by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Sep 26, 2022 | Hiking, Memories, Nature
When we were kids walking home from the school bus along a West Virginia dirt road, touch-me-not or jewel weed offered excellent entertainment. And now, as an adult, when I’m walking Thistle along mountain trails, I keep an eye out for plump jewel weed pods....
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Aug 22, 2022 | Nature
Something was eating my tomato plant. At first, I thought it was deer. So I moved the potted tomato onto the back terrace where I hoped they wouldn’t find it. Still, leaves disappeared and there were black castings on the ground that made me suspect something...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Jun 6, 2022 | Appalachian, Family, Memories, Nature
A new deck is going up on our house as I write this. And I can hardly wait to sit out there in the cool of the evening. At our last house, my husband and I would often sit on the front porch steps, chatting lazily, watching Thistle poke around, and waving at passing...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Mar 28, 2022 | Appalachian, Hiking, Nature, Writing
My favorite way to brainstorm a new story is wearing a pair of hiking shoes on a mountain trail with my dog snuffling through the leaves. I get the BEST ideas! Since our move a little north and east in our section of the Appalachian Mountains, we’ve been getting...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Mar 21, 2022 | Nature, Poetry, Waiting
Spring is often a bit of a tease in the mountains. Early, warm days will trick you into putting out flowers and bedding plants only to see an April frost literally nip them in the bud. I have a spot all picked out for my tomatoes (maybe they won’t get blight in...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Sep 22, 2021 | Appalachian, folklore cures, Nature, superstition
CATCH A FALLING LEAF – Today is the first day of autumn–yay! I LOVE fall with cooler days, blue skies, glorious leaves, and apple picking. But TODAY is extra special in Appalachia because this is your chance to guarantee you stay healthy this winter (and...
