“Several years ago there came a great snowfall in western North Carolina. The Red Cross came to help people who might be stranded without food or fuel. Two workers heard of an old lady way back in the mountains living alone, and they went to see about her, in a four-wheel drive vehicle. After an arduous trip they finally skidded down into her cove, got out and knocked on the door. When she appeared, one of the men said, “Howdy, ma’am, we’re from the Red Cross,” but before he could say anything else, the old lady replied, “Well, I don’t believe I’m a-goin to be able to help you any this year. Its’s been a right hard winter.”
—Loyal Jones Appalachian Values
I admire the old lady. She had everything she needed, even in the midst of a snow storm, and couldn’t fathom the Red Cross coming by for any other reason than to collect money.
I don’t want a snow storm that hurts folks, but I sure do hope we get at least one big snow this winter.
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a used copy of Appalachian Values written by Loyal Jones. Leave a comment on this post to be entered. *Giveaway ends November 23, 2023.
Last night’s video: 9 Brides and Granny Hite 15.
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There is an old saying describing women being prepared and ready for any challenge. It goes something like “She was the kind of woman that could carry her own water bucket”, meaning she was self sufficient and did not require much from anyone else. I love that the older lady apologized because she couldn’t afford to help them, when they were there to help her. When I was a little girl, my grandparents used wood heater to heat their house for years before a kerosene heater. Grandma would put together a pot of stew or dried black eye peas or dried butterbeans and they would just cook all morning and make you so hungry. Then she would make up a cake of cornbread in her cast iron skillet and break out pickled beets, and open a jar of our pickled peaches. What a feast. I am so thankful for all of you and Tipper for helping me to remember the olden ways and get them into my life now. I cook in cast iron a lot and love to cook on a wood stove. Love and prayers to all of you and Granny, too.
I would love to see a big snow!
How I survived the blizzard of ‘78 can only be explained by the OT where it says that the Lord watches over the foolish. I was 15 and studying at a regional school when the blizzard hit, catching even the weather forecasters off guard. School was released early, and we needed to catch two buses or else be stuck at school. We skipped the first bus so a friend could stop at the Civic Center to buy tickets and walked to the 2nd bus from there. That put us behind, but we did catch the last bus out of the city before the bus company stopped all transportation. That bus got stuck in the snow part way to our area, and so it was another mile on foot. We stopped for pizza. In a blizzard. We stopped for eat-in dining. With a mile to go. In a blizzard. Lord the things teenagers do. As I headed up the hill toward my street and not too far from home, I could barely see just a dark outline of a man in a long dark coat through the snow. I yelled “Dad!” as loudly as I could over and over. Luckily the wind was so fierce that the stranger never heard me. My father was at work, and he didn’t even own a long dark coat. I was desperate! I made it home with not much left in me. My father, a firefighter and part-time school bus driver, was busy with his own struggle. He was driving special needs children home when the school bus got stuck on the highway. Luckily it wasn’t far from the his fire station and, with the help of other fire fighters and the bus aide, he brought all of the kids into the station. The bus aide, my sister, was a high schooler doing work-study that day. She took care of the kids for most of the next week until the roads were open again and the students could be brought home. The contrast between their behavior and mine. I still roll my eyes at myself. Haha
The lady sounds like my Grandma. She never asked for anything. She was always helping others.
What a cute story. I sure hope you get all the snow you want in North Carolina, but I sure hope Pennsylvania gets very little. Of course, I would like snow if roads and sidewalks would stay clear so falls and accidents were not so plentiful.
I really like the story of the elder lady thinking the red cross was collecting money. I am from mountain people being from Kentucky and my mom was from West Virginia. I find that a lot of older mountain people know how to survive harsh conditions. My mom especially knew all the old ways of gardening and preserving food coming from the mountains of West Virginia. My grandfather was German and very strict but kind and had his children work the big garden.
“When the snow comes down, my spirits go up”
My mother always said.
Seems the values of born and bred people is far better than the “entitled” people we often hear about today. I feel the elderly lady appreciates life much more than the whiners who are given too much attention. A friend of mine often said He who is given everything appreciates nothing. Thanksgiving is a great time to count our blessings Your family has blessed me . Thank you all
That’s a wonderful story about that little lady. She had planned for winter. The other day when I put the last of the fresh pomegranate juice my husband had squeezed into the freezer I mentioned to him that all the food was put up for winter. That juice will make good jelly when we need it. It rarely snows here in The Big Valley, only twice that I remember in the last 60 years. The winter I was 16 my dad moved us up to a cabin in the mountains near Twain Harte. He taught elementary school up there that one year, a two room school house with 4 grades in each room. I loved it. A lot of that winter had up to 5 feet of snow. The man who lived in the cabin nearest to us drove a snowplow so we were always able to get onto a cleared road. That was a good winter for me, especially when I could sit by the fire and read.
mountain people are tough individuals
I’d love to have met that little old lady! 🙂 ❤
She was prepared for the Winter. That’s what our ancestors did – They knew survival depended on them. That’s what we do when we don’t want to be at the mercy of the weather – we prepare. I have a full tank of propane, a full tank on the generator and enough extra gas to run it for at least five days if needed. We buy canned food by the case to supplement what we can and freeze. I keep vehicle tanks at least one-half full.
Last year we had a snowy Christmas Eve and Day. It was much more festive, even if it meant watching your step AND your driving. I am still like a child tho I have grandsugars. To me, there is a bit of magic in watching it so. I enjoy snuggling indoors, eating comfort food, watching TV or YouTube and reading Appalachian books. Also sleeping in. But THEN I feel guilty because I know it is cold and slick and dangerous for others who have to get out. Sometimes the last snow is welcome. I am READY for the warmer beauty of spring. Tipper, I sure am Thankful for you and yours. Prayers go up for God to bless you all.
I am like you Tipper I would love for it to snow. In SE Alabama it doesn’t snow much but it has snowed some and I just love it. I hear cold weather is coming to SE Alabama and when it gets cold I always hope for snow. Would just love to up in the smokey mountains and have it snow. That books sounds like one I’d love to read.
I remember you shared that story from Appalachian Values last Thankful November. I’ve thought of that excerpt many times since and shared that story with my husband because I just admire the elderly woman’s character. I’ve never read the book but if the other stories are as good as this one I’d sure enjoy reading it. God bless.
What a great attitude! Her focus was on the fact that she wasn’t able to help instead of what they could do for her. Loved the story!
I love the snow season and all of its magical charm! This story was a wonderful memory!
it is absolutely going to snow this winter…inches and inches,
We all need to be like that little old lady. If it’s not money to give , we can give food or a load of wood . There’s always something we can do. Help one another in some way.
I remember once when I was about 5 years old Mom and Dad had bought our first TV and Dad was to go to Asheville after work and pick it up. It began to snow that morning and snowed all day. Not to be deterred Dad drove from Swannanoa to Asheville and got the TV. The roads began to get unpassable as he was driving home, but he stopped to have chains put on so he could make it. As he got almost to our driveway, he slid off the road and was stuck. He was determined to bring the TV home, so he got some neighbors to help him carry it the rest of the way to the house. I remember standing at the window and watching them carry it up our steep driveway and hoping they wouldn’t drop it. That night we watched our very first TV show while it continued to snow. This was a big deal, and mom even took a photo of the first program we watched. it was the western Mavrick.
I wouldn’t mind getting a good snowfall this winter. I prefer when it snows maybe a foot or a little less. Deep enough to cover everything and so the kids can make snowmen and it look pretty for a few days but followed by a couple of nice warmer sunny days to melt it all off so nobody is out of work or stranded for long. I don’t care for a snowfall followed by an extended period of cold when it feels like it’s never going to melt. I’ll take snow over freezing rain and sleet though…those are the worst when everything is covered in ice. I remember one year everything was covered in a layer of ice. It was hazardous conditions but it sure was pretty when the sun would shine on all that ice covering the trees
I’m with you, Tipper. I’m hoping for at least one big snow!!
I’m with you, Tipper. Best winter day is during a snow storm when you don’t have to leave the house. I love to sit in a comfy chair where I can see the snow coming down and knit. Have loved winter storms since I was a little girl. Hope you get your wish!
That’s a real mountain woman for you. Hey, Granny! I hope you’re doing well I miss you.
Haha, that’s so cute! That lady sure was brave!
Texas isn’t known for a lot of snow, except for the winter storm of 2021. Then we had an ice storm the beginning of this year. Though dangerous in some cases, snow and even ice is real pretty to look at. 🙂
Love that story! Prayers for all! Take care and God bless ❣️
Appalachian hospitality at it’s finest.
I love that story. I like snow, but I hate having to drive to work in it!
Randy yes it is. Some people think I’m crazy but I just have to talk to people. My two kids are the same way! Nothing wrong with being friendly and nice
Hey Miss Tipper, let it snow, let it snow. We live in southern Mississippi and the snow we had a couple winters ago was beautiful, but being from the Midwest it has never been comparable to the snow storms we got there. I’ve seen it get to over 20 inches deep. So beautiful too, but can paralyze the areas it hits. You learn to cope with it. Still love the snow. Sweet story about the lady. Love ya all. Jennifer
…each snow-flake is a kiss from an Angel…
I would love to read more out of the Appalachian Values book!
How fascinating, and wonderful they drove way back in there to make sure she was ok. People don’t do stuff like that so much these days, that’s a real heart warmer of a story. Loyal Jone’s writing is so great, I would love a copy of this book! ❤️
Great story!! She probably took them in and fed them before they started back. Appalachian Values would be a good book to have.
May everyone enjoy Thanksgiving blessings each day.
I’m sure the old lady did invite The Red Cross workers into her warm cabin. I remember when we moved from southeast NC to Rock Hill, SC, and our real estate agent told us that it hardly ever snowed in Rock Hill. The next two winters we had big snow storms (2002-2003). One time we had an 18 inch snow! That shut down the area for several days.
Here in NE Mississippi we don’t get snow very frequently. I remember about the mid 60s we had a big one that stayed several days. We had a white cow that we knew had freshened but we had never found her calf; we figured it had died in the snow. Then one day around the feed trough was a solid (almost) white calf jumping and playing around. That one lived to old age, tho the tips of her ears apparently froze off. Then in the late 90s we got 12 or 14 inches; unheard of for here. It’s pretty to look at, not so much when it starts melting, especially with livestock traipsing in it.
What a cute story. I remember the blizzard of 1978 in MA. I was a teenager babysitting two little girls and their mother worked at the hospital. She wasn’t able to leave so I stayed several days with the girls with no electricity. As a teenager, it was exciting and a fun challenge but not so sure I’d like it now lol.
We don’t get many snows but when we do, I love seeing the first flakes falling, the smell in the air and after it has snowed for a while, there is that wonderful quietness all around.
Where I grew up we would get some mighty COLD winters with a great amount of snow – nothing moved it would be so bitterly cold when a huge storm blew in lasting sometimes for days or a week plus even. I also remember when it ‘warmed’ a bit, of grabbing my sled, climbing the ragged and rugged hill behind the homestead to go for a ride – it was a narrow, twisty, bumpy ‘goat’ path surrounded by trees, rocks and boulders, and many dense bushes, some with briers. This one time I lost control and by the end of my wild and scary ride I was battered, bruised, and bleeding. But I survived. No doctors handy back then so it was all home care. We were tough! ha ha Tipper, may you get enough snow so you can go sledding this year but please stay out of those weeds and bushes you have lining your road and homestead! And the creek!
Bless you all and may Granny be doing well and staying strong.
I remember you posted that story before and loved it. I can imagine Mountain Values has many more wonderful stories such as this one of that sweet elderly woman. Would love to read it, but even if I can’t get a copy to read, I know you will post some more of it’s wonderful stories. Thank you for continuing to celebrate the Appalachia culture!
Absolutely love snow….And I luv that lady’s response! Self-sufficiency & neighbors helping neighbors was just the way u did things back when I was raised. U never looked for any ‘outside’ help and if it was offered, it was more than not, declined. I tk America needs to get back to that way of looking out for each other rather than having the government & their self-seeking/serving agencies intervene in our lives.
Christmas morning 1976. Woke up to one of the biggest snows in Lake City, Tennessee. Since we had been with my family on Christmas Eve, we had to make a decision to travel across the mountain to New River and visit my ex-husband’s family Christmas Day. We went..about 4 o’clock I got a phone call saying I needed to come back to mom & dad’s. Driving slowly in the snow back across the mountain, I knew in my heart something was wrong. My dad had a massive heart attack on that snowy Christmas Day. When it snows, I think of that day.
What a cute story! I want to be that lady, all warm and cozy in her tiny little cabin with snow all around, but only for a couple of days!
Hmmm from comments some want snow and some don’t. Maybe we should all just wish for each to get what they want somehow; not so much for Nancy, none for Randy, lots for Tipper, at least one pretty one on SC coast? Me, I hadn’t thought about it. I do like a heavy wet snow when the world is hushed but that is a sure way to get soaked.
I hope you get your snowfall this year Tipper, I hope you get two of them. I love the snow and when we know a big one is coming always make sure got milk. I’m not so crazy about shoveling the amounts we get here, thankfully we have an awesome neighbor with the equipment to move the snow. Have a nice weekend. Prayers your way.
Tipper, you do find the best stories to share with us. I showed this one to my husband and he agreed. We both got a good chuckle out of it.
We don’t get a lot of snow in southern Missouri, but I remember one year when I was a teenager, we got a couple of feet. With school cancelled, next door neighbor girl and I put on our boots and went walking to visit another friend who lived about three miles away. So much fun! (I don’t expect my parents thought it was fun, having to milk the cows with that going on!)
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
When I was three years old, there was a snow that was about 3 feet or so deep. I jumped off our front porch and my dad had to rescue me. I couldn’t see anything but white and was scared.
As a child, I had so much fun playing in the snow: sledding, building snowmen, snowball fights, snow tunnels and forts. Sometimes Mom made snow ice cream. Now that I’m grown, I still love its beauty and how it transforms the landscape. However, shoveling it and driving in it are chores. My heart goes out to the snowplow drivers who work throughout the night, the guys who de-ice the planes at the airport, firefighters, farmers and ranchers with livestock to care for, utility workers, and so many others who must deal with the snow.
We spent Thanksgiving with my parents in Pikeville in the late 70’s and left for Louisville the next day. We got a call from a cousin who had left earlier that morning warning us about the treacherous road conditions. We thought she had lost her mind as not one snowflake had fallen in Pikeville. By the time we got to the Mountain Parkway, we knew we couldn’t make it home and started looking for a hotel. No vacancy signs at the exits forced us to keep going. We made it home safely but white knuckle earned a whole new meaning. I’m ok with Christmas snow, I will pass on Thanksgiving.
I’m hoping for a good snow too this year, It’s been several years since we’ve had a good snow in Barnardsville.
I don’t want the snow to be hard on other people or to loose power, that’s one thing that can be rough when we get a big snow…No power. I suppose for my family the biggest inconvenience without power is having no water, also our oil furnace doesn’t work but we have a fireplace that keeps the living room warm.
I’m thinking now how blessed most of us are, compared to the people that lived and survived before electricity was in houses.
Hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving .
Our grandson lives in Las Vegas and visits us each summer. Whatever snow we get, I’m out there making snowballs for him. As soon as he arrives, first he rolls in the grass, then opens the chest freezer to check the stash.
That is the nicest, kindest, thing to do for your grandson!
I hope it stays down your way, I hope we don’t get any all winter.
I’ll bet that lady invited those Red Cross workers in to warm up and have a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade pie.
Thank you, Tipper, for the excerpt from Loyal Jones’ “Appalachian Values.” So much was said – and left unsaid – in those few words. I, too, admire the old lady. And I admire the Red Cross workers as well.
It’s amazing, isn’t it, how the lenses through which we view life colors our assumptions and formulates our plans. The old lady saw a need she could not meet; the Red Cross folk assumed she had a need they could meet. I hope that these folk were eventually able to understand each other, and that they had a nice long visit out of the cold.
P.S. How is Granny today? And how are you? May God comfort and provide for you all.
I would love this book from Loyal Jones. I love learning about the old ways. Growing up in Michigan, I had enough of snow that would last for six months every winter. Then lived in Florida for many years with heat, humidity, and hurricanes. North Georgia is absolutely perfect, offering four seasons and just enough snow.
I grew up in the mountains on the north of Mexico, and we used to get big snow storms. I don’t believe they get them like that anymore. Greetings Tipper.
After a big snowstorm, I seem to long for more daylight, warmer weather and a sign os Spring.
I’m always eager to learn more about my “adopted” home (moved here 13 years ago). The strength and resilience of mountain people is amazing! I’d love to learn more about Appalachian values from your book give-away.
Looking forward to seeing my first mountain snow fall.
She probably fed them while they were there! Love this story.
I remember the blizzard of 78 in Southern Ohio. Most of the time people used skidders to get to people who needed help.
Even as late as my early years people spent months alone without electricity, telephones, indoor plumbing and automobiles. They seemed to fare fairly well. When a catastrophic event occurred they were undeterred. If it snowed a foot every Wednesday for six weeks, didn’t matter . If the river got up and flooded the road, didn’t matter. If a storm knocked down trees and power poles, didn’t matter. If they couldn’t call for help, didn’t matter. If the water ran out, didn’t matter, they fetched another bucketful. If the heat went off, didn’t matter, they built another fire.
These people, my people, were dependent only on themselves! Independent! Not so modern society which is, for the most part, totally dependent on others. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if your trust in other people was a choice instead of a necessity?
Tipper, thank you for introducing me to Loyal Jones. I’d love that book!
I just love this story! I can just imagine the looks on the Red Cross people’s faces when she said it had been a hard winter and she would not be able to help them out this year. Thanks for sharing this story.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones. Please give Granny a hug from me and tell her I love to hear her sing. She is absolutely so sweet and precious.
Tipper, I wish I was loaded with loot because if I was I would surely pay for you and Matt to go to Colorado Rockies and really take in all the snow, scenery, food, local folks, sledding, and skiing you could stand!!! I mean that because you’d surely make lots of friends and have a ball!!! I’d say if I gave you lemons, you’d make lemonaid or delicious pies! Lol I pray this winter you get a big snow and you and your family are “snug as a bug in a rug” when the white stuff comes down on ya blanketing your world in white and stillness. I myself just want to swim with dolphins on a warm, lovely beach. Jesus’ love to you all and especially Granny Louzine and lil Katie.
I love snows that come today and are gone tomorrow.
Wonderful story! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your lovely family.
The perfect SILENCE of that first snow of the season is magical & feeds my soul. We were moved to Texas some years back, a far cry from my heart & soul of West Virginia. Surprisingly we have gotten wallopped here with some hum dingers of snow storms!
Love Mother Nature!
Appalachian Values sounds like a great read I would enjoy. I myself am ready for a big snow, the lovely quiet that accompanies it, and the serenity and pleasure from being “snowed in” with loved ones. Bring on the hot chocolate…and a big snow. I’m ready!
I noticed you are wearing a jacket this morning as you read to us. Pretty cool in Indiana this morning with a heavy frost. We finally got some much needed rain yesterday but still need more. I’m afraid Mother Nature might give us some big snows to make up for our deficit on precipitation. When she does come on up Tipper and we will go sledding and build a snowman!
Snow sure is beautiful but can be inconvenient. I remember one snow when my little brother was just a baby and my parents couldn’t get to the store by motor vehicle for milk for him. My daddy saddled up our horse and rode her several miles thru the snow to the store. I guess four hooves are better than four wheel drive! God bless you and your family. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
I remember walking in the woods in a beautiful falling snow all by myself. It was so very quiet and peaceful. The snow covered everything and made it all look fresh, clean, and new. And amazingly, I wasn’t cold at all. It made me think of the Bible verse “Thou your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18. It was a very inspiring time, as if I could feel my Lord’s Presence in a powerful &spiritual way and His warm & loving Companionship all around me.
I loved reading this excerpt and hope to be as independent when I’m her age! I’m not too fond of snow but do like to see it once per season. Here in KY we don’t tend to get as much as when I was a kid, but every so often there will come a big snow like described in the story.
I admire the story of this lady who was self sufficient in every way even during a snow storm! May we all have that courage. Loving all the posts Tipper!
no snow please! I’m total electric here, if the power goes out I will have no heat!!
I have a picture somewhere of my sundial with six inches of snow on it. Looks exactly like one of Mama’s coconut cakes.
Snow is beautiful, however I would not want to drive in it or shovel out every morning. I live in an area that snow is such a rarity. Our local crops of strawberries could take a hit so I say no to snow.
Tipper, I hope you get some snow this winter, but with the caveat that no one is hurt by it.
@Debbie: I was a new teacher in Indiana when those historic blizzards hit. I lived on the edge of a small lake and the ferocious winds packed snow hard as cement. Cars were buried. It was a miracle we all had power. I lived in a kind of “summer cottage” with poor insulation. I was always cold. School was cancelled for well over one week. I read “Watership Down” baked, and rationed my cigarettes. Allowed outside, it was a total moonscape. It was a miracle no one died.
Well, Tipper, looks like yet another book to add to my list! Thanks for making your Appalachia my Appalachia as well! Have a good day and God bless you and yours!
I love the snow too but I have now lived in Florida for close to 30 years. My who has lived here since he was five, went on a business trip up north in February once and actually sent us a pic of snow and also frozen water in a lake or pond. He was so taken back by it. you see when you live in Florida family visits you during holidays lol.
I love snow! I love walking in it and sledding with the grandkids. I don’t love driving in it, but that is the beauty of being retired—and for the kids—occasional snow days off school! Have a super weekend!
There IS something magical about the first snow. I often rewatch a Christmas episode of The Waltons that features a big snow at Christmastime. I feel a little giddy just watching Grandma and Livvy baking Christmas cookies and the children having a snowball fight. In this episode there is a treacherous car accident and a tree falls on the church before Christmas Eve services. While those things aren’t magical, what was magicial is how the community worked together helping everyone. Happy Thanksgiving to your family and all your followers.
Wow! That’s why our elders were able to survive & endure all the storms of life, because they always prepared ahead of time and knew how to live off the land and make do with what they had. And back in those days they paid attention to the signs given by God through nature of how bad each season was gonna be and therefore planned accordingly.
Sounds like the old lady was so prepared & had all she needed that it never crossed her mind that they were there to help her, what a blessing.
This made me smile! I live in Western NY and we’re predicted to get some snow next week right before Thanksgiving. Last year around this time we also got a storm and again at Christmas we did too, that time a blizzard with 70mph winds! Lots of people lost power or were stranded, but there were many stories of people helping dig each other out, nurses helping babies be born at home and other things until paramedics or other forms of help could arrive. Praying for snow this year because I love snow, but not that much of it! Love your blog and all the stories of Appalachia that you share, and would love to read this book. Thank you!
We’re pretty much always ready for a snow storm when they hit here. When we do get out before a predicted storm, it’s interesting watching people load up their grocery carts like it’s the end of the world. I enjoy watching the snow come down and the peacefulness that surrounds it.
I love the silence that a big snow storm brings, even here in Virginia Beach. I’ve lived here for over 30 years but I still long for my mountain home in Russell County Virginia.
We used to get big old snows that would keep us out of school for a month or more. I don’t think they get those anymore.
I almost got snowed in back home 5 or 6 years ago while visiting my dad. I had to hurry and leave a few days before I’d meant to or daddy said both roads out would be impassable, as it was the main exit was closed. I skidded off the back road and was instantly lost. Ha ha. I just set there til someone came by and he pointed me in the right direction. I can’t help but think I’d still be setting discombobulated if it had happened out here on the coast!
Back in the late 80s before I moved away, I took a walk through the woods, straight up all the way, it started snowing and it was magical. I walked to my favorite field and was just daydreaming and lost in my own thoughts when suddenly I realized everything was white and I couldn’t see more than a couple feet in front of me. I figured I better head for home though it was beautiful and I hated to go. I started off the mountain and visibility got worse. I was pretty much holding onto trees and heading down. Unfortunately I headed down a cliff facing which was past our little hollow (holler) home. I figured it was easier to set on my rear and slide on down instead of climbing back up, plus I wasn’t exactly sure where I was. I slid clean to the creek , crossed it on foot and started up the dirt road leading leading to the house. I didn’t need to see anything on that “road”. I knew every stretch of it , blindfolded and barefooted. I rounded the corner just as Daddy had stepped out to holler for me. As my grandchildren now say It was the best day ever! I’ll always be thankful for growing up in the woods in a shack in SWVA.
Snow is so beautiful yet so treacherous, I love seeing it fall but ready for it to go.
Blessings to all
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. You are a blessing.
As I continue to age, I hope I can be as strong as that remarkable lady.
I also look forward to at least one pretty snow each winter. We haven’t had one in several years here in North Alabama but maybe this will be the year!
This lady reminds me of many of my self-sufficient relatives who lived “out in the country.”
I envisioned this whole story in my mind and could feel the warmth of her house when she opened that door. As always, love and prayers to Geanny! ✝️
You always have such wonderful stories.
I try not to miss a day where I don’t read.
I’m one of the few who love snow here in Indiana. We hardly get much anymore. It’s so peaceful. I love to be in the woods when it’s coming down real good.
I just turned 13 when we had our big blizzard in ’78. We had so much fun, but it was work too. Everything drifted and trying to help Momma get to the barn for the animals was tough. Daddy and our older brother had gone out through the fields in their 4 wheel drives to help people who needed things. The roads could not be traveled as the snow was as high as the cabs on the trucks. I’m so glad we have pictures of it. It’s hard to believe without them.
I hope y’all get snow since you love it like I do. God bless you all and I pray Granny is doing well!
Love that story! Thanks for sharing.
I smiled while reading the story this morning. I would enjoy reading this book and learn more about the ways of Appalachia and the tenacity of its folks. Thanks for sharing.
I love snow too although we rarely get it in the coast of South Carolina. It’s always a special beautiful occasion that I am thankful for as well as the leaves of fall, the blooms of spring and even the sunsets and harvest of summer. Always something to be thankful for in each season. I enjoy reading your blog each morning. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I think snow is beautiful as long as I can stay at home and watch it. I don’t like to drive in it. We had a lot of big snows when I was a kid but not so much anymore. As long as we had milk, eggs and bread we knew we could survive being stuck at home.
I live in northern Michigan, and winter snows are expected from January through April, where several feet can fall in 24 hours. Up here, we love winter and snow because we must and because of the beauty of forested snows. We, too, burrow in, feed the deer and birds, and relish the quiet and slowing of our lives during winter storms. However, come late April, we are good and sick of shoveling!
What a delight your post is! Love that quote “we love winter and snow because we must”. What an artful combination of fun and practicality. Kinda on a par with another I read once, “We’ll hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” Smiles, ma’am from north Georgia.
feisty folks up in the hills…
Kindness to others is so easy and so neglected. My ‘chore’ is to make other smile on what could be a bad day getting worse. I have fun with people who I call and when they answer I might say, ‘Listen, are you guys still offering fries with your burgers or have you started selling onion rings instead’? Just did that the other day when I called to make an appointment to see the Doctor. It always takes them aback and just for that second I laugh aloud and they get the joke. I have to explain, no I am not crazy, I just want people to have the same Blessed day that I am. Just to make someone smile is rewarding. You never know what is happening in their lives, good, bad or indifferent, your attempt to brighten their day is my pleasure. Praying for Granny and you guys…God Bless
I have often mentioned my Grandaddy Kirby, he lived his life by the the words or lyrics in the song “A Beautiful Life” it has one line in it that goes something like this “each day I do a golden deed by helping those that are in need”. Every morning when feeding or do other chores he would be signing either this song or “Angle Band”, after feeding his mule Kate he would either get down on his knees and pray in the hall of the barn or at a large above ground rock behind the barn.
That is one of the most precious “stories”. She was a strong, independent woman living the life God gave her in the beautiful snow covered mountains. I absolutely love all of the seasons and look forward to the first big snowfall. It is especially beautiful the way the snow clings to trees and bushes alike.
I often answer the telephone with “WHAT DO YOU WANT!” Now that’ll set somebody back on their heels for a minute!
Glenda..yesterday I got on the elevator and you know how people are on elevators..look at you with no smile and certainly nothing to say..it was so quite and all at once I said “good morning everybody isn’t it a beautiful
morning” that brought out a big smile and conversation.
Brenda down here in the south, it is common for the true blue southern natives to speak and ask “how are you doing”, nod their head and throw up their hand (wave) when meeting a car or a car passes by your house and you are outside in your yard. This is done even if the person you see or car passing by are total strangers.
Randy you are so right
I think snow is pretty but after having to drive to work at all times of day and night during snowstorms for 38 years , I don’t care if I don’t see another one. I can now sit at home, but my son has to drive in them and I worry about him. The company I worked for didn’t shut down because of snow. Yes the rural older generations had everything they needed even in a bad storm. They had wood or coal heaters, well water they drew up a with a windlass and bucket, along with a pantry full of food they preserved during the summer. Now I have heaters I can use without electricity, city water, plenty of Coleman lanterns and stoves and usually enough food bought ahead to make it through a snowstorm. The food in a refrigerator can be set outside in the cold to keep if necessary. The reason I said plenty of Coleman lanterns is because of collecting and restoring the older models of Coleman lanterns. Between me and my son we probably have around a hundred lanterns and 10-15 stoves. Until I begin to collect I didn’t realize Coleman had made so many different models. I have some that are over a hundred years old. The ones from the mid 1980’s up are cheaper versions that went from brass to plastic