This June Miss Cindy will have been gone for three years. Hard to believe it’s been that long.
Although we cleaned her house out a good while back, we’ve never cleaned out the outbuildings. Paul now owns the place so there’s not been a big hurry for us to go through them.
Matt has gone a few times to get a tool he needed. There were a lot of tools left from the previous owner, Miss Cindy had her tools, and over the years she borrowed this or that from Matt so some of his are there too.
There is one building that we had not been in since she died until earlier this week.
The man Miss Cindy bought the house from called it the bunk house. He said he built the little house with his daddy during a rough patch of life he was trying to get through. He didn’t tell what he’d been through and none of us asked, but he did say the little bunk house by the creek helped him heal.
There’s no electricity nor water in the small shed, but it’s just feet from the backdoor of the main house.
Right away Miss Cindy knew what she would do with it. She turned it into her framing studio.
Several years before she moved here she started framing photos, paintings, prints, and other art pieces for people. She did many of the pictures hanging on my walls.
Miss Cindy also kept an eye out for original or unique pieces at thrift stores, yardsales, and auctions. She purchased the pieces, framed them, and then sold them. It was never a real source of income, more of a side hustle. She really enjoyed the creativity of picking the perfect frame and mat to set off a photograph or art piece.
Our adventure into the bunk house was bittersweet. It was lonesome to know she was the last person there, lonesome to see her handwriting, and the pile of things she’d been working on.
It was nice to see things we’d forgotten about like the extra large table she used as a workstation. I found one of my angel paintings along with several prints she’d made of it.
In the same envelope there was an original drawing of a deer. I’m sure she was planning to frame it and give it to Matt for Christmas or his birthday.
The biggest surprise was two almost finished pictures of David Kaynor. David was a true friend to our family and a music mentor to Katie and Corie. I assumed the girls had given her the photos and asked her to frame them, but Katie said she had never seen them.
Although we don’t know where they came from, we certainly know Miss Cindy was framing them for Katie and Corie.
It made us happy to see the things that Miss Cindy enjoyed and realize her last projects were for us. It was like visiting with her again and hearing her say she loved us.
Last night’s video: We Haven’t Been Inside Since She Died.
Tipper
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I know it’s never easy to go through the things of a lost love one, but it also brings them closer, especially if they’ve been gone a while. Miss Cindy’s workshop was beautiful. Any artist would be thrilled with such a space. Seeing the makings of her creative life give us a window into who she was. Creativity is one of God’s greatest gifts & the joys it brings makes life so much sweeter.
Another real-nice-visit with friends… watching the video from the bunk-house and reading through these comments. Take care 🙂
Miss Cindy, such a classy beautiful woman!
Good afternoon everyone. It is 15 degrees, with a feel-like temperature of -3, and lots of snow here in north central West Virginia. It hasn’t warmed up a bit all day. Schools were delayed and closed all over the state. I just had an opportunity to watch your video this morning. It was so interesting to see all of the items in Miss Cindy’s shop. I noticed how she repurposed soup cans and such for her brushes and pencils. The portrait of her is just beautiful. My dad will be gone for a year tomorrow. Mama has slowly been cleaning out his clothes and donating some items, and giving away things to me and my siblings. My favorite treasure is a quilt that my aunt had made for him. It needs a few repairs, but I dearly loved my aunt, and I am so happy to have something my dad used a lot. Saying a prayer for Granny. Stay warm.
My brother and I went through my mother and father’s things shortly after they had passed away.
Looking back over it I think it was best. Now I don’t think I could do it. After mommy passed away we were tired but we settled her estate in a year which included selling things we could not use or did not want. It was hard but I had to be done.
It is so hard to see the things they loved in the places they put them. I still get tears in my eyes when I see my mother’s notes on the pictures of family members she collected. My dad’s pictures of him when he was in the Korean War and when he was on home on leave also makes me sad. They were so young and so happy. I have the same kind of pictures and the same kind of things for my children to go through after Charles and I are gone. To me it is an Appalachian thing— a way of handing down memories and events to our children that they will always remember and pass on to their families.
You are brave but always remember you are not alone in what you did and are doing with Miss Cindy’s things. Much Love, Kathy Patterson
Miss Tipper and Mr Matt, What treasures you found. I found myself with tears and such a feeling of joy that you found things that are so valuable to y’all. What a blessing.
I know that feeling of looking into someone’s special effects. When our daddy died my sister and I being the oldest took care of most of that. When we went into mom and dad’s bedroom they occupied as we were growing up, there was dad’s pants with his billfold still in his pants pocket. It felt like such an invasion going through it. Of course we cried a lot thinking of what stories that one object held for us. As a kid dad always had a pocket full of change that he gave each of us every morning for school. One nickel each for us kids to save or buy us a piece of candy or a coke from Huskey’s Store in front of the school. Then he always had change for us to have an extra milk at lunch. Knowing that daddy and mom’s were in heaven with Jesus was what helped all of us get through it. I know that daddy and momma knew that we all would take care of each other and that is exactly what we do. We three girls try our best to take care of our brothers that are blind now. Two have great wives who see to this. My one brother we help as much as we can. God is so good. Cindy was so loved and she knew you all would do what was right by her.
this is so touching…my daddy built the house i grew up in….of course hes been gone home and its been bought…but i will always remember it as my daddys house and nobody better destroy it or i will have to have a few words…i wish i could have bought it but money just wasnt in my favor at that time…but its always gonna be daddys house
Enjoyed the video very much.
As always praying for Granny.
It’s an awkward moment when you must go through a dead man’s things. I once had that duty when a NC soldier in our company was killed by a train in Germany. Military protocol requires that the deceased’s personal effects contain nothing he wouldn’t want his mama to see. In that instance, we found nothing. Coincidentally, just this week I read about British diarist Samuel Pepys (pronounced “Peeps,” I was taught), who bought and read dirty books, then burned at least one of them “that it might not be among my books to my shame.”
Beautiful and the video was interesting. . I hoped your allergies didn’t flair up in all the dust. To me it’s almost like Matt’s Dad and Mom were in two different places. Different worlds if you will … Both smart, gifted and also precious. Or maybe there roads forked later in life. Matt s blessed to have had them both and Nana. I enjoyed meeting Nana in the Pressley Christmas video. . Have a great day. Try to find some time to read today.
I know the feeling. I expect it was how I felt doing inventory at my Mom’s and finding the drawer full of Mother’s Day, Birthday and Christmas cards. Our Memory Lanes get longer and more numerous as the years go by. Be interesting to find out where she got those pictures of David but easy to see she was planning a surprise for Core and Katy. That will make them even more special now.
Last night’s video was very touching. You and Matt found so many wonderful things. I loved the picture of Miss Cindy, but the biggest surprise of all was seeing the two pictures of David Kaynor for Katie and Corie. How special! It’s hard to believe she’s been gone almost 3 years, but her memory lives on and I know she would have adored those two precious boys.
Morning everyone. Tipper, just an idea. You could get the 2 pictures of David and the one of the deer framed and give them to Matt and the girls on Miss Cindy’s birthday. May sound weird, but it would be like a birthday present in reverse. I agree about the bunk house. It is so wonderful. I would clean it out and use it for something. I would move it too but it would cost alot. So many memories and ideas. Hope Granny is alright. Hugs to her. Anna from Arkansas.
As I get older, I wish I had never started collecting anything. My girls will not care to keep any of the things that mean so much to me. I often wonder who donates some of the valuable things I see at thrift stores. The answer is, probably my daughters.
True gifts of precious treasures & memories that live on . So much Love !
I’m going straight to Perdition for this lame joke, but:
Miss Cindy probably framed more people than a corrupt D.A…but at least they didn’t suffer on account of it.
Tis a bitter-sweet thing to go through a loved one’s things – but what treasures such items are – like your angel art and the deer picture for Matt and even finding the picture of your friend David. How wonderful that the place is staying in the family too. Our loved ones may be no longer present with us, but as long as they are in our heart they never really are gone. – we carry them into the present and future with us. Praying for y’all and especially for Granny.
That was a precious video. It was sad and sweet. Thank you for sharing this with us.
It’s amazing what treasures turn up after someone passes. When my grandmother died, we found flour- and feedsack material that she had saved; I now have two aprons made from it. She also had a Christmas tree skirt that she was making and had half finished. My mother brought it home and completed it. My husband and I are in the process of cleaning out my father-in-law’s trailer (he passed on Mother’s Day weekend last year) so that our son can move in. My husband brought home a bushel-sized box chock full of photos; he and I spent part of our Christmas vacation sorting photos (it took a couple of days). There were a few hidden gems in there and lots of good memories.
My mother cried like a child when a box full of her photos got wet from a blowing rain and stuck together. She tried to peel them apart, but that was impossible. Had I been there, I could have saved them by soaking them in a pan of water until they separated on their own. She got teary again when I told her that.
Wow what a treasure and how wonderful that the property is still in the family. How far away exactly is it from Wilson Holler? Hopefully it will continue to be enjoyed for many years for the memories it holds of dear Miss Cindy
About 3 miles 🙂
Hi Tipper,
We enjoy your channel each time we tune in. Have you thought of physically moving the bunk house to you or your daughter’s property? What a fun art house/club house for the boys!
Joan, that would be nice but it might be cheaper just to build another 🙂
I watched the video last night. Miss Cindy was organized and thrifty. She had an eye for quality art whether in the beautiful design of the frame or the art work she discovered. I like the idea of you painting over that long picture in order to keep the frame. That frame was beautiful.
It was amazing to see how well the inside of the bunkhouse looked. I would have thought with some of the spaces in the walls, wind would have blown some items around. Also it didn’t appear to have any signs of mice. Thanks for taking us on that walk down memory lane.
looks like all you need to do to finish those almost done pictures she had started was to get her glazing gun (or whatever she used) to secure on the backside the pieces in place into the frame
what a bittersweet moment for you….someone will be very excited to become the new owners of all those frames and the mat board if at some point you decide to get rid of any of it.
you mentioned Paul owns her house now but I suppose you intentionally did not say for what—it is not big enough for a tennis court lol but still a nice guessing game I can play with myself as to what Paul is using the home for (bad English–‘do not end a sentence with a preposition’, some things pounded into my head all those years ago in school just will not leave ha) praying for Granny
Winston Churchill had no problem ending a sentence with a preposition occasionally. When someone chided him for it, he reportedly said, “That is a criticism up with which I will not put.”
A walk down memory lane can certainly illicit a lot of emotions, but finding mementos like your angels, the deer and pictures of Mr. David, showed you that you were all at the top of Miss Cindy’s mind. Her last creations, before getting sidetracked with her yard(I SO CAN RELATE!!) & eventually falling ill, were for her family. That’s a legacy of love, right there. Thank you both for sharing that personal video of your time capsule of sorts.
Woke up to enough snow here in southeastern Ohio to close the schools. I miss the days of my children being young and playing in the snow with them. Your video last night touched my heart. I remember going through mom’s unfinished projects. The hardest thing was to go through her clothes. She had a black cat (looked a lot like Binks) and he mourned her for months. He sat on and smelled each piece of her wardrobe. The other thing was her prosthetic leg—not many people deal with that. Because she requested cremation it couldn’t go with her. We found a wonderful organization, Limbs for Life, that use the donations for people who have no means to obtain a prosthesis both here and internationally. Maybe this information will help someone in this wonderful community with a similar situation. Miss Cindy was a beautiful woman and the love she had in her life was evident in you and Matt. Prayers for all of your family.
It’s bittersweet going through our loved ones treasures. I would have loved having a space like Miss Cindy had. Precious memories! How they linger!!!
I was moved by the video last night. I’m sure that it tugged on your hearts to go through Miss Cindy’s project shed. Men have it rough. We girls can break down and cry but many men hold it together until they are alone. I think maybe that’s why the bunk house was built. The only time I ever saw my dad cry was when my mom died. She died suddenly and tragically. He cried once in our presence. Just once. It is burned in my memory and as heartbreaking to me as my mother’s death. He, too, is now with the Lord.
That would be a good story, “The man in the bunk house”. Tipper, you are such a talented writer and have a great imagination. You should write a novel about the man in the bunkhouse. Have a great day all of you acorns.
One memory leads to another. A talented and greatly admired Georgia outdoor writer, the late Charlie Elliott, had a sort of a bunk house like the one described today. Mr. Charlie called it his Pout House. He also had a great sense of humor.
Heartwarming. Those finds are priceless treasures y’all will cherish always.
Stay warm. Feels like 9 degrees in NE Canton GA. I imagine y’all are colder than that.
Happy New Year 2026! I’m told I should “only” say that the first few days of the new year, or perhaps the first time I’ve seen someone in the new year. Or “just” through January. Well, February is a short month… and the year is newer than older right through June! But really, I want you to know what a blessing your daily postings are. And Cindy… how precious to know someone you care about, cared. At “impossible” times, losing a loved one, person or critter, it’s impossible to say “adequate” words so I always say, we keep them in our hearts. We keep Cindy in our hearts. What REALLY matters is our hearts toward God, and toward each other. Happy New Year! I wish each and every one of You the VERY BEST!
I can imagine that going through Miss Cindy’s framing studio is a visit that brings sadness, happiness and wonderful memories. I know when we cleaned out my mother-in-laws home after she passed away, there was lots of discussion over the memories that came back while we worked. She has been gone for 24 years and that doesn’t seem possible when I think about it.
What a treasure is the print of Miss Cindy! I’m anxious to see where you hang it!
To my acorn friends that are home or at work today, stay warm and safe.
What a sweet gift to “visit” Miss Cindy’s home and feel and see her love for you all, all around you. My mom came across lots of old tools in one of her sheds when she and my stepdad were getting together a garage sale. She said that after grandpa died, she gathered up all his old tools from his workshop and squirreled them away. She told me I could take whatever I wanted, so now whenever I go into my garage, and I see my grandpa’s tools or use one of the old nails or screws from his little jars, I think of him.
Kirsten, I have a few tools that either belonged to my daddy, granddaddys or my father in law. I have blacksmith tools that belonged to my great granddaddy. I never knew him, he died in 1925. I consider a broken blade butcher knife (think Old Hickory) to be one of my most prized possessions. It belonged to my maternal granddaddy. I lived beside of him and spent every possible minute I could with him. I was 17 when he died. It is worthless to anyone else, the wooden handle is worn as smooth as glass, he carried it in the pants leg pocket of his overalls. It means so much to me that I keep it in a fireproof safe. I never use any of these tools without thinking of the one they once belonged too. I also never write about this knife without thinking of Jim Casada and his granddaddy’s rocking chair.
good morning friends,God bless you, I remember Miss Cindy, it wasn’t that long ago, God comfort the family
God morning Tipper, Matt and Acorns. BBBRRR, it is 12F here in NE TN this morning. I’ve had earache all night. It will pass when the wind dies down. I enjoyed the video of y’all going thru the bunk house. I’m so glad the property stayed in your family. This would be perfect for an art Studio for you Tipper. You need to take time for yourself to do this for you. Even a few hours a week. I loved the little Japanese Pen and Ink painting that you picked up on the big black topped table. I also love the prints Miss Cindy had of your Folk Art Angel. You could sell your angels on etsy. I keep everyone here and up Wilson Hollow in my prayers. I love y’all. -Barbara
That was such a surprise to find those pictures she was working on. Also to find the one of her from 1994. She truly was a beautiful lady.
I helped my Daddy go through his parents house after Grandma had died. Grandpa had passed 20 years before her so there were lots of good memories when we went through everything. Now I live in that house and I still find things in the basement that we’re grandpa and grandmas. Such precious memories.
This brings back so many feelings for me after having many loves one die and then go through their things. I can’t put these feelings into words others would understand. Why did the man wanted that one room? One thing I often think and dream about is wishing I had a small one room old fashion log cabin off by itself in the mountains by a creek I could go to and be by my self. I have always wanted to be myself away from everybody when I am bothered by death of loved ones or other things. My life now after my wife’s death is like being on a roller coaster- up one minute and down the next. This does not make sense after what I just wrote, now after my wife’s death, the happiest moments of my life is just being together and spending time with my son and two grandsons.
Watching that video of y’all going through the things made me emotional. When Momma died we had to go through her and Daddy’s place. Knowing the projects that were started would never be finished was a hard one. Little things like their hankies they carried ever day made me cry. Still do. Miss Cindy had good taste. You can see it in the things she chose to frame. It’s a time of sadness and joy from the memories.
I’m putting a loaf of sourdough bread in the oven. It’s been fermenting all night. A piece of warm bread before I leave for work on this very cold day will be good! Y’all have a wonderful day full of blessings! Look for the blessings they’re all around.
I forgot to mention yesterday that we call it “chuck”. We chuck the stove. Chuck a piece of wood in the fire.