by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Feb 7, 2019 | Appalachian, Family, Friends, Writing
A friend and I were talking recently about our families–mostly the senior ladies in our Appalachian families–and how they can take a single word and communicate a wide range of meanings. The perfect example is the word, “well.” Depending on the...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Jan 3, 2019 | Appalachian, Family, Memories
I had no idea something as common and everyday as a pocketknife could stir such passion. Last week I posted a link to an essay in Appalachian Magazine titled “The Kind of Men Who Carry Pocketknives.” Man–the clicks that link got! Since I don’t...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Dec 28, 2018 | Appalachian, Family, Memories, Writing
Yes, I know it’s Friday. At least now I do. I’ll blame it on the holidays throwing me off. All day yesterday I thought it was still Wednesday and so I neglected to get this post ready and up. But here it is, a day late and hopefully NOT a dollar short....
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Dec 20, 2018 | Appalachian, Family, History, holidays, Memories, superstition, Thistle
While I suppose we were relatively modern when it came to my childhood Christmases, the old-timey traditions are still hanging on in the mountains. And there are some I very much think we should revive for broader use. Here are a few of my favorite Appalachian...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Dec 13, 2018 | Appalachian, Family, holidays, Memories, Waiting
Guess what? It’s 12 days ’til Christmas! Yup, Christmas is less than two weeks away. Are you ready? Are you counting down with joy and anticipation? Or is there a little how-will-I-get-everything-done dread mixed in there? When I was little, we had a count-down to...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Dec 3, 2018 | Family, Food, Friends, Love, Thistle
It’s that time of year. The time when car commercials begin subtly hinting that this year a Jaguar or new SUV would be the perfect gift. And while I wouldn’t say no to a Jaguar (even if it DID have 981 miles on it), that really isn’t my idea of a...
