“We have a good sense of humor, although it is sometimes delivered in a deadpan fashion, in keeping with our sense of modesty and understatement. Humor is more than fun; it is a coping mechanism in sickness or hard times. We tend to poke fun at ourselves, saying self-deprecating things like, “I was hiding behind the door when the looks were passed out.” Our humor is tied up with our concept of the human condition. We see humor when people make pretensions to power and perfection and inevitably fail. We may poke fun at pompous people, or try to “get their goat” by playing practical jokes on them. We may say, for example, of those who aspire to learning, “Preachers and lawyers and buzzard’s eggs, there’s more hatched than come to perfection.”
—Appalachian Values written by Loyal Jones
A big thank you to everyone who has been participating in this year’s Thankful November. I have really enjoyed the comments and I know all the readers have too.
I keep an eye out for books at thrift stores and the like so that I can use them as giveaways. Another place the books come from is you. Readers often send me copies of books they think I can use in some way—from reading to giving away.
Another thing folks wonder about when they see the number of people who comment on a giveaway is how in the world do I choose a winner.
Back in the early days of the blog I had very few readers and if I hosted a giveaway there was only a handful of people who commented. It was easy to write out names and throw them in a bowl and let someone in my house draw a name. Today that would take way too much time.
Instead I use the handy random number generator. I put in the number of comments and let the generator pick the winner. The very first comment on a post is number one and the numbers increase with the next comment being number two and so on.
The winner of the used book The Thread That Runs So True written by Jesse Stuart is Sherry who said: “Well I am so very Thankful for you Tipper & for the Blind Pig & all the wonderful stories you share each day!!! I sure would cherish this book! Praying for Granny. One of my husband’s caregivers is teaching me to crochet & I am forever thinking about her .”
The winner of the used cd produced by the Smithsonian titled Mountain Music of Kentucky is Patti Tappel who said: “Thanks for sharing that old song. I’ve never heard it, but enjoyed it!”
The winners of the slightly damaged Celebrating Southern Appalachian Food cookbooks are:
Betty Dodson who said: “Tipper, Your videos and daily posts are always a welcome treat for me. We especially enjoy trying your recipes. I use your simple pizza dough recipe often. May God bless you and your family.”
Janice who said: “I enjoy reading your daily blog. Thank you for the inspiration.”
Lynette Hicks who said: “I enjoyed the Thankful November video. It’s always fun to watch you and Matt work together in the garden or just any day to day chores and ending with popcicles. The food y’all make always makes me hungry. Happy November. Praying for you and your family!”
The winner of the used book Dorie Woman of the Mountains written by Florence Cope Bush is James Wood who said: “Thankful for being able to read each day the Blind Pig and the Acorn blog. So good to start my day with it.”
The winner of the used book Foxfire 3 is Teresa who said: “i love the foxfire series…i would love this copy.”
The winner of the used book Roaming the Mountains written by John Parris is Clara who said: “Such an interesting post, I’ve never heard of the fairy crosses. I would love to see a picture of one. Hope Louzine has a good day!!”
Winners send your mailing address to me at blindpigandtheacorn@gmail.com and I will get your book or cd on the way.
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 15, 2025.
To all Veterans: I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Tipper
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Thankful for all of our veterans.
Thank you to all the veterans!
What a beautiful way you have a celebrating Appalachia. Your words take me to places I love and long to be more often ! What a gift you are ! Thank you ,
Winnona
For his service of over 21 years, I want to thank my wonderful husband for his service and dedication in the USAF. He served honorably and professionally for all of it. Much love and respect for him always. To all vets we thank you for all your service and support. We salute all of you.
I’m thankful for all the veterans and their families. My Daddy, SFC William A. Nichols, Jr. , was in the Army for 22+ years and served 2 tours in Korea and Vietnam. He spent his last 3 yrs of service stationed in Germany. I was 11-13 1/2 yrs old. Most of my childhood he was overseas doing something dangerous. After he retired he joind the Tennessee Defense Force as Chaplin and attained the rank of Lt. Colonel. My foster son, SPC Fred Greene, was in the Army for almost a year and died at the attack at Fort Hood. He took 8 bullets before he died making his way to the shooter.
Congratulations to all of the winners. TY Tipper for all the hard work you do. I’ll keep all the folks here in my prayers as well as all the folks up Wilson Hollow. I love Y’all.
If the book is anything like his name – I want one! Thanks Tipper
I loved that today you shared the names of the lucky winners and their comments. It is fun to read other’s Appalachian experiences in addition to your blog post. So glad I found your blog a few weeks ago.
Happy Veterans Day and Happy 71st birthday to my husband!! I made him a chocolate pound cake with hot fudge frosting. His favorite Congratulations to all the winners. We are all winners, aren’t we? Love and prayers to all and especially Granny.
Several of my direct ancestors served in the so-called French and Indian War, King Philip’s War, and the various clashes between the British and French before the colonies became the United States. I have great great great great grandfathers Nathaniel Reynolds and William Budd, who fought in Loyalist and Patriot militias during the Revolution. David Dresser, my third great grandfather, was a soldier in the War of 1812. His son David enlisted in the 16th Maine in the Civil War. My grandfather missed World War I, but volunteered as a civilian contractor for the Navy immediately after Pearl Harbor, long past draft age, to help raise the sunken ships and recover bodies and salvage the vessels for further service. It was a nasty dangerous awful task that few would willingly do. My father served in the Red Bulls, the first American unit involved in the fight against the Germans in North Africa. He was wounded for the second time at Monte Cassino in Italy and sent home before World War II ended. Today is for remembering more than their “service”. It is, for me, about imagining what each of those veterans experienced, what they each thought about in the years after they came home, and how their wars shaped how they approached the rest of their lives.
Happy Veterans Day! To all Veterans: thank you for your service to our country!
Congratulations to the winners!
I know what Loyal Jones means. I’ve been through many trials and it’s true that humor has helped me cope at times. I can tend to be serious, but I really need to “let me hair hang down”, as the saying goes. 🙂
Thank you to all the veterans who have served our country-so grateful to you!
I love all things ol timey and would love to be on the receiving end of one of your gifts.
I thank God for the brave men and women who have served protecting our freedom.
Congrats to the winners! I’m a US Army veteran. I served in the 80s. And even though I am a lot older now, I would still raise my right hand and do anything I could for this great country! God Bless the USA! Stay warm tonight. Here it’ll get back in the 60s tomorrow. ❤️
HaPPY Veteran’s Day to all of them, past and present and to those who will serve in the future. I can’t imagine the sacrifice of so many for the betterment of our nation! I lost an uncle that I never got to meet as he died in combat before I was born. I am the only one left who will decorate his grave… He carried a gun before he could ever carry a son.
The funniest thing I ever heard one relative say to another was: “You best switch to wearing leather shoes; as much as you put your foot in your mouth, it’s the closest thing to food you can wear on your feet.” We have an inch of snow on the ground, there’s an eight-point buck chasing women in the field out back, and a family member is going to recover from a bad fall. Good news all around. I’m thankful for the hard work and sacrifice that our military and first responders face each day. Without you, our freedom and safety would be gone. I’m thankful for family. Without our loved ones life would be bleak indeed.
Congratulations to all the winners! And may we always remember our veterans, past, present, and future…..who stand in harm’s way each day…..for the freedoms we cherish in this great country. May God bless them all.
Happy Veteran’s Day to all our veterans out there. Really enjoyed the writing!!
I have a bizarre sense of humor so I can relate..
Congratulations to all of the winners!
A special thank you to all of our Veterans, past and present for serving our country!!
Many placed their moral values above all else.
Thank you to all veterans today and every day.
I love Appalachian sayings that get right to the point in a funny and nice way.
Happy veterans day and a big THANK YOU to all who have served!!
Good morning Tipper! To all the veterans thank you for your service! Sure do love reading all the comments of your readers. They sure do have some wonderful stories to share.
Remembering and thankful for all Veterans, of the past and of the present – and their families, for they also gave or are giving of their loved one. Congratulations to all the winners!
Thanks for the blog, as always.
Perhaps Loyal Edward Jones’s greatest claim to fame was that his niece married my 1st cousin Victor Breedlove. Perhaps!
Victor taught at the Folk School in past years according to his obituary in 2022. Did you know him?
Ed, I didn’t know him 🙂 I did exchange a few emails with him.
Thank you to all our veterans, those alive and those who have passed.
Enjoy your posts. Saying prayers for Granny and all of her family.
I enjoy Loyal Jones’ writings. I’ve even used a few of his stories as illustrations in sermons. A week later no one in the congregation can remember the message but all remember the illustration. I don’t remember reading that book, so I would gladly accept it.
Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you, Tipper, for your generosity. The town where I live has started posting pictures of its veterans on utility poles at traffic lights and other eye-catching locations throughout the city. What a way to honor our veterans! My brother-in-law’s photo is scheduled to be displayed soon, but he will never see it, as he is in a nursing home suffering from his exposure to chemicals used in Vietnam and Thailand. Thank you to all the veterans everywhere.
Blessings to all Veterans and their families!
It is a cold morning here in Middle Tennessee with just a dusting of snow. I truly appreciate all of our veterans for their service to our country. Golden Corral is hosting a free lunch today for all veterans. That is a generous gesture of appreciation. Congratulations to all of the winners in the Thankful November giveaway! Thank you, Tipper, for sharing so many interesting things about the Appalachian way.
I knew Loyal Jones. Would love this book. Thank you.
Thank you for your blog each morning. It is a good way to start the day. Happy Veterans Day. I would love a copy of the book.
Congrats to all the winners! In Canada we call it Remembrance Day, and I’d like to remember and thank all the veterans (including my father) who has fought in all the wars around the world. Many didn’t make it home and many of the ones that did come home were never the same. Thank you for protecting our freedom! One day, when Jesus comes, they’ll be no more hate or wars!
Congratulations to all the winners!
Happy Veterans Day to all who served and families of all our veterans because you all served too by supporting them before, during and/or after their service. Thank you!
Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans still here and the ones passed on, and don’t forget the first responders for all they do everyday and keep them safe.
You choose the best books!
We hear it all the time, we live in the greatest country in the world. It wouldn’t be so without the dedication and sacrifice of our veterans. God’s blessings and Happy Veterans Day!
As always, praying for Granny.
Hi Tipper
I enjoy reading your blog every day. God bless you and your family.
Happy Veterans day to our country’s veterans and those who are here on the Blind Pig & the Acorn!! Thank you for your service!!
I bet most of us here have very similar values that are found in the Appalachian region, so reading more about those values would be wonderful.
Good morning, Tipper, and Tipper fans! I have been on a trip from SC to Ohio for the past four days so I missed posts but I’m catching up. Tipper, even though I didn’t win anything during your giveaway, I did learn some things and I wrote down the names of books you were sharing so I can buy them myself if I didn’t win. I love and admire your deep love for the Appalachian mountains and customs and people, and it would be normal for you since you grew up here, just as I love and miss my beautiful farmland of Iowa. I thank you for educating me in our American history of Appalachia, and gardening as well since my late husband and I loved to garden! I hope God showers His love and Grace on you and your family and all your many many fans!!
I first would like to express my Thank You to all our Veterans for your service! May God bless and keep you and I pray you feel You Are Loved and Cherished!
I grew up hearing many, many stories about Hog Killing time. In NE MS, back in my Grandparent’s time they had to wait till it was cold enough and they too salt cured their meats in a large wooden box, covering the meat in salt, using an outside building. I gifted my Daddy a set of the Foxfire books years before he passed. He loved reading them and referring to Hog Killing time, he said that’s just how we did it. I would love to have a copy of the book by Loyal Jones.
Hi Tipper, Great post, as always!
So thankful for the veterans! Congratulations to all the winners.
Happy Veterans Day to all who serve, and have served in the past. In memory of my much loved and missed Dad, Joseph F. Maresh. He was a Korean War veteran who stayed in the Army Reserve for 34 years. He retired a Sergeant Major. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I can’t wait to be rejoined to him, and my dear Mom.
Brrrr!! Cold again this morning. Since retirement I am quite content to stay in where it’s warm & cozy & not have to battle the elements to get to work. Many thanks to members of our military, past & present! We should be a grateful nation. Congratulations to the winners of the drawing. I know you’ll enjoy your prizes.
I so enjoy this blog and all the comments as well! It’s such a warm community of folks and I think I learn something new and interesting everyday. Very grateful for all our Veterans. Stay warm out there Acorns!
Good Morning Tipper, I want to wish all the Veterans a good day and thank you for your service. I look forward to seeing you and Matt Saturday in Granite Falls at your book signing. I’m bringing my cookbook! Congratulations to all the winners!
First, Thank You to all the men and women who have served our nation! I really enjoy reading your blog and watching your YouTube channel which I found first. Praying for Granny!
Humorless people are usually great bores. I’m glad my family members could laugh at themselves. Some were great storytellers to boot. Some of the funniest things just happen, like the morning my father-in-law said he wasn’t hearing well because he thought his fallopian tubes were stopped up. Priceless!
Who wins most, the giver or the receiver? Each are blessed but we know the answer. Thanks Tipper and BP&A readers and all vets. We each can be blessings to one another but I need to forget myself more to be better at it. A question for you Tipper if you get a round tuit; (1) do you all say “steep as a cow’s face” and (2) I forget the other one I had. That’s why I have to bring them up when I do remember. No snow or even frost here, air is too dry to have dew.
Congratulations to all the winners, happy Veterans Day to all the veterans and
Prayers for Granny!
Love to all.
Thankful today and everyday for our Veterans!
I like that streak of good naturedness that runs through Appalachians. Humor is a gift. I would love a copy of the book by Loyal Jones. I love that name too!
If the entire world had Appalachian Values what a better world we would have! Thankful for you Tipper and your blog every morning.
A big thanks to all veterans! I’d love to read more about Appalachian values. I admire the spirit of those people.
Thankful to all Veterans for their service & sacrifices. Congratulations to all of the winners. Appalachian Values would be a good read I do believe. Last but certainly not least, thank you Tipper & family for sharing your family, life the Appalachian ways! Y’all have a blessed day!
Congratulations to all the winners posted above.
I am thankful to all the past, present & future veterans who protect our country day in & day out.
Prayers for Granny from Texas.
Happy Veterans Day and a HUGE thank you for your service!! Congratulations to all the winners as well, enjoy your treasures! Be safe, be well and be warm all.
Blessings from Ohio!
A salute and gratitude to the veterans! So happy for the winners of the giveaways! Have a blessed day!
I am so thankful for all God has blessed me with. I am especially thankful for our grandson serving his 8 years in the military and all our veterans who serve to protect our country. May God bless you and keep you safe. Congratulations to the winners. I love books. My favorite of course is the Bible. Next would be my cookbooks. I love to read the writers stories and I do actually try a lot of the recipes. I made Lucky my husband Strawberry Shortcakes yesterday from Martha Stewart’s cookbook. I buy books from our local library, McKays and from Amvets. Amvets is owned by veterans and supports our veterans. Tipper, you and the girls should try to visit there someday. Hardly anything in there is over $3.88 in clothing. I have bought things with the ticket still on them. Well, God bless everyone and hope today granny will be well.
So thankful for my coffee and The Blind Pig every morning. Blessings to your family.
I just want to say, I am so proud of our veterans. There are some in my families that served our country. we had just buried my great Uncle Mack McDaniel. His birthday fail on Oct. 31st. He died a few days before that day, as the matter of fact he was buried that day. He would have been 103 years old. He fought WWll.
These Soldiers goes through a lot for our country and willingly! I just hope they know Jesus. Cause He died for the whole world. I just wished these people so full of hate, bitterness, could see what a Wonderful Savior He is!
I would like to tell you and your family is such a blessing. Prayers still going up for Granny and all of you. Hope you guys have a Wonderful and Blessed Thanksgiving. We love you all!
Happy Veterans Day, veterans! Also, congratulations to the winners of delightful readings! I’d say we are all winners to have found the Blind Pig and the Acorn and to be able to enjoy it and be a part daily. It’s cold here in southwest VA and there’s a dusting of snow out there. It was in the low 20’s and my big propane tank for the yard doesn’t come until NEXT Monday to get hooked up and running. Thank goodness, I have a Mister Heater, keep the doors closed, have multiple electric blankets around and it’s a brick house. It stays warm enough for now… blessings to you all, especially sweet Granny and the little ones. Stay warm and I wish you all a peace of mind and a good soul in good standing with the “man upstairs.”
Would enjoy this book. God bless!
First, I love APPALACHIAN VALUES by Loyal Jones. I’ve cited it many times. Second, woke up to our first snow yesterday morning (southeastern hills of Ohio). It never got above freezing yesterday so some is still here this morning. This is early for us but I immediately thought of you and how you would have enjoyed it There was about an inch—enough I had to spend some time cleaning my car to get to a morning meeting. I love Thankful November, I’m keeping my own thankful journal this year. From beautiful healthy grandchildren to having all my faculties in check to enjoy yesterday’s snow, I have much to be thankful for. Sincere prayers for Granny and all in need.
Today on this Veterans Day, I am truly thankful for those who served in the military living or deceased.
Congratulations to all the winners who participated in Thankful November!
Everyone have a great day!
I bought a copy of Appalachian Values and have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Everyone stay warm and have a great Veterans Day. Thank you to each veteran for serving our country so that we can continue to enjoy freedom.
Watching you and Matt working together on last nights video made a little sad for a minute remembering how my late husband, Jerry and I always worked together outside . Tomorrow, on the 12 of November he will have been gone 12 years and I miss him so much:
I was surprised to find this morning that I had won a copy of yours and Jim’s cookbook. I ordered one a couple of years ago and then when you and Matt were at Alexander’s, I had the pleasure of meeting y’all and getting my book signed. Both of you were so gracious and let us get a picture made with y’all and my daughter and son in law. I will gift my new copy to one of my grandchildren who enjoy cooking, probably the oldest grandson.
Continued prayers for Granny and enjoy this cold day. 28 degrees in Monroe Georgia. A few snow flurries yesterday!
Love and hugs
Lynette, I understand your comment about missing your husband. The best times of my adult life was being and doing things together with my wife. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but when I see couples together and I’m alone, I feel envious. Maybe I need her to tell me you should have done it this way! Now my greatest enjoyment is time spent with my son and grandsons.
Hi, Randy! I believe you said you would like to win the Foxfire 3 book. We have 2 copies that we got from my parents and would be happy to send you one.
Carol, I would like to have this book, I will gladly pay you back for the postage. My address is Randy Pruitt, 395 Penson Road, Honea Path, SC 29654.
Will do!! Glad that it is something you will enjoy. My dad sure did.
THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always enjoy thus channel
It is very cold (18) with four or five inches of snow on the ground this morning. It is truly beautiful. My hubby is like Matt…he has a great sense of humor and kids around a lot. It’s one of the many reasons I love him. Congratulations to all the winners this morning. It’s been so fun reading all the comments this month. I also want to say a big “Thank You” to all veterans today and everyday. We are all free and safe because of you!
Congratulations to all the winners! I have won in the past and it a real treat! I so enjoy this blog and the lovely people who participate.
Prayers for Granny!
I’d Love this book
I’ live in Appalachia and love reading about Appalachia I read your post everyday and love it THANK YOU
Congratulations to all the winners!
Our family is strange like that too. Momma always used the saying “when they were handing out brains we thought they said trains and we hid behind the door” and they also traded the words “looks and books” in that same statement. Silliness, but we always laughed.
Thank you to all the veterans! We honor you everyday!
Debbie, I have heard a different version of handing out brains, it was I thought they said rain and hid under a rock.
Congratulations to all the blessed winners. Hope you got some snow Tipper. We had about an inch or more. Enough that everything is covered in a soft white blank. Stayed 14 all night beer in Scaly Mountain. Hope Granny is doing well. Love y’all.
Thanks for sharing! The comment about preachers and buzzard eggs made me laugh pretty good! Stay warm out there.
I would like to thank all of the Veterans for your service and sacrifices. Hog killing weather this morning in my area, the temperature of 27 degrees is within 2 degrees of tying the record of 25 degrees. It will usually drop a few degrees more around daybreak so we may break or tie it. I remember folks talking about it being too cold to kill hogs, the meat would freeze before it had time to “take the salt.” In my area, a lot of families salt cured their meat, meat would be placed in a large thick sided wooden box in an outside building and then covered in salt. The salt was bought in 50 lb bags and several bags would be used.