“Come on Traveler, for the love of alfalfa, please get your big booty in the trailer! It’s already an hour past the time I wanted to get on the road.” “Calm yourself, Hay-Woman. I just have to double check to make sure I packed some Bute in case my legs get sore from the long trip. And did you just say my booty was looking big?” He cranked his head around to try to catch a … [Read more...] about Navigating Life with a Horse, Faith, and Common Sense
Home, Farm & Garden
Unofficial Mascot of Southern Summers
If there were an official plant of summer in Surry County, the humble porch fern would make a strong case for the title. Right up there with sweet tea, lightning bugs, and neighbors waving from porch swings, those big green baskets of ferns have become a staple of Southern front porches. From historic homes in Mount Airy to shaded back decks tucked into the foothills of the … [Read more...] about Unofficial Mascot of Southern Summers
Where the Music Still Feels Real
In Alleghany County, music is not something we dust off once a year and place on a stage. It is woven into everyday life here. Around these mountains, bluegrass, old-time, gospel, country, folk, Americana, and mountain music still drift through the air as naturally as creek water over rock. I have often thought one of the reasons music feels different here is because so much … [Read more...] about Where the Music Still Feels Real
Navigating Life with a Horse, Faith, and Common Sense
“I’m not doing it. Not doing it, Hay-Woman. Don’t ask me again, my answer will be the same. I am not going to that kids’ camp this summer!” “Ah, come on Traveler, please! You know it’s for a good cause. The kids there absolutely love you.” “Love me?” I could always tell when he was about to blow up because he would start pacing and snorting. Standing still was out of the … [Read more...] about Navigating Life with a Horse, Faith, and Common Sense
Big, Red Tomatoes in the Home Garden
In backyard gardens across Surry County, North Carolina, tomatoes are more than just a summer crop. They are a tradition. Whether tucked into raised beds, sprawling beside a fence row, or trellised in a traditional garden, healthy tomato plants reward gardeners with baskets of fresh fruit. Two simple practices, staking and pruning, can make the difference between a tangled … [Read more...] about Big, Red Tomatoes in the Home Garden
