you now have a YouTube channel. I do not now how I missed that post where you mentioned it. I did not even finish this post until I jumped right over there and subscribed! You are way ahead of me on almost anything about Appalachia, but would like to share what I have observed seems to gain popularity fast. One lady, Jill, associated with Living on a Dime was an overnight success on YouTube by simply showing how to fold a fitted sheet. The most successful channels now seem to be the ones where they are prepping through Covid, and books and channels that stretch your money and use depression era recipes are extremely popular. If anybody gets a chance need to watch Clara.

    You practice every day the skills long practiced in Appalachia of putting food up, making use of everything, and just generally being a good steward of our beautiful earth. I believe Americans have passed that seemingly wasteful stage thanks to Covid. They are ready to settle down and learn about the deeper things of life along with the old skills. Most say growing a YouTube channel is a slow process, but you have that endurance, and your readers know it. I for one will share, give you a thumbs up, and watch at every opportunity. Granny will be a world of help as will the Deer Hunter and those lovely girls with al their skills. I cannot wait!

  8. I loved the video! You should think about putting a book together similar to the book we can’t find by John Parris.

  9. It’s about time!

    I subscribed, liked, commented and hit the notification bell! It’s the least I could do. I hope everyone will do the same and more.

  10. Reminds me of the lady my Mom and Dad knew who carved biblical figures out of white pine boards and then painted them. It is untelling how many things we know were the invention of someone whose identity is lost. As you mention, folks may have a problem and ‘study on’ solutions using such materials as they have or they think of ways to make something pretty and individual. Others admire the idea and copy it, maybe add some more modifications. And all without any thought of keeping it to oneself.

    I have looked for John Parrish books without success but I’ll try again.

  11. Wow!I did very much enjoy Granny Donaldson and your mother’s creative solutions to “add that little something special” to every day items that somehow gave new life to them. I think the added richness and flavor with a flair of individual art was made really out of LOVE! Artistic inspiration that effects people in a positive way is always welcome. I wish you all the best on your new channel. Thanks for the share this morning! BTW, I love to hear you read, talk and discuss! You’re a folk asset!!!

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