October 10, 2021
Last week the girls uploaded a video of the old Merle Haggard song “The Way I Am.” The music portion of the video had actually been added to their channel back in 2016 the day before Pap died.
After I listened to Chatter talking about the day they sung the song in the greenhouse I wondered if I ever shared the video here on the Blind Pig. A quick search showed I did the song in August of 2016.
In the post I wrote I talked about Pap telling me “Be your ownself and don’t worry about what everybody else is doing or not doing” when I was a teenager.
In those days I struggled with being my ownself.
I’m thankful my girls always walked to the beat of their own drum and didn’t worry about what everyone else was doing or not doing.
Knowing the way you are makes it easier to live in this world and do the things you need to do even when you don’t want to do them.
I’ve been a Merle Haggard fan since I was a girl sneaking and listening to my older brother Steve’s tapes and records when he wasn’t home. Many a Merle song was the background music to mine and The Deer Hunter’s courting days. Although it’s hard for me to pick a favorite Merle song, “The Way I Am” is right up there at the top.
I hope you enjoyed the flash from the past. So many things come to mind as I watch the old video of the girls. Foremost is how different they look.
When they were babies growing into toddlers every once in a while Pap would tell me one was looking too much like the other. I felt that way when I watched the video—Chatter looked way too much like Chitter 🙂
Mostly I felt an overwhelming sense of gratefulness when I watched it.
Being blessed with two girls who can sing and play makes my heart beyond happy; I was blessed with a father like Pap who shared wisdom that still guides me today; and I am beyond blessed to be able to do what makes my living with a willing hand.
October 10, 2021
It has been four years since I wrote this post. I’m happy to say I still feel the same way. Beyond blessed to have my daughters and to do what makes my living with a willing hand.
Last night’s video: Feeling Peaked: What I Did To Feel Better (And Shelling Beans in Fall of the Year).
Tipper
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You are so right, Tipper – it’s like they reversed themselves!
Oh they were and are so beautiful! I think what makes a soul truly beautiful is that embracing of our true identity, our identity in Christ. Then we all shine so beautifully. One thing I have always admired about you and your family is your faithfulness to being your true selves. There is no fakeness or artifice in you. I admire you all for that and of course your musical talents. What a gift! ❤️
I love that song and the message of the lyrics. We should all remember your father advice. I have grown to feel like I had known your father through you and your family and can tell that he was a very special man in every way. Yes Tipper you are a very lucky woman.
What a treat for Ira and Woodrow to be able to see their mamas in their youth. Who amongst us wouldn’t like to have images of our parents as young folks?
Beautiful!!! All of it !!!
Love the video and Pap’s advice was exactly what my Daddy taught me, and I am happy to say after all these years I am so glad I listened to him.
I’ve always been able to see a difference in your twin girls; but, in this video, they definitely look more identical than I’ve ever seen them look before in the many videos I’ve watched of them together. Your girls have most definitely been blessed with musical talent—I thoroughly enjoy listening to them sing and watching their many interesting activities on their channel. I continue to be eternally thankful that I found their channel and also your channel. The happy and wholesome life that you guys live is definitely an inspiration for me and for many others!!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so very much! I’m 95 and really enjoyed
There have been several memoirs written about Merle, and after reading them, it’s easy to see why he would record a song to try to save face. I just started reading The Hag, and I’m not sure I would want to be the way he was, or as he says, the way I am. That boy was wild! I’m glad you and the girls all followed Pap’s good advice and grew up to be your ownself.
You reassure me, Tipper. For the longest I had a hard time recognizing each of your girls. I think I’m past that now but wouldn’t swear to it. Thanks for the song. I reckon the way I am is just the way I am. By that I mean it’s late in the day to expect to change much more unless it be by the grace of God. But there are ways in my nature I am not fond of and may never be. That, however, is too much “myself”. I expect Pap’s “ownself” meant much more than that and included character in relationship to family, friends, community and even toward strangers. His training and teaching still shows in his family.
this is the way i remember them: impossible to tell apart without the instruments in their hands. then later on, last time i was at the folk school, some guy i was talking with was surprised to find they were twins! i wouldn’t go that far, but it is strange how as they grow into women twins can begin to look different; i have another set of twin friends that did also.
Good morning Tipper. I hope you’re feeling much better today. Thank you for Sharing this video. I’m sure your daddy would have been so proud of Cori and Katie. I have always liked Merrill Haggard too.
Good morning everybody from southwest Virginia in the highlands/ Mt. Rogers region. I awoke to low 40’s and cool air. It looks like winter is well on the way. Finally getting settled and taking my sweet time. I always love to see and hear the girls play and sing! You’re richly blessed, Tipper, with rich talent and love of family. I’d say you’re LOADED in the way it really matters! I wake up listening to chickens, sheep, cows and sad, scraggly coyotes really down on their luck. (Gotta find out about taking them dadgum coyotes “right on outa here” and not in a car.) Merman hit one square in the center of his coyote caboose with a shoe and sent him packing. Oh the hag-I’d have to say a genuine article of a showman not consumed by his talent and he was awesome. I like the song RAINBOW STEW. He was humble, kind and graceful in my limited nursing interactions with the gentleman and I seem to recall a stunning initial diamond ring he wore. Chitter and Chatter have grown from beautiful young ladies into beautiful and wonderful young women, mothers, and cherries on top of the Pressley Sundae of life….
I loved this and the story behind it. Tipper, you and your girls are a treasure. I don’t know if the Lord allows it but if He does, I’m sure your dad heard this and is smiling at how you all are being your own selves.
Good ole Merle! He is one of my long-time favorites, as is this song. I also spent much of my life struggling with who I was – coming from a mixed race there was a lot of negative ‘input’ from others that added to my struggle. I chuckled when you commented at how different they looked back then, as none of us look as we did back then. 🙂 May the Lord continue to bless and keep you all – with an extra blessing for Granny. You also bless others as you continue to celebrate Appalachia and share your lives and culture with us.
Your Pap was such a wise man, passing his wisdom on to you as well as your siblings. You have passed that same wisdom on to both your daughters. I enjoyed hear Chitter and Chatter singing this morning. They have both grown into beautiful women, who will continue passing on Pap’s wisdom to their children. You are indeed blessed!
Good job, I remember this song and love it!
Our grandgirls sing Silver Wings by Merle Haggard and love to sing it!
Silver Wings is my favorite of Merle’s songs, until I hear the next one.
We are fortunate to have lived in the same era as such a great artist.
I think as we get older, we worry less about what others may think and it becomes easier to be “ one’s own self.” I was shy in school and thought a lot of my high school classmates were a step up above me. I tried to sit as close to the back of each classroom and draw no attention to myself. God blessed me with good parents and good family members and friends that I have had in all walks of my life. I lost my girl “April” in 2012 due to an accident and my heart and much of my joy for living when my wife died in 2021. I have a hard time with this but know in my heart I was blessed to have both of them. Even though I get depressed, I am still blessed with having my three boys, other members of both mine and my wife’s family and many friends. My oldest grandson (25 years old) texted me a few minutes ago just to write and tell me “I love you.” My other grandson called me last night to tell me the same thing as I was getting ready to go to bed. The closeness and happiness I have enjoyed in my life with both mine and my wife’s family is very similar to the blessings Tipper enjoys with her family.
I loved seeing the music video. Your girls are precious. They look so much like you at that age. Your video from yesterday we so nice. I hope y’all enjoy those beans thru the winter and that you get a bumper crop next year. I am blessed by my time watching your videos and reading your blog. I Love Y’all.