Bent Creek Road Photo Courtesy of Southern Appalachian Digital Collections
Listen for the Spring peepers after the New Year, whatever you are doing when you hear them for the first time that year is what you’ll be doing most of the year. I’ve heard this old saying all my life. I hope it ain’t true in 2013—–I was at a most unpleasant task.
—Tim Hassell 2013
I’ve never heard the saying Tim shared back in 2013, but it got me to thinking about the spring peppers or cheepers as some folks call them.
I haven’t heard nary a one this year. Maybe it’s because I’ve not been out and about much. Typically I hear them as I’m driving and happen to cross a bridge over a creek. I’ve even heard them around large road culverts that have water flowing through them.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of hearing the chorus of frogs welcome spring you might find it hard to believe I could hear them inside a car while driving down the road. They are that loud. You can hear them here.
I do remember vividly when I first heard them last year. It was about this exact time as we were driving back and forth to the house Chatter and Austin got married in last year. This weekend they will celebrate their one year anniversary.
Last night’s video: Common Folks 6.
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just now getting to this one Tipper, being so busy. I have heard the little frogs calling to find a mate. Plenty of it hoping on here. My husband loves to hear them. I know Spring around the corner but it snowed here today. Happy Anniversary to you two. and many more.
I call them sonic frogs they can get so loud sometimes. Did you know frogs could scream? One night I was woken up by what sounded like something screaming in my closet. Very startling! Turned out to be my cat with a very distressed frog in his mouth. Welcome Spring but we are having another few cold days for the time being.
HI,
It doesn’t seem like a year has passed since Corey and Austin got married. Wow, time passes fast!
Here in the Blue Ridge our peep frogs as we call them have been hollering for about a week now.
We are supposed to get ice tomorrow. Appalachian Spring at its fullest. I think this is our first spring/winter with six more to go.
The forsythias here are blooming out nicely too. Maybe this is second spring/winter. I have difficulty keeping up with them.
Take care,
Kathy Patterson
Happy Anniversary Chatter and Austin!
Happy Anniversary to Corie and Austin!
Happy Anniversary to Corie & Austin! May y’all have many more healthy, happy & blessed years together.
Haven’t heard the little frogs yet but sure do enjoy those sounds. Love the picture today as I think of the song by John Denver, Country Roads. In my area now days you don’t see many unpaved country roads. As always, I enjoyed the reading last night. Verna Mae was one tough lady. I can’t even imagine walking 5 miles one way and then back and it was a miracle she survived the heart attack and then not finding out for certain until all those years later that she indeed had one. I enjoyed Katie taking us on a tour of her shop in the basement. She has quite a collection and I can tell she absolutely loves what she is doing. Finally, wishing Austin and Corie a Happy Anniversary tomorrow. They had a beautiful wedding, and that skiff of snow made it even more perfect. Have a wonderful day everyone!!
WoW Tipper! Can you believe it’s been a year already for Austin and Corie. Such a sweet couple they are. I love to hear the peepers, there’s a little small pond at the end of my road at an old farm down there and they sure herald in spring, I’m 3 houses up from it but you’d swear they were in my backyard! I hope Matt and they girls are getting over their colds, poor things all sounded so stuffed up. Hope you don’t get it. have a nice weekend y’all.
I heard them very clearly one evening at home toward the end of February when the weather had been really warm, but I haven’t heard them since. They are unbelievably loud when you are standing down in the middle of a bunch of them.
Happy anniversary to Austin & Chatter. Gee, A year already, but no anniversary snow (yet?) ….
Had peepers here one night, back in Feb. I think. Then they went in again. I have been listening. Just anytime now I think.
Debbie, we are sad for your sorrow. Truly in these unavoidable partings we are all one. May there be other touches for grace for you and yours today and in the days to come.
Peppers and crickets are natures lullaby.
Happy Anniversary Corie and Austin. Wishing you many happy and joyful years
Peepers have been quiet vocal around dusk on the pond below our house for the last 3 weeks, so have the owls and Canadian Geese. First pair or mallards dropped by and were talkative as well. Nuthatches and Redbirds are also busy at daybreak. Been straining my ear hoping to hear the Turkey start up, but not yet.
Happy Anniversary Corie and Austin. You are a beautiful couple. I love hearing the spring peepers singing in the early spring.
Happy Anniversary to Corrie and Austin ❤️
I call them peep frogs or “kneedeeps” for the sounds they make. I haven’t heard them yet this year. There’s no water near my house and I’ve only been off the property a couple of times this year. But I know where they live and I’ll go listen to them when I am able!
It’s too cold in KY for little peepers. I love leaving a window up on warm nights as they sing me to sleep with their sweet lullaby. When my sister comes to visit and the peepers are loud, she wants to go inside as she thinks it’s such a lonesome sound.
Congrats Chatter and Austin!
I spent a few days in the forests of Central Arkansas last week and was all smiles at hearing the peepers / Spring frogs’ chorus. In the trees, from the ponds … simply wonderful! Welcome, Spring. You look absolutely marvelous!
I think the photograph you shared this morning is beautiful! It’s exactly what I picture in my mind as the quintessential driveway leading to the perfect country Carolina home! There’s a song by James Taylor (who sings like an angel I think) about going to Carolina in his mind. It’s a lovely song like this picture is lovely. And speaking of lovely things- Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Austin and Corey on your FIRST year of marriage! I checked and PAPER is the classic gift you give each other the first year. It’s just a wonderful thing it is- family and young love! Here’s a toast of coffee to you both wishing you ANOTHER year of joy, happiness, health and growing love! Cheers and top o’the mornin’ to ya from cold, powder perfect ( for skiing) snowy southern WV!!! This “s” stuff needs to go!
Congratulations to Chatter and Austin. It is too cold here for frogs, 35 degrees this morning and a light frost on the windshields and rooftops. Colder temps predicted for 3 nights at the beginning of next week, one night of 27 degrees. I think of my father in law calling the gardens of people that have already began to plant a few early things in their gardens because of the warm weather we have been having a Frost Garden- a late frost will kill anything that might have came up. My daddy always believed there would be a few days of cold weather around Easter even if was a late Easter and I have noticed in most years it seems to be true. Both he and my father in law would not get serious about planting their gardens until after Easter.
Wow, your reads just keep getting better and better. I cannot imagine walking 2 miles either way, not 5 miles. God Bless her and her family. Things were tough in those days and I almost remember them. ’29 must have been horrible. Chatter and Austin, such a beautiful wedding and Congrats are in order if your will please pass it on. God Bless, and looking for a great year.
A very happy anniversary to Austin and Chatter! Hope y’all celebrate something fierce 🙂
Thanks for starting my morning on such a cheerful note. Peepers are a wonderful omen of spring. Hoping to hear some on a drive through the farm later; your lovely sentiment is a reminder to stop and listen to nature every chance we get. Cheers!
Happy Anniversary, Corey and Austin!
Carolyn from Wisconsin
Congrats Corie and Austin!
I lost my brother last Sunday and today is his service. The nurse who took care of him on his final day told us when she came into work that morning a noisy little bird just kept chirping loudly like he was trying to get her attention. It was a red cardinal, one of our momma’s favorite birds. What a memory I will cherish.
Happy Anniversary Chatter and Austin! May the Lord bless you with a long, healthy, and joy-filled marriage.
Debbie- I’m so very sorry you lost him. I love the story of the red cardinal. Thank you for sharing it!
Debbie, I am sorry for your loss. The redbird or cardinal was my mother and granddaddy’s favorite bird. On the day she was buried, there was a pretty bright red bird (male) hopping around her grave site. She died Jan. 21, 2010. I now hang bird feeders in my yard and have many red birds come to them, I always think of mother and grandaddy when I see them.
So sorry!
Oh. My. What a loss. What a day. And what a beautiful, joyous, colorful reminder with the Cardinal that EVERYTHING IS OKAY with your Brother, with your Mom and with You. I’ll sure be thinking of you and your family today from here in Oklahoma. Sending a long hug and warm smile.
Debbie, I am so very sorry about the loss of your brother. I pray our good Lord will wrap his arms around you & give you strength, comfort & peace as you navigate this very difficult time.
Debbie, I am so sorry for your loss. I’ve always been told when a red cardinal comes to visit that it’s a sign that your loved one is letting you know all is well. That same thing has happened to me when two loved ones passed. Will be remembering you today.
Debbie,
Animals tell us things when we least expect them. Our dogs “talk” to us about things
that have happened or are happening in their own language.
Remember your brother for all the good things he did plus the funny things he did too.
Don’t let his memories die. When his memories die then he dies. This is how in the Blue
Ridge Mountains we keep our ancestors close to us.
KAthy Patterson
Good stories!!!! Little chilly for peepers but they’ll be out soon.
Happy Anniversary to Chatter and Austin!!