chickens today, feathers tomorrow
A saying among hillfolk roughly equivalent to “here today, gone tomorrow,” or life is short. “He shook Piercy’s hand and said, “Chickens today, brother, feathers tomorrow,” and Piercy Cabe nodded…Cabe was dead in less than a month’s time.” (Harry Middleton, On the Spine of Time, 1991)
—Mountain Range A Dictionary of Expressions from Appalachia to the Ozarks
I’ve never heard the saying chickens today, feathers tomorrow, but I sure can identify with the sentiment. I can’t believe we are now in the fourth month of 2025! It seems like the year just started last week.
I’m an avid reader but have never cared much about reading books I’ve already read. There’s just so many good stories out there I would rather read a new tale than one I already know.
But earlier this year when I was cleaning out things I came across my set of Little House on the Prairie books. I’ve had them since I was a girl.
I decided I would read them all again and oh my how I’ve enjoyed them. They are simple books that don’t take long to read, but the stories are so heartwarming and interesting I’m drawn into them just like I was when I was a girl.
I’m on about the third book now but the ending of the first book in the series has really stuck with me over the last few weeks.
Laura is in bed listening to the sounds of Ma and Pa as they enjoy their evening when Pa starts playing “Auld Lang Syne” on his fiddle and singing along. She ponders the song being about the old days and decides the “now” or current day is so very good that she doesn’t want to think about it eventually being what the song describes.
Even though I feel like saying chickens today, feathers tomorrow about the speed at which life goes by, I’ve tried to focus on the now and enjoy each second of every day like Laura.
Tipper
I have only read a little bit in the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, but the one thing that has stuck with me was the night that Laura and her Mother went outside. I think they went to put the cow up. Laura’s Mother reached out to touch the animal and she instantly realized it was a bear, not their cow. Mrs. Ingalls calmly told Laura let’s walk back to the house now. When they were safely inside, Mrs. Ingalls told Laura about the bear and commended Laura for her obedience and not asking questions.
repeat? “Feathers today, pillows tomorrow!”
I love to read and that started with the Little House books as a child too. The town where Laura and Almanzo lived here in the Missouri Ozarks is the next town over from us. I like to visit the house where she wrote the books, and visit the museum there. The museum is full of treasures, including Pa’s fiddle, which they take out and play once a year at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Days. You would enjoy it!
I, too, am an avid reader, and love finding new books, but to me rereading a book I loved is like visiting with an old friend. Not all books, mind you; but some that really speak to your heart are worth revisiting. But more to the point of your post, the older I get the more I realize just how temporary everything in this world truly is and it makes me long for the day when there will be no more goodbyes.
Oh thank you for this post. It was especially meaningful in the time of life I’m in right now.
I have just read the old post about soft drinks being called dopes years ago. I live in the south, and as many of you know textile/cotton mills were the life blood of the south and many small towns. I have heard tales about ladies being allowed to pull “dope wagons” (small radio flyer type wagon) through the mill with soft drinks and snakes on them for the workers. This was before vending machines. Dukes mayonnaise was started by a lady making her own mayonnaise and selling sandwiches to the mill workers in Greenville, SC. I have heard Jerry Clower call them sody waters. I remember when we called all soft drinks “dranks” Anyone every heard of a water house? It was a two room restroom, one room had a water fountain and benches to sit on, the other room was the rest room.
Feathers today, pillows tomorrow!
I’ve never heard of this saying before, but it does explain the swiftness of life very well!!!!! Life is certainly a very complex experience—I think it is always good to reminisce, and very smart to make plans for the future; but, living in the present is what we should all strive to do, even though this is not always as easy as it sounds.
I’ve not heard that saying either, but it does line up with “Here today, gone tomorrow.” I’m like you and others that just want to focus on the present time. It’s not always easy to do when things aren’t going so well during our day, however, as one subscriber Larry, quoted Psalm 118:24, This is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Thank you Larry for reminding us to be thankful for this day! This fits perfectly with your blog today Tipper on living in the present.
I had the set of Little House books & so enjoyed reading all of them to my kids. My youngest daughter was a baby when I read them to the others. & so I gave them to her to read! I think I will borrow them back & read ‘em again!!! And “Christy “was my very favorite o so really loved the books you shared about her. Then I just have to read The Hiding Place, about Corrie ten Boom about once every year or so. She came to our church on October 4th, 1971 to share her amazing story about hiding Jews in her home over their family watch shop business. She & her family were arrested & taken to concentration camps in WW2. I was so overcome by this beautiful lady & her amazing love for the Lord & she saw I was about ready to have a child…& asked to pray for me & new soon to be baby! The next day, I named my baby – Corrie!
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing! I met Eva Kors who was also a Holocaust survivor. She and her sister were twins under Joseph Mingele’s experiments. Her story, like Corrie’s story, is a story of forgiveness. Eva had a museum in Terre Haute Indiana. Truly remarkable women.
Hi Debbi! My husband & I lived in Terra Haute for about 3 yrs & I was able to visit that museum! God bless those precious ladies who continue to share God’s love.
I love the little house books. My mama has always loved watching the TV show and I like it too, but I’ve always preferred reading the books. A couple of years ago I discovered the videos on YouTube of the books being read to you. I usually don’t care for audio books but I really like putting the little house ones on to play while I’m trying to go to sleep. Makes you feel so cozy and safe!
I need to work on enjoying today and not worrying about yesterday or tomorrow so much. So many times I find myself dwelling on the past or pondering on the future. Sounds like such a simple thing to just live in the moment, but it’s not – it’s hard for some of us. One day at a time!
Tipper and all; Pray for my wife and me. We are trying to recover from another round of Covid. My wife is weak and fell backwards into the shower yesterday. She has two fractured vertebrae in her back as well as a mild concussion and many bruises. At the same time I’m waiting for Medicare approval for rotator repair. It was torn in a recent fall. Thank you and everyone else.
Jackie, I’m so sorry. I will pray for you both!!
may the good Lord bless you with healing and health in Jesus mighty name
read this at 4am and came back to see what other people may have commented and there are none–not even the comment I left so guess the website is having issues again today—perhaps the storms scattered across the country are to blame. that is one thing about all the modern technology, we get so use to it that when there is a glich in it our first reaction is disgust or anger lol I remember when talking on the phone meant you could only move around the distance that the phone cord was—and now we can be out in the woods or in a store and make or receive phone calls. I certainly remember when we did not have internet which allows us to watch Youtube or read blogs—all our information came from newspapers, magazines, encyclopedia, library etc etc…instant convenience is great-when it works, and it works more than it doesn’t and yet sometimes we act as if it is a constant state of brokeness…..aren’t we ‘funny’ people the way we sometimes act and react
My husband and I were just talking yesterday about how fast time is flying by. We can’t believe it’s already April. Daddy use to tell us to make the most of everyday cause we are not promised tomorrow but we know who holds tomorrow if we are believers.
Norman, I will pray for your brother David.
I read my first LIW book when I was in the 3rd grade (68 now). I was captured for life. Four generations have owned and read them. Back in the 70’s, after listening to me read Little House in the Big Woods several times my 4 year daughter opened the book one day and read the first three pages to me. We’ve visited the Ingalls’ home places in Wisconsin, South Dakota, Missouri, and Kansas.
Tipper, I reread the series a few years ago, and enjoyed it maybe even more than when I was young. Where the Red Fern Grows is my all time favorite book because my 5th grade teacher read it to us. I’ve read it many times since then (1982! Whewee).
Joy, I am 71 years old, I run out of fingers and toes before I can count the total number of times I have read the book and watched the movie of “Where The Red Fern Grows” I like the original movie a lot better than the remake of it with different actors. I have never cared for going to theaters to watch movies but went to see that movie as soon as it came out. You have made me want to read it again.
Oooh I LOVE the Little House series! I have read almost every book about Laura Ingalls Wilder I can get my hands on. So much old wisdom to acquire. Tipper, I think you will especially enjoy rereading Farmer Boy, with your love of gardening and putting up food. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to, that would be my favorite. I agree with others that there is something special about reading The Long Winter during winter. Our 9 year old daughter loves the series. We are blessed to live just 1.5 hrs from Pepin, WI, where Laura lived until she was 5. We enjoy going to the museum there. It’s on our bucket list to go to Missouri someday to see Rocky Ridge Farm!
Good morning Tipper….you take me back a long ways to childhood with those sayings: ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ & ‘life is short’ & ‘chicken today, feathers tomorrow’ but I & some of my children still say ‘here today gone tomorrow’ & ‘life is short.’ I too am an avid reader and I used to have quite a collection, but now all my reading is done on a Kindle, and I have used audio books in the past but I much prefer to actually see the words over just hearing them. At times I do miss the paper books as it is much easier to flip back a page or so if one wants to reread something of particular interest. I will have to check to see if the ‘Little House’ series in on Kindle as you have piqued my interest! Loved watching the series. Blessings sweet family!
The Little House books are on Kindle. I bought them but I still have an old set that I like to read.
Yes, enjoy each day as it comes. Especially now with those two precious geand babies.
I’ve not heard that saying as far as I can remember. It sure does make sense. I loved the “Little House” TV series as a child. Someone lent the book series to my grandmother and as she would finish a book, she would lend it to me. That’s been well over 15 years ago and I don’t remember much of what I read. I do remember enjoying reading them though.
Good morning Tipper, Randy & Gaylia!! Boy howdy all 3 of you are early morning risers!!
Just checking on everyone @BPA, everyone okay?? Getting some wonderful rain this am here in central Oklahoma,and looks like more is coming for the next 3 days!!
The wheat is looking sooo pretty!!
Love little house on the prairie…was a hard life…but…family really meant something!
Tipper, tell Granny hi and give her a huge hug and kiss for me!
Yeah…what a treat!!
Donna, I was about two hours late this morning. For many of the last years when I retired, I got up 4 days a week at 4:30 am, on Friday I got up at 2:30 am and was on my job at 4:30. I did this so I could usually get off early on Friday afternoon. Now, I don’t have to get up but can no longer sleep without waking up every couple of hours. I went to bed about 10:30 last night and was wide awake at 1:15 and finally dozed back off between 3:30 and 4 o’clock and woke back up at 5:30. My wife was on my mind and then I was also having anxiety about something else, I prayed about it and got a good answer that releaved my anxiety this morning about it. Getting up early is no problem, staying up all night long was and is a major problem! Unless it is an emergency, go on without me if it requires staying up late or all night long. When I had to work the graveyard shift, there was many nights I thought it was going to put me there.
Randy, have you been evaluated for sleep apnea? I don’t mean to get into your business, but I suggest you have that test.
I, too, had trouble staying asleep. I spent most of my 20s working nights. It messed up my circadian rhythm. After going back to a daytime schedule, I had trouble sleeping through the night. I went through sleep clinic evaluation in my 50s and found to have sleep apnea. I’ve used a CPAP or BIPAP for 25+ years and now sleep well.
Good luck, Brother.
Hi Randy, just now reading your post to me on yesterdays group chat. I’m glad today’s Friday!!
I know exactly what you mean as to waking up early to get to your job back in the days. My daughter and I lived north of Dallas, TX and my commute was 1 hrs 30 minutes, then on rain days it was 2 hrs, and if it snowed it was 3 hrs, all one way. We lived in Dallas for 25 yrs, moved to the farm in Oklahoma in 1995. So today I’m retired and love staying up late and getting up around 7 or 8 sometimes 9…lol. I don’t even miss those commuting days…ugh
Do me a favor and smell the flowers you describe in your post!! That would make your wife and daughter really proud of you, great way to remember them.
Do take care and enjoy this beautiful rain.
Have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND, and remember to Smile and laugh out loud. It makes people think…what makes him smile and laugh!! 🙂
Good morning Tipper and all. I have not heard the saying about chickens today, feathers tomorrow, but it sure makes sense—especially when I think about it literally. I still remember dad chopping off the head and watching a chicken run around—then mama scalding it in a tub of hot water and me helping pluck out those feathers. That was a smelly job for sure.
I still have the entire collection of the Little House books in a bookcase in my daughter’s old room. I was hoping my grandchildren would like them. You just made me realize I should get the first one out and read it with my 7 year old granddaughter when she spends the night. We actually turned on one of the tv shows a few days ago and she was very interested in it. We always spend lots of time reading before bed, so it’s gonna be a plan. Thanks for the idea. I am sure I will enjoy it as much as she will.
These are so wonderful to read aloud
To children! Such a wonderful idea! Your granddaughter will love the books and cherish the memories of reading with you!
I grew up hearing ” chicken one day and feathers the next” whenever I was wanting something by my elders. I still use it and 3 generations after me are apt to express their doubt if a wish comes to true with the saying. Very common here in East TN.
JimK, I’m so happy to hear that!
I grew up reading The Little House On the Prairie books…I have read through the series many times. Recently my sister mentioned that she was rereading them and how much she’s enjoying them, and it is my plan to do so as well. In 2020, when I was isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic and there was so much stress and uncertainty, I started watching the Little House On the Prairie T.V. series. It brought me such simple comfort and enjoyment!
pray for my brother David please, he’s in Northside Forsyth hospital here in Georgia, he had a seizure yesterday, he will probably lose his job, he has an abundance of fluid on his lungs and he’s been given a dose of lasix, his oxygen drops when he stands up, he’s been having breathing problems quite a while he’s extremely overweight, they have told him he cannot drive anymore and he needs to see a neurologist, he’s still in the hospital, thank you for praying and God bless you
Norman, I’m sorry to hear that. I will pray for David.
thank you Tipper and God bless you very much
“This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
I still have my book Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter that was really old when I was a little girl. My mom got a big box of old books for decorating -she was into antiques – I was into reading. Dickens was my second favorite but I must have read Pollyanna half a dozen times over the years. So glad I managed to hold onto a few of my old favorites.
I had the series of books when I was a child. It was my “big” gift one year for Christmas. I reread them so many times they fell apart. I kept various copies in the years following, reading them to my girls when they were young and always making sure I had a copy of The Long Winter to reread during the first time I got snowed in for the day. A few years back, my adult kids gave me a new boxed series for Christmas, and I intend to read them to my granddaughters. Personally, I think the stories “changed” a little I got older. I identified less with Laura and Mary and more with Caroline and Charles, imaging how hard a life it was providing for a family in such times and conditions.
I find myself reading things I think I just might have read before. But I am not sure. So I read it again. And the uncertantity is because I do not retain well what I do read. Then there is the possibility that there is more there for you than you got the first time. That is especially true of books that include life instruction cloaked as stories, like the ones with moral lessons.
I have never heard that expression before. One of my favorites from “Pa” in the Little House series is, “Rich people get ice in the summer, the poor gets theirs in the winter.” I reread those books every few years. I have only “The First Four Years” left this time through. Sometimes I’ll reread The Long Winter during the colder months to remind myself how good I have it.
I really like this expression, I’ll have to add it to the sayings I do say and watch people’s reactions.
Oh, I read the same stories repeatedly. Little Women is a favorite of mine and I take some new treasure from it each time I read it.
My favorite books a child are the Laura books. I still have the ones given to me when I was about 8. I have continued to grow my collection of books by and about Laura and her family. When my daughter was 9 we went to the Museum in Missouri that was lots of fun. Pa’s fiddle is on display there.
I’ve been emotional since yesterday and this is part of living. Time is flying so fast. Have a great day.
I have never heard that expression about chicken feathers. Now at 71 years old, I often think of something my father in law once told me “ you know you are old when you have as many or more lifelong friends underground as you do on top of the ground.” It almost seems like it is an everyday thing to hear about a friend or someone I have known passing away. I won’t start but I have been awake thinking during the night that next week my wife will have passed away 4 years ago destroying my joy or happiness for living and the life I once knew. For 50 years, she was the better half of me. According to the Bible it is wrong, but when I see Tipper and Matt enjoying doing things together, I envy or covet them. I know for sure there is a whole lot less days in front of me than they are behind me. To say time is now flying by would be an understatement. On the lighter side, as I get older, I realize I know less and less! If I now knew half as much as I did when I was teenager, I would be a genius!
good morning Randy, pray for my brother he’s in the hospital he’s had a seizure, he’s got lots of complications, thank you and God bless you
Norman, I will pray got your brother.
thank you Randy and God bless you very much
until a few years ago I did not even know there was a series of books–I only knew about the tv series and did not even know it was a real family—maybe I will see if the books are on kindle so I can read them-at my age in life I keep trying to down size rather than buy more stuff for people to have to dispose of when I am gone (and sadly no one in my family would read the books if I had them so kindle it will have to be) It is funny that you should say you really dont like rereading books you would rather move on to a new one because during your last Friday’s book reading I had the thought ‘poor tipper, she has already read this good book but for her followers she is reading it again–bless her heart’