Appalachian Lifestyles

Hi, this was a very interesting story to me. I gr...

2012-03-03T22:58:02.807-05:00

Hi, this was a very interesting story to me. I grew up in an area where there were many Gypsies and some have come by my husbands business before.

Granny Sue was probably right in that they were maybe confusing the word "Romany" for Romney. Romany is the official name for the ethnic group known as 'Gypsies.' The word actually has nothing to do with Romania. There is a rather large community of Romanichal (English Gypsies) in WV I've seen around since I was a little girl, so this post was interesting to me.

Hi, this was a very interesting story to me. I gr...

2012-03-03T22:57:35.576-05:00

The story of your great-great grandparents is a tr...

2011-09-17T10:37:46.204-04:00

The story of your great-great grandparents is a true inspiration. I grew up in Pendleton County, in Upper Tract. More so, my maiden name is Kile, so I am sure that there is a relation between us. Thank you for writing this heart warming and amazing story!

I am from Pendleton County, grew up in Upper Tract...

2011-09-17T10:34:06.470-04:00

I am from Pendleton County, grew up in Upper Tract. My maiden name is also Kile, so I am sure that we are related. It has been a joy to read your story of your great-grandparents. The story is well written and full of heart and love. Thank you for writing it.

Karen Kile-Carr

Love reading your blog posts!

2011-07-06T11:05:00.936-04:00

Love reading your blog posts!

I was 10 years old in 1960, when my oldest sister ...

2011-07-04T18:27:17.358-04:00

I was 10 years old in 1960, when my oldest sister got married. The family and many friends got together, a bit after midnight, with the usual hollering and noise making outside. We had woke them up. I remember dragging my new brother in law out of his bed (along with my sister). The "mob" tore their house up,meaning, they up ended furniture, tore off labels from cans, and filled their bed with cereal. We left them standing in their house wondering what had just happened in such a short time! But the night wasn't over! My cousin also had just been married in another town, 20 miles away, so off we went to their house. Once again, they did everything to them, but also dragged him to the main street of the little town, where they made him carry his wife up and back in the center of the main street (I think the town was asleep, as we were the only ones awake then!), in a wheel barrow.

I found yiur site through West Virginia Treasures....

2011-06-26T08:11:16.386-04:00

I found yiur site through West Virginia Treasures. It is wonderful! I look forward to more of your posts!

What do snakes smell like? I know Copperheads smel...

2011-06-16T00:39:58.607-04:00

What do snakes smell like? I know Copperheads smell like cucumbers. Since berry picking season is starting up, I'd like to have the knowledge so I can avoid any serpent encounters.

My grandmother always called the chivaree a "...

2011-06-15T04:00:52.389-04:00

My grandmother always called the chivaree a "belling." She explained that people would beat on round saw blades, sing and generally make lots of noise. The only way to stop the noisy guests' 'concert' was to give them candy. This tale comes from Vinton and Athens County in Southeastern Ohio.

matthew,i enjoy your stories so much."they ta...

2011-03-31T02:38:00.092-04:00

matthew,i enjoy your stories so much."they take me home"...

matthew,i enjoy your stories so much."they ta...

2011-03-31T02:35:29.168-04:00

matthew,i enjoy your stories so much."they take me home".

Ahhh! Finally, a new post! Yes, you were the pet p...

2011-02-22T19:39:53.817-05:00

Ahhh! Finally, a new post! Yes, you were the pet pig.

In other words-you were mean as a striped snake-an...

2011-02-15T11:24:14.418-05:00

In other words-you were mean as a striped snake-and got away with it all : )

I'm glad you had him-someone was just telling my girls the other night to take advantage of Pap all they can-cause someday all they'll have is memories like you just shared.

Hey,Matthew, glad to see you posting again. You su...

2011-02-14T22:17:42.498-05:00

Hey,Matthew, glad to see you posting again. You sure did get away with a lot when you were a child.

I can just see Jason ducking from window to window...

2011-02-10T09:36:12.709-05:00

I can just see Jason ducking from window to window--how funny! Bet it wasn't funny to your folks at the time, though.

It's nice to see a new post, Matthew. I miss them!

Every year, I say the same thing to my garden: Pl...

2010-12-12T11:37:42.748-05:00

Every year, I say the same thing to my garden: Please Grow.

So far it hasn't really listened much.

I'll be lucky if I get one tomato next year to show up on a plant, and then if that happens, the animals will probably grab it and run off with it. Haha.

It may be that everyone has their own soul snake.....

2010-12-12T11:31:06.240-05:00

It may be that everyone has their own soul snake...and when they shed their skin, it is a reminder that they left a memory there. ;-)

That was a spooky poem, Matthew. A sad ending.

2010-11-03T19:01:37.710-04:00

That was a spooky poem, Matthew. A sad ending.

Matthew, good story! I enjoyed every word. Wonde...

2010-10-31T22:32:01.014-04:00

Matthew, good story! I enjoyed every word. Wonder . . .will I dream of snakes this night? lol

Home sweet home! I had heard of the so-called ...

2010-10-11T15:25:10.375-04:00

Home sweet home! I had heard of the so-called 'Independent State of Webster,' but have not read this article. *insert hearty chuckle* How did you find it? Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for sharing these stories and keeping th...

2010-09-03T15:26:06.437-04:00

Thank you for sharing these stories and keeping them alive. I am currently uncovering my family history. I find myself in West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. I enjoy reading your blog.

It is rather interesting for me to read that post....

2010-08-19T17:26:00.957-04:00

It is rather interesting for me to read that post. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything connected to this matter. I would like to read more on that blog soon.

Julia Simpson

A wounderful story of mountain lore. I look forwar...

2010-08-13T00:58:38.807-04:00

A wounderful story of mountain lore. I look forward to reading more of your stories.
I just found your site from a link at Blind Pig and the Acorn.

Fascinating.

2010-08-09T00:15:02.695-04:00

Fascinating.

Neat story, Matthew.

2010-07-26T22:23:52.023-04:00

Neat story, Matthew.