In the fall, Ma, Pa, and we children picked up buckeyes and gave them away. By the time the old tree by the church had dropped most of its crop, the shiny, brown seeds had shed their rough, prickly burr husks and were waiting to be gathered. The Indians carved decorations on them to make necklaces and other kinds of jewelry out of the hard, brown shells. The only thing we did with buckeyes was give them away. They’re not edible, but they make beautiful ornaments to have around the house. They were often passed down from one generation to the next. I still have my own lucky buckeye. It was Pa’s and it’s over a hundred years old. Courting couples sometimes opened the husks and each took one of the seeds. The buckeye is a symbol of love because two seeds fit together inside one pod—sort of like the Bible verse about marriage, where two become one.
—Florence Cope Bush – Dorie Woman of the Mountains
I’ve heard stories about folks who carry a lucky buckeye around in their pocket. Chatter has a little round rock that Pap gave her. She carried it in her pocket for a good long while after he died. She said it made her feel closer to him.
She almost lost it one time.
Chatter forgot to take it out of her pocket and when she went through airport security they made her take it out when it showed up on the xray scan. Chatter said “It was my fault for leaving it in my pocket, but if they had tried to keep it I would have caused one more scene and told them if they’d only give it back I wouldn’t even get on the plane I’d leave right then and never come back!” In the end she didn’t have to do anything drastic, they looked at her sort of funny and gave the rock back to her 🙂
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a used copy of Dorie Woman of the Mountains written by Florence Cope Bush. Leave a comment on this post to be entered. *Giveaway ends December 3, 2022.
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I just loved your reading of Dorie!!
I’ve carried a “lucky” buckeye in my purse my entire life. Years ago I was flying into the Cincinnati airport. Two teenagers were sitting in front of me on the plane. They were talking about the Ohio State Buckeyes. The boy asked,”What’s a buckeye?” The girl responded, “I think it’s a kind of deer.” I got a kick out of that. So cute. Wrong but cute.
I loved hearing you read about Dorie! Would love to have the book as well. Never knew what a buckeye was till up about a year ago.
Just what is a buckeye?
Would love to read Dorie Woman of the Mountains book!! I remember reading about the American Indians grinding up the buckeyes & throwing them in water to make the fish float to the top. Also, I read the Choctaw Indians used them on the ends of their arrows since they were poison. I have a Choctaw Reservation less than 2 hrs from where I live.
Dorie woman of the mountains is one of my favorite books. I got a copy at one of my family reunions in the Smokies. Someone will be very fortunate to get a copy.
I have the buckeye my husband gave me when we first met. We have been married 42 years and he gave it to me when dating, so I guess it’s around 43 years old. I have another buckeye in my little collection of smalls that is in an old printers tray that hangs on my wall. I particularly like them because I am crazy about nature.
Many, many, many years ago I knew of a patch of woods with several buckeye trees, I gathered a lot of them to give away at school. That patch of woods is now covered by a lake. It’s probably been 60 or more years since I last saw a buckeye. I was told that one half was edible and one side poison and only the squirrels knew which half to eat. I remember seeing many of them half eaten.
I carried a buckeye for a long time when I was younger just quit carrying it for some forgotten reason.
I’ve got a few buckeyes I keep in my nightstand. Don’t know if they’re still good luck being kept in there instead of my pocket but I figure it can’t hurt!
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a buckeye nor a buckeye tree. I remember hearing that a buckeye only brought luck if someone thought well enough of you to give you one.
I was hoping that we would get to meet Steve and his boys and April and Miss Cindy on your Thanksgiving video. Are they camera shy?
Keep up the good work, Tipper.
I don’t have a buckeye story… but every time I get into a conversation about my Carolina twang and Appalachia, I let people know they can get a lot more information and answers from Blind Pig and the Acorn and from Tipper’s Youtube channel. Thanks for doing all you do, Tipper.
I’m from the Buckeye State! Buckete fans make necklaces out of them & wear them to games. I prefer the candy “Buckeyes”. Lol
I’m just now looking at your blog. I figured I loved your utube channel so much this would be wonderful too.
I’m going to make your cracker candy this week and take it to church on Sunday.
Blessings, TeresaSue
This is another book I would like to read and have in my collection.
What a sweet story about Chatter! Don’t blame her one bit for how she felt. I would have done the same thing. I’ve never seen buckeyes in this area.
I have a buckeye that my Mother gave me. I think she told me it was suppose to bring good luck and I know she gave it out to cousins and such. I must say, it certainly is a beautiful nut!!
Lovely story. I am sure everyone would love to have a copy of the book && of course, so would I! Thanks, Tipper for all you do! You are doing a great job with the blog & the videos. I enjoy them very much.
I have tried to find a copy of Dorie in both County libraries by where I live. There aren’t any copies held in either one. I tried a used bookstore too but can’t find it. Growing up in Appalachia I love the stories about mountain women
Most libraries subscribe to the inter-library loan system. Ask you librarian if she can find and get a copy of the book for you.
I have enjoyed the Dorie chapters. My parents and all my family were from Old Fort, Robbinsville, Bryson City and Tow String Creek. Now the anyone and everyone is gone, I really relish mountain stories. Thank you for sharing these with us.
Living in the northern panhandle of West Virginia less than a mile from the Ohio river many of my cousins and friends are Buckeyes…the human kind.
While buckeyes are poisonous to livestock, squirrels are about the only animal that can safely eat them.
Tipper, I would love to win Dorie Woman of the Mountains. What a great read while I am eating homemade buckeye candy during the Christmas season.
My husband and I to pick up buckeyes! We have a favorite place where we camp that we pick them up! Lots of memories through the years picking them up with our children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren! So much love and fun in our family! Would love to read Dora of the Mountain book!
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a real Buckeye, but I’ve definitely made the delicious peanut butter candy!
I, too, have treasures that bring up special memories of loved ones: a rag rug my Granny made for me about the time I entered high school – she usually made circular or oblong ones but mine was hexagonal (I say “was”because it was “lost” during a move – still breaks my heart to think about it going missing); a pocket watch my grandmother carried in her apron pocket when she gardened (so she would have dinner & supper on the table when Grandpa came in from the fields) and a shawl she crocheted for me with a big butterfly on the back; my Dad’s old pocket knife; sheet music my mother sang at church; original music written by my first piano teacher; . . . .
Several of my in-law-kids think keeping these things is silly & that it boarders on hoarding; that makes me sad because they don’t seem to treasure mementos of the past unless it has monetary (antique) value.
I keep thinking I’m going to order some of the books you’ve mentioned. If I don’t win a copy, maybe this time I’ll finally get around to it.
BTW – have you read “Grandma Applegate’s Walk”? She hiked the Appalachian Trail in her 70’s & was a strong proponent of it’s preservation & maintenance. She is a fascinating example of persistence, practicality, and survival.
Tamela-I love that book!
I worked a murder one Sunday afternoon. The victim had a buckeye in his pocket, and $28,000 in his other pockets. And this was back when my yearly salary as a deputy sheriff was around $7,500!
That buckeye didn’t bring him enough luck that afternoon!
Such a great story. Love the story about Chatter my husband and I look every day for new videos from you and The Pressley Girls
An acquaintance of mine was blessed to be able to travel to England. She sent me a buckeye and some wildflower seeds from Highclere Castle where the TV series, Downtown Abbey was filmed. My 80 year old sister has a much better buckeye that our Dad gave her when she was a little girl…I’d gladly swap with her, but she won’t have it! LOL!
It’s been many years ago but I carried a buckeye in my pocket everyday.I wore a leather fringe jacket to school…cowboy boots and I took my guitar with me once a week. I was an odd little girl I guess compared to the rest.
Mama and Daddy both had buckeyes. Mama always said they were for good luck.
My brother is an avid hunter. Our season just started the other day and he carries one in his pocket that belonged to our late dad for luck. I make the Buckeye candy at Christmas time for family and friends. I may live in Ohio but I’m not a fan of the sports team (they are worthless nuts to me )
I used to tell people that when I was young I was so skinny I had to carry rocks in my pockets to keep the wind from blowing me away.
Poor Chatter…….reminds me of Linus and his blue blanket in the Peanuts comic strip. We all have special items we cherish at different times of life. It certainly lingers on past childhood. For my father, it was his old pocket knife.
Those are interesting stories and I can imagine Corie pitching a fit if them airport folks didn’t give back her treasured Buckeye from Pap. The funny thing is when I saw the title of today’s post, I thought it was going to be about the Buckeye Candy recipe….lol
I was always told that buckeyes were poison. Beanie’s dad Luther told us that you could eat one side but if you ate the other side, it would kill you. He even showed us how to tell the good part from the bad but I can’t remember now what he said. It was something to do with where the white spot was on it. I tried opening them a few times but by the time I got the shell off I didn’t know which side was where.
I can only remember one buckeye tree that grew buckeyes on Wiggins Creek. It lived right next to the creek just above the bus shack where we got on the bus.
I still have copy of “the Dorie story” as I call it, here somewhere. I need to quit looking for it and then I’ll find it.
Many years ago a close friend gave me a coin shape with an angel on it. For years I cared it with me in my wallet and always felt that my angel was watching over me, protecting me throughout my daily works.
That reminds me – some time ago somebody gave me a buckeye as a favor. I have always wondered if they are edible. Do deer eat them? Ashamed to say i don’t know where it is. I need to find it so as not to dishonor the donor. They don’t grow in our area. Sure would like to have that book; i like those with short readings so i can read an entry then go on my way and consider it.
The old timers from eastern KY swear that carrying a buckeye will help ease the pain of arthritis. My brother-in-law’s dad carried one for years. When he died, my sister put it in her purse and has carried it ever since.
If I had to turn out my pockets on demand there might well be any one of these; a piece of white quartz, a little brown jug leaf, a small clump of rabbit tobacco, a piece or two of mica flake, a bit of rich pine, various nuts, hard candy, string, wire or ziplock bag(s). Those are besides the usual keys, pocket knife and billfold. That list is if I am not wearing cargo pants. If I am, add some fruit and a water bottle at least.
You all know, just ordinary stuff.
My dad always carried a buckeye in his pocket. I wish I knew what happened to it after he passed. I have been trying to find a copy of Dorie but no luck. It would be awesome to win this!
I’m still hoping to win a copy of Dorie. I enjoy what she said every rime you include a passage from her book.
I wish I knew where a Buckeye tree was so I could gather up some Buckeyes to share. We could all use some good luck. I wonder how many younger children have never even seen on. I loved Dorie and all of her adventures.
I, as many others on this site, have that family momento that was gifted to us as a young’un. And treasures they are, indeed. Being in my mid-eighties, They have certainly multiplied over the years – but each has a story that I’ve passed on to the “grands and greats”. Along with a special item, trinket, or something that picked their interest so they can start their own stories. Kinda goes along with this ol farm I live on being their refuge from the craziness of the world on their visits. Keep all the great reads coming, Tipper; another bit of refuge your readership can reflect on and enjoy in our own right….
Listening to you read “Dorie” was a wonderful experience. I’d love to have a copy of the book to relive “Dorie” experiences again. We had a bountiful Thanksgiving as the Pressley family did.
Thank you for the smiles and memories. DonnaB
Being from southern Ohio, we know something about Buckeyes. Many people say a Buckeye is nothing more than a worthless nut. Ohioans have come to love our Buckeyes. We use them in crafts, to make jewelry, and as you mentioned in the post… to carry around as a lucky nut.
My favorite is the candy we make that resembles the Buckeye. We call them Buckeye candies of course, but I know they have another name elsewhere. Peanut butter balls, perhaps?
I would love to win this book. I’m an avid reader and although I’m from Ohio… I live at the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. My kin is from deep in the mountains of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia. I love to read and study about my roots.
You mentioned the Buckeye Candy and that’s what I thought the post was about today. My sister had moved to Ohio and she told me what us in the south call Peanut Butter Balls is similar to what the Buckeye Candy is except they put brown sugar and some add a small wafer or graham crackers if they flatten it some. The PB balls are just peanut butter, confectionery sugar, butter and dipped in chocolate, at least that’s how I use to make them. Both seem to be equally delicious!
I have and carry the buckeye my daddy always carried. He died in 2014. I understand how Chatter feels. It is treasured!!
I Marathoned watch your reading of Dorie (as I babysat my grandson, who was 8-10 mo old at that time.) I’ve never carried Buckeyes but the tradition is alive a well in the cairn and bean fields E Central Illinois! They would make beautiful Christmas ornaments on a small tree decorated in all things if nature, they’re look just like little jingle bells next to popcorn garland, makes me smile!
What a great idea, Lori! They’d look beautiful on wreaths or any other natural arrangement!
My sister-in-law lives in Ohio and we call her Buckeye Annie. I think it originally started in connection with a sports team there. Hope I’m the lucky winner for the Dorie book.
I’ve read that old time hunters often carried a buckeye in their hunting pouch for good luck.
Are horse chestnuts considered buckeyes? Exactly what is a buckeye?
I don’t think I have ever seen a real buckeye, but I sure do like buckeye candy. I love the story and Chatter’s experience. I would have done the same thing. I just can’t give up precious memories, they are woven into my heart.
I have a buckeye my Dad gave me 50 years ago.
My Granddad Nick Byers gave away buckeyes for good luck. I do the same thing as there is a tree where I do my morning limp…
We have a buckeye bush , it’s a pleasant thing to see it’s husks every year. I think it’s a different variety that’s different from what grows up there
Oh the different things that keep us connected to those we love!!!!
Enjoying all of your stories and the excerpts from the different books.
I don’t blame Chatter. I would have done the same thing if that rock at belonged to my Granny.
I have enjoyed reading many of the books you’ve mentioned on your blog and vlog. I would like to add Dorie to my collection.
I have a lucky stone too I used to carry it with me everywhere but now keep it beside my bed
I have never saw or actually knew what a buckeye was. I googled a picture of a buckeye and now I think I know where there may be a buckeye tree.
We used to gather them on our way home from school. We made necklaces out of them. Would love a copy of Dorie’s book. Thank you.
It would not be smart to cross with Chatter! It’s interesting how attached we can become something that we have assigned significance to.
I grew up in Waynesville and have my own experience similar to Chatter’s. My grandparents lived in Fines Creek on property that contained arrowheads which I found and saved. At my senior age I still have two little baskets full. Chatter, I would have had the same response as you if someone at airport security tried to keep the one I carried in my pocket!
We have again enjoyed ‘Dorie’…she was a tough ole cookie, that is for sure. We did the whole series in two days…again, my hubby is infatuated with your stories and am waiting on Friday. It is nice having him home, at least for a bit, to re-up memories with his family and mine. Looking forward to anything new today and in the days ahead. God Bless…and as always, tell Granny hello for one of your faithful followers and admirers.
my Daddy carried two silver dollars in his pocket for as long as I can remember. They wore down smooth as a button but they were always in his pocket. He said as long as he had those two dollars he was never “broke”. Merry Christmas ♡
I’m not sure I have seen a buckeye.