I’ve written the Blind Pig for so many years that I often forget things in the blog archives. There’s more photos than there are blog posts so I often forget them too.
Since today is recognized as Labor Day I typed the word work into my photo library to see what came up. The photos I have shared were at the top of the file.
The first photo is of Granny’s hands working up apples last fall. She was a hard worker and never failed to take care of her family and others.
The second is a photo of a working at Pap and Granny’s many years ago. Matt and Pap are studying out the next step as our nephew Ben waits on the garage roof for them to pass up the next piece of metal.
We all joke that Pap’s favorite thing to do was work. The humor might be stretching things a little, but he really did enjoy working. He liked seeing progress made whether it was for himself, on a public job, or for friends and family.
The last photo is one I snapped several years ago as Matt and I set on the porch swing and rested after a hard day’s work in the yard and gardens. We were wore plumb out but feeling especially satisfied with all we had accomplished.
I’ve been blessed to know a lot of hard workers in my lifetime. Today my hats off to all of them and you too! Enjoy your Labor Day and as Pap would say don’t bust your belly if you’re having a special meal.
Last night’s video: Growing Food in the Winter to Feed Our Family.
Tipper
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Hi Tipper and Acorns. Labor Day has come and gone. I’m laying awake, listening to Pap and his band on the Wilson Brother’s Channel, TY Paul. Ed was up to the chair in the living room for a few hours yesterday (labor day) morning. He spends most of his time in the bed. He’s down to 150 pounds now. We had a good time watching tv together. I put off washing laundry and cleaning house to set with him a while. I just don’t care about stuff most days, just making him comfortable. It was a nice day. GOD is good and each day a gift. I love y’all.
Happy Labor Day, Tipper and fellow Acorns!
I spent my morning picking beans from my garden. Like Pap, I enjoy working and often have a hard time sitting still. It’s just how I’m wired.
Wishing everyone a restful Labor Day! We have had storms here the past several days, so our outside plans have moved indoors. Meg, I will be praying for you that you have no complications and an easy delivery at home. If your midwife wants you to have an ultrasound, please get this taken care of ASAP so that she can determine her plan for you and your baby. If she needs to deliver the baby in the hospital, then she will be able to plan for that.Hospitals now are accommodating to moms who choose low intervention/assistance births. Midwives and Nurse Practitioners deliver these babies so your midwife should be used to this and help you prepare if this is what the two of you determine is best for you and baby. Rest and stay off your feet as much as you can. I know that is easier said than done with little ones at home, but ask for help from friends and family so you can help you and your baby. God bless both of you. You are in my prayers.
Thank you! Your prayers are such blessings!
We live half an hour from a good but small hospital. My midwife has delivered babies there before from other women in my area who had to do hospital births for safety reasons. She is on good terms with the staff there and that makes me feel good if we need to do so too. I 100% want my baby to be born safely into this world, so if our sonogram shows issues, we will be welcoming baby in our local hospital. Thank you for praying for our safety and for me to get to deliver at home. ❤️
Happy Labor Day Tipper and all your family. I enjoyed seeing these pictures, especially the one of Granny’s hands. I recognized them right away before I read your article. Her hands remind me of my own mother’s hands. They both were hard workers. I like the look of the knife she is using. You can see it had been well used and probably sharpened many times.
Happy Labor Day!
I’m trying to type this on my little phone and I’m in the hospital. Had a spell with my heart last Thursday and my son brought me to emergency room. Pulse was too high and bood pressue too low. Admitted and dropped really low. Better now but I may be wrong about need pacemaker. If I do well again today & tonight. I migbt be able to go home tomorrow. I love to work and it’s hard to sit here. I have been walking the halls with an aide but I sure wish I could help them. That work ethic is strong. Keeping ya all in prayer. God Bless!
Sorry you’ve been feeling bad Dee! I will pray for you to be home soon and feeling better!
We will be praying for you, Dee. Hope you feel better and get to go home soon!
The “Labor” in Labor Day doesn’t refer to the work of an individual. It is a celebration of Labor Unions whose purpose is less work for more pay. That is all well and good except that the union places an added tax on your paycheck which they call dues. Federal tax, state tax, sometimes city tax and Union dues add up to a feeling that you aren’t working to support your own family but for everybody else.
I used to try to work on all the holidays because it meant I got paid double time. Christmas was the only day my work shut down but I wouldn’t have worked then anyway.
Happy Labor Day Wilson Holler family and Acorns! I come from a family of hard workers and who instilled the importance of working with hands and the pleasure of doing so. I am happy my own children have followed this same path. May you all enjoy the day no matter how you celebrate it.
Precious pictures with an abundance of memories! Hard workers run in my family too, and it has been an honor to work beside them. Grateful and blessed!
Happy Labor Day to all! I hope everyone enjoys today. Reflecting on a job well done is a wonderful feeling. There are so many hard working people here who have done so much work for their families and communities. I feel blessed to hear your stories and experiences.
Allie, thank you for praying for us. That really makes me feel so comforted. It is a beautiful thing for mothers to pray for other mothers. ❤️ I had a good night of sleep, so I think your nightime prayers were helping. I would love to have this little one at home as I have for four of our babies, but I am not in control. That is hard, but maybe it is a lesson God wants me to learn. I am grateful we have modern medicine, but I prefer my home to a hospital. The midwife wants me to get a sonogram to rule out potential issues, and I hope for good news, but am willing to change our plans if we need to. So for now, we wait and see. Thank you for the encouragement and prayers. Thry really mean so much to me!
Happy Labor Day and let me just say I loved the photos-snapshots of work and workers! I never knew your dear mother personally, but what I knew of her was that she was one of the finest ladies that ever lived! She loved and worked and was the best mother a child could ever have! She excelled at all she put her hands and heart to do! I miss her myself and know your heart aches missing her every day. I used to love to work, but this old mare ain’t what she used to be. Some days just muddling through can be a job. I do what I can and hope for the best. Have a blessed day everybody! I think baby bear got into stuff last night looking for water. He’s been known to pull the outdoor water sillcock and last night he got into the wheelbarrow for water… it sorta makes me hesitate about an after dark soak in the hot tub….Lord keep that bear away while people are about is my prayer…it’s a pretty and cool morning in VA with some clouds and light winds occasionally…you all here and my blessings make me thankful!!! You’re delightful people and I so enjoy the comments by each one!!!
My husband was a very hard worker all his life & it rubbed off on our only daughter. Her labor of love is so evident in all that she does. Not only does she take care of her husband as he has numerous health issues that keep him from being able to work but now, she is trying to take care of me for the last 3 years. She is the sole bread winner for her family but works with a happy heart. Her daddy’s work ethics were passed on to her as well as his honesty and integrity and I am so very proud of her. Happy Labor Day to all who labor in love.
Happy Labor Day to all!
My dad worked a full time job to provide for the family up until he retired. Honestly, he didn’t care to work after his day was done and the same after he retired. My mom was the work horse in our family. Now she never had a paying job of any kind because my dad won’t allow it, plus she had five kids to take care of along with helping his parents in their elder years since they lived close by. My mom could figure out how to do things she didn’t know how to do. She kept a very clean house, laundry, gardened, canned, cooked, built things, kept up the grass, fixed stuff inside and outside the house, kept us kids active by teaching us everything she figured out that worked well. She sewed, was active in community projects and was in a local sorority club. She cut hair, gave perms, colored hair and shaped eyebrows of all her friends and family that asked. She fed anyone that came to our home, and was the social butterfly talking to everybody she made eye contact with. She always was willing to help anyone in need or asked. She got up every morning fixed her hair put on her eye makeup and lipstick no matter what she was doing that day she always looked ready to receive company dropping by, or ready to go out in public at the drop of a hat. She always looked beautiful no matter what work she was doing that day. My dad was the money provider to pay bills, kept a roof over our heads, provided clothes, food needed that mom couldn’t grow, and taught us good work ethics for public work. However, it was my mom who did everything else to keep our home functioning and taught us five kids what work at home and community service really was. I’m thankful for both my working parents because they both labored differently to keep our family together. I miss them both deeply.
That picture of Granny’s hands remind me so much of my Grandma’s hands, not just in appearance but in what they are doing. That picture is worthy of a place in your kitchen because it speaks volumes without words for all those of us who grew up country with home canning a folkway. Law mercy, the hours and hours of peeling, slicing, chopping, stringing, breaking etc. And that’s not counting the plowing, planting, hoeing, gathering side of things. The hands represent it all compounded over many seasons. Across the centuries there has been an understanding that hands are a story all by themselves.
Happy Labor Day ! Love & prayers for all !
Exodus ch20 v9,10: “9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God….”
No nation can mass-produce goods like ours. American working men and women proved it during World War II. Here’s a Labor Day salute to our generation, We aren’t doing too bad.
Gene, I worked 3 different manufacturing job, 38 years at Michelin, starting my first manufacturing job when I was 16 years old during my adult working life. I was taught by my parents to begin to work by time I was 4-5 years old. It really concerns me now when I see SOME of the younger generation Michelin would try to work before I retired. They didn’t know how to work, they seem to think it was ok to show up whenever they wanted too, starting time was just a suggestion, play on their cell phone with one hand and hold their britches up with the other and couldn’t understand why the managers would get on them. I don’t blame them, I blame their parents for never teaching them to work and just giving them everything they wanted. They don’t understand the real world don’t work that way.
Love the pics! Thanks so much for all you do!
Since I took early retirement at 62 & full at 66, I’ve not been as invested in Labor Day. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it and the sentiment behind it, but I’m now “off” all the time. I often joke that I’m not sure how I ever had time to work because I’m super busy in retirement and my days are filled with things that need done as well as things I simply WANT to do! It’s glorious, to say the least. I have no plans for today other than to mow my yard and be so very grateful that the 8-10 days of 98°-100°(feels like up to 107°) temps are finally over. Fall is here and I want it to feel like it. They started picking corn about a mile down the road last week. The crickets have been singing. The fall festivals are advertising their upcoming events. My garden is winding down. All things considered, this has been a wonderful summer and I’m not looking forward to Dec-March and being stuck inside. I’m an outdoor girl through and through! You all enjoy this last hoorah of summer♡ (west central IL since I saw another Kim pop up lol)
There is one Labor Day that stands out in my mind. Seventy three years ago today, in 1953, my daddy, mama, brother, sister and I moved from our home in Letcher County KY to northeastern Ohio. I was four and one half years old but I remember it well. Daddy had not been able to find a stable job and one of his sisters, who lived in Ohio, had told him there were plenty of jobs. Daddy got a good job and worked there for almost forty years until he retired. But he also worked a second job too. I cannot remember him being idle. He always was doing something. He put the work ethic in his children, all five of us. Today four of us are retired and our youngest brother is still working. He turned sixty in July. Daddy, who was orphaned early in his life, had to start taking care of himself at age eleven. He worked almost his entire life. One of his sayings I heard him say often was, “Hard work never hurt anyone.” I hope everyone has a relaxing Labor Day.
Tricia, both my family and my wife’s family were hard workers. I would work my job come home and work more at home. My children and now grandsons all have this work ethic. My oldest grandson worked at two different places while going to a tech school, when he finished his schooling both places were begging him to work full time for them. Now at 25 years old he is buying his own home and works many 12 hour shifts for WEEKS at a time without a day off. I can’t fully agree with you Daddy, I say “hard work might not kill you, but it can break you down and make you pay for it in your old age.” Now my arthritis won’t let me work or do many things I once did, I get depressed over having to ask others to help me.
We were blessed to have parents that instilled in us hard work ethics. Working hard was all our family knew. There were ten of us to feed and everyone contributed to the preserving of food and seeing to a clean house and yard. Momma loved a pretty yard full of beautiful flowers especially during Decoration. She would save her old coffee cans and wrap them in aluminum foil to put her bouquets in. I love to work and I thank God at 78 years old I can still hold down two part time jobs and take care of our special needs daughter. Today if the good Lord allows I will be cleaning out two freezers and sharing the things I will give away. God is so good to allow us the bounty of what he has provided for us to enjoy. Hope everyone has a blessed Labor Day.
Good Morning, Tipper! I tried to comment yesterday and tell you I was so sorry that you had been battling a bad sinus infection that I was thankful you were on the mend. I must’ve had poor phone service to where my comment never came through when I submitted it.
I really enjoyed the photos and your commentary here. I was always raised to love work and find great satisfaction from it. I feel the best days are very productive days and I have a hard time relaxing unless things are in order and I have done what’s on my to do list. I recently listened to a devotional on the topic of work from the “Revive our Hearts” Ministry. It mentioned how Work was given to mankind before the Fall… I thought that was very significant/interesting and something I hadn’t studied on before. They discussed how Work is a privilege and we are to work “unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).
Yesterday we ate all of our meals outside and I had to think of you and Matt! We put a tent up in our yard last night and slept outside with the girls. It is so much fun for them. We have chickens, dogs and outdoor cats to where it is sometimes easier to “camp” at home than travel somewhere. Throwing a tent up in the yard and having a campfire next to the pond is just as good as camping at any campground in my opinion. We have a very nice level spot amongst a bunch of pine trees where the tent goes perfectly. The sun is just starting to rise here. I just made a hot cup of coffee and I am going to get some good breakfast going for the family as I know the kids will be up in about an hour. I pray that you all have a very blessed Labor Day.
I was awake off and on throughout the night as I heard deer or an owl hooting, etc and prayed for you and your baby, Meg during the night! We also had homebirths with a Midwife and I understand how much your heart desires that if that is your original plan. Praying that you are able to have your baby at home as you hope to.
Sounds wonderful! Thank you 🙂
Oh Allie, thank you! That makes me feel so comforted, that you were thinking of us and lifting us up in prayer. Thank you!
I had a solid night of sleep for the first time in a long time. Your prayers helped calm me, I think. So far, so good this morning. I have been up and around getting a few things going in the kitchen and feel ok. Thank you for praying for us. Mothers praying for other mothers is just beautiful to me. ❤️
It is an honor to pray for you, Meg! I will be praying specifically for your sonogram today, too! When carrying a new baby and all the ups and downs that can come with that, and as labor approaches, I was often comforted by a story that Corrie ten Boom described in her book, “The Hiding Place.” It was a conversation she recalled between her and her father:
“Corrie,” he began gently. “When you and I go to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?”
“Why, just before we get on the train.”
“Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we’re going to need things, too. Don’t run out ahead of him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need—just in time.”
It always comforts me to know that even if I don’t know what may come of a certain situation, our loving Heavenly Father does and He will give us just what we need when we need it. ❤️
That is so beautiful! It is so beautifully true. God knows and anticipates our needs. Thank you for those words. I have never read that book, thank you for a new one to add to my list of books to read!
The sonogram won’t be until Wednesday, so we have a few days to wait.
But it is easier to wait peacefully when I think of how loving our Father is and how He always works all to the good. ❤️
I’ve enjoyed your videos and blogs. Keep up the good work!
Have a wonderful Labor Day celebration today!!!
Tipper, I know that feeling of loving work and seeing what you accomplished. Some of us seem strange to other people but I was raised around hard working people and I guess it just rubbed off on me. My grandfather worked so very hard. He had a little sawmill and a large garden up beyond the house, and a large bottom down below the house. He would hoe in the garden until it got too dark to see. My grandmother canned and we used well water so big pots of water on the stove was a common sight. How I miss my family and wish I could just hug all of them so tight.
Enjoy a good rest today.
Happy Labor Day to everyone. I have been laying here awake thinking about the joy and happiness we once had for many years on Labor Day with my wife’s entire family. They all would get together at my father in law’s home and have a big cookout. In later years it became a fish fry. There would 30-40 family members and usually a few friends of the family together. Now most of the ones that did this have died. Another good memory of the past spent with family and friends that will never be again on earth. Enjoy your family while you can, the day may come when you no longer have the opportunity to do it. Now today for me will be no different from any other Monday, no celebration of any kind. Saturday was my celebration- me, my son and one grandson spent the day together and stopped by an old “Happy Days” style drive inn and bought “ old timey” milkshakes, this drive inn is at Anderson, SC and was established in 1951. The Nutty Sweet Shop.