My life in appalachia walking on strange ground

The other day at work the bottom of my foot nearly itched me to death! Does that ever happen to you?

The bottom of your foot is a weird place to scratch-at least it is for me. It’s like it itches but I don’t like to scratch it-maybe because it sort of tickles?

I finally took my shoe off to try and relieve my itch. A lady saw me and asked one of our co-workers “Hey what does that mean if your foot itches?” The lady responded “It means you’re about to walk on strange ground.”

I thought to myself “Hmmph I sure enough am about to walk on strange ground.”

Tipper

Appalachia Through My Eyes – A series of photographs from my life in Southern Appalachia.

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25 Comments

  1. Well that Jim Casada sure knows how to build suspense! I can’t wait to hear about your adventures on strange ground, Tipper!
    Also, those nice shoes could really display handknit socks well…just saying 😉

  2. Now that’s interesting! Never thought of it or heard that explanation about an itchy foot before. Have heard the ones about itchy palms (if it’s your primary hand, you’re fixing to get money; if it’s your secondary hand, you’re about to give or lose money) and I have to say, with me, every time either palm itches, I’ve gotten money from somewhere so often, it makes me wish they’d itch more often. LOL
    Have you ever heard that about itchy hands?
    God bless.
    RB
    <><

  3. Tipper,
    One time I got a water blister on
    the bottom of my foot. I thought it was from being on concrete too long. But when I got home, I wallered around on the floor till I got a look at the bottom of my foot. It ’bout drove me crazy! Finally, after scratching that thang, it busted and then I had a real problem. It was just like a burn for about 2 days.
    Good luck on your new adventure.
    …Ken

  4. I didn’t remember that one, but I will tuck it away for now. I’m glad you got to the itch, but, like me, you might get that itch again. Maybe you are going to try a new venture; I like that idea.

  5. I’ve heard it means you are going on a journey soon.
    Or you will walk on new ground. I am a firm believer in old wives tales. A lot of wisdom there. Trouble coming in threes? Had it happen. Don’t know about putting a dishrag under the doorstep to get rid of a wart but if I had one, I’d try it. LOL

  6. Worst is when the bottom of the foot itches while driving or other times it can’t be scratched. Scratching it is a weird feeling. I like your shoes!
    Speaking of squatting–we had a neighbor who could squat for hours even when he was an old man. And he would fiddle with a blade of grass, stick, etc. while squatting. If I squat, I’d better be near a chair or something to help me get up. Same with kneeling–makes picking in the garden a real pain in my back.

  7. I.- The squatting position you noticed was a necessity up until the past few generations and is still employed by outdoorsmen worldwide. As decrepitude encroaches they must be ever more vigilant to secure a location near a sturdy sapling with hypoallergenic foliage. The sapling serving to hoist themselves upright after they have performed their calling.
    The presence of Eva Nell’s bear would serve to shorten the process tremendously and might preclude the application of the aforementioned foliage.

  8. Tipper,
    Here’s one fer ye! I just et me a piece of the most “delishious” (Sow True Seed mailed and given by Tipper) Cushaw (also Kershaw) Pie for brunch. I made it, and if I do say so myownself, I outdid myownself!
    I am sure those types of receipts will be in there….hummmmm!

  9. Tipper
    and Jim…you “hairy legged heathen”, (and I say that in a most respectful way, mountain man and all), I think you gave it away…maybe…well, sort of…will you edit or write the introduction! Just sayin’!
    Thanks Tipper,

  10. Tipper
    and Jim…you “hairy legged heathen”, (and I say that in a most respectful way, mountain man and all), I think you gave it away…maybe…well, sort of…will you edit or write the introduction! Just sayin’!
    Thanks Tipper,

  11. Tipper
    and Jim…you “hairy legged heathen”, (and I say that in a most respectful way, mountain man and all), I think you gave it away…maybe…well, sort of…will you edit or write the introduction! Just sayin’!
    Thanks Tipper,

  12. Waiting patiently to see what the lady is up to. I have something in my mind that I wondered why you hadn’t already done, Tipper. But, we will just have to wait and see if I am right. It certainly would be a good option for you if I am on the wrong track.

  13. I don’t know if I give credence to this one. If it were true, then during my thirty years in the Navy, traveling over the world, I would have used a lot of Gold Bond Itch Powder.

  14. I won’t say anything to reveal the new ground Tipper is about to walk other than that I am familiar with it in an intimate way and excited for her and her readers that she will be giving that itchy foot a good literary scratching. Stay tuned, and rest assured she’ll have news of real moment for all you Acorns.
    Jim Casada

  15. Tipper,
    I am so sorry but I can’t stand it! First, I love the picture!
    I also am very excited to find out where and what the strange ground is about???
    Now then, about that picture! Not the feet, but the person in the background.
    I have seen my Father and other mountain men “squat” like that to talk, when there was no chair exactly available. It never seemed to bother him or his knees at all! Sometimes he would, if outside on ground, pick up a little stick and scratch the ground or pick at a piece of grass, sticking the end in is mouth! Mom said, she thought he must be part Indian, as he was just as comfortable squatting as he was sitting in a chair…You won’t see many men doing that anymore. They usually just prop up on a railing, tree or whatever or maybe go ahead and sit, legs stretched on the porch or ground!
    Ever notice??
    Thanks Tipper,
    PS…Good luck on your adventure! I had to ask while it was on my mind one thing leads to another, as someone said one time here! Almost like sitting on the porch and having a good old mountain talk together!

  16. Tipper,
    Facetious answer: Athletes foot!
    Grandmas answer: “I told you not to run barefooted near those ‘pisen ivy’ banks!” “Get the Calamine!”
    Moms answer: “Do you have a lint (knot) ball in your sock?” Turn it inside out and check the toe end!
    Witch of the Woods answer: “Whitch foot?”, makes a difference, you know!
    The smart aleck husband’s answer: Scratch it!
    My Mamma’s answer: “When did you last scrub the rust off those nasty feet?”
    My answer: I agree you will walk on strange ground! “Beware and “kereful, so’s not to walk on any old grave yards”! It is witchin’ season!
    Thanks Tipper,
    PS…You might try stretchin’ your shoes a bit, sometimes after all day runnin’, they can pinch and cause a itch, twitch and ache!

  17. I have heard that all my life. Sounds like you’re about to prove the old saying is true. I can’t wait to hear about your strange ground. Hurry and tell us so we can quit guessing.

  18. Yep, your will be walking on new ground both in terms of new ground for your feet as well as a new life experience for you. It’s very exciting.
    You will give us a full report, including pictures, right?

  19. The one about the foot itching, I had not heard of before. I have heard that if your left hand itches, you will receive some money and if it’s the right hand itching, you will shake hands with a stranger. I love your post and look forward to them everyday, Thanks for sharing them.

  20. Well Tipper, that is a new saying to me. But you never know about such things – just to believe in what folks have repeated for years – or come up with another saying. BUT I like the notion of walking on strange ground. Nothing pleases me more than to walk on a new trail in the mountains – that is until I realize that a mother bear has already reserved the trail for her early morning walk with her cubs.
    Eva Nell

  21. I’ve had that quite a bit but I was always told it meant I was going to, or wanted to travel. Which really is true of me!

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