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...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Aug 23, 2021 | Nature
Hurricane Fred blew through here last week. We moved to the mountains to get away from hurricanes and by and large we have. Plus, a hurricane on the coast is a whole other beast than one that’s bullied its way into the mountains. All that land and topography...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Aug 19, 2021 | Appalachian, Nature
While I love fall, I also love these days when I can begin to ANTICIPATE fall. Because half the fun of a thing, is looking forward to it. Hmmm. Maybe more than half the fun! As I get out and take Thistle for walks, or open my window on a cool morning, I’m definitely...