From house to house he goes
A messenger small and slight,
And whether it rains or snows,
He sleeps outside at night.
~Riddle from The Frank C. Brown Collection Of North Carolina Folklore
The answer to the riddle is a path.
The photo above, shows the path that leads from about midways along our driveway down to Pap’s big garden. Actually the path doesn’t begin in our driveway, it starts at the steps of Granny and Pap’s back porch. The path goes along through their yard and when it reaches our road it splits.
One path leads off down to Paul’s house, one leads up alongside our driveway to our house, and the other that you can see in the photo, goes on across the road, down to the big garden and on out to Steve’s house.
Paths are very thought provoking. There are paths everywhere in this world, even in the largest cities you can find paths that cut through grassy areas or unused lots. People and animals make paths which lead to their daily destinations. I find it fascinating that paths made by feet traveled in years gone by can still be seen today, even though no one has walked them in ages.
Way back in the day before I was even married, a fellow visiting our mountain holler made fun of the paths which led from house to house. At the time I felt embarrassed or slighted by his comment. All these years later, looking at the paths with older eyes, I see the paths which travel between mine, Pap’s, Paul’s and Steve’s houses as a source of great wealth.
—June 28, 2016
Seven years later I still ponder on the paths that can be found around my house and study on the great wealth they represent when one thinks of family living close to each other and actually enjoying each other’s company to the point that they wear a path on the ground from visiting often.
As we spent more and more time at Miss Cindy’s over the last few months, I noticed we had created a new path to her house.
There’s no where to turn around in Miss Cindy’s driveway so you are forced to back out into Brasstown Road. Because of trees and bushes, it’s very hard to see if a car is coming.
I’ve always parked at Paul’s tennis court which is directly beside Miss Cindy’s house because I can turn around and be headed straight out. The sight lines are better from there, so I can see what’s coming in both directions.
After parking at Paul’s, you have to walk through a line of pine trees—that’s where I noticed the new path that’s been made from all of us parking and walking over.
While I was looking back through the archives, I figured Miss Cindy commented on the post about paths and I was right.
“Oh Tipper, your post is going to have me pondering paths all day long. There are paths everywhere, we live our lives by the paths we choose. We follow the paths of those who went before us or we set out the unknown and create our own paths. In your photo there is the path from house to house but there is also Pap and the girl in the garden. She is following Pap’s pathway of planting a garden to feed your family.
Then there are paths in our brains that lead us to do the same thing the same way from day to day until something occurs that causes us to change and create a new path. Yep, I’m gonna be thinking about this for a while.”
The path Miss Cindy took last week is well worn, although new to her.
She and I talked about the new path she was about to take more than once. I reminded her that Pap told Granny a day or so before he died he’d be waiting for her on the other shore in the shallow water. I told Miss Cindy I surely thought he’d be there waiting for her too and although I don’t know if it would be possible, but if it was, she could tell Pap how Granny is doing and about how she stays busy taking care of all of us but still misses him terribly.
Last night’s video: Miss Cindy’s Funeral, Cookbook Events, Sneezing & More.
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What a wonderful treasure that snapshot is of your daddy.
I really enjoyed this post Tipper, and I will be “pondering” paths too.
Thinking of paths and seeing the ones in your picture reminds me of arteries in our bodies. All of us, in ways, make up one big family, and the HEART OF THE BODY IS GOD. We all should be carrying His message of love and righteousness to each other, branching out so all hear and know. Miss Cindy was a treasure in your life, and knowing her leaves each of you with a lasting legacy.
Tipper and the Deer Hunter and the twins have made those paths to many of us…
Tipper,
I would love to read the books you all read. Can you tell me ho2 to find your list.
Dianne-here’s list for you 🙂 https://blindpigandtheacorn.com/must-reads-for-lovers-of-appalachia/
Does Matt call them paths or trails? Maybe its a man thing!
Ed-he does call them trails 🙂
Oh Tipper, how lovely. A tear trickled down my cheek as I read this. I use to live next to my momma & daddy. It wasn’t a great distance, yet there was a definite path between our houses. Later my daddy would decide to put a sidewalk over the path. It was a sweet blessing to my little country kids to have concrete to ride their hot wheels on & skate on. Thank you again for another sweet story. I truly enjoyed Miss Cindy’s take on the myriad of paths we travel through our lives. It is our choice as to which path we choose in the end. I pray for everyone to choose the path that leads us all to heaven.
Thank you for sharing your post and the comment made my Miss Cindy. I hope you continue to do this, as I could never go back through each post from all these years. So true and so beautiful. I do agree, it’s a rabbit hole when I read this and began thinking on the many paths I’ve traveled. Im sure I’ll be thinking on it for days to come. A good lesson.
When we are born , what path will will follow before us. What path will we take. Will will choose the straight or vear off the narrow path.I choose the straight path and hopes of Living with Jesus in Heaven. We also made paths back home going back and forth to get water, to the barn to milk the cow and feed the chickens and horse. There’s alot of paths we make in this world. In our minds or on the ground or wherever it might be. Always try and choose the right one. Loved Miss Cindy’s post about the paths.
Sorry, my wording wasn’t right. I meant to say, and then the paths of life.
Tipper. Thank you for this post. I agree with some of the others. This may be one of my favorites. I’ll be thinking about paths for the rest of the day. On a lighter note, I think about the path that led to my grandparent’s outhouse, LOL. I wonder just how many paths I have walked and the then paths of life.
I looked back at my comment in the 2016 post and it is the same now as then. I never saw a “path” when I was growing and don’t see them now unless they are named or pointed out as paths. Of course I knew the word path. I learned it from books including the Bible.
We had trails. Lots of trails. I walked many trails! No paths!
PL
When I think about this I remember what Jesus told the thief on the cross.
“Today you shall be with me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:43
Hey Tipper
Out in my garden in eastern NC, it’s hot but got a little breeze.
My running butter beans have already run out the top of the panels so I thread them back down. Of course they turn and go back up.
I thought we can learn a lesson from the butterbean.
We should always be growing upward toward God. If something gets us turned we need to turn back and continue toward God.
Even a Butterbean knows that.
Of course Pap and Miss Cindy are waiting for Granny. Not will be waiting but are waiting. You’ve got to remember there’s no time where they are so they can wait “forever” yet not a second has passed. Think about this, in a place with no time you and all of their relatives and friends who are going to be are already there. It is hard to wrap your head around but think about it. When God decides he’s had enough, He’ll erase time completely, and all of what we call existence will be wiped away as if it was never there.
What happens to the Earth and all the Universe that God created at the Big Bang? It will go back to being nothing. All the evil, mean, wicked and nasty thing that happened will be cast into Satan’s Hell and all the good will go to Heaven refreshed and made new again. All the good here will go to God because that’s were it came from and the evil will return to Satan.
Aren’t we all a combination of good and evil? Of course, but we who have accepted Jesus will be covered by His blood. Before God chooses to eliminate time, all that are covered by the perfect blood of the Lamb will be spared. We and the Good within us will be lifted out and the Evil in us will be left behind.
I guess the point I am trying to reach is, to us, Miss Cindy, Pap, Yvonne, Daddy, Mommy, Stephen, Freda and many more are sleeping, but to them they are already awake.
I lost my Dad a year and a half ago. I won’t say I know how you feel losing Miss Cindy. But I will say I understand the emotions grief leaves us with. I love a good path. It makes life interesting and sometimes more exciting depending on what is waiting at the end. Thank you for sharing yours.
Paths represent connection to me. They connect families & friends. They connect strangers who then become friends. Some paths are short & some are long & winding. Miss Cindy took the shortest & quickest path to Jesus this week. I never got the opportunity to meet her her on earth but someday I will follow her along that path & meet her in heaven. Hugs & prayers for your family today!
I love this about the paths between houses of your family and also what Miss Cindy had wrote about the paths we take in life. As a child there was a path between our house and my aunt and uncle’s house next door and a cousin on the other side. Unfortunately as an adult I’ve never lived physically close to family. Continued prayers of comfort for all of you in the days and weeks ahead.
My childhood was not filled with a tremendous amount of disposable income, but one thing we were able to do was go camping. While camping, hiking was a favorite activity (liked building fires too). The paths were often different. Some were easy – pine needles covering the pathway, others involved tree roots and mud puddles from a recent fallen rain shower, then there were the difficult ones with rocks, and an incline that took more energy and determination . Reminds me of my life as well as many other folks I know. However, there has never been an issue so challenging that it blotted out the joy and happy times walking the paths with my father in a forest.
Thank you for bringing paths to my mind. It’s a wonderful thought to notice the paths in our life.
Thank you for such a thoughtful post. I look forward to your posts daily and all the wisdom they contain. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
I think this is my favorite post I’ve ever read here. I’ve been reading your blog for a couple years now, and enjoy everything I’ve read. For some reason, this one really touches me! I’ve been praying for you and your family throughout your recent journey. Thank you for all that you give to people. It is priceless!!!
It’s interesting how one person’s thoughts can open another person’s mind to things they may not ever have considered, except in passing. Paths don’t make themselves. They come about by constant use. Not all, but many troubles we face in life are due to the paths we have trodden down over time. Thankfully, there are paths of righteousness the Good Shepherd desires to lead us in, if we will follow. Especially the one that leads through the valley of the shadow of death.
Path’s: A great thought provoking read, Tipper. As you, we also had paths leading to other family member’s homes, our favorite places to play in the holler, down to the barn, and most importantly, to the spring for the best drinking water in miles. Always, a bucket hung in the shade on the side porch along with a common dipper for all – whether it be family or neighbors! I guess all them in someway were bits of our future life paths …… And all evoke great memories of yesterdays!
Tipper, you are so blessed to have your family near you – just down the path! Our family is very close, so I know how special that is. I am blessed to have found you and your family. My husband and I talk about y’all like we are neighbors. Thank you so much for sharing Miss Cindy with us. She certainly was a special lady. Our Lord will take care of you. God bless❤️
Tipper, yet again you have got us all to thinking. Paths, trails, roads, GPS (LOL), where would we be with out them. I’m sitting here thinking about the many, many, many directions you can go with this topic. Where to begin? I guess one step at a time and thinking about the path I will take today. God bless everyone’s path today.
This post made me think how we all cut paths through the safety of familiarity–the places we love to go and even the paths that eventually form in our homes and especially in kitchens. In the forests of northern Michigan, we mostly follow well-worn animal paths going house to house or to creeks and lakes. Paths show our familiar places–human and animal. Great post, Tipper, and I love the photograph.
Tipper, I think this might be one of my favorite articles. We all walk paths, and even though I knew this, your writing today brought it home so much clearer. Your sharing on Miss Cindy makes me think she was an awesome woman for sure. I’m sure you are all missing her a great deal, but how blessed to have had her in your lives!
Love the idea of pondering paths—all kinds of paths that life takes us on.
Here’s a question for you:
Why do we think that our deceased relatives have a path after they die when the Bible tells us “the dead know nothing”(Eccles, 9) and that the dead are asleep till Jesus returns? (1 Thess 4)
P.L. I think it’s because we are only human and can only understand as humans until that time comes when we shall know as we are known 🙂 Then there are verses-like in the 23 Psalm that speak of walking or traveling through death. Ecclesiastes 12:7 also comes to mind. When we read of our spirit returning to God that makes our human minds think of a trip or a path 🙂
I hope my first comment will shed some light on the discussion here. When we die “time” ends for us. It doesn’t start back in another world. It simply doesn’t start back. We are alive in a perfect new body that is not made from the dust of the Earth. And, there is no “time” so we’ll never grow old.
I have read the Bible through and through several times and this is my conclusion. You may have reached a different one. That’s OK! At least we’re all reading of God’s plan and His roadmap that shows how we can get to Him.
First off, Norman Chester comments the sweetest and nicest things. I want to congratulate him on his baptism- best choice ever! The discussion of paths is indeed worthy. Well worn paths can be still seen where frontiersmen hauled wagons across the country 150 years ago. In Kearney, Nebraska such lines are visible still to this day for hundreds of miles. I’ve seen them and it’s “thought provoking” as Miss Cindy said. I wonder about the people who traveled those paths and what hardships they faced for a dream and no promises. I’d like to see you all traipsing along those paths. I’d like to see what you carry and what you are up to along the paths. When I was a kid, paths in the woods were usually a good sign. It let you know where club hangouts were and bike trails. I like the Robert Frost poem of two paths converging in the woods and “ I chose the path less traveled.” Much to be said on paths and pathways in the mind, decisions and travels. A very deep pondering indeed!
“The path Miss Cindy took last week is well worn, although new to her.”
Yes.
And Miss Cindy was not alone on that well-worn path. Jesus walked beside her and guided her to a land that is “fairer than day,” a beautiful and peaceful land .
Such a treasure, having comments on your blog from Miss Cindy. You probably hear her voice in your mind while reading them.
Continued thoughts and prayers for all of you❤️
What a beautiful, thought provoking post. I enjoy reading the riddle and would not have guessed it, but seeing the answer it made perfect sense. I loved how you described the many paths from house to house it’s a great visual of just how close and connected your families are in life. Miss Cindy had such insight on how paths are more that just a trail between areas, there are many paths in our life and in our minds. It’s so true we have so many path we can take with life and the choices we make on which path to take will determine how we live our life. Thankfully she knew that there is only one path to get to heaven and that is through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only way, the truth and the light, no one can come to the Father except through His Son Jesus the Christ. I have no doubt Pap has welcomed Miss Cindy in to heaven and they are having a grand time glorifying God and catching up on Granny and all of you they both held so dear to their hearts.
Tipper your post today warms my heart. Reading what Miss Cindy said, I immediately thought of
Psalm 23:3 the path of righteousness. In this cycle of life we choose paths, some good, some not so good. Yes, Miss Cindy’s path was worn, but she had the the wisdom to choose the right path.
Tipper, you put it exactly right- your paths between families are signs of great wealth. And I appreciate Miss Cindy’s insight too. When I started thinking about it, I realized that I have never been a path maker, one of those who “boldly go where no one has gone before.” To be honest, I have never understood those people but I’m glad they exist. I’m content to be a follower.
And now we have a path of our own between our house and my daughter’s next door. In one place, through our backyard, it gets slick and muddy with lots of rain. So we put out some flagstones in that area, right beside our patio. Those stepping stones make me happy whenever I see them, especially when one of our grandkids treats them like a game, hopping from one to another. Paths are important in our lives. Thank you for revisiting a post that was new to me since I only found your blog a few months ago.
Miss Cindy’s post was so eloquent and spot on. Now you both will have me pondering paths all day. When I first read what you wrote, all I pictured were paths you can see. Miss Cindy’s post went so much deeper than that. Thank you for sharing this.
Miss Cindy’s reply from your archives was right on as I too will be having thoughts about paths and their benefits to us for the rest of the day. In our community of Weyers Cave, Va a new church was built over the past year called Old Paths Baptist. Not being familiar with any of the congregation I’m curious now as to how they came by that name.
Blessings to your clan as you move on creating new paths and at the same time keeping those old ones well worn.
You live a blessed life and you should be very happy your family is close. we miss our loved ones that are gone daily but with God’s promise we will be reunited again. The simplicity and closeness of family is the best gift of all. Enjoying each gifted day is all I ask for. I am so very thankful to have found your channel for it brings memories of my childhood and the love of home. Blessings to you all.
My sisters had some trees removed which left depressions in the yard by thr garden. We were out weeding and when we were done, exhausted and hot we started back to the house. My sister Margie told me to be sure to stay on the path from the garden to the house. she was afraid I would step into a depression and sprain my ankle. your blog reminded me of that and it caused me to reflect on all of the wise counsel I have received from my family over the years. Their counsel and example, along with the Lord’s has resulted in a truly blessed life. Thank you Tipper.
Miss Cindy’s comment about how you live your life is setting paths or an example for others to follow got me to thinking. I am been blessed to say I have had many people in my life, parents, grandparents, father and mother in law, and other older God fearing people show me the right path to follow in how I live my life. I think I sometimes stray but hopefully not very far off these paths. . When I was able to hunt and walk through the woods and fields, I was always fascinated by the paths left by the wild animals. I have heard these paths will usually be the easiest path. I remember when I was young of following the paths my grandaddy had made through the woods and fields.
I am thankful for having parents and grandparents that loved me enough to show me the right path not only by setting an example for me but by using the Bible and a belt or hickory switch.
When I was a kid we lived on Murphy Hwy near where Twiggs Garage was. Originally Elliott’s Store was there. Granddad Nick Byers lived on the other side of Cobb Mountain on what is now Ivy Log Rd. We had a path over the mountain from our house to Granddad’s farm. My Aunt Lela and I would walk ‘over the mountain’ to see Granddad. I loved those trips. As a young adult after the army I would visit the home folks and go up the trail to a large outcropping of stone to meditate.
This article brought tears to my eyes and I thought of my grandmother’s comment about walking
the hills around her home place so many times.
Blessings, Tipper.
This is an especially wonderful writing, Tipper. It takes me back to the paths (of all kinds) that I’ve walked in my 70 years on earth. It also brought to mind a neighborhood cat.
My back yard is fenced in, so it has become a haven for the neighborhood cats. I had an outdoor cat, as did many of my neighbors. There was one big beautiful black and white tomcat that I called Bob, who would visit regularly. He seemed to be the “boss cat” in the “hood”.
One day as I was getting in my car to leave on a trip, I saw him hunkered down behind the lawnmower in my garage. He was clearly terrified. As I approached, I could see that his eyes were oddly dilated. He began running into things and I realized that he couldn’t see! Something had taken his eyesight from one day to the next! I got him out of the garage and he ran off. (He had a home in the neighborhood) I left, thinking I’d probably never see him again.
When I returned from my trip a couple of weeks later, I was surprised to find him in my back yard. His demeanor had changed and he had lost weight, but he was still there.
The next time I mowed the yard, my heart panged when I saw a little inch-wide path that he had made around the outside of my chain link fence that went under the bottom curve of the gate. It went along the inside, too.
Blind Bob, as I began calling him, regained some of his confidence, and all of his weight, but never regained his sight. He navigated the whole neighborhood for several more years, making his little narrow paths along safe routes.
Miss Cindy’s comments revealed such depth of heart; her love for life and kin. I can’t help but think of what wide and glorious pathsways she is walking in glory now.
Beautiful, thought-provoking post. Well-worn paths are coming to mind with all their memories.
The old saying that “ all roads lead home” is true of paths as well; especially in your case. I believe the happiest families want to be close in proximity as well as in affection. Even in this time of great sadness, your physical closeness comforts and strengthens all of you. That is a tremendous blessing; you are truly rich in things that money can’t buy!!
Tipper, i really love your blog. My family has so many of the sayings and vocabulary of Appalachia. It amazes me because as far as I know, our family didn’t live in the mountains but did live in the “Hills”.
I, too, have had people not from where we live, make fun of my accent and verbiage. I hesitated to speak in front of “outsiders”. One day, a man came into my antique store -he was from Idaho. I apologized for my accent. He quickly assured me that he loved to hear “Kentucky” accents – in fact, all of Appalachian accents. He said,” people from Kentucky and all of Appalachia don’t talk, they sing.” He was an English professor! From that moment on, I didn’t hesitate to “sing” in front of those who were not from Kentucky.
Our family have mostly lived nearby – but not as near as yours – but regular visits, get-to-gathers are had. Our paths are roads, narrow ones as well as wider ones. But they all lead to loved ones. We still visit“paths” to loved ones who have passed and the “paths” bring back so many wonderful memories which I pass on to our family. So much wisdom from those who have passed is invaluable.
I’ve always heard about the “path of least resistance “. It seems like today’s world prefers to follow that rather than walk one that might be a little rocky and rough in places. Some paths take courage.
Got me again Tipper, I’m in tears.
We moved so many times during my marriage. And then again after my divorce. I have great kids and they don’t complain. But I surely with we could have settled down and worn some paths.
Miss Cindy had it right! I’m gonna be pondering on paths all day now.
I remember back as a little girl that I would follow in my dad’s footsteps along a path. I couldn’t see ahead of me because I was so young and my dad was so big. So, he told me to step where he stepped and I just looked down. Now, looking back, I trusted him to guide me down that path. BUT, NOW I follow my Father down the path HE has prepared for me. I must share this with my husband and he can preach on that or use it in his next message.
Thanks so much for sharing this today.
God bless you friends of Appalachia, God bless Tipper and her family, God bless my family and friends with love care and protection with healing and health in Jesus name
To read your post sho nuff does start one thinkin’ about the paths I have taken and continue to take and make. Not a literal path, but when you teach your children some of the things you do and did and why will more than likely send them off to paths of their own. Some paths are well worn and some are new. I am sitting here picturing your paths to Ms Cindy’s home and wondered if she was anticipating the path she would be taking to talk to Pap, as I do believe they will. This post will cause me to ponder paths the rest of the day today and for sure tomorrows. God Bless you all…tell Ganny hello please.
This is beautiful. I love that the paths between all of your homes are so well worn. What a blessing! I also love the thought of paths like Miss Cindy mentioned. Paths are very symbolic and I’ve never thought about it before until reading this. Like Miss Cindy, I will ponder on this all day.