Fodder Shock & Garden Shade

Fodder Shock

   It is a beautiful day in Southeastern Kentucky, today. The mid 50's temperatures this morning has turned into 70's with filtered sun, shinning through the clouds, this noonday.  July, usually holt and smoltery has been a beautiful month this year.
   We planted part of our garden with a second crop of beans, sun flowers, minature gourds, dill, marigolds, and coneflowers,  and needed to clear our small corn patch to plant mustard greens and turnips; so today we shocked the corn to clear the ground.
   We're not rushing Fall, just shocking the corn out of necessity.  Hopefully in a week or so, we will do the rest of our planting.

'Old Shep' Found a Shade

   While we were shocking our corn, our cat, 'Old Shep' rested in the shade of the 'Princess Feathers' I have planted along the edge of the garden.  He wants to be with us, whatever we are doing, but, he always finds a shade.









   How Blessed we are to live in the country, be able to raise a garden, and to have the companionship of and 'Old Shepherd Cat'.  Hope you are Blessed wherever you are, Trisha

Where Mayapple Grew

Yesterday, I talked with someone from my childhood days,
and, I was reminded of things, I hadn't  thought of in awhile.
It was in the early 1960’s, we lived on a small farm in Rockholds Ky.
We had a cow named Phoebe, and lived a mostly quiet life.
Though we lived within a few hundred feet of a major highway,
the farm stretched for what seemed like miles behind our home.

We played in the big woods behind our house and walked through patches of Mayapple, 

standing like tiny umbrellas across the shaded forest floor.
One day our trek through the woods took us a little farther than we were
used to going.  We were within earshot, and clear sight of a railroad track,
we heard a train coming, and ventured a little closer out of curiosity.

Though we had seen trains when we went to town,

 viewing one up close was something we were not used to. 

 This particular day was eventual in it’s own way.  

We didn’t realize it then, but, we were watching history in the making.

We were a couple of hundred feet from the railroad track, 

and watched as the train slowly traveled the long stretch of rail.  

Our eyes widened when we saw the train cars loaded with missiles, 

with armed soldiers, standing along side them.  

We watched for awhile, not knowing exactly what this was about, 

but, decided we should run back to the house and tell mom about it.
We later found out about the Cuban Missile Crisis, then about a year later 

                                     our beloved President, John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
                                            On that warm and quiet day beyond the big woods
                                             where Mayapple grew, we watched history unfold.

Underneath the Frost is Green

Underneath the Frost is Green

   Frost blanketed the fields

 behind our house this morning; 

though our thermometer read 30 degrees,

it felt much colder.  

The sun came up only a short while ago, 

and is already melting the frost away.  

When I poured my coffee, 

I looked out and saw everything frosted over, and thought how warm the sun felt,

 shining through my kitchen window;  

and how underneath the frost was green, 

and how soon this Kentucky sunrise 

will usher in Spring.

Then I am reminded, to everything,

there is a season. 

                                                                                        Have a Blessed Day!  

                                                            Trisha

Our River became a Lake

   We spent this beautiful November evening at Laurel Lake in Southeastern Ky., near our home.  The sun warmed our faces, and leaves rattled in the breeze, as we walked along the banks of the lake.  Laurel River channels through the middle of Laurel Lake winding it's way through points on either side.

Laurel Lake

    Laurel River holds special memories in our hearts.  Almost 40 years ago, we spent our honeymoon in a cabin, there.  Whippoorwill hollered every night we were there.  Even now almost 40 years later, Whippoorwill come back to the same location every Spring.  Today the cabin is covered by water, and we can't tell where the river ends, and the lake begins, but, it's still one of our favorite spots to visit and reminise.  Hope you had a beautiful day in your neck of the woods.   

Blessings,

Trisha

Night Falls on My Old Kentucky Home

Night falls on my old Kentucky home. 

Shades of pink and purple stretch across the horizon,

the sound of katydid and crickets are interupted

by honking geese. 

Children are laughing in the nearby churchyard,

 reminding me that life goes on. 

Somewhere in the world tonight, people are fighting,

some are cheating, some lying;

but, here in our backyard, all is well,

and God is still the God of our lives. 

We talk about the sky, being the same sky over all the earth,

the sun, the moon, and stars, as well. 

We all breathe the same air.  We are all in this together. 

So why do some want to hurt one another? 

It won't always be like that. 

One day peace, love, and Holiness will reign. 

Until then we pray for God's Blessings upon you.  

Trisha

New Meaning to, Is There a Doctor in the House.

My Mom, a Doctor of Sorts 

   The 50's and 60's in South Eastern Kentucky were hard times for many farm families.  There wasn't many jobs in the area; so most people survived by farming, bartering, hunting, and fishing.  There were a few local doctors, but little money that could be spent on doctor's visits. 
   My mom, like so many other ladies in that day, became a doctor of sorts.  She kept a good supply of medicines like Bayer Aprin, Syrup of Black Draught, Alcohol, Peroxide, Iodine, Mercurochrome, Rubbing Liniment, Milk of Magnesia, Soltice, and Vicks Salve.  
   She had many home remedies, as well, for our often mishaps.  For bee stings she soaked a brown paper bag in vinegar and wrapped the affected area, if possible.  The vinegar was to pull out the swelling.  When that wasn't possible, she wet snuff or tobacco and placed over the affected area to pull out the poison.  For nosebleeds, she put an unused cigarette paper under our upper lip, and a cold wet washcloth behind our neck.  She made ginger tea for abdominal pain, and burdock tea for cleansing the blood.  She dabbed turpentine around our shirt sleeves and pants legs, when we went berry picking, to keep chiggers away.  She made hot toddies for the flu, but only the adults took that.  She broke off birch twigs to use for tooth brushes, for in between brushings, use.  Seems a little crude to some, I guess, but, just the way of life for the majority of folks in our area.  
   I thank God for watching over us, and Mom and Dad, during those hard times. 
Have a Blessed day, wherever you are.
Trisha

Hiking in Kentucky Forests

Old Grave Marker in the Woods

   Hiking is one of our favorite things to do on a warm day.  On one of our hiking trips we came across this old gravestone in the woods.  It wasn't far from our house so we decided to go back another time and take a picture of it.  I used a piece of chalk to trace over the carved letters.
   It is a very old gravestone, and many of the letters are written backwards.  The name reads like Sarah Micey, or Sarah Hicey and the date 1867 or 1902 it is really hard to tell.  It is interesting, whatever it reads.  We come across old grave sites often when we go hiking, and it is always a solemn and reverent occasion.  A life that was lived and has gone on, one in which we know nothing of, except these old gravestones.  I am so glad that God the Father, and Jesus Christ the Son, knows who those people are, and not only them, but all that has come before and will come after.  Praise the Lord! 

The Hole in the Rock



The Hole in the Rock

   On the way to our old Country Church in McCreary County, Kentucky, we pass the 'Hole in the Rock'.  It's just another local landmark that sits quietly, adorning the roadside.

   It's only claim to fame, that I know of, is when it was featured on the Kentucky Life TV program.  But, locals tell of childhood memories, playing under the shade of it. 

   Kentucky is blessed with caves, cliffs, natural rock formations, forests, creeks, rivers, and waterfalls.  We thank God for our Old Kentucky Home.

Kentucky Girls making do with What they had.



Kentucky Hair Rollers

   This morning, I thought about what we used to roll our hair with in the 50's and 60's.  We took Prince Albert tobacco cans , took the ends off, pryed them opened at the seams, flattened them out, cut them into 1 inch strips, and rolled each strip in poke paper.  We rolled our hair while it was still wet, wrapping it around the strips and bending the ends over, to hold it in place.  What we ended up with was some really bouncy curls. 
   Sometimes we just used Bobby Pins and made pin curls.  But, we never fretted because we didn't have real hair rollers, we just made do with what God had provided.

Growing up in Kentucky was a Blessing



My Little Sister and Me about 1962

  When I look back at my childhood, I am reminded how blessed we were to have been raised in Kentucky.  This picture was taken in front of my Step Dad's log truck.  He   was a good man and a hard worker.  We never had a lot of money growing up, but, we were blessed with family, friends, and food on the table.
   We used to ride on the back of this old truck.  We stood behind the cab and held on to the buck board.  It was so much fun.  There is so much traffic today that it wouldn't be safe for kids to ride on the back of a log truck.  But, that was a different time.
   My Step Dad taught my older brother about logging.  My brother has made it his business for many years, and has been successful at it. 
    We were taught to be thankful for everything.  I thank God today for all His Blessings, back then and now.

Beautiful Places in Kentucky




Dog Slaughter Falls

     If you are visiting Cumberland Falls in Southeast Kentucky, you might also like to trail off the beaten path to a lesser known spot.  Dog Slaughter Falls is off Hwy. 90, and if you come from I-75 then you will come past the entrance to it.
   The road leading to it  is on the right, shortly after turning onto Hwy. 90, several mile down that road is a hiking trail on the left, the trail goes across a wooden bridge and several mile through the secluded forest to Dog Slaughter Falls.  
    It is beautiful country.  Be sure to take a walking stick, some parts of the trail are steep.  Also, watch out for copperheads; we've seen a few down there. 
Many Blessings.  

An Eastern Bluebird, and a Light Snow Falling, Makes my Heart Smile!





This Eastern Bluebird, just stopped by. 

  














     Another snowy day in Southeast Kentucky is brightened by an unexpected visitor. 
   This morning a light snow is falling and all is quiet around our old Kentucky homeplace.
   We've had Redbirds and Sparrows eating birdseed in the backyard, but, this beautiful bluebird chose to perch on the birdhouse covered with snow.
   My husband built this birdhouse many years ago, and it is a favorite of the Eastern Bluebirds.  We often have two crops of Bluebirds a year in it.  
   Hope you are enjoying the view in your backyard this beautiful day.

Blessed to live in Kentucky



Cumberland Falls

    We count it one of God's many blessings to live in Kentucky.  This is a picture of the beautiful Cumberland Falls in Southern Whitley County, Kentucky. 
   In my book, Kentucky has it all, forests, lakes, rivers, creeks, wildflowers, Southern hospitality, and the Old Country Church.  What more, could anyone ask for?

Raised in the Country

Life in Kentucky in the 1950's

  
  
























   We grew up in Southern Kentucky in a time when no one wasted anything.  Mom and Dad had lived through the Depression Era and raised a big family. 
   Mom even cooked the chicken feet in our dumplings, she said it made them richer.
   Dad did a lot of huntin' so we had plenty of squirrel and rabbit to eat.  We raised our own chickens, grew a garden, and picked every kind of berry there was.
   We picked wild plums, grapes and muscadines and Mom made jelly.  And just because we were kids that didn't excuse us from our part of the work.
   When were too little to do the canning, we still had to wash the jars.  We had to stir the lye soap while it was cooking, gather the eggs, watch out for chicken hawks and such as that. 
   But, somehow we still had time to play most of the day.  God Blessed us real good! 

Life in Kentucky in the Early 1900's

My Husband's Great Grandpa in the early 1900's 

    This is my husband's great grandpa, Tom.  Tom lived in McCreary County, Kentucky and raised a large family there.  He lived a simple and hard life.
   Like most folks back then he lived on a farm and worked hard to raise his family. 
   The large cedar tree, his chair is leaned against, is all that is left of his old homeplace.
    Sometimes one generation will pass, without a single reminder of a person's life.
    But, with God, no one is forgotten.  Thank the Lord!

Hiking in McCreary County Kentucky




Old Rock Fence Back in the Mountains

    One of our favorite things to do on a pretty day is to go hiking.  The last time we went hiking in McCreary County, Kentucky near Beaver Creek, we hiked a few hours and went way up into the mountains and came across this old rock fence.  There were several sections of rock fence that look like may have been used for livestock pens, and one section around a backed up creek, that looks like may have been an old mill pond, at one time or another. 

   There was no trace of a homeplace except for the old rock fences.  It is a beautiful site.  Completely remote and undisturbed for many years.  I was glad I had my camera.  This beautiful place is another one of God's many blessings.  Only seen by those willing to leave the beaten path. 

Pineville Kentucky, Home to Clear Creek Bible College



Walk Bridge at the Clear Creek Bible College

When we travel through Bell County Kentucky we are in awe at the beauty of the mountains reaching high into the sky.  Tourists often visit Pine Mountain State Park, but, not everyone knows how beautiful the Clear Creek Bible College Campus is. This old walk bridge is just one of the pretty sites you find there.  Many of the structures are built with cobblestone.  Some old and some new, but, all are beautiful.

The Natural Arch in McCreary County, Kentucky



The Natural Arch

  
    This is one of my favorite places to go hiking.  This is the Natural Arch in McCreary County, Kentucky.  It is located just off Hwy. 27 between Burnside and Sterns.  It's hard to tell it's size in this picture; it is enormous.  There are beautiful hiking trails that go down under the Arch, and a small park with a shelter and picnic tables.  Nearby are other hiking trails that go through a big Gorge and around other rock formations. 
    It is also near the Blue Herron Coal Mining Camp (Park like replicas) and the Historic town of Sterns.  You may take a train ride through the mountains and up to the Blue Herron.  It is well worth the trip.  I think it is closed during the winter months. 
    Can't you just see God's handiwork everywhere?  I can.  The trees, the sky, the cliffs, the rivers, the flowers and everything else.  When it is cold outside, and we have to stay indoors a lot; I start thinking about places we can go, and things we can do in the Spring.  And I start looking at my seed catalogs and deciding what new flowers or vegetables I want to try come Spring.  And I thank God that we live in such a beautiful place, and thank Him we can get out and enjoy it.

Barefoot in Kentucky, Sure we Were

Barefoot in Kentucky

   Many people like to sneer their noses at Kentucky life in the 50's and 60's.  They think all Kentucky kids went barefoot. Well this little Kentucky girl went barefoot from early summer until Fall; not because she had to, but, because she chose to.  We did of course have to wear shoes when we went somewhere.  And we didn't like it either.  We grew up in Whitley, Laurel, and Jackson Counties, then moved to Southern Indiana for a few years, then back to Kentucky.
   I was so glad to get back home, I've never wanted to move away again.  We live in Southern Whitley County now, it is our home, and it is where we plan to stay until God calls us home.  Lord willing, that is.  I think every child should know what mud squishing between their toes feels like.  And get to make a few mud pies, too.  Kind of keeps us down to earth a little, I think.

Another Kentucky Snowfall

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

  What beauty God has blessed us with, again in the mountains of South Eastern Kentucky.  A mid December snow, how precious.  We went many years, not so long ago without a snow deep enough to track a rabbit in.  But, this year is different.  Thank you God for the beauty and solitude of a fresh fallen snow.  Sure takes us back to when we were kids, and the snow often didn't melt until Spring.  This would be a nice day for a sleigh ride or a good snowball fight.
   Ohh! And some snowcream; haven't had that in a long time.  Think I'll make some, just for old time sake.  Have a great day!  May God Bless You!