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.
—Dorie Woman of the Mountains written by Florence Cope Bush
Dorie Woman of the Mountains is one of my all time favorite books. A good while back I read the book in a series of videos. You can find the playlist here.
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a used copy of Dorie Woman of the Mountains written by Florence Cope Bush. To be entered in the giveaway leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends December 1, 2024.
Tipper
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox
I enjoyed listening to you read about Dorie.
I loved listening to you read about Dorie! Thank You !!
Dorie Woman of the Mountains is on my list of books that I’d like to read some day. Thank you for sharing excerpts from it. Its descriptions of her life are so beautiful. I think my grandma would have liked to read it too.
I would love to have this book! I loved listening to your readings and would love to add this book to my library! Thank you Tipper!
The book sounds intriguing and great tie to my past. Would love to have a copy! You are incredibly generous to share during Thanksgiving month!
I haven’t read a good book in a long time, therefore, I sure would like to win this book!
Man, I would love to read that book. I remember the Buckeyes as a young girl. I loved to hold them. They were so slick and shiny. I sure wish I had kept one now. I would pass it down to my Grandson Conner. He is serving his 2nd term in the Army. I sure do miss him and his family. First year we all will be apart. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. God bless.
I’m an old man. If I’ve ever seen a buckeyem I didn’t know what I was lookin’ at and don’t recall it.
Thank you for sharing this buckeye story. I had forgotten about that couples tradition. To have your special seed that is that old is pretty impressive.
Oooh!! This is my most favorite book you’ve read to date and I’ve listened to it several times. 🙂 Thanks for introducing me to it!!
Tipper, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! My sister in law is related to the Cope family. We all live in Gastonia. I remember Granny telling us that she lived in Gastonia at one time. My husband and I watch every video you produce. We also watch the Pressley girls.
My Uncle Bob always had a buckeye in a little zipper pocket in his hat. 🙂
That’s so sweet about the buckeye being a symbol of love. It’s very creative how Dorie and her family used them. 🙂 Seems like a fascinating book, Tipper!
I have heard buckeyes are poison. Don’t know if they grow in our area. Sure would love to have the Dorie book.
I’d love to read this book!
Happy Thanksgiving.
I remember my Dad carrying around a buckeye!
Tipper my wife and I enjoyed you reading Dorie Women of the mountain every week! A very good read for sure! She certainly was a strong women and we loved it! Thank you for taking the time to do that for us! We watch your videos on you tube every week! May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We certainly have a lot to be Thankful for!
Buckeyes make me think of candy!
I’m with you Regina. Buckeyes make me think of candy too!
One of the best books ever! Tipper, I remember when you read it during your Friday night videos. It was great!
This too was one of my favorite books that you read. Dorie reminds me so much of my grandmother. She was the daughter of a true pioneer woman who cane to Oklahoma in a covered wagon. There wasn’t anything that she could not do. I’m excited to hear what book you decide to read next. Blessings to you and your family.
So Beautiful!!!! I would love to read this book ! And thank you also to all who are part of this dear BP&A . You are all a blessing ! I agree with the commenter that referred to it as soul food versus junk food ! So true !!! Love & Blessings to you all . Happy Thanksgiving! & I will be praying for all.
I’d love to have a copy of Dorie’s book. Her stories are so interesting.
Would love to have this book.
I used to pick up buckeyes and carried them with me on hikes and wanderings through the woods as a child, and I swear to you I never saw a rainy hike on those days. Now how much of that was the buckeyes and how much was my mother’s careful planning is up for debate, but I still care for them deeply.
I loved listening to you read Dorie Woman, and would be very excited to get a copy of my own to add to my shelf.
My parents were given some seeds that sound like these when they were dating in high school. Mom still has them 50+ years later. She thought they had a different name though. She got them in southern Pennsylvania. Does anyone know if buckeye trees are common in that area, or if they were called by any other names?
Maybe “horse chestnut”, ” chestnut” (!ess likely) or (even less likely) “chinquapin”.
I remember picking up lucky buckeyes when I was a kid. That’s interesting information about them.
Prayers up for the Evans family and for Mr. Dave and family too. My son has suffered a major heart attack just over a year ago he was dead for about 7 minutes but praise the Lord he was revived and is now doing quite well. I know that prayers are what saved him and the wonderful team of doctors and nurses. Continue to pray fervently for those in need. I remember buckeyes as a child. I believe I’ve actually seen them or had them around me back in the day. The book sounds so interesting. Would love to read it myself. If not I’ll continue to listen to Miss. Tippers readings. Enjoy the food and fellowship this Thanksgiving. God bless everyone this Thanksgiving and always. J
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
I have a buckeye in my jewelry chest and another one in my wallet. My Mother gave me these many years ago and I do treasure them. She gave them to nieces and nephews and I know one nephew told me he gave it to his son and told the story of his aunt giving it to him. Love being passed through the family.
Gaylia, I will be praying for for Dave and his family.
My father kept an old buckeye in his desk drawer along with a pocket size New Testament Bible. The outside of the Bible was dark green and worn. The pages were yellow & verses marked with pencil. He never told me until the last years of his life, how he carried both with him during WW II. He said they brought him luck, because he came home safe. They did, because he also never shared much about how he was in battle in the Philippines. He wanted me to keep them and then hand them down to my daughter. I wish I would have placed them in his pocket when he died, for good luck on his next destination.
I have always been told one buckeye was edible by squirrels and they could tell which one was edible and I have seen the evidence of that saying.
This makes me think of the buckeye candies. Might have to make some for Christmas!
Good morning Tip!
I’ve heard you mention Dorie Woman of the Mountains on several occasions.
I bought a used copy , it’s a excellent read.
I enjoyed that series of readings and would love to go back and read it myself.
It’s been many years since I last saw a buckeye. As a kid I knew where a grove of trees stood and collected many of them. I was told that half of it was edible and the other half was poisonous and only squirrels knew which half to eat. I believed it because I saw a lot of them half eaten and discarded. That area where the grove stood is now under water thanks to TVA.
I’ve wanted this book forever!
Good ole lucky buckeyes! Have not thought of them in awhile. I like the candy of the same name.
I have always heard that carrying a buckeye in a pocket close to one’s body will cure or ease arthritis. My sister’s father-in-law had severe arthritis and had a buckeye in his pocket when he was killed in an accident. My sister doesn’t have arthritis but has carried his buckeye in her purse for nearly 40 years. I usually gather the buckeyes from my trees, toss them in a container, and haul them around while I admire their shiny shells.
As a child I remember daddy giving me one of these. It was slick and shiny. I carried it for a long time. I don’t know what ever happened to it. I live anything about the mountains ⛰️ because it reminds me so much of home and my family as a child. I would love to set down with Dorie and she where she takes me. Happy Thanksgiving Tipper and family, Especially granny.
I loved listening to you read this book (of course, I think you could read out of a old phone book and I would enjoy that, too). But there was just something about this one that transported me to that time and place. Now I have to go back and listen again 🙂
I was thinking yesterday about what has been mentioned here this morning – that the most meaningful things are often small and inexpensive, or even free. I am going to give our grandson a small, metal, double-sided medallion of a compass rose in his Christmas stocking. I hope he will keep it close and learn the deepest meaning of right direction. One of the things I most appreciate about BP&A is that the message behind the message is that a good life is so much more than things. We know it without understanding just how and why it is. You all may laugh, but BP&A is soul food in a world full of junk food.
Amen! Sometimes things just spill out and I write about how I feel, just like this morning. I like to think of the members of the BP&A as being my online family.
I’ve never seen a buckeye in real life so I had to research it on the web. It’s a really pretty seed & much larger than I thought. I missed most of your reading of Dorie Woman of the Mountains & would like to have a copy of the book. If not, thankfully I can go back to your readings & re-listen to you.
Dorie-my favorite book of all times except the Bible. The lucky recipient is in for some good reading!
Debbie- treasure that buckeye always.
Everyone have a great day!
I have never seen a buckeye that I remember. Maybe as a child , I saw them. The book sounds like a great winter read. have a blessed Thanksgiving with family.
I won this book a while ago and read it while out of power from Helene. It’s a wonderful book about an amazing woman.
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a “buckeye tree” but I have been gifted buckeyes before and told they were for good luck and to carry it in your pocket. Dorie Woman of the Mountians was one of my favorite books that you read. I would love to own this book.
I remember my papaw saying buckeyes are good luck! This sounds like a good book.
I enjoy reading’s from this book and would love to read it.
Love this story.
I don’t know how I’ve never heard they are “lucky”. I also think they are just beautiful. Amazing that they last so long. Always learn something here. (:
I so enjoyed the book when you read it. Tipper you are a very gifted reader. we moved from Murphy to Ohio in’81. through thhhe years we have teased friends who were Ohio buckeye fans that buckeyes were worthless nuts. LOL
Buckeyes is the official state nickname of Ohio. I grew up in northeastern Ohio and never remember seeing the trees in our area. I love what Ms. Bush said about the buckeye:
“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.” It seems that God shows His love in all His creation.
Buckeye trees grow here in Kansas along the creeks and rivers. In spring the large yellow blossoms are particularly lovely.
Growing up near the Gulf we would often drive down to the beach where Sea Beans (that’s what we called them) could be found washed up on shore. They are dark brown like buckeyes but more flat shaped. People carried them in pockets for good luck.
I enjoyed your reading of Dorie and would love to have a copy.
Thanks for the wonderful memory. My Dad had a buckeye for good luck.
Happy thanksgiving to your family!
I carry a buckeye in my pocketbook all the time!
I enjoyed your reading the book and hope to be able to read it again
It’s so nice to have a chance to win this book! Good luck everyone and if you haven’t defrosted your turkey yet, you better get on the ball! Blessings!
I’ve never read this book. Would be fun to win it. Happy Thanksgiving.
I remember you reading that book and I loved it. I would love to have a copy. My daddy carried a buckeye in his pocket that he got from his father. My sister now treasures it. Happy Thanksgiving!
Sounds like a good read. I’d like to read this. Thanksgiving blessings.
I wasn’t sure what a buckeye was. I had to Google it. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one. I enjoyed your reading of the book. Thanks!
I love what scripture teaches up about marriage and when you look around nature you see so many representations of it. God is always reminding us through creation of His presence and teaching.
Did not know about that. Fascinating.God bless all
I’d never heard the story about two people courting opening up a buckeye together. I do remember my great grandfather giving them away, but it doesn’t seem quite as common as it once was.
Are buckeyes the same as chestnuts?
Prayers for Dave.
The first time I saw them in the street in Banner Elk I thought they were edible chestnuts. They look very similar.
I have this book and don’t need another one. I just want to say what a great read it is!
I might have asked some of you to pray for Mike Evans, thank you, his son informed me that he passed away at 3 a.m. this morning, God comfort his family, thank you for praying
Norman-I’m sorry. I will pray for his family.
I’ve always heard a buckeye would bring you good luck. Sounds like an interesting book!!
I love the story of the buckeye. Amazing that it lasts so many years! I’ve loved all the “Tbankful” posts. Happy Thanksgiving Tipper and family!
As an Ohioan I of course love to hear that about buckeyes. We know of a special spot in the woods we hike that buckeyes are prolific and love to go collect them.
What a sweet story! I’d love a copy of this book! I hope y’all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
My family gave buckeyes as a good luck piece.
The apple stack cake looks amazing. My mother in law made them and they were so good.
I would live to read this book. It sounds wonderful.
I love the story of buckeyes and I collect them too, I have several antique enamel pots and bowls full of them! Thanks for sharing.
I remember you reading that book! I have never seen a buckeye and when I hear the word I think of Christmas candy.
I have the buckeye my daddy carried in his pocket. I am not sure how old it is, but it’s quite old and has a small crack in it. I know it’s silly to treasure such a thing, but it’s one of my favorite things! I put it in different coat pockets and I’m always surprised to reach my hand in there and feel it.. Daddy’s been gone 10 years now and the days are still filled with his presence. Thank you for sharing!
This is one book I would love to read!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
please pray for my brother in law…he had emergency triple bypass on the 5th of November, he had been healing well except for the depressio that most often follows open heart surgery but then on Sunday night he had a heart attack and was put in ICU, yesterday they did a heart cath and thankfully found no blockages and hers grafts were doing well but that leaves still no answer as to why the heart attack and why heart enzymes were so out of whack, the enzymes are looking better…..he has been scared to death he would have to have another open heart surgery and he is still in such pain from it my sister told me she did not think he could go through another one (he would literally be scared to death)…I have been praying for him her and doctors but would appreciate all the extra prayers from others…..his name is Dave-he and my sister just turned 61 years old on the 2nd of November (it is neat they share the same day and year of birth)
Gaylia-I’m so sorry. I will pray for Dave.
Gaylia, my wife died 3 years ago from blood clots forming during bypass heart surgery. The surgeon doing her surgery has the reputation of being the best in our area. The only explanation he could give for the blood clots was the COVID vaccinations, everything else was going as it should. She was healthy as a horse except for these blockages. I didn’t write this to scare you, only to give a possible answer to his blood problems. I have been told the vaccines will change your blood. I will be praying for your brother in law.
thank you Randy….you did not scare me, it gave me great info I can pass along to my sister…they have both had covid several times even with the vaccination, you could be spot on as to what might be his problem.
I don’t think I have ever seen a buckeye tree. I have this book and reread it from time to time. It is 4 am, I have woke up after dreaming about my wife and daughter. The Bible verse about marriage, where two become one was so true for my wife and me. The Bible or nothing else says anything about what becomes of the half that is left when the other half of the one dies. If you compare it to other things, there is usually not much to the half that is left.