December 2010
One of the special blessings of the four distinct seasons is the range of sounds. Jar flies and whippoorwills in summer, walking through newly-fallen leaves in autumn, and the unrestrained exuberance of birds singing and streams laughing and playing of spring.
But there’s something extra special about the silence of the woods in winter during a snow. Birds and other critters are hunkered down. Even ithe noise of streams seems muted, giving way to the barely audible swish of snowflakes brushing against your clothing. It’s a pure wonderment.
—Don Casada 2015
One of my favorite things about living in the mountains of Appalachia is the four distinct seasons. I love them each equally.
I love the way the earth comes back to life in spring of the year. The green sprigs seem so delicate and lovely as they unfurl into new garments.
The heat of the summer sun beating down on my shoulders as I work in the garden warms me right down to my bones.
Airish mornings in fall of the year offer a real respite from the humidity of July and August in Western North Carolina.
Woods and gardens take on a solemness during winter. Trees, bushes, and other plants are at peaceful rest preparing for their lifecycle that will soon start again.
Last night’s video: Matt Had Never Cooked It, I Had Never Eat It | Delicious Dinner from the Land.
I appreciate all the kindness in the comments yesterday. Thank you for your prayers for Granny and for all of us. Please know I pray daily for you too.
Tipper
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Dear Tipper,
Stay warm in this nasty weather. I am sure the Girls will be fine and you have made sure Granny is warm and toasty. We got our gasoline for the generator and some extra groceries just in case. We even got an extra 100 pounds of dog food. We are hoping the bad weather doesn’t come through the Blue Ridge but VDOT has already put the liquid saline solution on the roads. They have a direct line to the weather service.
Take care and give Granny a big hug and a kiss for us. Kathy Patterson
To all my dear Acorns in the south: I just listened to a weather report from Ryan Hall Y’all and I am concerned about you all! I thought you were getting snow but didn’t realize until this blog post and that video that you are predicted to get quite a doozy of an ice storm. Up here in Western Wisconsin. We are getting very cold temperatures, but we are not predicted to get any precipitation. My heart and prayers and thoughts will be with all of you this weekend and we will anxiously await to hear you check in on Tipper’s blog to let us know that you are OK in your various locations! John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Gene, I agree. Don’s wonderful writing created such clear pictures in my mind. It makes me long to go on a silent walk in the snowy woods.
Just watched NC Gov. Stein’s news conference on declaring a state of emergency here because of the upcoming winter storm. Prayers for everyone to stay in, stay warm, fed, and safe. The storm does look like there is a high chance for ice, bringing down power lines. Please everyone be so careful and help your neighbors. I recall a horrible ice storm in 2002, when we were without power for 10 days! I was a nurse practitioner in the neonatal intensive care unit and I stayed at the hospital in an on call room and worked shifts for 4 consecutive days. We had staff staying all over the hospital. My family was blessed that precious friends took us in for the time until our power was restored. Prayers all around for safety from this storm.
Don’s word pictures of the sounds and silence of the seasons are spot on. Excellent writing. I wonder how he would describe the sound of sleet falling in winter woods?
There are things to love in each season and more are there to be found when we look harder. I am at the ‘season’ in my life when I can match my decades to its ‘seasons’. I was born in October but of course that was spring of my life. My season is way down in the fall now and winter is coming on. I have some signs of it. I’m prepared for it in the way that matters most, less so in others. I wonder, if I had to pick a single Appalachian thing for each season, what would they be? I think spring would be bluets (aka “Quaker ladies”). Summer would be rhododenron bloom. Fall would be black walnuts. Winter would be broom sage or American holly. Those that NBA are wound into the fabric of my life in various ways.
Ron, I heard a preacher at a funeral compare a person’s life to the 4 seasons of the year. The point he was trying to make was you start in one season preparing for the next season, so why would you not prepare yourself for eternity. This preacher is my uncle by marriage and in his early nineties . He is still preaching and going on strong.
Enjoyed getting to see your family again in the video and learning how to make cheddar cheese biscuits.
Sending love and prayers for Granny.
Living here in North Carolina, I do love all four seasons. There is something special about each one. However, I am not looking forward to the ice they are predicting for my area. It’s rare just to get snow because we end up either with a sheet of ice then the snow or snow, then ice and driving on ice is deadly. If we get just snow and living in town with the jeep, we can get out if we absolutely have to, but we are ready and prepared. If our power goes out, we do have gas logs. My son is on night shift and has to work all weekend. I pray for his safety and anyone else out in it. Stay warm and safe everyone.
Gloria, I understand your concern about your son. As I have said before, I worked 38 years at Michelin, on rotating /swing shifts. You were expected to be there in any type of weather. I never had a front wheel drive or four wheel drive vehicle. I drove a 2 wheel drive Ford F 150 pickup truck and would put 10-12 eight inch cement blocks in the bed across the rear axle and never had any major problems. Too much weight will make the front end light. My Daddy always preached drive steady, do not make any sudden moves and STAY OFF the brakes, only use the brakes when absolutely necessary. When you keep hitting your brakes you are fixing to go for a spin!
Fall is a particularly depressing time for me, with dark and rainy days that make me yearn for a sunny location. A few years ago, our church had a young preacher who moved from Utah to KY so he could attend the Baptist Seminary. His parents soon followed, but didn’t stay long. They said they couldn’t stand the sunless days. They said it might be cold and snowy in Utah, but the sun still shines. Winter can be so dangerous and expensive for many people while they try to stay warm. The last weather forecast I saw is predicting 17″ of snow and a half inch of freezing rain for my area. The bitter temps worry me more. I heard the words ‘exploding trees’ two times yesterday. I had never heard that before, and the weatherman said it’s something we will never forget if it were to happen. Tipper, thank you for praying for us as we pray for you and your family.
I remember those quiet snowfall nights. It is a quiet like no other! God be with you all. Prayers for Granny’s comfort and for you all peace in Jesus Chrrist.
Give Granny a big hug from all of us Acorns. We’re all hurting along with her and with you.
We have snow coming to Oklahoma in a few days, the whole state is a buzz. We have all been to buy, milk, bread and toilet paper! I too was at Wal-Mart after work shopping, I was the only one, as far as I could tell that was there for kitty litter, I don’t know about most people, but my kitty will not go out in the snow. Good grief! We also have 4 seasons here in Oklahoma, spring & fall are the best. Summers are long, hot & humid.
Time to give Granny permission to go home to our sweet Lord, Pap’s waiting!
As always praying for Granny.
I love the seasons too. We lived in Los Angelos for 5 years and the weather was so boring. We had a pear tree in our back yard that did drop it’s leaves. I had our 2 kids, about 2 and 5 at the time, go jump in the pile of leaves that I’d raked together, I took a picture just because. Pat Sajak (spelling?) of Wheel of Fortune fame was the weather man then in our area. That was in the early 70’s. Glad to be back to Nebraska where the seasons are with us again.
Good morning Tipper, Matt and Acorns. That duck dinner sure looked good. I’m glad the girls liked it too. How did Ira like it? We like it. I plan on buying one today if they have them. Ed had a doctors appointment today so he’s sick to his stomach from anxiety about leaving the house and traveling. It will mean another fuss but he’s gonna go. We found some news from the tests from Tuesday. His stomach isn’t emptying correctly. But he forgot to ask them what that meant. Poor fella, he gets brain fog and can’t think. I tried to get him to let them speak to me but he wouldn’t. Oh well we see that doctor in April and I can ask then. His Primary doctor may be able to see the test results and talk with us today. So we gotta go. I love getting to have the 4 seasons. I do have my favorite times though. I love fall. It is the most restful time for me. Fewer things to care for outside and inside. Every day of the year is an opportunity to cherish GOD’s wonders and blessings no matter where I’ve lived. I have come to learn that where I am and how I am is how GOD wants me. How HE needs me. I try not to question it, complain about it or ask/wish/dream for something different. I am sufficient today. Praise GOD our Father in all things. Thru HIS Grace, Mercy and Love I am made whole. I keep everyone here and up Wilson Hollow in my prayers. I love y’all.
Barbara, thank you! Ira did like the duck 🙂 I will keep praying for Ed and you!
I look forward to each day and each season. I walked out on the front porch first thing this morning, in my flannel pajamas, just to get a breath of fresh, cold air. The sunrise was beautiful. My grandchildren will be so happy if we get a foot of snow that’s being predicted. It is just as exciting to see tulips and daffodils popping up in the spring. Then summer comes with its hot, sunny days…playing in the water, mowing the grass, enjoying the garden. Fall is my favorite with its bright colored leaves and chilly evenings. I thank God for each day and each season. Who knew retirement could be this wonderful!
Seeing your snow picture taken in 2010, reminded me that it was my first snow on Christmas Day. It was glorious!
What a beautiful meal you and Matt had with the fancy duck and greens. The biscuits looked amazing, too. Y’all are so cute together!
Continued prayers for Granny and all the family❣️
Tipper!!! It looks like you’re going to get your snow! The radar showed it coming across all of us! I’m grocery shopping today. Hope it’s not crowded. Thinking of Granny this morning. Praying for her comfort and yours.
I’m a Midwest girl and I love the 4 distinct seasons, although, now that I’m in my late 60s I see less and less of a distinction from spring to summer and fall to winter. Our spring and fall feel fleeting & I’m certain it’s not my imagination because I’ve heard similar comments in recent years.
Funny thing when watching an older video the other day(your videos often keep me company when I’m doing chores…especially washing dishes!) Tipper, you commented that you just couldn’t put a curtain back up and block the view right outside your window. I made that same choice about 15 years ago in my east facing home. My kitchen and living room are on the front of the house and the sunrises are just beautiful and inspiring. I’ve got about 12 acres that my cozy little home(100 this year♡) sits on and I’m about a quarter mile off the road. Nobody close enough to peek at me and the other 3 sides are bordered by pine trees and flat fields. I would love some hardwood timber but all in all, after 33 years of living here, 25 by myself by choice, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve got a garden spot and a small pond. Well, had a small pond. The drought has taken its toll.
Wishing you all a wonderful day, especially sweet granny. May today be a pain free day for her♡
Kim, our previous home faced east. Someone gave us a crystal light catcher with lots of facets. We hung it in the window. The colored spots playing on the walls were simply beautiful and always admired by family and guests. We no longer have it and don’t know what happened to it. Probably lost in a move. You would enjoy a light catcher.
Good morning everybody! I enjoyed reading all the wonderful comments today! Wouldn’t you love to walk on the roof from snow piled so high on the ground just once at least??? I know I sure would have a big time in all that snow. I’m sure there are lots of duck eaters, but I swear duck eggs are as far as this hillbilly is willing to go on a cute little duckie! To each his own you know so I’m not a hater of duck eaters whatsoever. I’m hoping to have a couple duckies this year added into the chickens for variety. All I want is a few little friends and a few eggs. Anybody going through the WRINGER WASHER needs to read Ecclesiastes 3 in the WRITTEN WORD. It’s very comforting and may help in understanding this CRAZY LIFE. Why is it just when you get used to something or someone, there it goes???? I myself find more questions as I age as opposed to answers so I just cling to the LIVING WORD AND WRITTEN WORD as I grip the tilt-a-whirl. It’s all the sense I can make of this “whole shebang” I bear witness to all about me…. “God bless us all!” as Tiny Tim said… Prayers for everyone cause we all are in need of something that matters to us and may just be tearing us up inside!
I have always seen winter and the time change as a chance to slow down and rest; the earlier darkness doesn’t bother me like it does some folks. Winter days have their own beauty: the quiet, the dramatic skies, colorful sunsets, and brilliant stars. I love being in the room with the woodstove, reading or doing cross stitch, with quiet music. It’s a season of rest if we will treat it that way.
We have 4 seasons here in Texas but some are very short in length. Long, hot summers take up the majority of the seasonal time. Then there’s the quick fall & the very mild winters. Spring comes in before you know it & we are back in the heat of things. We are expecting an unusually cold weekend coming up with some probable snow. You will be getting some of it at your home also, only I figure it will be colder in NC.
The duck meal last night looked so good. I’m going to try the cheese biscuits that look so easy & yummy.
There will be a weekend of special prayer from my house to Granny as this storm passes through. I know she is always cold so be sure & keep her bundled up tight. Hugs
God bless each and everyone, today I’m praying for the Lord to take this storm from us and let it pass away from us, in Jesus name
Great post and a very good video of Matt cooking duck. By the way after watching you make your simple biscuits Diane makes them that way now. I especially love it when she adds cheese to the mix. Four seasons. Living in NH from 1947 until 1991 when I moved to Hawaii I certainly saw the four seasons. The summers could get hot at times ( I’ve seen it reach 100 A couple of times), the Spring temps were mild but planting the garden was always difficult because many years after planting my peas i would either get a big snow or days of rain, the Fall was always beautiful with the crisp temps and the changing colors of the trees, and the Winter with the endless snow some years. Snow so high it rose over our the bottom of our windows and high enough for my boys to walk up onto the roof. I have to admit I like the four seasons better here because they are milder. As I write this we are preparing for that snow you really want. I pray you get enough to go sledding in. When my boys were growing up my first wife and I would take them out on Friday night once a month to eat at the Firehouse Restaurant in Dover. They had the best duck I have ever had and they used the traditional orange sause. They had a deal for a while that any dish on the menu cook be a children’s dish for only $5. My sons took a liking to duck and they had it every time we went there. After about four times the restaurant took that deal off the menu. I glad you like duck. Matt did an outstanding job of cooking it. While living in Hawaii I would always bring Peking Duck to parties. I didn’t cook it trust me, I bought it at my local grocery store chopped up. Tipper bless you and your family. Diane and I continue to pray for you and your family and especially Granny. Stay safe and warm.
Ron, I have never had a desire to eat duck, now I think it is popular thing for these health conscious people to eat duck eggs from domestic ducks. Back around 1970, I went duck hunting with my best friend at a river in my neck of the woods. It was during a very cold January cold spell, similar to what is being forecast for here next week. I didn’t have the clothes I needed to stay warm. I honestly believe I was close to freezing trying to get back to our truck. I said a silent prayer to God asking him to let me make it back to the truck and get warm, I promised I would never go duck hunting again. That is one promise I have kept all of my life.
Good morning, Wilson Holler! I hardly ever write but I know the pain you are having these days with your sweet mother coming closer to her homecoming. My father passed on November 22nd last year from the same scourge. I know your hearts are heavy. Just know we are all with you in spirit.
I live in the four seasons and though most do not like winter, I do. If it’s gonna be cold we might as well have snow. I love snow. When we were young my husband worked second shift and he would come home and say “get your warm clothes on, you’ve gotta take a walk with me and see the glitter on the snow”. The moonlight made the snow sparkle on everything. The roads, the fields, and trees. It was so beautiful and QUIET! Such sweet memories hand in hand.
As we began to have children we encouraged them too to go outside and play in the snow. One year it was a really big snow and my brother plowed our drive and piled it especially high for the younguns. Boy howdy did they have a big time for days on end on that pile.
Good memories. I know y’all are ready for the weather that’s coming. Our crews are ready. We take care of hospitals, banks, and churches during snow events and I always worry about our crews when it’s treacherous and so cold. Lord watch over all during this spell. May we find joy and beauty in all things! God bless Granny and all of the acorn family
Tipper, I want you and the other members to know I consider all of you to be a blessing. I go too far sometimes and let my “feelings” spill out. I also like having 4 seasons but now they seem to be getting harder to separate, an example, almost spring like during Christmas and now look at what is being forecast for this weekend. Just a few minutes ago I was reading on a local news station website that Duke Power is warning their customers to prepare for up to 3 days without power. I live in a mobile home and have nowhere for a wood heater and only have a heat pump. Heat pumps were not designed for a 10 degree weather. I do have a generator and some propane heaters but they are not recommended for inside use because of carbon monoxide. Keeping a generator fueled and working in this cold weather would be a major challenge because of me not getting around better than I do. I guess I will crack a door or window and use them anyway. At one time I had a kerosene heater but despite using K1 kerosene, it got to where it would cause me to have headaches. I remember my father in law telling me after he had retired and had gotten older, it seemed like he worried more about so many things, now without my wife and partner, that is true for me. They say worry don’t help, I disagree, many things I worry about never happen, so I believe it does help!
I am replying to my own comment, I think they are now beginning to think more ice than snow for us. Snow is one thing, ice is an entirely different ball game when it comes to driving and the damage it will do to trees and power lines. They also say there will be one day of very strong winds while the ice is on the power lines and trees. Duke Power and some power companies have already started bringing more people in to help with the power outages. During the last cold snap around Christmas a few years ago, Duke was turning the power off and on because they were unable to meet the extra power demand because of the growth (housing) in this area.
I pray you don’t get a huge ice storm Randy! I live in E Central Illinois and we’re forecasted single and sub digits so ours should be snow. The ice can scare me. We have generators and wood burning stoves and fireplaces so we’d be fine, I just hate ice for anyone who has to be out in it. I’m unbelievably grateful to be retired after 38 1/2 yrs at the Postal Service, (that never closed once due to weather, slept many a night in the Post Office so I could be there to open it the following day, not to mention my husband who was always out in it as a city carrier for 40 years.) The ice is humbling for sure! God will sustain me so I will not fear, I will not fear, I will not fear in Jesus’ name! Take care Randy!
Randy, the little Buddy propane heaters are designed for use indoors. They won’t heat the whole house with the little tanks, but they sure will heat a room. If your son can get a larger tank, there are instructions for how to connect them safely, and you won’t have to crack open any windows. God’s blessings to you.
Lorie and Catherine (my great aunts name), I have a Buddy Heater, and the necessary hose to connect it to a large 20lb propane tank. I am not only concerned about being warm, but the other problems no heat could cause such as water lines, mine lines are insulation except for under the sinks. Lorie, I fully understand about working, I worked 38 years at Michelin and was expected to be there no matter the weather. Snow is fun and even enjoyable if you can stay at home and sit by the fire and only go out and play in it you want too, not much fun for the ones having to go to work in it. By the way the largest power company in my area (Duke) is saying prepare for at least 3 days without power.