#APPALACHIA

2025-06-13

Whew, what a day. The news... well, for years we've needed a word for "shocking but not surprising." And maybe another for "devastating but not actionable."

And I am thoroughly exhausted from the usual 14 hours of nonstop childcare and housework.

But I wanted to share: TIL that one approach to the age-old issue of mine safety in #Appalachia is for mines to train teams of on-site emergency responders...especially timely given how little funding goes to first responders in, say, West Virginia or South Carolina...and have them compete for trophies.

Yup, today my son and I found ourselves attending a Mine Rescue Championship.

The industry may be arguably damn near obsolete and undeniably insanely corrupt and notoriously lethally brutal to its workers and basically a vestigial feudalism that doesn't belong in this century... but, this being the USA, you can win a trophy for demonstrating skill at extracting your coworkers from a deadly work site.

More power to ya, all you mine rescue volunteers. Someday history will eliminate the need for your services, but meanwhile, mad props for stepping up where it's dark as a dungeon.

#weareserfs #andsomeofusarealsoheroes
msha.gov/training/training/min

2025-06-07

I can't believe I am admitting this but I traded #biscuits for #crumpets this morning. My #Grandmother would probably clutch her pearls.

Begging forgiveness to all Brits if I am eating the crumpet wrong by adding #preserves / #jam.

What are you doing on this Saturday in June?

#Appalachia #GeorgiaOnMyMind #Georgia #Baking #Backyard #Coffee #Nature #Breakfast #Sourdough #SourdoughLife #SourdoughDiscard

This is a close-up, eye-level photo taken outdoors, showcasing a black mug and crumpets with jam, both resting on a white, lattice-patterned outdoor table.

The black mug, positioned on the left, features a white circular logo. The logo's upper half reads "APPALACHIAN STORIES" in a curved text. Below this, a stylized silhouette of mountains and evergreen trees is depicted, with the word "ANCESTRY ROADS" prominently displayed beneath them. A smaller line of text at the very bottom of the logo says "APPALACHIA" and below that, "NO PLACE LIKE HOME". 

To the right of the mug,  light-colored, round crumpets are placed on a white paper towel. The pastry is generously topped with a vibrant red raspberry glossy jam (from Trader Joe's). 

In the background, out of focus, lush green foliage and trees are visible,  a natural outdoor setting on my back deck. A dark, possibly metal, railing runs horizontally across the upper right portion of the image that is the frame of my porch swing. The lighting appears soft and natural, indicating shade.
2025-06-03

> Free Books inquest.org/free-books/

Excerpt from the book 'This Book is Free and Yours to Keep: Notes from the Appalachian Prison Project."

My #library recently acquired the book, and I have it checked out to read soon. Stay tuned for a #BookReview on my #blog.

#books #reading #prison #Appalachia #AppalachianPrisonProject #education

2025-05-30

Yet another #rainy day. I love them. My #garden loves them. But the #BabySharks (yes, teeth still sharp) hate the #rain.

#DogsofMastodon #Yorkies #Dogs #Pets #Appalachia #GeorgiaOnMyMind

The image features two small dogs,  Yorkshire Terrier mixes, on a wet stone patio next to a black planter with some green plants.

The dogon the left , Buzz, is larger and and the  older puppy. He has classic Yorkshire Terrier coloring with a mix of black/dark grey on its back and head, transitioning to a rich tan or golden color on its legs, chest, and around its snout. Its fur is shaggy, and it's looking directly at the camera with an attentive expression. He has a dark collar with a white dog tag. The dog is positioned with its front paws resting on the edge of the black planter.

The dog on the right, Gracie, is noticeably smaller because she was the runt. She has a predominantly black body with tan markings on its face, paws, and underbelly, characteristic of a Yorkshire Terrier puppy. She is looking up towards the camera with a curious gaze, her small ears perked up.

The patio stones are wet from recent rain. There are some scattered green weeds or grass growing between the stones. To the far left, part of a larger black pot with more plants is visible.
2025-05-28

@Shanmonster Love the shoes!

And very interesting to see Canada #Appalachia plants their tomatoes now. I can't wait to see your garden.

Emma the Curious 🧐UnconventionalEmma@spore.social
2025-05-24

Fascinating story about a business in Appalachia resurrecting traditional handmade brooms, right down to the heritage broomcorn variety.

#crafts #heritagecrafts #Appalachia

nkytribune.com/2025/05/daily-y

𓍉𓌹ᴳᴿᴬⱽᴱ𓌺PaperWormz@pixelfed.social
2025-05-23
False spring. It’s 30 out right now. But what a lovely day this was eating ice cream in the tall grass with my bf and our stinky cat.


#polaroidis048 #digicam #digitalcamera #appalachia #cat #weirdgirl #paperwormz #combatboots
2025-05-22

It’s odd knowing I’ll be leaving #Appalachia soon. Next week the movers come and early the following week we start our drive. I was born and raised in these mountains and have a lot of love but also am excited about the next step of my adventure in #duluth #minnesota We are just making sure we get to all of our favorite spots before we leave.

River flowing through the mountains in western North CarolinaForest service road leading to a creek in AppalachiaWaterfall in south Appalachia
2025-05-22
Saying goodbye to Appalachia by visiting our favorite places. #nature #Waterfalls #appalachia
A picture of a tall waterfall in Appalachia.
2025-05-19

Today in Labor History May 18, 1920: The Battle of Matewan occurred in the town of Matewan, Mingo County, West Virginia. It started when the mine bosses fired miners for joining the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and evicted them from their company housing. Sheriff Sid Hatfield supported the miners’ right to organize and tried to arrest the detectives. The detectives, in turn, tried to arrest Hatfield. Unbeknownst to the detectives, armed miners had surrounded them. No one knows who shot first, but when the smoke had cleared, there were 7 dead detectives, including Albert and Lee Felts, and 4 dead townspeople, including the mayor. The episode became known as the Matewan Massacre, and is depicted in John Sayles’ film Matewan. West Virginia bluegrass singer and labor activist Hazel Dickens sings the film's title track, "Fire in the Hole."

Mining was, and still is, one of the most dangerous and corrupt industries around. Owners typically forced the miners to live in company towns and purchase living necessities from their company stores at inflated prices. They paid the men in scrip, which was useless outside of the company towns. In the time leading up to the Battle of Matewan, miners in other parts of the country had won a 27% wage increase. The time was ripe for organizing southern Appalachia. The UMWA sent in their best organizers, including Mother Jones. 3,000 men signed union cards in the early spring of 1920. Yet, at the same time, vigilantes, detectives and goons were murdering miners in the region. And the company was evicting anyone who signed up. So, hundreds of miners and their families were living in the Stony Mountain Camp Tent Colony.

On August 1, 1921, surviving members of the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency assassinated Sheriff Sid Hatfield, in broad daylight, on the steps of Welch County courthouse, as his wife watched in horror. As news of his death spread, miners began arming themselves, leading to the Battle of Blair Mountain. the largest armed insurrection since the Civil War, and the largest labor uprising in U.S. history. 10,000-15,000 coal miners battled 3,000 cops, private cops and vigilantes, who were backed by the coal bosses. Up to 100 miners died in the fighting, along with 10-30 Baldwin-Felts detectives and three national guards. Nearly 1,000 people were arrested. One million rounds were fired. And the government bombed striking coal miners by air, using homemade bombs and poison gas left over from World War I.

You can read my complete article on the Battle of Blair Mountain here: michaeldunnauthor.com/2024/04/

#workingclass #LaborHistory #matewan #miners #strike #union #massacre #film #motherjones #westvirginia #appalachia #privatepolice #detectives

Scene from the John Sayles's film, Matewan, when armed company thugs go after striking miners.
2025-05-18
2025-05-18

I can not explain how deeply I feel this song. My #grandmother was exactly like this song. Thank God for Grandmas! Mine made me who I am today.

#Grandparents #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Appalachia

wikitree.com/wiki/Bonner-1012

song.link/i/1708487240

2025-05-17

#Virginia Creeper. It's beautiful, but, if I touch it, I suffer horribly. It is also chocking a #rose #plant. Time for the vinegar and gloves.

#Nature #Naturephotography #plants #Garden #Gardening #OldFence #Gate #backyard #appalachia #GeorgiaonmyMind

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). It is a native vine in North America known for its five-leaflet compound leaves and its ability to climb using small tendrils with adhesive pads. The leaves can turn bright red in the fall.

It does contain oxalate crystals in its berries, which can be toxic if ingested in large quantities, especially for children or pets. The berries can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and difficulty swallowing.

Additionally, the sap of Virginia Creeper can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals. It's best to wear gloves when handling it.

Client Info

Server: https://mastodon.social
Version: 2025.04
Repository: https://github.com/cyevgeniy/lmst