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An Uncommon Woman What a woman! What a cook! What a worker! What a feeling comes over me when I think about her and the life she had there on May’s Ridge and the Grapevine Ridge She didn’t seem to know that life could be easier She loved her brothers, especially the older ones- JohnnyContinue reading “Mary Elizabeth Miller Hayes”

It was a cold, brisk day on the flanks of Mays Ridge.  John, Jim, and Mary were home alone and the boys were entertaining themselves by sliding down a tall hay mow.  Their parents were off visiting a sick relative. Mary, six years old at the time, was finishing her cleaning chores in the kitchenContinue reading “A Fat Hen”

This is an actual event that happened when Dad was in his late teens/early 20s. Everyone has a close call with danger once in a while.  Sometimes it is close enough to require evasive action.  On those occasions when I have had to take action I have experienced what I see as a black veil.Continue reading “Brushing the Black Veil”

I am a Southern Appalachian Mountain Man from the hills of East Tennessee.  East, of course, is capitalized. I would like to develop my introduction by telling you something about the people of my origins. The Mountain People are noted for certain strong personality characteristics, which include: resourcefulness, problem solving, a lust for freedom, andContinue reading “MAP OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN MAN”

(Chicken lost a feather and I lost some hide) A bicycle wreck can be a very painful and frightening experience.  It’s especially frightening when you know you are headed for a wreck and can’t do anything to prevent it. One day when I was about ten years old, my Grandmother sent me to deliver aContinue reading “CHICKEN GOES FOR A SCARY RIDE”