by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Jul 22, 2021 | Appalachian, books, folklore cures, Nature
I love it when friends keep an eye out for items they know I’ll treasure. Last week my friend Jessie slipped me a copy of Appalachian Folk Medicine: Native Plants and Healing Traditions. It was a donated to the thrift store at the ministry where I work and I...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Jul 19, 2021 | Appalachian, Hiking, Nature
I keep thinking it might be okay to start watching the news again. Then I do and . . . oh well. But it IS okay–more than okay–to check in with summer in the mountains of western North Carolina. While I’m more of a fan of spring and fall, I sure...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Jun 17, 2021 | Appalachian, Nature
Old wives’ tale? Myth? Made up story? I don’t know for sure, but I do know that in Appalachia most folks will tell you to leave black snakes alone. They’ll even work to make them feel welcome. Okay, at least not unwelcome! Why? There are a variety of...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Jun 10, 2021 | Appalachian
The official start of summer is still a little ways off, but it FEELS like summer in the mountains of North Carolina right now. The days are warm and humid, but not that sticky hot of August. Evenings and mornings are refreshingly cool and rain showers often pop up in...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | May 20, 2021 | Appalachian, Hiking, Nature
We went on an orchid hunt earlier this week. When you mention Appalachia, not many people think–oh, great place to find orchids. But it IS. And I love that. Of course, if you spend much time around this blog or over on my Facebook or Instagram pages you know...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Apr 19, 2021 | Appalachian, Church, Family, Memories
We’ve gone from winter to grass-mowing season here in Western North Carolina. Lawns are suddenly lush and thick and green . . . and in need of maintenance. Let me just say, I’m not a fan of cutting the grass and thankfully my husband is the Head of Lawn Maintenance at...
