✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* you’re as welcome as the flowers in may *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Goldenrod is more than just a weed- it's a powerful herb that can be used in so many situations- from sore throats to wound care. Here's how I use it.

The Great Morel sighting maps are a great resource for monitoring the progression of the morel mushroom and when one might begin their foraging adventure. New and improved morel sightings map along with historical maps to help monitor and watch for the morel coming to a woods near you.

Sunday's I love to share what's been inspiring me, books I'm reading, what I'm listening to, and recipes I'm trying. I also share an encouraging devotion.

Hi, I’m Gwen, I’m a multi-tasking mom of four, and a lover of good books, walks in nature, good food, and the laughter, joy, & beauty in life. In my life before motherhood, I was an artist, doing portraiture and murals. These days you’ll find me using that creativity to whip up (and write about)...Read More »

There are so many talented people here in Appalachia. For every person you have heard of from this neck of the woods who can play and sing, there are many more playing in small venues, who's names are known by few but who are every bit as talented as the biggest star who ever graced the stage. One might say that there is as much unmined talent in these parts as there is unmined coal. One such talent that I stumbled upon quite by accident while researching music and/or videos to share with you regarding the people of Appalachia is one Alan Johnston or "cathead 77" as he calls himself on the YouTube videos that he posts. If you have never heard Mr. Johnston, or his daughters Stacy Grubb or Jessi Shumate..you owe it to yourself to find one of their CDs. Cathead is a rare and wonderful talent with a Waylon Jennings like voice. Raw and natural. Truly. As real as it gets -and in every way Appalachian. It is his rendition of Sweet Appalachia (and that of his band, "South 52) that I chose to represent the spirit of my entire blog. The link for the song "Sweet Appalachia", performed by Mr. Johnston, is posted above--directly under the cover picture. To hear this anthem for what it is to be Appalachian, just click on the words "Sweet Appalachia". I believe that this song was also recorded by the great bluegrass legend, Del McCoury as well, but quite honestly, for this particular song, I prefer the raw and unembellished voice of "Cathead" to that of Del. Maybe it's because I know Mr. Johnston is living the life he's singing about. He is a resident of West Virginia and has been most of his life, so far as I know. I do not know Mr. Johnston's heritage but, judging strictly from his soulful, beautiful voice, and his remarkable ability to put feelings into words through the songs that he writes, I would venture to guess that he is of the Scotch-Irish desent like so many in Appalachia are. Mr. Johnston, if I am wrong, my humble apologies to you sir. But your music so touched a chord within me that I wanted to share it and give you your proper due here in this, my own humble forum. The fact is, like so many talented Appalachians, Mr. Johnston has many songs, most of which you probably have never heard before. Many tell a story of an actual event that happened in Appalachia or speak to ongoing events that affect this region. All resonate with his deep and abiding faith. I chose one here for this purpose to share with you because it is a tribute to the Appalachian coal miner, a profession shared by so many here in Eastern Kentucky and all through Appalachia. The song is entitled "Sky of Stone" and the accompanying pictures that Mr. Johnston uses with his song are from a world that was exactly like that of my daddy's coal mining days. My daddy's work was before the big machines and the mountain top removal methods used today. Daddy and his fellow mine brothers worked with pic axe and shovel, often on their hands and knees for eight hour shifts, forcing the earth to give up her bounty. For this they received what, for the time, might have been an honest days wage, but also an old man's lungs by the time they were thirty. Just as today, the coal companies back then got rich off the backs of these Appalachian men.--while Appalachian families struggled to make ends meet. I'm not anti-coal production by any means, but it has always been the case that the coal companies made the money while the people and the land of Appalachia were used so long as they had something to give and then left behind when they had "give out". This song, so beautifully and hauntingly sung (and written) by Mr. Johnston, along with his video, tells the story of yesterday's Appalachian coal miner. It is the lives of our fathers, and grandfathers in pictures set to music. It is their story, and it deserves to be told and no one tells it better than cathead in this song. No words that I could write would give you a deeper understanding of the conditions in which these men lived and died. Enjoy-- and if it moves you as it does me...perhaps you could drop Cathead a note and tell him you enjoyed his music. Oh, and his lovely, and oh so talented daughter, Stacy, is the voice you hear singing backup on this. Daddy, I know that no one loved or missed coal mining any more than you did and if God allows, I know you're listening tonight in heaven as Cathead sings this tribute song to you and your many fellow miners and their families of Appalachia. Joe France, Jr.-- 1921-1995 --beloved husband, father, grandfather, and Appalachian miner, I dedicate this song to you. --To hear Cathead's song "Sky of Stone" , click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1yB_7Wprk&featured=related Note: Photograph above is called: "Coal Miner Teach Slone" I do not own the rights to this photograph. It is part of the Earl Palmer Appalachian Photograph and Artifact Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond Virginia and can be viewed at the Library of Virginia website. All rights and priviledges for this photograph belong to them.

2020 album from the progressive-aggressive metal band from Vancouver, Canada.

You have personal and important documents that you can’t afford to lose if such a disaster were to occur, so that means it is time to protect them.

In my neck of the woods, somewhere within the Blue Ridge Mountains, we have in our history those who made more than their fair mark, who we call, Granny Women, or what many now days call, Granny Wi…

In my neck of the woods, even two gay men in 2004 didn’t want to be Democrats. We can change this stigma—but we need to learn how to speak Republican.

A wonderful week is worth looking back at. Here’s what I’ve been up to, loving and being inspired by. (Affiliate links are used for your convenience. Read my full disclosure here.) read the post → about From My Neck of the Woods No. 36

Ah! well a-day! what evil looks Had I from old and young! Instead of the cross, the Albatross About my neck was hung. – The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1798 Gustave Doré created these illustrations for a 1877 German edition The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor … Continue reading "Gustave Doré Illustrations for The Rime of the Ancient Mariner – 1877"

If winter means "wet" in your neck of the woods, Umbra has a few hints for making sure your dwelling stays high and dry.

Here's just a small sampling of some of my favorite images from the garden and the sea, both near and far~

“In the woods too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough, and at what period soever of life, is always a child. In the woods, is perpetual youth.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am finding pleasure in the pathless woods today to celebrate Earth Day. How are you celebrating? ~Tammy

I sat down among the full house of the lucky people that made it to the Andrew Robinson Theater for the UNF Musical Theatre Club’s “Into the Woods.” With very little knowledge of the play itself besides my short acting career in 7th grade, when I myself played Rapunzel in my school’s very own rendition, I was...