On a typical day we got up at four o’clock in the morning, whether you needed to or not. We worked all day until it was about dark. We’d take about half an hour to a’ hour off for dinner, if you could hold off that long, because most of the time they’s a-needing you to get back out there to work. We’d put in ten or twelve hours a day in the summertime. Then, in the wintertime, we’d put in time getting the wood. It never ceased; we’s always working. We never knew when Saturday come because we’d work right on through it. They wasn’t none of this “Let’s go to town” business but we always knew when Sunday come because we didn’t work on Sunday.
For fun, we mostly just climbed sapplin’s, had grapevines swings, fishin’, huntin’, swimmin’, and just anything because we had to make our fun. In the summertime we’d fish the river there all the time because they wudn’t no lake there then. It was a great big ol’ river running through there. We fished that river and all the creeks around that had any speckled trout in ’em. Then, in the wintertime, we hunted. I never bear hunted or deer hunted, but did lots of coon and squirrel huntin’. We’d catch ’em possums and feed ’em buttermilk and bread, and then we’d cook ’em. They’s just good white meat, and it was as good as chicken if you didn’t have chicken. We had chickens, too, and got our own eggs and stuff from ’em. Barnyard chicken makes the best chicken and dumplin’s. There was none of this going down to Wal-Mart and picking the chicken out. Mama’d grab up that chicken, and its neck would be wrung before you know it.
—Singin’, Praisin’, Raisin’ The Foxfire 45th Anniversary Book
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a used copy of Singin’, Praisin’, Raisin’ The Foxfire 45th Anniversary Book. To be entered in the giveaway leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends November 26, 2025.
Winners
The winner of the book of Letters to Lori The Family History and Stories of Opal Corn Myers written by Barbara League is Brooke who said: “Sounds like another great book!”
The winner of the used book Foxfire 9 is Nicki K. who said: “A friend & I were just talking about how things have changed in the medical world. When I was growing up, we had one doctor who did everything for you. He would cure the simplest cold to go into to surgery to take out your appendix or deliver your baby. There were no specialists & no sending you from this “specialist” to that “specialist”. He did it all! I remember getting a boil on my knee once (or twice) & my folks put some gooey, thick black stuff on it to draw out the pus. It smelled terrible but worked. Praying for Granny!”
The winner of the used book Mountain Memories An Appalachian Sense of Place written by Jim Clark is Linda K who said: “Ahhhh….Mason jars and lightning bugs. Nothing better and so much fun.”
The winner of the used book Aunt Arie is Jammie who said: “My second grade class did a May pole dance and we sang the song Tarantella. My dear mother made my costume and I remember feeling self conscious because I thought my skirt was too short. That was 70+ years ago!”
The winner of Paul’s cd Live to Never Die is Jeffery in Alabama who said: “Great stories! I didn’t know it at the time, but I grew up surrounded by heroes. Like my grandparents grew up hearing stories of their kith and kin fighting in the War Between the States, I had great uncles, cousins, and my grandaddy (Omaha Beach 6 June 1944) for hearing tales ranging from courageous actions to funny stories while suffering in terrible conditions (cold, heat, insects, hunger, etc.) and just surviving “Army life”. I am sure it was hard for young men from rural areas (especially Appalachians) who had grown up “wild and free” to suddenly be thrown into a regimented life of regulations. Not to mention being crammed into close confinement with more people than one had ever seen. I cannot think of one living WW2 veteran from the area I grew up in today. As an example; we lost our neighbor, Leon Hightower (91) during COVID. He joined the Army at 17 and saw combat across Europe. He still cut his own hay and managed a herd of about 60 cows. He knocked a tank in France with a bazooka and captured the five Germans in it. Leon was one of a few veterans I grew up around and didn’t learn of their bravery and service sometimes till I was an adult myself. I thought they were just fine neighbors.”
There are two previous winners I have not heard from:
The winner of the used book The Foxfire Book is Robin who said: “So cool that Katie found one thanks for sharing the photos with us as I’ve never seen these. And…yesterday’s video was a blast watching you drive that tractor!”
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.
Last night’s video: The Panther on Cold Mountain & Other Stories 4.
Tipper
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Never heard too much of anybody talk about eating raccoons. I don’t think I could do it unless I was starving.
Sounds like a good book though.
Neat story. Sounds like another good book.
I would love to win this!
It would be fun to win a Foxfire book.
Can you imagine “Mama’s” reaction if she walked into a grocery deli and saw rotisserie chickens just waiting to go home for someone’s supper?
Good Morning
Would love to win this!
Even though I’m a Mississippi boy I love my Foxfire books. I’ve been reading and researching them for years. Foxfire 2 has step by step instructions for building an ox yoke. I used these instructions to actually make an ox yoke with some Poplar that had blown down after Hurricane Katrina. Don’t wanna sound like I’m bragging but it turned out great! Gave it to a friend.
On the subject of work, my Dad was a master carpenter who used to walk to work carrying his tools on his shoulder so he knew what work was. He once told me, after he had retired, that when he got up in the morning he had nothing to do and by noon he only had it half done!
The stuff mentioned earlier used to cure boils is Icthammol ointment. My mother used it on us. You can still buy that stuff at the drug store!
I would like to read this Foxfire Anniversary book, it sounds interesting as I have enjoyed everyone I have ever read. However, if I was to win please send my copy to Nancy Boswell. God has blessed me more than I deserve and I would rather her have the book than to get it myself.
My grandfather used to trap a possum and feed it milk and bread for awhile and then grandmama would cook it with sweet potatoes. She cooked possum and sweet potatoes one year for Thanksgiving along with all the other usuals. I tried it and it wasn’t too bad except I didn’t like sweet potatoes!
Love this story. Of course as a kid I wasn’t aware of adults’ lives and acomplishments either. And sometimes by the time you are, those folks have died. Good to hear of this one.
Always enjoy your stories.
If I win today please send the book to Nancy Grady Boswell. TY. I’m keeping every one here, the folks up Wilson Hollow and the folks on the youtube page in my prayers. I hope everyone prays continuously. I love y’all.
I’ve traveled by the Foxfire Village Museum and Mercantile in Mountain City, Georgia, many times on my way to North Carolina but have never been able to stop. Hopefully this coming summer I can do that.
Tipper you are so generous to do this and it so fun! I look forward to it year after year!
I’d love to see what all is in that foxfire book!
Thank you, enjoyed your post today.
As always, praying for Granny.
That is a lot of working. The kind that tires you out but good. They must have slept so well.
Tipper, if my name gets picked please send my copy to Nancy Grady Boswell. 🙂
I didn’t know that possums were “just good white meat!”
Congratulations to all the winners! Praying for Granny
Winter growing up as a kid in the 50s was fun and games which included making snow forts, snowmen, and skating while having to shovel driveways for money to go to the movies. As an adult is sad a lot of work..Getting up several hours early in the morning in order to make sure I could drive out of my 100 foot drive way. Then getting home shoveling out the mailbox.so the mail could be delivered. The mail person had to be able to drive next to your mail box, open it without getting out of their vehicle, and then drive onto the next box. That meant digging through several feet of frozen snow that the plows had moved off the road next to the mail box. Sometimes after a bad storm this took hours to do. As an adult there was still time for play and fun because in the family everyone had their job to do. My three sons when they got home had to move some of the wood stacked outside to the barn and the move some if the wood from the barn next to the wood stoves. But if they did that we would go skiing on my day off.
probably why folks died younget, they worked themselves to death.
I’ve never read a foxfire book. This would be a great start.
Hidy Tipper and Family, I do love me a plump chicken breast, thigh or drumstick but if I had to smell those pin feathers being singed I would purely and surely do without. Sending love to you all from cloudy southeastern Kentucky!
I can’t even imagine how hard those folks worked! I worked hard when I was younger, but it would surely kill me today…
I started collecting Foxfire books but didn’t get to far as money just doesn’t stretch very far on SS income 🙂 I would love to add this to my collection, if I would possibly win .
I love reading about the days when my grandparents and great-grandparents were growing up. This Foxfire Anniversary book would be a joy to read!
I’ve always wondered what good possums were. Never thought about eating them except hearing about ‘Possum stew on The Beverly Hillbillies.
“Singin’ , Praisin’,Raisin’ “
I love that !
There was a lot of hard work to be done but it still seemed like a simpler time without all the hustle and bustle we endure today. And families were much closer and took time to love each other deeper. Blessings to all.
oh i would love to read that book: Singin’, Praisin’, Raisin’ The Foxfire 45th Anniversary Book. i didnt even know they had an anniversary book. i remember my dear grandmother grabbing up a chicken and wringing its neck. she took it right to the cookroom and cut its head off and processed the rest. i was just a little girl – in my 80s now but i love those sweet memories. loved reading all the comments too as so many brought back memories of childhood. i sure did go to a lot of revivals:) praying for granny.
Congratulations to all of the winners!
Another wonderful book!
Good morning, Tipper and Tipper fans! Another chance for a Fox Fire book. I might get lucky this time. I do so love reading stories on Appalachia people! Hope everyone has a fabulous day. God’s blessings on you all and special ones for Granny!!
Feeding possums buttermilk and bread! Have never heard that , it probably made them taste better though.
It may have helped with the taste, but the real reason was to “clean them out.” A possum is no more than a 4 legged buzzard. I have never ate possum but have heard it was greasy fatty meat. I have ate meat from a coon. I love “possum taters”- peeled sweet potatoes boiled and then baked for a short time in a casserole dish with maybe some juice from a beef stew or something similar poured around them. At least that is what they were in my family.
Don’t think opossum is in any future suppers. I have eaten groundhog, squirrel, and many a rabbit. The anniversary book sounds like a great book.
This brings back memories of growing up. No wringing of chicken necks but chopping off their heads! Oh my!
What a coincidence! I just checked out the Foxfire anniversary book from our library. I would certainly like to win a copy of my own.
My husband and I watch “Celebrating Appalachia just about every night after supper. The last one was the book signing over the weekend. It was enjoyable to watch the people be so excited to see you and Matt. Thanks for sharing your trip. Have a blessed day
That 4:00 getting up time sounds familiar but when we were milking 35-40 cows it was 3:00 every morning, several mornings I would just be coming in a little while earlier so that was a long day.
Resilience and imagination, took our ancestors a long way! Prayers for Granny.
I watched Mom wring a chicken’s neck at least a hundred times before she plucked it and cooked it for supper. I don’t think I could watch anyone prepare a chicken and eat it now that I run down to Wal-Mart and buy one without seeing or thinking about how it got inside that plastic bag. I’d have to be starving before I would eat possum.
Love the stories of the good “ole” days. No time for fussing; just working hard to take care of the family.
Church on Sunday was always special.
Congratulations to all the winners!!! All were great books to read, treasure and/or share with others. Tipper, we are all thankful for you keeping the spirit of generosity alive and well in the Appalachia! Everyone have a blessed day!
You remind me from time to time – and you did again today – that money is a mighty poor measure of riches. What I can’t figure out is why the lesson never gets fully and finally learned. I believe nearly all of us know it in our ‘heart of hearts’, even without being taught. Then the next mystery is, why can’t we correct it then? And the answer to that is; because it requires a change of heart we cannot do for ourselves. Thanks for all you do, Tipper. You amaze me with what must be a mighty long prayer list. You must keep notes or something.
I would love a copy of Foxfire’s anniversary book. That is so neat!
❤️and prayers for you all!
We don’t realize how easy we had it growing up!
I remember my granny telling me stories of her life in the hills Tennessee. I sure miss her and her stories. The older I get I long for a simpler life. we moved from West Tennessee (Memphis) to a small town in East Tennessee. I think I was born for small town living.
I played in the creeks and rivers in deep holes for years before I learned to swim. We would jump or dive in and tread water until the current carried us to where we could touch bottom. We swung on the grape vines, climbed trees and anything we could think of for fun. We ate most anything we could kill except snakes. A friend and I ate most of a skunk his mother had cooked for their dogs. We threw it up after she caught us and told us what we were eating. It tasted good going down but bad for several days every time we thought of it. We hunted and fished and worked for anyone that would pay us 25-35 cents an hour. I was in high school before I could get 65 – 75 cents an hour.
Enjoyed the story and replys from everyone. Congratulations to the winners
Happy Saturday to everyone! Congratulations to all of the lucky winners. Enjoy your prizes!
Singin’, Praisin’, Raisin’ The Foxfire 45th Anniversary Book sounds like a wonderful remembrance of days gone by.
My Daddy would never wring a chicken’s neck if we were going to eat. He said the Bible was against it (Acts 15:29 KJV). He would always chop its head so that it would bleed out. It was messier than neck wringing but the meat is cleaner. Who wants to eat chicken blood anyways?
Don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of wringing goin on at our place. Sick birds weren’t left to suffer and die on their own. Or be tormented to death by their own kin. They were euthanized by neck wringing. One time our whole flock was condemned because one was found to have some avian disease. So, rather that have is spread into wild birds and other flocks, all their necks were wrung and they were tossed in a pit and covered with dirt. That’s thousands of birds!
I have two barnyard chickens in the freezer that I need to make some soup with! This writing has inspired me to get to it. Thanks for sharing these fun excerpts with us, Tipper!
My family rarely worked on Saturday, at least not all of us. We’d go to town, park, shop, and just sit in the car and people-watch. It was cheap entertainment. We kids would maybe go to see a cowboy movie while the adults took care of their business. This was during WW II. There was a watering trough behind the stores for horses and mules. Lots of folks came to town in wagons. The blacksmith did a lot of Saturday business. I liked to watch him work. My Granddaddy Alexander sometimes drove his wagon to town to sell vegetables door-to-door in the mill village. Guess who had the job of walking along, knocking on those doors. I didn’t like that job, but I knew I needed to help Grandpa earn some money.
Sounds like a good book. God bless!
Congratulations, winners!
I love the emphasis of hard work and that it didn’t matter the season. It sounds like it was exhausting for them, but also very fulfilling. Such a different time then! It’s rare to hear of people taking Sunday seriously and not working that day.
Who doesn’t get a clear visual of daily life once entailed in Appalachia and probably most rural areas at one time in America from this excerpt? There was lots of work to be done, a family work ethic, love and respect and my guess is some pretty good eating and wonderful laughs and memories made doing work each day around the fields and home. People were healthier and looked healthier too. I don’t have much good to say about these days…it all seems to be going to pieces. Oh how I wish for once upon a time, but I must remember all the chores, responsibilities and hats I wear truly give me a reason to keep going so I’m thankful I see that. The older I get, I see the work and hard times only make rest and good times that much more enjoyable. It really is a good life if we make it and see it that way… in the spring I’m hoping to get some chickens. I’d just like a few good eggs. Lol
I love hearing all the stories about our people.
I remember my daddy telling me one day how he looked out the window and saw a long line of people walking to go to town on a Saturday morning. At first he thought it would be fun to go to town with all those people. But by the time he got all his chores done, the people were all gone. He said he decided right then that the weekly habit of going to town on Saturday to do nothing but walk around was highly overrated and never considered it again.
I love stories from the Foxfire books. Trying to start a collection of them. Praying for Granny and sending love to y’all.
So glad the generations before left us with these wonderful insights on growing up in a different world. Many thanks .
Another good read!
I don’t think I could eat a opossum, but back in the day our parents and grandparents did eat animals that we don’t consider a food source today. As a kid our dad went squirrel hunting and we did eat those, but I don’t now. It’s interesting how our thoughts for food change and what we consider acceptable to eat.
Didn’t know about a 45th Anniversary Foxfire book! How many total Foxfires are there? I had no idea people eat possum. All of these posts and comments in Thankful November have been so interesting.
Congratulations to everyone who won a gift this morning. My dad hunted deer and squirrels and other wild game, and I always enjoyed anything my mama cooked. I have to say that I would have to be starving half to death before I would ever consider eating a possum…and even then I would probably not hold it down long! LOL! Have a super Saturday everyone.
Congratulations to everyone! Enjoy!
I would love to read these Foxfire books. Tipper, can these still be purchased somewhere? I so enjoy the stories!
We are having Thanksgiving today with our children, grandchildren, my sister and brother, and some of my cousins. It’s gonna be a wonderful day! God bless y’all and God bless Granny!
Debbie, yes go to foxfire.org 🙂
good morning, congratulations to all the winners, hopefully about 9:00 a.m. I’ll be traveling with my uncle to go see my brother that has cancer, God bless my brother, God bless Granny Wilson, it’s raining here in Dahlonega Georgia,makes you feel just a little bit cool, God bless you and have a great day
Sunday was the only day my Parents or Grandparents wouldn’t work. We was going to the Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night services and any other service such as revival, no excuses for not going excepted. Even though my maternal Grandaddy was 64 years old when I was born and working for his own self, he would work from “can see to can’t see” at home everyday except Sunday. Going back to yesterday, he would work his land with his mule named Kate. Grandmother would ring a bell each day at dinner time for him to come and eat, Kate knew what that bell meant, she would stop no matter where she was and not move until she was took loose from the plow. She knew along with Granddaddy we’re getting a break. My Grandaddy would always take a short nap after eating his dinner before going back to working. The band Alabama sings a song that pretty much tells about how my childhood life was except for telling about the TVA, it is “High Cotton.” The words in one verse are especially dear to me, it is “ it impressed me then and impresses me now, Sunday was the only day my daddy wouldn’t work.” Now Sunday for many, has no more meaning than any other day of the week. For many in my area, it was not the TVA but the local cotton/textile mills that was their lifeblood, this also held true for many small towns.
In addition those you mentioned we had another service on Friday or Saturday night where church members would meet at each other’s homes for “prayer meeting”. These meetings consisted of singing, shouting, praying and testifying. Preaching was usually held for back those services held inside the church building but you never knew when somebody would break out in a sermon. These meetings tended to be longer than an ordinary church service. Walking home, sometimes miles, in the dark , even in mid-summer, was common. Few people had cars.
I can remember, as a very young child, crossing the Little Tennessee, after dark, with a lantern, in a homemade flat bottomed wooden boat, to a prayer meeting at Uncle Lon’s house on the other side. I remembered our old dog Pooch swimming alongside. Even our dogs went to church.
Ed, I am a blue blood back row sitting Southern Baptist! Our Wednesday night services were called prayer meeting. At my country church, many of the men would wear their best overalls or “Dickee” style work pants to these Wednesday night services, none of them would wear a hat inside the church. I will also reply to your comment about wringing chicken necks, there was not many Saturdays that two chickens didn’t get their necks wrung by my Grandaddy. As a young boy, I thought it was funny to see these chickens fly or run around without their head. The chickens he killed to eat were kept in an off the ground wire bottom coop big enough for them to stand and walk around, they were fed nothing but corn and water. He did not eat what is known today as a free range/cage free chicken. If you watch one of these chickens you will learn how a chicken running loose got the nickname “barnyard buzzard.” I had a collie dog when I was a very young boy named Pooch.