Tag Archives: Appalachian

A Song of Unity from Long Ago

Posted on August 19, 2019 by

A man was enjoying the freedom found in the wilderness of the young nation of America. He was living any way he wanted to, not having a moral compass, but doing what he wanted, when he wanted, regardless of any … Continue reading →

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When Your Family Tree Becomes All Hung Up

Posted on July 22, 2019 by

There are several places up my family tree where I’m completely stuck when it comes to figuring out the preceding generation. Some of these places will continue to be dead ends since documents just don’t exist. Others are possible to … Continue reading →

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“The Storms are on the Ocean” as a Metaphor for Homesickness

Posted on June 15, 2019 by

The iconic Carter Family of Country Music origins (A. P., Sarah, and “Mother” Maybelle) were known for their classic songs. “The Storms are on the Ocean” is one of them. I have been dabbling in autoharp playing for a while … Continue reading →

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Places I’ve Lived: Paint Lick, VA

Posted on May 12, 2017 by

Back in 1989 I was appointed to the  Belfast-Midway Charge in the Tazewell District of the Holston Conference.  My first appointment out of seminary, it was my first charge as a pastor, and I was given the reigns of two … Continue reading →

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Can We All Just Get Along?  A Consideration of Race and Human Relations from an Appalchian Perspective

Posted on August 13, 2016 by

I was once accused by a supervisor of “having a thing for black people.” Apparently, in his mind, that was a sin, and I was guilty since I was attending seminary at Duke and thought his racist remarks were out … Continue reading →

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Go Rest High on that Mountain: Reflections on a Mountain Man’s Life

Posted on January 30, 2015 by

Saturday my wife and I, and her cousin were sitting with him in his room when he drew his last belabored breath in this life. One of his last requests was for my wife to take him “up the mountain.” When men from his family say that, they are referring to something more final than a trip up a hill. Continue reading →

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Medicine in Appalachia

Posted on April 4, 2014 by

There’s something about the way we mountain people view health.  I think we value our health, but we have odd feelings about medicine. For instance, one of the most widely practiced ways of getting people well in these hills and … Continue reading →

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