You write so beautifully about your family, Jeni. My own Pa passed eleven years ago next month, but we had lost him to dementia a few years before that. I didn’t bring mine songs, but I’d bring bundles of cloth and leaves to unwrap together. Before the disease ate his brain he had been a passionate conservationist and was always delighted to see how the windfall leaves from the trees he had planted could colour cloth. As to water, I’ve lived for most of my life (since I was 12) in places where I’ve relied solely on water harvested from the roof. It may well be seasoned with bird poo and other debris, but the water here on the farm tastes better than any other to me…
Thank you for this memory of your Pa, India. I find that so compelling about your roof water. When I’m dyeing cloth at my grandmother’s house, I used the water from her rain barrels rather than the new piped in water. I learned from you what a difference that rain water can make to my colors.
How about VP or P Jeni? 😎. Dad is definitely proud, no need to wonder. I love your thought on people from the same area, have different, but some similarities, in their views. Amazing how your passion pops right off the page! Every time.
Aww! Thanks, Pete and Cool Lady Pam! I’m so busy helping Stanley Bear with his Bear Party campaign on breakfast for all that I don’t even have time to do P or VP. Otherwise, I’d go for it and have you and Pam on my special advisory council! Huge cyber hugs and paw fives from me and SB!!!
Hi Jeni ! I sure enjoyed this letter. Like Greg, I wonder what you're gonna do next. He was an inclusive person to talk to. I miss calling my Dad exactly that way too. It's wonderful we both had great parents. Understand that your depth in songs and letters cause us to really get to know/and be in your life. My mountain raised kids are"the same only different"
Dad always loved hearing from you on the telephone. I was so excited when he’d tell me that you had called. What you’ve said about my letters taking you into my life means so much to me, Daniel. I’m so glad you’re in my life and my fellow mountain person! Huge hugs!
This is simply beautiful, Jeni. I'm South African and have an interest in Appalachia simply because it is so far away from my own lived experience. Thank you for sharing with such clarity and vividness your experience of your home.
Your comment means so much to me, Isabelle. It’s been my deepest wish to take readers and listeners to my Appalachian home with me. I want to give other people the feeling I have when I travel through books and music like the Little House books or the work of Polish composer Hania Rani. I’m so glad you are seeing the song pictures I paint. Thank you for coming along.
I have a very strong feeling that your father was very proud of his wonderfully creative daughter. Love your stories so much. And thank you for your thoughts on J.D. Vance and how everyone's Appalachia is unique to who they are.
Thank you so much, Charlotte. I’m so glad we are friends. Meeting you and India Flint on Substack has been one of the very best things that’s happened here! xo
Thank you so much, Mary Ellen!! I’m glad you’re here with me. I especially love Tom’s stories about his Dad. And his photos of the otherworldly countryside accompanied by his witty captions make my day. Many smiles to you!!
You write so beautifully about your family, Jeni. My own Pa passed eleven years ago next month, but we had lost him to dementia a few years before that. I didn’t bring mine songs, but I’d bring bundles of cloth and leaves to unwrap together. Before the disease ate his brain he had been a passionate conservationist and was always delighted to see how the windfall leaves from the trees he had planted could colour cloth. As to water, I’ve lived for most of my life (since I was 12) in places where I’ve relied solely on water harvested from the roof. It may well be seasoned with bird poo and other debris, but the water here on the farm tastes better than any other to me…
Thank you for this memory of your Pa, India. I find that so compelling about your roof water. When I’m dyeing cloth at my grandmother’s house, I used the water from her rain barrels rather than the new piped in water. I learned from you what a difference that rain water can make to my colors.
Lovely. Thank you for this.
Thank you for listening, Carol.
How about VP or P Jeni? 😎. Dad is definitely proud, no need to wonder. I love your thought on people from the same area, have different, but some similarities, in their views. Amazing how your passion pops right off the page! Every time.
Hugs, Pete n Cool Lady Pam. 💃👠🫶🏻
Aww! Thanks, Pete and Cool Lady Pam! I’m so busy helping Stanley Bear with his Bear Party campaign on breakfast for all that I don’t even have time to do P or VP. Otherwise, I’d go for it and have you and Pam on my special advisory council! Huge cyber hugs and paw fives from me and SB!!!
Hi Jeni ! I sure enjoyed this letter. Like Greg, I wonder what you're gonna do next. He was an inclusive person to talk to. I miss calling my Dad exactly that way too. It's wonderful we both had great parents. Understand that your depth in songs and letters cause us to really get to know/and be in your life. My mountain raised kids are"the same only different"
Dad always loved hearing from you on the telephone. I was so excited when he’d tell me that you had called. What you’ve said about my letters taking you into my life means so much to me, Daniel. I’m so glad you’re in my life and my fellow mountain person! Huge hugs!
This is simply beautiful, Jeni. I'm South African and have an interest in Appalachia simply because it is so far away from my own lived experience. Thank you for sharing with such clarity and vividness your experience of your home.
Your comment means so much to me, Isabelle. It’s been my deepest wish to take readers and listeners to my Appalachian home with me. I want to give other people the feeling I have when I travel through books and music like the Little House books or the work of Polish composer Hania Rani. I’m so glad you are seeing the song pictures I paint. Thank you for coming along.
I have a very strong feeling that your father was very proud of his wonderfully creative daughter. Love your stories so much. And thank you for your thoughts on J.D. Vance and how everyone's Appalachia is unique to who they are.
Thank you so much, Charlotte. I’m so glad we are friends. Meeting you and India Flint on Substack has been one of the very best things that’s happened here! xo
Agree! Finding kindred spirits is the best!
Glad to have found you, thanks to Tom Cox! Love your writing - and his :)
Thank you so much, Mary Ellen!! I’m glad you’re here with me. I especially love Tom’s stories about his Dad. And his photos of the otherworldly countryside accompanied by his witty captions make my day. Many smiles to you!!
Oh Jeni, you write so, so beautifully. I hope all this becomes a book. Sending love.
That means so much coming from you, my songwriting friend xx LOVE to you.
❤️❤️❤️