Every January I take a look back at what I’ve written during the course of the year. It helps put things in perspective for me. I’m always surprised at the various subjects I wrote about, many of which have completely fallen through the cracks of my mind by year end.
I’ve listed my favorite posts for each of the last 12 months below (if you want to revisit any of the posts-just click on the colored word link).
January
Appalachia Through My Eyes – If Cabinets Could Talk is my favorite post from the first month of 2015. Funny that I would pick it, since our kitchen renovation still isn’t complete and many things still need to be fixed on our aging house.
I believe it’s my favorite because it speaks of folks who know how to work with their hands; folks who are practical enough to use things that are handy-like figuring materials needed on boards that will be hidden. And of course it speaks of home and what a blessing it is to have a home.
February
I couldn’t narrow my favorite down to one post for the month of February, so I settled for two.
Universe Of Wonder And Glory is still running around in my head and our community is still mourning the loss of three fathers.
How Long Have You Had Your Phone Number? I’m still awed by finding the old phone book with Mamaw and Papaw’s number in it.
March
Getting Ready For The Garden was my favorite post for the month of March. Preparing for the garden is a chore full of hopefulness and I’m already dreaming about getting ready for this year’s garden…although I am hoping for at least a snow or two before it’s time to start.
April
Appalachia Through My Eyes – Music On A College Campus is my pick for the month of April. Some people would have you believe colleges are nonexistent in Appalachia. It makes me happy to prove they’re wrong.
May
The month of May was full of worry, wonderful blessings, and true thankfulness. Worry over Pap; the blessing of his recovery; and true thankfulness that he was going to be ok and that so many people reached out to pray and care for him. My favorite post for the month reflected all of the emotions I was feeling: I Could Be A Hermit.
June
I still can’t believe the girls buried their own time capsule. How could I choose any other post for the month of June? Chatter And Chitter’s Time Capsule
July
I started posting my 5 Things series in July and I do believe the first of the series is my favorite for that month: 5 Things
August
Let’s go to the Bean Patch – It’s a Magical Place was my favorite post for August…actually it’s one of my favorite posts EVER. The bean patch really is magical.
September
The post The Old the Young the Middle – In Appalachia still makes my heart soar. The post shows what life is supposed to be like for all of us…across Appalachia and beyond to all corners of the Earth.
October
The Smell of Loggers post started me down a whole series about logging. Much of the series related directly to my life and the rest of the logging posts came from the book Dorie: Woman of the Mountains.
The smell of wood cutting will always make me feel safe, loved, and comfortable-it’s a smell of home-that’s why I chose The Smell of Loggers as my favorite for the month of October.
November
I’m still being mesmerized by the old photo of the Colemans in 1902. As I look at the photo I still wish I could go back and tell them the Coleman family line shares a special kinship today-especially Frank and Carrie’s descendants; that those facial features are still showing up and looking pretty good all these years later; and that four, five, six, and even seven generations later-some of us are still right here where they left us. My favorite post for November is The Colemans in 1902.
December
My pick for December was an easy one: Christmas Music from Appalachia all the Way to Argentina. I’m still blown away by José’s video. It symbolizes good will from Appalachia all the way to Argentina AND it clearly shows my endeavor of celebrating and preserving my rich Appalachian Heritage and Culture is working.
2015 was a great year for the Blind Pig & The Acorn.
I’m very thankful for each person who reads the Blind Pig & The Acorn-for without you there’d be no reason to write.
In a few days I’ll share whats on the horizon for 2016, so be sure to drop back by if you can.
Tipper
Seems my year has been filled with endless weeks with 2 days of work outside the home and 5 days of work inside it, but I’m blessed to be able to do what I’m doing, with prayers I’ll be able to continue for a few years yet.
God bless.
RB
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Love your photo of the moon and trees,so pretty.
Tipper,
This is my favorite Blog. Thank you for providing us with an understanding of your family and the respect you give to everybody. I can’t wait to open up my computer of the mornings and see what the talking points are…Ken
I really enjoyed your 2015 review! Looking forward to what interesting things you post for 2016!
Pam
scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com
Tipper: I must repeat what so many folks have posted already! However I found TWELVE favorite posts! Each is so special I could not choose ONE!
Now let me share a new book WHICH THE AUTHOR HANDED TO ME YESTERDAY while we were chatting in a restaurant! She is an Oak Ridge High School graduate BUT I had never met her before yesterday.
She insisted I take a copy of her book “A COLD and LONELY PLACE” Sara J. Henry (A Novel) WINNER of The Anthony AWARD!
I DO NOT read novels! Life is too short. HOWEVER I started reading “A COLD and LONELY PLACE yesterday – non-stop – until I had to turn out the lights at mid-night! I will now start on page 224 and will surely finish it today! AMAZING!
HAPPY NEW YEAR again!
Eva Nell
Combining your choices with pictures was a wonderful way for me to remember some of the memorable writings. I especially enjoyed the February picture. It reminds me of how beautiful the heavens can be on a cold winter night. You have provided a wonderful year of stories, information and memories for yourself and the reader. Thanks, Tipper!
I must have found BP&A about March. Don’t recall how now. But anyway I expect you got my attention writing about the garden as that was most likely what I was up to at the time.
I don’t know if Appalachia, or even Southern Appalachia, is really distinct enough to be called a ‘subculture’ but anyway I relate to most of what you write about. And the other readers and writers feel like a wide circle of at least acquaintances and potential friends. It’s nice that the digital age doesn’t always and necessarily divide us.
Thank you Tipper for another wonderful year of memories and hopes.
I so enjoyed your post in 2015. Looking forward to the 2016 post.
Many bought back wonderful memories of my own life growing up.
Tipper, a wonderful review. Thanks so much for your blog and the connections you’ve given us all—around the world!
Here’s to a new year–shiny and bright with possibilities.
It’s been a very full year, I love your recap. It’s been a year since I moved here, a full cycle of the seasons. I’m just as happy and contented as the day I got here. It’s wonderful living just down the road from you and knowing I can reach out and touch you on any day I choose.
Yes it’s been a wonderful year and Pap is doing great. He toots the car horn every time he drives by my house.
Wonderful memories. We have had our same phone number for many years too, back to sometime in the 70’s. I have a friend that has had hers for 50+ years. Stability