The day before this last Christmas a year ago, I lost my billfold. I had my Social Security card (the old one) and had never lost it. I hated it awfully because the ol’ lady had given me a fifty dollar bill for a Christmas present exactly a year earlier, and I wouldn’t spend that for anything. I carried it and took care of it. It had a one dollar bill in it that was exactly a hundred years old, and it had five twenty dollar bills doubled together. I had enough extra to pay my light bill. I hope one thing—that the man who got my billfold had a gang of little children so they could have a happy Christmas. We always were lucky. We always had plenty to eat. When the ol’ woman goes to the grocery store, I tell her, “Buy anything you want to eat because we’re not taking anything with us when we leave here.” (Willard Watson)
— Mountain Voices written by Warren Moore
Several years ago my friend Shannon gave me a two dollar bill for Christmas. She said “If you put that in your pocketbook and don’t spend it you’ll always have two dollars to your name.”
I carry Shannon’s two dollar bill everywhere I go and like Willard if I lost my billfold it would be one of the things I’d miss the most.
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a used copy of Mountain Voices written by Warren Moore. Leave a comment on this post to be entered. *Giveaway ends December 4, 2023.
Last night’s video: Finding a Christmas Tree.
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox
As I have gotten older I don’t save my good stuff like I used to. We’re not promised tomorrow. I will save money for later needs, but otherwise, I am going to enjoy it today!
I like to think my Moms $2.00 bills helped save her life. in 2003, my Mom had just gotten over heart surgery and her and my Dad ventured out to go visit Friends they hadn’t seen since the year before. While walking up the porch steps of one of their Friends, my Mom fell backwards and broke her neck. She was stabilized at the local hospital and then when an ambulance was finally available with a special bed for spinal injuries, they transferred her to Dallas for spinal surgery. After the surgery and subsequent uncertainty if she would ever walk or be able to feed herself again, (in addition to just getting over a heart valve transplant 5 months previously) she started to give up. She refused to do the therapy that would give them an idea of the potential of mobility and the Doctor told her she was dying and signed her over to hospice. The Doctor had spoken with my Sister and they both made the decision that she wouldn’t want to live without being able to walk or feed herself so they factisishiously told her she was dying to give her an easy way out they thought). That’s where I came into the picture along with the $2.00 bills. I quit my part time job, packed a bag and went to her bedside and promised to stay with her until her last breath. After awhile of watching her I noticed that the signs were not present that would back-up the diagnosis of kidney failure and pulmonary edema as she was told she had, and I asked permission from her to look at her chart. There I found exactly what I feared I’d find, she had been ‘thrown away’ and lied to and I was beside myself in anger and despair for her. I explained to her what had occurred and told her that if she wanted to live she would have a harder fight that she had ever had, in front of her but I’d help her each step along the way. She decided to live, but her power of attorney/medical power of attorney was signing the hospice orders to have her transferred to a nursing home under hospice. Meanwhile after ascertaining that what she was taking orally wasn’t indeed hurting her and that she wasn’t aspirating it, I started to get organic fruits and vegis and pureed them at home and added vitamins to them so I could feed her. But with having to be back in town at the nursing home every 2 hours to physically stop them from giving her morphine before they turned her, I really couldn’t work even part time so I ran out of money pretty quick. My Sister was no help at all since it was her decision to place Mom on hospice, and my Dad wasn’t financially able to help so I had to get creative. I went to the jugs of coins that Mom had added to over the years and started to cash them in so I could go buy more fruit and vegi’s to feed her to help her live. And just when I was about to get to the bottom inch or so of coins I found many many $2.00 bills which wasn’t easy to fish out of the 5 gallon glass jugs, but I did it with double sided tape and bent coat hangers! Fast forward, my Mom lived another 5 years (not too bad for someone that ‘needed hospice and was dying’ huh?!) and she even outlived my Dad, bless her heart. So now every time I see a $2.00 bill, I stand back and get a little tear in my eyes, remembering how desperate I felt those days when the coins were running out and I needed them to help save my Mom. Rest in peace Mom, you will not be forgotten, and I love you.
Cindy Lou-I think a lot of us will think of your mother when we see a 2 dollar bill now 🙂 Thank you for sharing the story!!
This was a great post today which led to even greater comments! Thank you so much for sharing ! I would love to own any of the books you offer as I love reading about the people and the memories they share of their lives and families.
Prayers for your Mother and family!
I enjoy reading your blog. I had an uncle who liked to give away $2 bills.
Interesting story. As a child my grandmother would give me $2 bills for my birthday. I had a number of them left, and lost them in a move. Since then, I have been able to get a few, but not the same as from her. Once I had a silver certificate, but lost that along the line somewhere. I often wondered who may have ended up with them and where they might have landed. I’ll bet they’d have stories to tell!
There is something so special about the stories you share. They really connect with my heart and my memories of life while growing up. Thank you so much for all you do.
When I used to go shopping with my elderly mom, I spent more time tracking down her purse than shopping. She would lay it down on a shelf or counter while looking at some item, then walk away without her purse. Now that she’s in Heaven I miss our shopping excursions.
How wonderful would it be to sit by the fire and read these stories!
I keep a few bills in a jewelry box that are the old style currency. from the nineties. I love the look of them and kinda miss the old way they bills looked
How wonderful that you are wiling to give away your flawed copies of your cookbook. I love your stores and most of all that you talk about Gainesville Ga being so close to you. Gainesville is my hometown. Your stories bring back great memories. I love seeing Granny on your channel. She is so much like my own Granny..know I am keeping her in my prayers .
This made me think of the things we carry in our wallets. A friend’s father passed away recently. They had been estranged for decades, and when she received his wallet, she realized that he had carried a photo of the two of them from an elementary school father-daughter dance for 30 years.
This excerpt from the book and everyone’s comments are so interesting today. I have left my purse in a restaurant booth, a dressing room, and once in a grocery cart. Lol. I was super lucky only nice, honest people found them. I haven’t lost it for years—I am about due!
I love your beautiful tree. The branches look like ground pine to me. I used to collect ground pine as a kid and we would use it to decorate. I also love how tall it is. The girls video last evening was so sweet. In our area, Catholic Community Services puts up angel trees in the churches for senior citizens who could use a little help. It’s just like the ones for children. They list something they need and something they would like to have. I have always had a place in my heart for older folks—even though I guess I am one now.
One cold day I put on a coat I had not worn in a year. I found $60 in the pocket. All I could think was how did I put this much money iny pocket, and why didn’t I miss it???
Our great uncle and his wife never had children of their own. Every time a baby was born into our family, they would give the new baby a silver dollar coin. I am 68 years old and I still have mine in a safe place. They also gave my son a silver dollar coin when he was born. I cherish them. Love and prayers to all of you and Granny and Little Mama too.
We just spent the day in Gainesville for dr. appts. I hug my purse close whenever we go out and find myself double checking that I put my wallet back. Being careful can have a price though. When I load my groceries into the trunk, I always set my purse in the trunk so no one can grab it off the cart while my back is turned. One day I slammed the trunk and forgot to remove my purse. This was in the days before cell phones so I had to go back into the store to borrow a phone and call a locksmith, all while hauling my 3 month old son on my hip in the summer heat of that parking lot. Sometimes “careful” can cause extra aggravation.
I have always had the same idea as the how lost his money. I feel if someone stole my money or other items from my house I pray they needed it more than me. I also have kept different types of money through the years hoping they would be worth more than they are not for me but for my kids and grandchildren.
Maybe one day your list billfold will show up.
Interesting post and more interesting comments!
My Pa always insisted that 2-dollar bills were bad luck. I don’t remember why.
I don’t carry a wallet, as such. I carry my cellphone in a case that has slots for plastic cards. I don’t carry my social security card in it but do have a debit card and a credit card and my driver’s license and my health insurance cards.
I believe that studies show that fewer and fewer people carry any cash on their persons. I seldom carry any; not even a few dollars unless I know I’ll need cash where I’m going. I think this has worked against panhandlers. I know it has worked against the Salvation Army Red Kettle collection.
I have a $2 bill that my grandmother gave me. Never knew it existed until she handed it to me. 😉
It’s a shame Willard lost his bill. Hopefully like he said, a family in need used it.
I carry some sentimental things in my wallet that mean more to me than money! 🙂 I guess maybe it’s because they can’t be replaced like money can.
Would love the “Mountain Voices” book! Thank you for sharing all the things you love, Tipper.
I love $2 bills! I used to keep one in my wallet, as well! I’m sure I’ve stuck it somewhere so I wouldn’t lose it, because I have no idea what happened to it. HA!
I just know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this book is one you wouldn’t be able to put down until you finished it…!!!
Some things you just can’t put a price on. Here at home, we have a little bag of silver dollars that my husband’s Granddaddy gave to him a very long time ago. When I was still at home, my Daddy always told me to make sure I had some money in my wallet for food or gas and to make sure I had some change to use a payphone in case I had an emergency. No cell phones back then.
Tipper, I enjoyed watching ya’ll picking out the Christmas tree. It’s beautiful! I can’t wait to see it decorated.
Katie and Corie’s video about the nursing home project is wonderful! Those patients break my heart especially when they have no one during the holidays. That feeling of doing for others is the best feeling in the world.
Praying for Granny that she can continue getting her strength back and will have a good outcome.
I have 3 $2 bills tucked in my wallet. It used to be rare to come across one but over the past 6 years my husband has received all 3 of those and quite a few 50¢ pieces as change from the little gas station at the end of our road after we moved to our current address. He always gives them to me because he knows I’ll put them up and not lose them. We haven’t been lucky enough to get any of the old silver half dollars yet…but maybe one day!
I have given all of my grandchildren a $2 bill for their 2nd birthday. My youngest is turning 2 on Dec. 2nd so I have one in my wallet right now. It is always a thrill to come across one. They are so rare to see in circulation.
I didn’t get a link for today’s post and had to go to the archives to find it.
God bless everyone here! I love reading your posts and oh my goodness I love Tipper, Matt, and the girls in the videos! We never miss one 🙂 Ask Matt if he would mind making a video about the different weapons for hunting, and self-defense, and also how they shoot or how much they kick back. Would love to see target practice!!! 🙂
I remember when The Government said they would no longer redeem Silver Certificates for real silver after a certain date. My wife and I were working in a grocery store and I was in school full time. People thought those bills would be worthless after that date and began spending them like crazy. I ‘redeemed every one I could and sold them to a collector for a profit. Depending on how many I could collect I got between $1.25 and $1.55 for each one. We bought our first NEW car with the profits – a 1967 VW Bug – the one with the 53 HP engine. The 66 had a 36 HP engine. People had saved those Silver Dollars for years thinking they were more valuable because they were backed by real silver but never redeemed them for the silver. Instead they spent them because they thought they would soon be worthless.
Good morning! What a sweet and thought provoking story . I would love to read the others in the book .Even the title of the book is beautiful.
Thank you again for sharing all that you do with us ! Enjoyed the Christmas tree hunt ! Love & Prayers ~
A two dollar bill was a joy to receive from my Grandpa at Xmas!
Good morning Tipper and Blind Pig and the Acorn friends. I loved watching the video of choosing the beautiful Christmas tree for your family. We used to do that when we were younger but time has changed a lot of things and now we have a smaller, flocked artificial one that looks like it has snow on it. It’s sunny today so I want to go out in the yard and find some fragrant greenery to bring in some of the outdoor smells of Christmas. I’ve bought oranges, tangerines, and apples and they all smell so good. After the church Christmas program our church gives out Christmas fruit bags that contain, oranges, apples, nuts, chocolate drops, peppermint candy, and a candy cane. It’s a tradition from long ago that has carried on for all these years. My son is Pastor there and he treasures memories of when he was a little boy at church and likes to continue the old timey ways of Christmases of long ago. I’m thankful that we live in a land where we have Freedom of Worship. It’s all about Jesus and the Greatest Gift ever given.
My wife looks at something and says, “I would like that.” or “That looks good, but it’s too expensive.” I say, “If you want it get it.” Then she passes it by. Sometimes I pick it up and put it in the cart under something and she never sees it until we get home. My thought is if we don’t spend the money before we die our daughter will waste it on things of which we wouldn’t approve.
As I was reading today’s stories about the $2 bills, my mom’s story came to mind to share. My mom was born and raised in east TN and her family had lots of love but not much money. Her mother died at a young age and left 7 children for her dad to feed and clothe. Mom was the youngest born in 1931. Over the years mom had told me about this special silver dollar that she was holding on to and was very important to her. She said that her dad gave each of the 7 children a silver dollar as a gift as they were about to leave home to start their lives as adults. I’m sure even those 7 silver dollars was a stretch for him to give but was so important that each one get their silver dollar. Mom died in 2019 and was the last of the 7 to die. I’ll never know what the other 6 siblings did with their silver dollar but I do know that to this day I still have mom’s silver dollar locked away in a very special place with a note telling my daughter after I’m gone, how special this silver dollar was and still is.
Two things I learned today, the picture on the cover of the book is of Willard Watson not Warren Moore and that Warren Moore is a girl!
Now to find out if Willard is related to Doc Watson. Both are from Deep Gap! Betcha a nickel he is!
Do you know what “Doc” Watson’s real given name was?
Arthel.
Actually I did. Arthel Lane Watson was the son of General Dixon Watson and Allie Greene. Doc and Willard both lived in Stony Fork Township up in Watauga County although a generation apart. If not related they had to have known each other. I’m thinking though that General Dixon Watson and Willard’s mother Nora Ellen Watson were brother and sister. There is some speculation as to who Willard’s father was but he took his mother’s maiden name. He might have been a Greene or a Triplett.
I understand how Warren feels. I had my purse stolen back in 1985 when we first move from WV to NC. I can’t really blame anyone but my self for being so stupid to leave my purse in my car while I walked my young daughter into daycare so I could go to work. I too use to carry my social security card, along with a medical card I was to carry with me at that time. The person who took time long enough to open my car to get my purse must have been disappointed because I had absolutely no cash on me what so ever. It was my turn at work to bring the International flavored coffee for my co-workers to have at break time, so it was in my purse. As devastating as it was at that time, weeks later I laughed about it and told my co-workers the thief hit the jackpot because that International coffee was expensive. We all got a good laugh out of it. I did learn my lesson. I never carry important information or documents in my purse and I never leave my purse in my car or anything of value, nor do I ever leave my car unlocked. I have no desire to repeat that ordeal ever again. I do want to mention to you and all the readers to check the dates and serial number on your $2 bills, because some are very valuable. Just Google “which $2 bills are valuable “ and you will have a lot of credible sites come up with all the information so you can see if your $2 bills are worth more than just two dollars. One more thing. Thank you Tipper! I received my absolutely perfect for me cookbook in the mail yesterday. I love that you sent one that was signed to someone else because it just adds to the stories in the book. I love it, thank you!!!!! 😀
Randy:
What a beautiful love story and heartbreaking to lose her, I pray with all my heart that God will surround you with His Love and Peace which only He can do and continue to carry you through.
I have already started writing more than my share of comments, but I want to say this. While reading the comments of others, I noticed several mentioned either finding or loosing billfolds. I have found two billfolds in my lifetime. One time I found one when I was 18 in the men’s restroom at a company me and my Daddy worked for, although in different departments , it had more than a $100 dollars in it at a time when I was being paid $1.65 an hour. I immediately took this billfold to my department manger, soon he and another man came to me, and the owner of the billfold offering me some money, I refused to take his money, and told him I didn’t want any money for only doing the right thing. The other billfold, I found in my church parking lot and it belonged to someone in NC. It had less than $20 in it but also had the person’s driver’s license. I kept $2 for the postage, drove 16 miles one way to a post office and mailed to them. I never even got a thank you note from them. I did not write this to bring any praise or glory to me, but only to bring praise and glory to my poor parents for the values they taught me and my upbringing as a child.
What a lovely excerpt from Warren Moore’s “Mountain Voices.” Thank you for sharing it with us.
P.S. How is Granny today?
I have a 1 dollar bill that I’ve had for years. I will not spend it. I don’t even remember where I got it. Someone had written JESUS LOVES YOU on it and I’ve carried it in my pocket book for yrs. I always ways say, I’ll never be broke as long as I have that dollar that says JESUS LOVES YOU!!!!
I love your videos and your writing.
My grandparents gave my sister and me a $2 bill one year at Christmas when we were children. Our mom kept them for us, so they are still in a “safe place”. She also saved a quarter from each state for us when those were first being distributed. I am fifty-five and my sister is fifty years old. Maybe someday we will get to keep our “savings” for ourselves –
I made it to Walmart the other day. I don’t often go to Walmart but I didn’t want my kids to have to go for me (I hate to be a bother). The hdmi cable that connects my computer to the old TV I use as a monitor had failed, effectively breaking my connection to the outside world. So feeling a little spryer than usual, I decided to make it on my on.
As I approach the entrance I notice the tinkling of a bell and a rather large man in a red apron between the doors. I knew I didn’t have any change so I just looked at the ground and walked by him. As I wandered about store looking for all the things I had added to the list I had made, but had failed to pick up at the last minute, I kept thinking about my grandfather’s brother who had moved to Gastonia early on. He had joined the Salvation Army there and had attained the rank of Sergeant Major. Now I know little of The Army and it’s rankings but know that his achievements therein earned him an article in the Gaston Gazette in 1966.
When I took my wallet out at the checkout to pay with my debit card I notice some wadded up bills in the bill compartment. I didn’t remember when I put them there but there they were. Four crumpled one dollar bills!
I pushed my buggy to the side and opened my wallet again to retrieve the $4.00. As I took it out I noticed another bill that wasn’t crumbled. Flat, Crisp and a Five it was and it was mine to keep, I thought. But as I stuffed the four bills through the little opening another thought passed through my head. It’s not mine. I came here without a dime.
As I put the last cash in my possession in the little red kettle I though to honor my granduncle with it by mentioning it to the man standing there but $9.00 isn’t much of a memorial and besides that I couldn’t even remember his name.
His name is Sergeant Major Jasper Steven Ammons 1888-1981!
Papaw—A few years ago on a really cold day before going in Walmart, I dropped the money in the kettle. Inside the store its like the Lord spoke saying that bell ringer needs socks. Upon leaving the store, I handed him some wool socks and said Merry Christmas. He said thank you it’s cold out here! That was the biggest blessing for me!!
I would love to read this book. Prayers for all! Take care and God bless ❣️
Good morning! I used to have some 2 dollar bills but I guess I spent them years ago, sad to say.
I would love a copy of Mountain Voices. I so enjoy reading and just cannot fathom a world without real books to hold in your hand. I even love the smell of an old book too. It’s the scent of history to me. I especially love when it was a gift and it is signed and dated by the giver. I have some dated from WWII that was given to children for Christmas. Priceless.
It’s quite crispy here in Tennessee this morning and I wish we were all sitting around the fire and having a visit over a cup of coffee and a little Postum for Tipper. Have a great day everyone!
I’ve always heard you can’t take it with you. Mom saved K dollars when someone claimed a secret code was printed on them that included important dates in history. I think the dates were something to do with President Kennedy’s birth and death. I had all of mom’s silver certificates and K dollars in a security box that was stolen by someone who visited my ex-husband while I was at work. The thief didn’t use it to buy warm clothes or food for his family. I get satisfaction knowing he will spend many years in jail for a different crime.
My phone changed a word on my earlier post. I typed in found but it changed the word to fought……I should have proofread better before I hit post
I enjoy reading the Blind Pig & Acorn each morning.
It can be distressing to lose things, I’ve misplaced several knives and tools over the years, when I fought them I was like oh yeah I remember putting that knife there or whatever it was.
I love to turkey hunt, several years ago I was using my favorite box call, I decided to move locations and when I got to where I was going I didn’t have my box call. I retraced my steps and could not find my call. I looked until I had to leave, it was a couple days before I could turkey hunt again. I went back to the area I lost my call and didn’t look 2 minutes and found it. Unfortunately it had rained the night before, it didn’t really hurt the looks of my call but it never sounded as good as it originally did.
Great stories and memories. I so enjoy your blog every morning. Thanks for sharing.
I gave my daughter and husband each a 100 bill to tuck in their wallets to be used only for emergencies. I was told to never carry your SS card with you, I’ve always put it in a safe place.
As November comes to an end, my thanks Tipper for sharing some great reads of “life in Appalachia” books and copies to your readership. All become “treasures and even a beacon” about many of our yesterday’s roots. Our prayers and thoughts for Granny and all your family. Thanks again, Tipper!
My dad always kept a 100 dollar bill tucked away in the liner of his wallet. I have that bill tucked away in my wallet now.
Morning, Tipper! Ok, I’ll just say right off how much I would love Mountain Voices! To hear the mountain people tell their stories would keep me enthralled for quite some time I’m sure! Hope everyone has a great day and God’s blessings on you all.
listen to Lonnie Irvin, pin ball machine is the song
You don’t hear much about $2 bills anymore. I’ve probably got one around here somewhere though.
Lost all my money but a 2 dollar bill, I’m on my long journey home.
Who sang this?
reminds me of Lonnie Irvin but it’s not look up Lonnie Irvin, the song is pinball machine
i remember back in the 50s and early 60s, older folks would tear a corner off of a $2 bill stating that would bring them luck…I never did but I saved a few of the bills from back then…
What a great choice they made and how it was blessed. An object lesson in the difference between owning things or being owned by them. And I don’t mean by that to hurt the feelings of anyone cherishing a physical thing as a link to a loved one. We know the actual link is the love and the memories. Objects just help make the connection visible. Maybe that is part of the wisdom of grandparents – give the grandkids – and others – a physical reminder, not for them to miss you but for them to be rooted and surrounded in love?
My uncle used to give out $2.00 bills. He used them for tips, birthdays and other occasions. They were always enjoyed by all.
That is a sweet story about your friend Shannon and all of these other stories too, of keeping that gifted money in their wallet & remembering those loved ones, even of those who had something stolen from them because whoever took their belongings were then prayed over. My mother wrote a check to my dad one year either for his birthday or for Christmas I can’t remember which. The check was for $5000 or some surprising amount like that. It was a joke between them; she didn’t really have that money to give, because Mama didn’t have a job outside the home- it was from their joint account. I remember his face when opened it. Mama could barely contain her laughter. Who knows ? what the story behind that check was, I don’t know if we ever did. When we were cleaning out their house after Mama passed on we found that check in dad’s wallet – he had passed on a few years before her. He had kept that check in his wallet all those years. It, of course, had VOID written across it. My brother’s and I had forgotten about that little joke and shared another laugh in the midst of our grief remembering our mother’s humor. My aunt, mother’s sister, worked and retired as a teller at a bank and would send me a $2 bill in my birthday card each year. She also sent a few Susan B Anthony dollars. I still have them and the $2 bills that she has sent to my (now grown) children. “Aint Dot” has gone on to be with Jesus now too and her legacy of sending cards and birthday money I continue with those in my family. My daughter also loves to send cards and notes to people throughout the year. It’s been fun to read these book excerpts and then all of the comments. Thank you.
My first reaction if someone stole my property would be anger and probably a wish that they’d have a powerful headache for awhile. God bless those who pray for the thief. May God give me the same grace.
I love watching your family together. I enjoyed your Christmas Tree hunt. It will be beautiful.
God bless you and yours.
I have a $2 bill my grandmother gave me for Christmas when I was a little girl. I’m now 53 and Mamaw is 96.
Morning everyone. My dad always had a $20 in his wallet. For emergencies. My dad did an early walk along the beach every morning after he retired. He found a wallet that belonged to a woman. It had some money in it, not much I remember. I don’t remember if he called her or just mailed it with his address and phone number. The young woman called him, she was so surprised he didn’t keep her money. She offered him a reward, he refused to take it. He seemed unsettled by the thought of a reward for simply doing a kindness.
Speaking of, Willard, y’all still have not done a video on how Willard (Austin) Corie’s husband got his nickname, Willard.
I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing. I have never had the pleasure of going to a tree farm to pick out a tree. We always got ours from an Open Air Market in the small town where I grew up. I have been to Boone several times and was always in awe of the beautiful tree farms. It was a special treat for me to watch your family pick out that beautiful tree.
This year, I asked for $2 bills from my bank a lot to be given in birthday cards for the great grandkids. With most of them, it was even years. Decided it was simply easier not to go hunting for the gift & hands don’t work as they used to.
My son Blake worked at the local grocery store as a teen. One day he found a wallet in one of the grocery carts and turned it in to the office who called the owner. He was from out of state and returned to claim it, a happy man! In appreciation of Blake’s honesty he gave him a $100 bill! We were so proud of him
Hi Tipper:
I wanted to comment on something but when I read the post from Randy, Already awake with her on my mind, it left me speechless, grief is so hard and I know we will all experience loss at sometime in our life, the greater the love the harder the grief, I know Randy, I have not loss my spouse yet but I have experienced some great losses , I hope you don’t mind me commenting on your post, it was so heartfelt and you are in my prayers.
You or anyone else are welcome to comment about any of my comments. If you don’t know we were just 2 poor country kids that fell in love in Jan 1972 when she was 16 and I was 17. We married Oct. 26, 1974 when she was 19 and I was 20 and started out living in a single wide mobile home and $10 in Our, not separate, bank account. I often lay awake looking at her side of our bed and touching her pillow. She was the only one for me, there will never be anyone else. She officially died April 15, 2021 from a blood clot forming during heart surgery on April 9th. I will go to my grave believing those COVID vaccines caused the blood clot. I knew her all of my life but tell a story about being at church one night and checking out the girls instead of listening to the sermon, my eyes locking on her and never leaving, asking her after the service if I could call her. I would tease her and say God punished me for doing this, but in truth He blessed me beyond measure. Her picture could be included with the Bible scripture of a virtuous woman. She would smile at me with her trademark grin when I said this.
I use an iPad and have found out I can go back to yesterday’s post and see today’s post at 4 o’clock beating the email.
You and your family feel like old friends. I have loved your Thankful November stories.
i lost my wallet years ago at the car wash. i went back to retrieve it 10 mins. later and it was gone.
lesson learned! i had no cash in it but had to replace my s.s. card and license and everything.
i would love to win that book. i love old things!!!
I have several $2 bills but don’t carry them. I carry a buckeye and have had it for over 49 years. I’d cry like a new born baby if I lost it. I can sympathize with others who have small things they cherish.
Carolyn
I don’t much for a thief but when I have had something stolen I pray the person who stole it needed it more than I did and it helped them in some way.
Some years ago, I lost my billfold, and despite the hassle of having to deal with the loss of a driver’s license, a credit card, Social Security and Medicare cards, and a few dollars, what hurt was the loss of an old black and white Polaroid photograph of my childhood pet, which I had carried in my wallet for 50+ years. How true that there are some things that just cannot be replaced. Much love to you all.
I’m not familiar with Warren Moore and Mountain Voices but this is an interesting excerpt.
The $2 gift for friends is a great idea for using this year.
Tipper, have you heard anything from Metcalf Mills lately? Just curious!
Blessings and prayers sent to all.
Brenda-I haven’t but think he is just busy 🙂
My purse was stolen in a restaurant during the Christmas season one year. Besides the usual license, SS card, etc., it had several gift cards in it for my grown children. I didn’t have the extra funds to replace them so I gave them a unique gift. I wrapped up big boxes with the enclosed note, “Let’s pray the person who felt the need to steal my property needed it to buy their children toys or warm clothing this year. We have all we need and each other.” We celebrated one of the most memorable holiday seasons that year and no one missed receiving a gift.
I save every $2 bill that is given to me, why, I don’t know, I guess the novelty of having them when there use to be nothing like that around. Who knows, maybe the $1 bill will go away and be replaced by the $2 bill. Oh the ramblings of someone who just rolled out of bed and who is not quite awake yet!
Tipper,
Some things just can’t be replaced or at least the sentimental value can’t be replaced.
I agree with you. I have a good many things that have very little money valve but are priceless to me. Two things are a rock used to hold the front door open in my grandparents home and a broke blade butcher knife (kept in a fireproof safe) my Granddaddy Kirby carried in the pants leg pocket of his overalls. I even have a small diameter stick of firewood put up my Daddy cut with his Kelly axe while I was cutting his firewood with a chainsaw a few days before he died from his third heart attack.
Love these stories!
This reminds me of saving “old money” and putting the two dollar bills my Papa would give me in my Bible. I always found it interesting the things some people keep in their Bible. Maybe an idea for a discussion later. I’m praying for y’all and especially Granny.
I can relate to this story too I have silver dollar’s that my grandparents gave me years ago and one dollar bills too , and I would never spend them they mean so much to me because of who gave them to me. My grandparents are all gone now and the memories I have of them and the time I spent with them are precious and priceless.
I have a grand baby due in February and like you all I’m so excited they are such a blessing this want be my first but it is such a wonderful gift from God.
I’m glad Katie is doing so well and that Granny is doing well. Sending prayers for all of you and if I want to send something to you all where would I send it.
I want you to know what a blessing you all are to me and to everyone that watches you all.
And I bought your cookbook and I have made your biscuits and I froze some for my parents so they can get out a few at a time and they love them.
Thank you for sharing your lives with all of us.
Tammy-thank you so much for the kind words! You can reach us at PO Box 83 Brasstown, NC 28902 🙂
I lost my wallet on my honeymoon. Scattered on the parking lot of our motel were its contents and the wallet.Guess it surprised the finder that there were no credit cards or money!
Beautiful tree and loved the Bloopers. The most wonderful thing about sharing memories and knowing these videos will be passed on and in a few hundred years your offsprings and their offsprings will look at them and go, ‘what were they thinking’ or ‘gosh it was different back then’. Can’t wait to see the decorating you guys will do to the beautiful. God Bless and praying for Granny.
Enjoyed the Thankful November series. God bless you and all your subscribers.
I worked with a girl who said she always put some money in her coat pocket right before puttin her coat away after winter, just so she could find it the following winter. She’d tell how exciting it was to check and see how much she had put in the pocket the previous year, and tell how many times she actually needed the cash when she’d remembered “hey, hold on, I always leave money in my coat pocket!”
I have two $50 bills that I keep in a safe place, not in my billfold, one was given to me by my mother and the other one given to me by my wife, both at Christmas. I would do without before I spent either one. All you have to do is look at me and you will know I didn’t miss any meals in my life. I have lost quite a bit of weight since my wife’s death, not because of a lack of food but because of not wanting to eat. Already awake with her on my mind.
Praying the pain becomes your song of strength