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Across the Fence:  Appalachia  |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 12:25:06 PM
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I have the thing about Appalachia. I'm still looking for info and sites via the net. If anyone has info or can point in the right direction I'd greatly appreciate it! I love the crafts, music, history, how it is today, the simple living/poverty means, etc. Anything! please
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirlslonggreen.blogspot.com/
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 1:24:13 PM
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Also, Rory Kennedy (a daughter of Robert) did a documentary in the mid 80's? It's called American Hollow, I think....here is a blurb"
You may think being brought up a Kennedy would be a lifetime away from an Appalachian family in Mudlick Hollow, Kentucky. But Rory Kennedy discovered we are all more alike than different. Rory set out to make a documentary but returned with a whole new perspective. She tells us how making her documentary American Hollow made an impact on her spirit.
Rory says that her father, Robert Kennedy, visited Appalachia in 1964 and was very moved by what he saw — malnourished children, dilapidated houses — and it was a real turning point in his life. She believes this is a reason she was always very interested in Appalachia.
In making the film and the book, she lived with a family for a year on and off. This family of thirteen children all live within a stone's throw of each other. It was a really profound experience for her. She found that even though there is poverty there, there is something else — a sense of family and community and tradition that is really celebrated.
Rory's inspiration comes from living with these people, who have been through so much — especially a 70–year old mother who still gets up at 5am — working 15 to 18 hour a day — never tiring. The ability they have to tap into their inner spirit, and their undeniable strength to handle daily life in Appalachia teaches lessons for all to live by
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Peanut
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jennifer
Waverly
Virginia
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 2:03:00 PM
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I love Appalachia too. My ex-husband's family lives in Wytheville, VA and I really loved every moment I spent there. However I didn't see the stereotypical poverty that most "flatlanders" like me would have expected. That's the only problem I had with "American Hollow" (1999) - Rory Kennedy had to trek through miles and miles of good schools, brand new libraries and financially comfortable families in order to find this one family who represented the "slack jawed yokel" stereotype. Even the people I met who lived below the poverty level did so with great dignity.
Sharyn McCrumb (the novelist from Appalachia), wrote a barely concealed scathing review of "American Hollow" in one of her novels.
"American Hollow" is a well made documentary, but keep the above in mind if you watch it. I do recommend Sharyn McCrumb's "ballad" novels about Appalachia - she's a terrific author.
"What is a farm but a mute gospel?"
Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 2:35:39 PM
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Bridget you have touched on a subject that we eastern ky people love to talk about, My husbands father lived in Harlan Ky in or around the early 20sand built mining camps We still have family in that area, We used to take him back up to visit his brothers and some of the houses were on steep hill sides and the back or front porches would be very tall off of the ground, lots of times with a creek running under the porches, If it was summer time you would usually see long strings of learher britches {green beans} drying for winter food, Jessica has given you lots of info, her grandmother my mom lives in London , she was from may king near Whites burg, Alot of the mountain people settled around London years ago after the mining camps closed out, my moms family was one of those Thats why a lot of us still have mountain ways even though we didnt really consider our selves mountain people , we had mountain up bringing,moonshining was probably probably one of the biggest industries besides mining,Friends were loved, enemies were shot, e have always laughed because even most people were poor , you would see more 100.00 bill come out of bib overhauls than any where in Ky. My husbands grand father was one of the wealthiest men in Harlan County, He had a large family, One of the stories is he came home with a roll of $20 bills and devided them out, one of the daughters wasnt happy to just get 20 so she threw it in the fireplace and another sister ran outside and caught it when it came out the chimney, In the early 1900s Grand pa gave all of his children enough money to buy them a farm except one ,That one was married and had gotten a girl pregnant so he got left out , That was an absolute no do in decent families, funny thing after he seperated from his wife he raised their two children from babies and was a favorite uncle with the whole family
I am a farm girl married to a sewing machine
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 2:43:38 PM
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Bridget if you really would like to read about some of the Ky ancesters get the book by Jessie STUART Taps To Private Tussie , I t is when welfare first started here I am telling you that is the funniest book I have ever read in my life
I am a farm girl married to a sewing machine
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 4:35:43 PM
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I have that book by Rory Kennedy. Also saw the show on pbs. Very interesting. Miss Wilma, I just ordered the JESSIE STUART BOOK YOU MENTIONED. GOT IT USED FOR 1.99.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 4:49:00 PM
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nancy are you getting your emails now I would like to send you a list Wg
I am a farm girl married to a sewing machine
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 7:25:31 PM
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Oh my Nancy you hit my sweet spot - Jessie Stuart. In 4th grade, I won a "Kentucky History Bee" (kinda like a spelling bee but with Kentucky history questions. My award was a large laminated poem of Jessie Stuart. I enjoy reading his stuff.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~
Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow...
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/ |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2008 : 2:02:37 PM
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Bridget - I forgot to mention "Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour" that is produced out of Lexington, Kentucky. It is an hour long "radio show" featuring artists, some being from the Appalachian region. You can listen to the show on the radio or online and can watch it too. The website is www.woodsongs.com
I've been to a few performances and they were pretty good. Rhonda Vincent was on there this past Monday and unfortunately I wasn't able to see her since tickets sold out. I'm hoping to get tickets for her show at Renfro Valley later this year.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~
Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow...
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/ |
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farmgirl blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
777 Posts
Lea
TN
777 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2008 : 11:55:04 AM
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I'm an Appalachian girl myself. Born & bred in the mountains of West Virginia. A couple of my favorite books are:
Mountain Hands ~ A Portrait of Southern Appalachia (excellent accounts of appalachian artisans)
A People and Their Quilts (features many Appalachian quilt makers & their art)
Dorie Woman of the Mountains (a personal account of an Appalachian Woman & her journey)
These are some really fabulous books. They can be purchased used through Amazon & even in eBay stores. I just can never get enough stories about my ancestors & they way they lived. Both my parents are from West Virginia while my mil is from Appalachian Kentucky. The heritage they've given us is just wonderful!
Best wishes on your search!
Blessings, Lea
www.farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com
www.farmhouseblessings.etsy.com
www
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2008 : 12:52:45 PM
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I love, love, love the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina, North Georgia and Kentucky!!! In fact, I just was on Amazon this afternoon looking for more books about the Applachians. I just finished a book called Cataloochie by Wayne Caldwell. It is a novel based on true history about the land that was taken by the government to become The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is a great read!
I have read all of Silas House's books, and Lee Smith writes great books about Appalachia too. And do not forget Charles Frazier. He has a new out out called Thirteen Moons. I couod go on and on! I have read the Foxfire Books, and there is an interesting one called "My Journey to Appalachia - A Year at the Folk School, by Eleanor Wilson. It is about The John Campbell School of Folk Art near the border of Georgia and North Carolina.
Thanks for all the great suggestion above!
Jeannie
Farmgirl Sister # 31
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2008 : 1:03:37 PM
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Oh Jeannie, I will have to take a peek at those books you mentioned. I mentioned the Appalachian Heritage magazine and they do book reviews as well and specials on particular artists, etc. I love going down to Gatlinburg, TN and that area in the fall time. It is just beautiful down there. There is nothing in this world like our Appalachian mountains!
~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~
Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow...
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/ |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 06:18:07 AM
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Bridget - I just thought of you. I just got done watching a program talking about the stereotypes of Appalachian folk and the music over the years. I can't tell you how many times I cringe when you get that "image" of what people consider "dumb hillbilly with no teeth, no shoes, etc" when I hear certain songs or hear certain things. Dueling Banjos is one of those songs that I don't mind a bit hearing at a bluegrass pickin session, but when I see it outside of that I cringe. I never liked the the Beverly Hillbillies because of the stereotypes of people in it. Especially in Ky, people thing that everyone is poor and the girls are barefoot and pregnant. It is so not true. I've traveled through the hills of Kentucky and have personally met folks. A lot of them say tv and movies can portray a bad image of our region.
Here is my all time favorite quote from Ashley Judd: "“Tough girls come from New York. Sweet girls, they're from Georgia. But us Kentucky girls, we have fire and ice in our blood. We can ride horses, be a debutante, throw left hooks, and drink with the boys, all the while making sweet tea, darlin'. And if we have an opinion, you know you're gonna hear it.”
~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~
Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow...
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/ |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 06:35:00 AM
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Well Jessica I think I was born in KY and misplaced in regards to that quote! That's always been me. I am prim and proper but can hold my own darn it, my fam still worries that someone will do something bad to me ( lil protective there) and I said if someone kidnapped me they'd let me go from my mouth!
I would love to travel the trail someday and talk to people in the "boonies" forgive that reference. I love hearing stories and music and how people live. I go to Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV they have some info but not enough for my liking. Check out their store http://www.augustaheritage.com/store.html
Oprah did do a special on people in WV in the hills that really are living like the stereoptype. It was quite sad. Lord I want to travel right now so bad. I'm still checking out info that you all posted! THANKS LOADS!!!!
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirlslonggreen.blogspot.com/
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 09:43:48 AM
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Hey there. Oh don't worry about the boonies. I've learned life's greatest lessons living back in the boonies growing up and even the last few days at my aunt and uncle's house. I love the peaceful and quietness out here. The drive is just beautiful.
Oh I remember the Augusta Heritage Center. Thanks for giving me that link. I got to revisit them sometime again. Our Ky History Center over in Frankfort has some wonderful historical artifacts and a shop. The genealogy and family history center upstairs is wonderful to look through records.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~
Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow...
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/ |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 09:55:04 AM
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Oh you definitely got to come to Kentucky sometime! When my hubby and I were thinking about where to spend our honeymoon a few years ago, we thought about coming to Pennsylvania. We ended up going to Nashville. I would love to see the Amish country up in PA. We always go up to Ohio and Indiana to see their Amish country and buy stuff up there. Maybe one day we can get up there.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~
Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow...
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/ |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 09:57:43 AM
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Oh yes you have to go to Lancaster!!!! Fabulous finds and people. We have Amish friends and it started when my auntie Rebecca met Rebecca the amish girl in the quilt shop and started talking and became lifelong penpals. We visited them last summer and it was nice. Sat on their porch while they ate dinner (all corn) and then watched them try to ride the one horse that wasn't quite broke.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirlslonggreen.blogspot.com/
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Across the Fence: Appalachia |
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Appalachia
