Once again, Appalachia is ahead of the curve. Last week, when people began taking this whole coronavirus business more seriously (aka panicking a wee bit), the grocery stores were hit hard. There were the usual suspects–milk and bread–but folks also started buying staples like they were planning to set up a basement shelter to waitContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – Covid Cuisine”
Category Archives: Family
Appalachian Thursday – “It’s not real.”
I recently had my grandmother’s engagement ring restored (thank you Andy at Marthaler Jewelers!) It now sparkles like it must have when Grandpa bought it more than 60 years ago. The ring is VERY special to me. Grandma Burla was Grandpa Rex’s second wife. But he married her before I came along so I neverContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – “It’s not real.””
Appalachian Thursday – Sustainable Eating
My great-grandmother was on the sustainable eating bandwagon before it was even a thing. Of course, she called it “surviving.” She mostly ate what the family grew, foraged, or hunted. They took what they needed with a little extra to “lay by.” Sustainable. Not to mention practical. Just before Christmas I was listening to theContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – Sustainable Eating”
Appalachian Thursday – The Last Thanksgiving?
I like Thanksgiving almost as much as Easter. It combines gratitude with amazing food and those are two of my favorite things. And Thanksgiving at our family farm has long held a special place in my heart. When I was a kid, Thanksgiving most years centered on my Mom’s family. My grandparents, my aunt andContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – The Last Thanksgiving?”
My WV book event–the REAL highlights!
Last week I had the chance to do a reading and book signing at my hometown library in Buckhannon, WV. It was wonderful, but it was SO much more than a book event. So today I thought I’d share some of the REAL highlights from the day. My almost nine-year-old niece got her first libraryContinue reading “My WV book event–the REAL highlights!”
Appalachian Thursday – At Home in WV
Today I’m visiting family in WV. We’re headed to Beverly and Dailey this morning–sites for my 2020 novel. And this evening I’ll be giving a talk and doing a signing at the Upshur County Public Library (my childhood library!) for When Silence Sings. So not much of a post today–just a photo of Main StreetContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – At Home in WV”
Leanna Sain – HUSH Releasing 11-19-19
I met Leanna at a book event in Flat Rock, NC. We were seated together behind a table piled with our books hoping attendees would flock to buy them! And when we weren’t being flocked, we got to talk and discovered much in common beyond being writers. Now, Leanna’s stories aren’t like mine–her latest featuresContinue reading “Leanna Sain – HUSH Releasing 11-19-19”
The Joy of NOT Winning a Christy Award
Nope. Didn’t win. Except, maybe I did in a way. Oh, I don’t have one of those sparkly glass awards to sit on my desk, but I sure as shooting felt like a winner last week at the Christy Award Gala and in the days following. MY WINS: I got to wear a fancy dress.Continue reading “The Joy of NOT Winning a Christy Award”
Appalachian Thursday – Pot-bellied Stoves
I’ve written potbellied stoves into a couple of my stories. You’ll still find them plenty of places in Appalachia and I have direct experience with two. Our one-room church had a potbellied stove on each side of the sanctuary. It was a deacon’s job to come to church early in the winter to get theContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – Pot-bellied Stoves”
Appalachian Thursday – Cracking Nuts
The apples have fallen, the pumpkins are getting carved, and the leaves are turning orange and yellow and red. Must be time for the nut harvest! Of course, if we don’t hurry, the critters will beat us to it. Growing up on the farm, we had walnuts, chestnuts, and filberts (hazelnuts). With walnuts, it wasContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – Cracking Nuts”
