Ken’s mother’s snowball bush. She planted it when he was in grammar school.
As I worked on the “Week of Ken” posts over the last several days, I greatly enjoyed looking back through the stories he shared about his life in the mountains of southern Appalachia.
On one post Randy commented that he thought there was a hidden message in the things Ken spoke of. A message of the joy of working and spending time with his family.
I wholeheartedly agree with Randy.
Ken was all about family. If he wasn’t talking about his daughters and granddaughters, he was talking about his parents, brothers, and close friends.
Ken was raised in a house (long gone) just to the left of the snowball tree.
His father planted the big walnut tree.
Here’s a few examples from Ken’s 155 pages of comments left through the years that focused on family.
I use to wish for a big fine house for my girls growing up and lots of elbow room. The house never did happen, but we got the view of a dreamer. Now the girls bring their daughters and show them what it feels like to wade in a cold mountain stream, swing on a grapevine, enjoy a real strawberry, or hear a pheasant beating on a log in the spring. I learned that the value of a big fine house was not the important thing. All I had to do was just open my eyes.
My daddy lost his first kid at childbirth, and a girl. But after that he was a proud daddy of 6 boys. He taught all of us by example how to hunt and catch fish. Seems he could catch ’em when they weren’t even bitin’. And we learned of the dignity in work from him. Just like my mama, daddy was the best Christian I’ve ever known. I miss him so much!
My girls are 7 years apart and they were very different. The oldest was gentle and loved her dolls with kindness. When the second one got here, no toy would last her very long. She was a live wire! Now that they have girls of their own, I’m so proud of their Christian leadership.
When I was about 3 months old, mama had a stroke and was out of commission for several months. She was left paralyzed on her left side, but Thank God for kinfolks! Daddy’s mama and sister took care of me during this time. Times were tough but daddy worked for the TVA, helped build Fontana Dam and later Nantahala Lake. Then finally he bought the holler where I live now. Back then we had lots of chickens and nobody fooled with a lawn. I don’t know where mama came up with all them brooms, but we’d all sweep our yard clean as a whistle about every weekend. We didn’t even have a car but we shore had a clean yard.
Don’t we all wish we could have spent more time with our grandmas? I think both my grandmas died about the time I became a teenager. They had many grandchildren so by the time I came along, I was mostly just another rug rat in the way. The grandma on my mama’s side was soft and kind and cared what I’d have to say, even if I didn’t make much sense. Both of them smelled like Garrett or Bruton snuff, but how I’d like to have their counsel in today’s world. I’m just fortunate to have that love pass through my life with those
wonderful memories.
I don’t have hair lockets from my daughters, but I did keep those little “hidden” notes they left for me to find. And although both are married with children of their own, I still pin up cards from both. It’s just a way of holding them dear.
I hope you enjoyed Ken’s thoughts about his family.
Last weekend at the book signing in Roanoke a dear lady told Jim and I that she had been blessed to live all over the world. She said while experiencing all the various cultures in a really intimate way she had come to realize that no matter where you live family is one of the most important keys to having true happiness in life.
Although Ken’s life was here in the mountains, I believe he fully understood that too.
There was one other family Ken talked about often, his Blind Pig & The Acorn family. He looked forward to what everyone said in the comments each day as much as he did to reading the post. Over the years he talked to more than a few fellow readers by phone and in person. It always tickled him to death to get to chat with other Blind Pig & The Acorn supporters.
Last night’s video: Watermelon Hill 10.
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Reading these stories brought tears to my eyes, but joy to my spirit!
The times I spent with my papaw will always be cherished and I hold them close always. I have had recent thoughts and memories about those days we spent in the beautiful mountains together, and how I wished we could go back- I didn’t know time was going to get away.
Heaven is so very lucky to have gained this angel, and I am so lucky to be his granddaughter! I know papaw is happy to be in the presence of the Lord and although we will miss him so much, I know one day we will be together again.
we had a couple things in common ken and I. my daughters are 7 yrs apart and my momma had a stroke and left her pearlized down her left side to. O how I miss her. she was my to go to person when I needed to talk or vent or just what ever. Momma was a special woman, hard working just like daddy. He work sun up till sun down every day. I love reading all the post on here. (family)
I’ve always wondered when and how our folks started calling Ruffed Grouse ” Pheasants”.
I’m so grateful for the privilege to read this week posts in the midst of such grief, while making every effort to remain focused on God’s glory. For me, the only way to keep a balance is by staying “rooted & grounded” (Ephesians 3:17). That’s possible through unending, divine grace & mercy. I have to express my deepest gratitude again, for the tribute has been a true gift. The memories and comments have encouraged and helped throughout this difficult week of making service arrangements.
I apologize for the delay and want to share what information we have. The exact time will be confirmed Monday. The service will be held at Red Marble Church (between Topton and Andrews) on Saturday the 24th. The time of service will likely be around 1pm. Again, I will confirm that next week, as it may change slightly.
We would like to thank Tipper openly again for the time dedicated to reflect on and pay respect to our Daddy, Ken Roper.
This platform was created to share treasured truths, uplifting thoughts, insight, information, the love of God, family & community. That is the foundation of the culture celebrated.
Our thoughts and prayers are for Miss. Cindy and your family. My Daddy was very fond of her. I pray we all grow stronger, with increased faith through the hardships, burdens, struggles and extreme pains we endure in this life. We must go through this valley of the shadow of death to reach our eternal home. I pray the prayer found in Ephesians 3:14-21 for each faithful soul trusting, honoring, loving & worshipping our Maker. Everything we value, love and hold so dear here pales in comparison of what is to come. The best this world has to offer is only a glimpse of our Creator and the glory we shall behold. Thank you all again, God bless.
I have really enjoyed getting to know Ken this week. Oh, the memories that came flooding to my mind, my grandma sweeping her yard with a broom, the smell of snuff and aprons worn every day. I grew up in an old farmhouse and home was the best place on earth. Loving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, those were the best times and if anyone was sick or needed help, someone always was around to do their part. Faith, family and friends, that’s what it’s all about. Thank you, Tipper, for sharing a week of memories of a life well lived.
I enjoyed the reading last night, especially from Miss Cindy’s house. As you were reading, I kept looking at the window behind you and what looked like a barn. It actually looked like a painting to me. It was beautiful. Tipper, you and your family have shown such strength and love for Miss Cindy. I was so touched by Katie and Corie’s video last night. We are praying for all of you. God bless you.
In today’s world, good men are hard to find. Ken was a good man & knew the true meaning of happiness. God, family & friends are (in my opinion) what holds this world together. Thank you so much for giving us a look into Ken’s past. I wish he had been my next door neighbor & that I could have learned from him & lived like him.
Praying for Miss Cindy as she approaches her Heavenly Home!
Hugs!
Thank you for sharing Ken’s precious memories, and for giving him a platform.
Continued prayers for Miss Cindy and your family especially at this time.
Several things in these stories I like and can relate to , my parents, spending time everyday with my grandparents, and everyone of the family being Christians, the older ladies all having snowball bushes, my parents loosing several children before me and my sister, my Kirby grandparents sweeping their front yard with a brush broom and sometimes using it on my rear end, and just living in the country and roaming around outside in the country woods, fields and creeks enjoying the things like Ken mention in today’s first paragraph. Not being smart, but I wonder how many know the mention of a “pheasant “ beating on a log is referring to mountain ruffled grouse drumming and not a Midwestern pheasant. Older folks would call a bobwhite quail a “partridge” in my area when I was a lot younger. I will repeat myself and say Ken’s stories need to be collected and published in some form, I own one “book” mostly about a man’s stories of quail hunting that is not much more than pages of copy paper between two colored paper pages for the front and back, that I enjoy reading. Jim, Tipper are you listening? Tipper mentioned my comment about a hidden message in Ken’ stories. I will preach to the high heavens, nothing more important in life ( money, job , career, or whatever it may be) more important than time spent with spent with family and friends. The only exception to this is your personal relationship with God. Based on what I have read this week about Ken, he fully understood and believed this. This comes from my heart, although I have never met or know any of the BP&A members, I feel like all of you are “family” and love each of you.
Although I didn’t know him personally, reading his posts this week I felt like I did. I thoroughly enjoyed them all.
I have a wonderful family also. Both my son and daughter are in christian leadership roles in their church which I’m very thankful. They have also instilled christian morals and values into my grandchildren and greats.
Since I found BP&A, every morning I look forward to reading the comments of the “family”. Maybe sometime in the near future we could have a homecoming and dinner on the ground.
Praying for the family today.
Lovely remembrances that put me in mind of my gramma’s snowball bush and of those gone before.
I’ve been enjoying this “Week of Ken Roper”. Thank you, Tipper, for sharing his thoughts with us. 🙂
A couple of memories his writings have stirred up….I’ve camped at the campground at the base of the Fontana Dam a few times. And my grandmother always smelled of “rose” scented snuff…..never knew the brand. Thanks for the memories!
We’re praying for your family, and for Miss Cindy as she goes to her perfect healing. My father was very briefly in hospice care, in June of 2016….he passed away on June 20th. I remember how fast things went…so much so, that my head was spinning. Praying for God’s peace, rest, wisdom, and strength for Matt and all of you. (((hugs)))
I didn’t know Ken but I do know he surely loved his daughters as he hung up cards to feel their love for him. What a wonderful daddy he must have been!
I woke up sometime during the night or early morning thinking about Miss Cindy. Needless to say, my prayers went up early today.
I couldn’t help being amused at Ken’s reference to hearing a “pheasant” drumming on a log. I was late learning that those birds were not pheasants but ruffed grouse, and then I mispronounced it “ruffled” grouse until I saw it in print. The only grouse I ever ate was a roadkill. A car in front of us hit it, and it landed in the road. We had fried “pheasant” for supper.
I grew up a few miles from where Ken and his family lived. The pheasant drumming on a log might have been a mistake on his part but there were pheasants in the area at that time. I know a pheasant from a grouse. I’ve seen both! A retired Army officer, Ivey Cashatt, raised pheasants. I know pheasants are not native so what I, and maybe Ken, saw likely were releases or escapees from Mr. Cashett’s flock. Who knows, there might have been other people raising them too.
“I’m just fortunate to have that love pass through my life with those
wonderful memories.” Where my life is concerned, no truer words were ever spoken. Brought tears to my eyes.
Ken is the kind of man I want to be.
Raised on a small farm in the backwoods of AL, I can relate to much of what he says. The sights, the sounds, the smells,… I see the new pole beans as they creep up the corn and will never forget their taste as grandmother cooked them on the old wood stove.
Thank you for sharing him with us.
Your words are as welcome as my morning coffee Tipper.
Fred
Ken Roper. Such a lovely man.
God bless you friends of Appalachia
Ken will now be another name in the list of people I wish I could have known. Thank you for sharing his words, his memories, and his spirit.
You sure have provided a wonderful going away celebration for Ken. Thank you for providing a glimpse into his life well lived and honoring his Christianity. Sounds like he served God well and will be happy again in his new life.
A very wise man. Thank you for sharing Ken with all of us this week.
what a beautiful family full of love and joy.
Oh my, I’m loving all of the Jim Roper posts. He was truly a loving soul. It would have been great to know and talk with him. Thanks, Tipper for introducing him to those of us who can still benefit from knowing him a little posthumously.
My hubby and I was so interested yet again by the next chapter of ‘watermelon’. We look forward to your ‘reading’ every Friday. If he is not home, I always wait til we watch and listen together. At the end of your reading on Fridays, we listen to your take on what you have read and as your ‘jumps’ to what you think, we have our own ‘jumps’ as what we remember from our childhood and life as it is today. We draw on our memories both in what we do and how we do it, to how we try to empower our children. We hope our knowledge is being passed on to them. God Bless you and in our prayers, we ask for Ms Cindy’s peace and to be free of pain. Hospice is a Blessing in what they do help ease her pain.
I too, loved to read the stories by Ken Roper. We will all miss him. I will soon be 90 and I can relate to so many of his stories. Thank you Tipper for sharing the week of memories.