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 | Jul 15, 2021 | folklore cures, Nature, Writing
In The Finder of Forgotten Things one of my characters gathers and dries flowers to make Oswego tea. It’s a drink I’d heard of over the years, but didn’t really know much about. So I did a little research. Other names for the plant are bergamot,...
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 | 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 | May 13, 2021 | Memories, Nature
Summer is right around the corner and that means WATERMELON time! Growing up watermelon was such a fun summer treat. We had it at Farm Bureau picnics, family reunions, cookouts, and any ole time for a refreshing treat. We even grew watermelon some years. A time or...
