Appalachian Song

 I love reading a book where the characters become so vivid and real that I forget they are fictional. I find myself so deeply drawn into their lives that I think about them even after I’ve closed the book. That’s exactly how I feel about Appalachian Song.

I’ve come to know Bertie and her sisters, felt the sorrow in Songbird’s tragic life, and joined Reese and Walker as they embark on their unfolding adventure. With every turn of the page, I feel as though I’m walking alongside them, sharing in their joys and heartaches. These characters have become dear companions—new friends I’m eager to know more deeply.

When I reach the final page, I know I’ll miss them. Their stories will linger in my heart, and I’ll carry them with me long after the book is closed.

DEEP IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

TENNESSEE JUNE 15, 1943

A gunshot pierced the morning stillness of the holler.  Ol' Clem commenced to barking up at the house, sending a flock of sparrows fluttering to the safety of a stand of blooming tulip poplars.

The midwives of Appalachia in the 20th century were remarkable women who played a vital role in rural health care—especially in isolated, mountainous communities where doctors were scarce and hospitals were often hours away.

🌿 Who Were the Appalachian Midwives?

Appalachian midwives were mostly women, often older, deeply rooted in their communities. Many learned their craft through apprenticeships, tradition, and personal experience, rather than formal schooling. These "granny midwives" were respected for their knowledge of childbirth, herbal remedies, and healing.

👶 What Did They Do?

They:

Delivered babies in homes, often under very humble conditions.

Gave prenatal care and emotional support to expectant mothers.

Used herbal medicine and folk remedies passed down through generations.

Sometimes served as healers, counselors, and even spiritual guides.

The girl seemed to process the information.  After a long moment, she asked, "What's that got to do with God?

⛰️ Life and Work in the Mountains

Midwifery in Appalachia wasn't easy:

Midwives often walked long distances, sometimes in the dark or through snow, to reach a laboring mother.

They worked without electricity, running water, or medical equipment.

Their fees were small—sometimes paid in eggs, quilts, or vegetables.

📜 Legal and Medical Challenges

In the early to mid-1900s, states began regulating midwifery, requiring licenses or medical training. This pushed many traditional midwives out of practice. Hospitals became more common, and births moved from homes to clinics, particularly by the 1950s and '60s.

However, midwives remained critical in areas where healthcare access lagged behind. In fact, during the Great Depression and WWII, their role became even more essential due to limited resources.

"They say when a baby takes its first breath," Rubie said, her voice full of reverence, "the little one is declaring the very name of God."

🌸 Legacy

Today, the work of Appalachian midwives is honored for its compassion, resilience, and deep connection to community. Some modern midwives and nurse-midwives draw inspiration from them, combining traditional knowledge with medical training.

Movement next to him brought his eyes open.  Rubie sat in the chair beside him and placed a worn Bible on the table.  "It could be a while fore the little one arrives," she said, turning pages.  "I always think of Psalm 139 when a babe is on the way."

FROM THE BACK COVER:

Bertie Jenkins has spent forty years serving as a midwife for her community in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.  Out of all the mothers she's tended, none affects her more that the young teenager who shows up on her doorstep, injured, afraid, and expecting, one warm June day in 1943.  As Bertie and her four sisters tenderly nurture Songbird back to health, the bond between the childless midwife and the motherless teen grows strong.  But soon Songbird is forced to make a heartbreaking decision that will tear this little family apart.

June 12, 2025 - 7:15pm - The Last Page is read and the book is closed. {{sigh}}

Goodbye

Reese

Goodbye

Walker

Goodbye

Bertie

Goodbye

 Songbird

Blessings to All

Until Next Time

Mary

 It's brrrrrr cold on the porch this morning even tho the sun is shining bright.  I had to encourage Bitsy to go out, she didn't like the blast of cold air that greeted her when I opened the door.  

We are huddled in with no plans of getting out.  Mr D went for gumbo from our favorite gumbo place and brought enough for two days.  It's great on cold days like we're having, it warms you up.

I've been working on my latest diamond art pattern; I find it so enjoyable. 

The mail brought a new book from guidepost that I think I'll enjoy.  I like easy reading where I don't have to concentrate too much.  These little mysteries are perfect.

Digging Up Secrets

When veterinarian Harriet Bailey's grandfather passes away, she accepts his bequest and follows her heart - with God's guidance - across the ocean to the charming town of White Church Bay in Yorkshire, England.  Old Doc Bailey left Harriet not only a sprawling historic estate but also the Cobble Hill Farm Vet Clinic in the hope that she would continue his legacy.

I finished chapter one last night, and this author has managed to introduce the characters and the estate to her readers.  She also introduced the mystery dug up by one of the dogs being boarded at the clinic.  Anxious to see what chapter two brings.

Wednesday Wisdom

Standing On The Promises

1 Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,

Through eternal ages let his praises ring;

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:

Standing, standing,

Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;

Standing, standing,

I'm standing on the promises of God.

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail.

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

3 Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,

Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,

Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,

Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

List'ning ev'ry moment to the Spirit's call,

Resting in my Savior as my all in all,

Standing on the promises of God. 

Such a beautiful hymn, a reminder that we have a God who takes care of us.  It was written by Russell Kelso Carter who was a professor in the Pennsylvania Military College of Chester. While there he was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episcopal Church. He became very active in leading camp meetings and revivals. After failing health forced him to abandon this work, he studied and became a medical doctor as well as a writer. He wrote novels as well as hymns

Mr D and I are still dragging, but not too bad.  I think we're going to be just fine in due time.  Takes our old tattered bodies a little longer to heal these days. We'll just be standing on the promises of our God!

Blessings to All

Until Next Time

Monday Coffee Talk

 Hello!  Come on in and visit a spell♥ 

The coffee's hot the tea is too!

And I have a cup just for you.

I just love my coffee picture today, it's from Country Cottage Living facebook page.  I had a brick wall in our previous home, it really gives a lot of character to a room, if you like country.

I'm reading a new book, it was advertised to be like The Mitford Series by Jan Karon, and that caught my attention. It is a good book which I am enjoying, but I think comparing it to The Mitford books is a little overrated.  Just my opinion.  Still, it's an easy read that keeps me turning the page.

When tragedy strikes Leona Harper, the devastated pastor's wife summons her estranged children home.  But parenting young adults in a glass house proves more difficult than reinventing herself.  Determined to give her broken family a shot at a second chance, Leona begins the painful journey of putting one foot in front of the other.  Reconciliation and healing won't come easy in this zany, trouble-filled. hilarious walk-through-grief adventure.

It's my first large print book and I LOVE it, hopefully any future books I would like to read will be available in the bigger print.  It's so much easier on my eyes.

A few things about me other than my weak eyes:

1. I love Brown Sugar Poptarts, and have one each morning with my coffee.

2. I have one surviving brother who is 41/2 years younger than me.  He was the baby of the family and my mother's favorite, he was nick-named the Golden Boy. All in fun, he lives 2 hours away and we keep in touch via the phone. 

3. I prefer being cold over being hot but live in the Houston TX area where the summers are on fire.

4. I am 78 years old, 79 on the 24th, married the guy I dated in high school, and we've been together 61 years.  Geez, that's a long time and I wouldn't trade a minute.

5. I love God, my family, my GLOW sisters, my friends, and turtle blizzards from Dairy Queen.

AND . . .

1. I don't like hurricanes, the season is just around the corner.....BooHiss

2. I don't like marketing phone calls, I block the numbers every time and more will call....BooHiss

3. I don't like crowded restaurants and we'll just go somewhere else.

4. I don't like heavy traffic and we try to avoid going into Houston, the traffic there is YIKES.

5. I don't like that my precious Buddy Boy is so sick, I'm concerned what his fate might be. {{tears}}

Buddy Boy

A man walked to the top of a hill to talk to God. The man asked, ‘God, what’s a million years to you?’ and God said, ‘A minute.’

Then the man asked, ‘Well, what’s a million dollars to you?’ and God said, ‘A penny.’

Then the man asked, ‘God…..can I have a penny?’ and God said, ‘Sure… in a minute.’

Today's Turning Point

We often think everything is against us.  Discouragement piles onto discouragement, and we feel defeat in our hearts.  But God is the King of comebacks.  He reverses the tide, weaves the circumstances into threads of gold, and turns curses into blessings.  He specializes in working all things for the good of His dear children. (that's us)

1 John 5:5

Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious.

Watchman Nee

FYI:

 Watchman Nee

November 4, 1903 – May 30, 1972), was a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher who worked in China during the 20th century.

During his thirty years of ministry, Nee published many books expounding the Bible. He established churches throughout China and held many conferences to train Bible students and church workers. Following the Communist Revolution, Nee was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith and spent the last twenty years of his life in prison. He was honored by Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) in the US Congress on July 30, 2009.

Until Next Time

Wednesday Wisdom

 

Be Happy. Smile. Be fearless. Most importantly be you. 

You’re unique and special. No one will ever replace you.

 I finished They Call Her Dirty Sally.  I've been trying to put my thoughts together on this book, I'm having a very hard time.  First of all, my heart goes out to the title character, she endured so much in her life.  Because of her I stayed with this story until the very end, which I'm glad I did.  The events that happened were believable, but far fetched.  Just in case you decide to read it I'm going to stop my review here.  I would give this book ☆☆☆.

I've already started a new book and it's going to be a good one.  I had a hard time putting it down last night.  His Secret Daughter, just the title alone tells the whole story.  Although this incident wasn't the best thing to happen in life, I feel this story line is going to be one of forgiveness and compassion.

Not Noah. Not my husband. But there he is, unconscious in the hospital bed. Our daughter sobs into my shoulder. We love him so much. What if he never wakes up? And who is the little girl beside him, gazing up at us with big, tear-filled brown eyes? Eyes that look just like my husband’s…

I still haven't been working on my cross stitch and  I really need it finished. At the rate I'm going St Pat's Day will come and go before I'm done. {{sigh}}

Until Next Time

 

All The Forgiveness

 Santa brought me a new Kindle Paperwhite ~ happy!

I just finished my first book for 2021, and it was soooo good.

All The Forgiveness

Set in Appalachia and the Midwest at the turn of the twentieth century, this exquisite debut novel paints an intimately rendered portrait of one resilient farm family's challenges and hard-won triumphs--helmed by an unforgettable heroine.

Growing up on their hardscrabble farm in rural Kentucky, fifteen-year-old Albertina "Bertie" Winslow has learned a lot from her mama, Polly. She knows how to lance a boil, make a pie crust, butcher a pig, and tend to every chore that needs doing. What she doesn't know, but is forced to reckon with all too soon, is how to look after children as a mother should ...

When Polly succumbs to a long illness, Bertie takes on responsibility for her four younger siblings and their dissolute, unreliable daddy. Yet no matter how hard she tries to hold the family together, the task is overwhelming. Nine-year-old Dacia, especially, is resentful and stubborn, hinting at secrets in their mama's life. Finally, Bertie makes the only choice she can--breaking up the family for its own survival, keeping the girls with her, sending the boys off to their grown brothers, long gone from home.

Ever pragmatic, Bertie marries young, grateful to find a husband willing to take on the care of her sisters, and eventually moves to the oil fields of Kansas. But marriage alone cannot resolve the grief and guilt she carries over a long-ago tragedy, or prepare her for the heartaches still to come. Only by confronting wrenching truths can she open herself to joy--and learn how to not only give, but receive, unfettered love.

Inspired by stories told by the author's mother and aunts, All the Forgivenesses is as authentic as it is lyrical--a captivating novel of family loyalty, redemption, and resilience.

This is one of those books I couldn't put down, I found myself reading late into the night, until my eyes were so tired I could read no more.

I must say, there is some curse words used, not often but I want you to know.  There is one (just one) paragraph that was very offensive, I almost put the book down.  I've thought about that paragraph and for the life of me I don't understand why it's there.  It adds absolutely nothing to the story and certainly wouldn't be missed if it wasn't there.  With that said, I'm glad I stayed with the book, it's such a touching story of hardship, struggles and perseverance, and of a young lady coming to know the redeeming grace of Christ Jesus.

Until Next Time

Cottage By The Sea

I just finished reading the best book.

Annie Marlow has been through the worst.  Rocked by tragedy, she heads to the one place that makes her happy: Oceanside in the Pacific Northwest, the destination of many family vacations when Annie was a teenager.

I love when the author can draw me in to the point I feel I really know the characters ~ when I find myself thinking of them even when the book is closed for the night ~ when I'm wanting to talk with them on each page and when I hate to put the book down....it's like I become part of the story.

In this heartwarming tale, Annie finds that the surest way to fix what is damaged within is to help others rise above their pain and find a way to heal.

Now that the last chapter has been read I will miss the characters and think about them for weeks to come.

Annie, Keaton, Mellie and Preston, I'm going to miss you!

They will finally fade from my mind and hopefully a new good book with new characters to love will come my way.

Until then. . . . life goes on.

Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on

Gotta go, it's time for The Price is Right!!

((hugs))

Truly Free

A book by Robert Morris ~

 

It's been a while since I've done any serious reading, mostly I just scan the headlines or captions. I have a hard time keeping focused on a storyline these days.  Surely that's not because I'm a moldie oldie!  teehee 

 

 

My daughter, Tammy, gave me this book for Mother's Day and I'll read a few pages and then put it down for a few days, pick it up, put it down, pick it up, put it down......I think you get the picture. 

 

 

The more pages I read, the more interesting it becomes.  I'm a very big Robert Morris fan and so far he hasn't let me down with this book.  His books and Bible studies have always been an inspiration and a blessing.  The girls and I took a road trip to Dallas to hear him preach, we really enjoyed visiting his church and hearing his message.

 

 

Here's some snippets from the back cover.

 

Is there something in your life that's keeping you down?  Something you're struggling with that you can't seem to break free from, no matter how many times you've tried?

 

The Bible is clear that some problems are actually just problems, but there are other trials you go through that are the work of the enemy in your life.

 

If you've ever wondered, Why do I keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again?  Why can't I change? Take heart ~ there is a way out!  With relevant scriptures, prayers, and questions for contemplation or group discussions, this book explains how you can find lasting freedom and live truly free.

 

 

A paragraph from the first pages....

 

A big problem for us is that evil still exists in the world today, Christ has conquered sin and death, yes, but in His infinite wisdom ~ for reasons that are often difficult for us to understand ~ the effects of evil are still permitted to exist.  We can still be influenced by evil.  We can still be oppressed by evil.  We can even be controlled by evil, even if we're saved.

 

This book is getting more and more interesting and informative with each page.  I think it might earn a super duper rating from me!

 

 

Yesterday was a special day for our twin grandsons, Jason and Cody.  It was their birthday and they have now entered their last teenage year.....the years have gone by so quick!

 

 

Here they are with their older brother Matt, and their girlfriends enjoying a birthday lunch!  They have grown up to be wonderful young men who walk with the Lord.  They sure are a blessing to their Granny and Paw.

(that would be me and Mr. D) (happy face)

 

 

ps ~ to my good friend Deb over at

Breathing in Grace ~ Ollie Owl says 'Hello!'

 

 

Until Next Time,

Pray with the expectation that God will do great things!

 

 

 



January's Book Review

I have been wanting to read 
The Duck Commander Family 
for a while.  When my sweet friend Valerie heard this she loaned me hers,  that was before Christmas and it has been on a table in the living room ever since.  I finally picked it up and starting reading ~ I've not been disappointed, it's very entertaining.

 

I watch their show on occasion ~ I like the family but sometimes they get a little too silly for me.  I love that they stand by their belief in God and that they are not swayed away by money and fame.  I lived in Louisiana for many years and I am very familiar with their lifestyle.   Squirrel hunting, duck hunting, froggin', fishing, that's what they do in North Louisiana. 

 

 

In the pages of this book, you'll find out things about this lovable family that you won't see on the show ~ such as how the family survived while Miss Kay worked days and left the boys in the care of eight year old brother Alan. (WoW, that's kinda scary.) You'll get to know the beautiful Korie ~ how she met Willie, what their dating days were like, and how she juggles being a mom, a wife, and an active partner in the family business.

My favorite part of the book is the famous clan's food.  Most of it I ate as a child and still eat today.

They've got:
Fried Bologna Bolonie
Yep, I've eaten it many times!

Chicken Strips
Still eat those today!

Duck Gumbo
I've never had Duck Gumbo but I sure have had my share of other gumbo!

Dumplings, Hot Water Cornbread
and Fried Squirrel.
Oh so good, I've had them all.  My sister-in-law Nell, cooks the best pot of squirrel dumplin's you ever put in your mouth. Now that just could be because she is from the same part of Louisiana as the Robertson's!  And my momma's Hot Water Cornbread was the best in the land!

Back Straps
I'm pretty sure I've had this!

Road Kill
Ain't no way.  Yuk

Thanks for loaning me the book Valerie!

Until Next Time
You'll find me behind the pages of
The Duck Commander Family!