Appalachian History

Well, the chittlings, a part of them Alice sent over by Pete. They were intestines cleaned ready to cut into short pieces to fry. I told Tillie she needn’t fry any for me.

Nativity scene of entrance to cave, inside is holy family, cow, and donkey peering into cradle in Christ child.

December 18, 2018 Christmas traditions / Folklore

Ms. Horse, Ms. Mule and Ms. Cow — a Christmas fable

Christ’s birth includes animals. That’s why horses always eat, mules don’t ever get to be parents, & cows get to chew their cud after dinner.

Lenci Boy and girl dolls sitting together at the Judges' Lodgings, Lancaster

December 17, 2018 Childrens games / Christmas traditions / North Carolina

They did have little dolls for the girls

Mother’d have something special, cook up something special for Christmas, like cakes. We always had cake. For Christmas you didn’t get much.

War of 1812 grave marker superimposed on battle painting

December 14, 2018 War of 1812 / West Virginia

Last surviving widow of a War of 1812 veteran

Lydia Ann Kimble married Isaac Graham, who’d served as a drummer boy in the War of 1812, in 1869, when he was an elderly man and she was a woman of 32.

December 13, 2018 Christmas traditions / Farmers/farming / Virginia

It’s only in the mountains that you can raise these fraser firs [for Christmas trees]

Christmas tree growers want maximum new growth to help develop tree shape and density. Fir cones are a detriment, and are removed regularly.