Today’s guest post was written by Jim Casada.
THE MAGIC OF MISS CINDY
Although our paths did cross directly, I cannot claim to have known Miss Cindy well in person. Yet through her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters, along with good folks without number who in effect became part of her extended family thanks first Tipper’s blog, “The Blind Pig & the Acorn,” and then subsequently through her vlog, “Celebrating Appalachia,” I still feel like I knew her as a remote yet real friend. I’m confident that virtually everyone who reads this tribute holds similar feelings. Miss Cindy’s presence in Tipper’s chosen path of celebrating and perpetuating her beloved highland homeland was both powerful and palpable.
Over time—days, weeks, years, and eventually, a decade and more—I read her comments on “Blind Pig & the Acorn.” Seldom did a day pass when she didn’t have something to say, and almost without fail hers was the first comment of the day. You had to get up mighty early to beat Miss Cindy to the computer keyboard, and I would suggest that when it came to pithy, penetrating wisdom of the down-to-earth sort, what mountain folks in my youth regularly referred to as “just plain common sense,” she was pretty much in a class by herself. Her posts were seldom long, usually running to only two or three sentences, but she could pack more wisdom and insight into a few lines than most of us can offer no matter how long we talk or how much we write. She had an extraordinary knack for going to the heart of the matter and doing so with a degree of sagacity and insight that eludes most of us.
Invariably her comments exuded straightforward perception. It was invariably powerful with precisely the degree of understanding that a woman who called the high hills home all her earthly years could conjure up. Miss Cindy did so in the magical fashion the title of this tribute suggests. Beyond that, hers was a singular devotion to all of Tipper’s endeavors. If you go back and read a solid sampling of her Blind Pig comments, realization soon dawns that she was always there as a meaningful, motivational presence in the background–for her son, for Tipper, for her granddaughters, and for their extended family. An example of the latter is offered by the fact that she absolutely loved the offerings emanating from the exceptional musical talent of Pap, Paul, Corie, and Katie.
In addition she was, without question, Tipper’s number one fan, head cheerleader, top booster, or whatever description you care to attach to her endeavors devoted to heralding anything and everything connected with the enchanting folkways of Appalachia. For most of us, that ranks as Miss Cindy’s most meaningful legacy.
Her support of Tipper transcended, by a long mountain mile, mere comments on a blog. When Miss Cindy retired she moved to Murphy in order to be close to family, and that geographical proximity merely strengthened what was already an especially strong bond. More than that though, she had an uncanny knack for recognizing areas where she could take her backing of Tipper from mere smiling approval or supportive blog comments to something more. To use culinary terminology from a host of a popular television culinary show (I think it’s Emeril Lagasse but wouldn’t bet the kitchen stove on it), Miss Cindy knew how to “kick it up a notch” when it came to encouraging Tipper’s efforts in acclaiming the wonder of all things Appalachian. Maybe offering a couple of specific examples of what was, unquestionably, an ongoing and deeply rooted sense of how best to encourage her daughter-in-law will give a fuller indication of her devotion to Tipper’s endeavors.
One such example was personal in nature. Several years ago I wrote a profile of Tipper for the regional magazine Smoky Mountain Living using the title “The Angel of Brasstown.” Miss Cindy jumped on that tribute like the proverbial chicken on a June bug. She was ecstatic and e-mailed me, multiple times, thanking me for the piece and for my general encouragement of Tipper’s efforts in acclaiming Appalachia and its traditions. Another example involved something that seemed almost second nature for Miss Cindy; namely, exhibiting an uncanny knack for selecting gifts her daughter-in-law would find both pleasing and practical. In this case the gift was a copy of The Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English. This wonderful reference work, as is often the case with highly specialized books from academic presses, carried a frightfully high price tag. Yet Miss Cindy bought it for Tipper knowing she would find it fascinating, and as anyone who has followed either her blog or vlog for some time knows, vocabulary “lessons” taken from the book and its successor volume, Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English, are among her most consistently popular offerings. They always draw lots of comments and an Appalachian vocabulary test Tipper administered to Corie and Katie is ranked as her most popular vlog ever, with well over two million views. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to suggest that Miss Cindy was, through her generosity, the catalyst for all those wonderful and immensely appealing ventures into mountain vocabulary.
Although I know enough background information to be aware of the fact that Miss Cindy’s life was not always smooth or one of constant serenity, to me she traveled an earthly pathway that eventually brought her inner peace and immense pride in her son, his bride, and their twin daughters. Certainly her soothing, supportive presence, not to mention her striking visage, exuded as much. A lovely woman with flawless complexion who could have adorned a cameo brooch or served as a real-life advertisement for skin conditioner, she had about her a beauty that transcended the physical. Where that inner beauty shone most clearly was in her love of family. Over time and through the burgeoning success of Tipper’s efforts to celebrate Appalachia that family expanded exponentially and transcended the bounds of blood ties.
In recent weeks I have been privileged to observe the manner in which Miss Cindy has been embraced as a beloved member of that extended family. Tipper’s followers have wrapped her in love, prayers, and concern. I can say, unequivocally and with the utmost confidence, that the genuineness of that emotional outreach has bolstered and buoyed the Pressleys in their time of trouble. That’s because, through my involvement in a series of signings for our book, Celebrating Southern Appalachian Food, I have been a witness to raw yet intensely real emotions and a remarkable outpouring of love. Time and again individuals who have never met Miss Cindy in person yet have come to consider her one of their own, have hugged Tipper, Corie, or Katie to their bosom, usually with a catch in their voices and tears rolling down their cheeks. There was gladness in the opportunity to meet Tipper, but it was tinctured by sadness as they sensed and shared the sorrow of Miss Cindy’s affliction. Often they carried cards to be taken to Miss Cindy, and invariably there was mention of keeping her in their prayers and heartfelt requests that Tipper convey their sympathy and good wishes.
To be an observer of such scenes, ones repeated hundreds of times in recent weeks, was to realize that Miss Cindy truly carried with her an aura of magic. In delightfully infectious fashion she evoked, through the medium of “Celebrating Appalachia” and “The Blind Pig & the Acorn,” the essence of all that is good and gracious, endearing and enduring, about mountain days and ways. If the measure of one’s journey through life is its impact on others, Miss Cindy achieved at the highest level. That’s because she was an absolute rock–a steady presence in the background providing unstinting support and exuding unwavering faith in Tipper’s mission. She was, in short, the quintessential representative of a vast family, one numbering many tens of thousands, comprising Tipper’s readers and viewers.
All of us who cherish Appalachia as presented through “The Blind Pig & the Acorn” and “Celebrating Appalachia” have lost a wonderful woman. Yet there’s succor and solace aplenty to be found in knowing her pains are at an end. She’s in a place where the myriad joys of Appalachia are eternal, where gentle breezes stir through deep hollers embraced on either side by steep hills, and where tumbling waters sing their soothing symphony for eternity. As for those she has left bereft, we can all find comfort in the fact that Miss Cindy indirectly yet tangibly blessed each and every one of us through what she meant to the Blind Pig bunch. Hers was a mesmerizing and magical touch.
Jim Casada
Last night’s video: The BEST Summer Pie Recipe – Easy, Quick, & YUMMY!
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Such a lovely tribute to Miss Cindy. I never met her in person but feel that I got to know her through her post on The Blind Pig and Acorn and Celebrating Appalachia. I know she is going to be greatly missed. I am so grateful that I got to know her from a distance.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to Mrs. Cindy Pressley. Not only was she physically beautiful but her soul is beautiful!!!! I need someone like Miss Cindy in my corner!! I’m praying for your precious families. One day I will meet her in heaven—oh what a day that will be.
What a beautiful post, Jim!
Well said Jim. I was at the book signing in Boone and it was mixed emotions of excitement at meeting you both and sadness for what the family was walking through. I am proud to be part of the community Tipper has cultivated- all just genuinely decent people. ❤️
I don’t know either member of Matt and Tipper Presley’s family personally. Through Tippers ” Celebrating Appalachia and Blind Pig and the Acorn” I do feel connected from a distance. The connection comes from my being born in the foothills of Southern Appalachia. Through Tippers writing and videos, I’ve come to love this family. Not only love them but the memories brought back to me through Tippers efforts have been priceless. Then when Ms. Cindy became ill, I related with a personal loss of my own. Mr. Casadas tribute to Ms. Cindy was so beautiful and heartfelt. God bless and keep you all.
Jeri Whittaker
6/30/2023
Thanks for writing a wonderful tribute to Miss Cindy, Jim. You left nothing unsaid!
Mr. Casada, that was so beautifully written. I always enjoyed reading Miss Cindy’s comments and really enjoyed getting to see her when Corie shared the video of her baking her famous ham.
That was a fitting tribute to a remarkable lady. Even though I never met her, the pearls of wisdom that emanated from her encouraging words to Tipper and the girls made me admire her all the more. Thanks Jim for the lovely accolades of this fine woman.
That was just lovely Mr. Casada.
What a joy & blessing it must be to have personally known Miss Cindy. The tribute that Jim Casada wrote about her just gave me the feeling that I knew what an amazing person she was without having met her. Thank you for such a beautiful recollection of the type of person Miss Cindy was & the life she led. May God bless the Pressley family. Hugs!
That was a touching tribute to Miss Cindy. Thank you Jim.
I especially loved your description of her present Heaven.
The name Cindy can be a nickname for Lucinda, Cynthia and Cinderella. Of the three, although her given name was Cynthia, I would choose Cinderella. Cinderella in the fairytale was caring and loyal, she had a strong sense of duty and could always be relied upon. Doesn’t that describe your own Cinderella?
Thank you, Jim, for a most heartfelt remembrance of dear Miss Cindy. Without meeting or knowing her I feel the love she had for her family. I love the term magical as she indeed brought love magic to all she touched. You are a beautiful writer and have expressed the kind strong spiritual essence of Miss Cindy. May the family heal and know she is at peace now. God bless everyone.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to MissCindy. I especially enjoyed learning the story of gifting ,The Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English. That one act, alone, is telling of how much of an impact she has had, and will continue to have.
A beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman. I’m crying tears of sadness for her loss but also happiness for a life well lived and the love of family.
What a wonderful tribute to Miss Cindy. Her life here on earth is finished, but she is now in the arms of our Lord. The memories that you have of this beautiful woman means that she will never be forgotten. Another angel has been added to your wonderful family. Love and prayers to you all.
What a wonderful and heartfelt tribute to Miss Cindy! What a blessing she was and will continue to be.
Jim – Thank you for putting into words, exactly how I feel about Miss Cindy. Tipper’s “number one fan and head cheerleader” says it all. On my busiest days, and not having time to read all the comments, I would always scroll down to read her comment. I did not want to miss her words of encouragement, love and wisdom. Even though her words were meant for Tipper, she uplifted my day tremendously. (I wish I would have conveyed that to her). And I always loved how she would unabashedly heap praise on Matt every chance she got. A mother’s love so pure. But when she spoke of Corie and Katie, her words leaped off the page and grabbed a hold of you. How fiercely proud she was of them, and the love and affection that only a grandmother could give shone brightly. I take solace in Miss Cindy, Pap and Ruby rejoicing in heaven.
Thank you Jo!
Of course I never met Miss Cindy, but your words have resonated within me.
How wonderful to have had a mother in law like Tipper did; I had to prove myself to mine, at least thought I did.
Tipper reminds me of my Aunt Susie, who, according to a video on cooking ham that Miss Cindy did, even had her voice, at least one similar. Always validating of others!
Aunt Susie loved for me to apply eye make up for her. One time, we laughed so hard that the make-up smeared on one eye, and we went to Kmart just like that!
God Bless the family and all of you with this terrible loss, but left with awe-inspiring memories!
Wonderful description, Big Brother. It brought tears to my eyes. It also reminded me of the many little ways that our mother supported and encouraged her children. We were truly blessed by our mother’s support as was Tipper by Miss Cindy. May her treasured memories ease the pain of loss for the Pressley family.
Beautiful tribute to Miss Cindy. A beautiful lady inside and out.
This was and truly beautifully said in honor of Miss Cindy. She brought alot to us . She will never be forgotten. She was Definitely a Jewel. She shined and was a beautiful lady. Prayers for you all. Tell granny we love her and hugs for her too. Much love Tipper.
That was so beautiful! Thank you Jim for sharing !!
Jim, thank you, and God bless you for writing this beautiful tribute of words about Miss Cindy and how she cared for and continued to mentor her family and those close to her from behind-the-scenes blogs, vlogs, and cookbooks. ~ Rest in peace, Miss Cindy!
A beautiful tribute! What a blessing to have read Miss Cindy’s comments every morning. I have missed them. Tipper, you will never know how you and your family have been a blessing to me. Thank you for sharing your family with me. Prayers continue as you face this new “normal.”God will take care of you. His grace is sufficient. Take care and God bless ❤️
I was moved by Jim’s wonderfully uplifting words on Miss Cindy. I hope Miss Cindy was able to look down from heaven and see just how many lives she touched, and how much she was loved and admired. Matt must be especially touched to hear such praises on his mom. Your family is certainly blessed, as all who knew her, to have such an upstanding, uplifting, loving, supporting family member.
Jim, that was one of the most touching tributes I have ever read. You found words to describe Miss Cindy’s beauty in ways I never could. It would be an honor to be included in her extended family.
Thank you Jim for a beautiful tribute to Miss Cindy and thanks to Miss Cindy, it seems we are all receiving the blessings of her love and encouragement for Tipper. Did I not read that she also had a part in selecting the name Blind Pig and the Acorn?
Pat-she sure did 🙂
No words. God bless you, Jim. God bless this entire family.
What a beautiful tribute to Mrs. Cindy that Mr. Casada has penned. For those of us who have never met her or Matt and his wonderful family it really helps us to picture what a loving, supportive, beautiful family they all share. I may have never met her but I can see through their vlog what special people her family is and I am glad I have been able to “meet” them through this blog and the vlog. All of these things live on in Matt, Tipper, Katie and Corrie. It is a wonderful legacy she has left; thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute.
Amen. We said.
Beautiful homage; thoughts and prayers for those who mourn. God sees each tear Psalm 56:8
Having been down that path before many times losing dearest of loved ones, I cannot express with words as eloquently as Jim did in his tribute to Miss Cindy. I do know without a shadow of doubt, that the Lord gives us the strength to go through these heart-wrenching times. Having said that, I also know you never get over missing them. You have a treasure of comments that Miss Cindy made on your blog that clearly shows her love for her family and she was a champion cheerleader for you all.
I didn’t know Miss Cindy personally. I, like so many others, only knew of her through her comments on this blog or the YouTube videos made by both Tipper and the girls. Jim has written a beautiful post honoring Miss Cindy. She was a beautiful woman who will be missed greatly by her family and us who only knew her through comments and videos. As Tipper once replied to me by comment, “One day our paths will cross”. As Katie says, “See you on the flip side”. One day I’ll get to see my loved ones again, but I’ll get to meet so many wonderful people I’ve only read about like Pap and Miss Cindy.
A beautiful post.
That was such a beautiful tribute to Miss Cindy, the family and the sincere love that is between them extending out to the vlog and blog family.
It is so true that love and compassion breaks down barriers of screens and geography. I affectionately call Tipper and her family my “window friends”, just like Anne in Lucy Maude Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables.
I have prayed for them and sat and cried with them as I listened to them talk about Miss Cindy and Pap.
I love every episode that has Granny in it and if there were duplicates of her I would get one!
Tipper makes Appalachia come alive for me and it makes my life happier and better with every post and video.
What a beautiful tribute. He brought tears to my eyes.
What a precious tribute from Jim. Miss Cindy’s example of unwavering love and support is one I hope to emulate within my family for days and years to come. Thank you, Pressley family, for sharing Miss Cindy with us. I am better for it, having been a witness of the love and care your family has for one another.
I once heard the question asked, “Which do you think has been the more important in your life; God’s making of you or His use of you in making of others?” Whatever the first answer may be, further thought will likely change it, leading to the conclusion ‘I cannot tell’. Those two things are twins. They go and grow together and we see either, and both, poorly or even not at all. What we can do is recognize and remember those who have been instrumental in the making of us and be grateful for them. That legacy lives on even when they never knew
Beautifully written with care from your heart. Sure to be a lasting treasure to her family and friends.
Well said. What a beautiful tribute Jim.
What a lovely tribute to Miss Cindy! Continued prayers for each one of you, the memories you have will always be a source of strength and peace.
Few will get a more moving eulogy than today’s tribute to Miss Cindy by Jim Casada.
Jim you have used your gifts to describe a beautiful and blessed person, who cared for her family and was an inspiration to them and others. The freshman English teacher we had would have said a wonderful accurate description of a wonderful person.
What an amazing memorial to Miss Cindy Pressley.
Beautifully said. Thank you.
Perfect!
Beautiful tribute to Miss Cindy
Beautifully written. I have been in awe of miss Cindy also, because she was so mystically beautiful. I wish there were more videos and pictures . Why might you ask, am I interested in her when I don’t know her, well I guess I will say the only thing that comes to mind, I found her intriguing.
I’m not much of an emotional gal, but Jim sure said some beautiful things about Miss Cindy that we would all love to hear said of us in memoriam. It got my eyes a little moist. Every day I know you will miss her lovely soul and encouraging support! I’m a big “reader” of the eyes and believe they reveal the soul if you’ll only look closely. Her eyes were beautiful, big, sparkly, clear and dreamy. Those eyes had also seen sad times too. But the main thing I saw in her sweet eyes was compassion, love, genuine goodness, and kindness to all. What else can I say? If I could take away your sadness and pain, I surely would, but since I cannot, my best thoughts and prayers to get through this time are with your wonderful family. Be sure to love on Granny for us! She’s a sweetheart! Hang in there. As a RN, I’m told it takes a year to get through big loss to grieve. I think it takes a lifetime.
A beautiful tribute to Miss Cindy! I love my daughter in law but after hearing so much about the connection between Miss Cindy and Tipper, I want to show her more love and support.
Such a beautiful tribute to Miss Cindy! She will be missed terribly, however her love for her family will live on in them.
That was such a moving tribute to Miss Cindy. I remember the first video I ever watched was expressions and sayins from the book. Miss Cindy touched so many lives. She truly was a beautiful woman, inside and out.
Jim, I know you are a great master of the art of words, but you outdid yourself today with Miss Cindy’s tribute. I have read through it twice, and may well go for the third time. Not personally knowing Miss Cindy, I felt as though I knew a lot about her through reading her comments on Tipper’s posts. After reading your tribute, I was right, only now I know so much more about this wonderful person. One only has to look at Matt, Tipper and the girls to know how much she was loved. Have a blessed day.
Tipper, love and prayers to all of you, Granny too.
Clearly Miss Cindy paid attention, listened, praised, encouraged and celebrated the the people in her life. All of this came back toward her in a wonderful circle of gratitude and love.
A beautiful tribute. Words that will stay with me and urge a revisit.
That is beautiful Ed, thank you for sharing. A great comfort to Miss Cindy’s family.
I had to smile when you mentioned her comments on Blind Pig, they were the first thing I looked for. if for some reason they were late I made a point to go back later and find it.
This is one of the most beautiful tributes that I have ever read. I recently subscribed to Blind Pig and a Squirrel, and haven’t yet figured out all the family dynamics, but I read Tipper’s posting every day. As so many of the readers posted, I sent up prayers for Miss Cindy during her illness. I felt a loss when Miss Cindy passed away as, I’m sure many of Tipper’s followers did.
What an insightful and toughing tribute to Miss Cindy. To borrow Jim’s phrase, ” a remote yet real friend ” surely describes how so many of us who regularly read Tippers blog feel about her and her beautiful family.
Wow, just wow. Tipper, you were blessed with a dynamic mother-in-law. I know in time to come that there will be nuggets that come to mind and you will smile or tear up while thinking of Miss Cindy. Know that she is still cheering you on through her memories. You are a gem.
praise God, Ms Cindy don’t suffer no more! thank you Jim for the comforting words!
Anything I could add to what Mr Casada so graciously penned would pale. The picture you placed at the beginning of todays blog shows without words how beautiful Miss Cindy was. Truly a beauty. Mr Casada has, with his words, has only punctuated her beauty in body and sole. Continuing to pray for your family. Please tell Granny hello for me.
God bless Jim, God bless Tipper Pressley and family, praise God ! Ms Cindy was absolutely beautiful to me, I came to know about Ms Cindy from Tipper and the girls post, I’m so sorry for your loss, God bless you friends of Appalachia God bless your families
What a beautifully written tribute Jim. I’ve just recently started reading The Blind Pig and the Acorn and have already been blessed by it. I definitely need to go back and read some of Miss Cindy’s comments. I’ve watched Celebrating Appalachia for a long time now and could always see how involved Miss Cindy was and how much she loved her family. Tipper would always say, Miss Cindy got this for me and I would think about how much Miss Cindy loved and adored her daughter in law. She sure was something magical and I know I will strive to be like her. She left an amazing legacy for not only her family but to strangers as well.
Jim,
Thank you for your moving tribute to Miss Cindy.
Kind Regards Greg K
A touching homage to a lovely lady.
This was lovely. I am a newcomer to Tipper’s blog and vlog but I have been on long enough to see a beautiful family. This post brought me to tears.
A wonderful heartfelt post.
Well Jim, you made me cry this early morning. I only found Tipper’s blog and vlog early this year, but I found them to be places where I get solace, comfort and family. Not a blood family, but a family nonetheless. Miss Cindy was part of that family. I have cried so many tears for Matt, Tipper and the girls. Partly because they feel like family and partly because I’ve been where they’ve been and I know how it feels. Miss Cindy reminded me of my granny in the ways that she supported the whole family. You did a wonderful job!
What a tribute! Wonderful, comforting words!
What a precious memorial.
Jim has written an outstanding tribute to Miss Cindy. I do not have the gift of words to express what I really mean at times. I only knew Miss Cindy through Tipper’s blog. Besides my relationship with God, family is the most important thing I will ever have. It just seems to me that when Tipper and Matt married it was more than them joining together and becoming one, it was two families becoming one family that truly loved one another. Miss Cindy loved Tipper as much as she would have if she had been her own daughter. Think how she ask to be buried close to Pap and Granny, she loved them too. This was also true with mine and my wife’s family, both of our families became one larger family when we married. Our families would often do things together, there was never any “hard feelings” between our families. These times were some of the happiest times of my life.