The Way It Was

If you've ever wondered what life was like for those people growing up in the backwoods, I have an answer for you. It's in a book, of course...my newest one on the market (as of my birthday, November 1). The Way It Was: In the Backwoods. The book is on Amazon now, but will be available soon in Lenoir at Tybrisa Books and in Hudson at the Red Awning Gallery, in Spring Creek at Trust General Store, and...out of the trunk of my car.

We close the book with his family tree that extends beyond him into three more generations, as evidenced by the picture of his great granddaughter playing a guitar on the cover. That's his wife, Helen with him in the other photograph, and Max Patch in the background picture. For those of you not familiar with Max Patch, it's the top of the world, as far as I am concerned, way, way, waaaaay in the backwoods of western North Carolina. 

This is the second book Jasper Reese and I have written together. Our first was an award winner with the North Carolina Society of Historians for its historical significance about past life in Spring Creek, North Carolina. Back in the time: Medicine, Education and Life in the Isolation of Western North Carolina's Spring Creek.

This one is a bit different. While the first followed not only a family's history, but also a school's history (Spring Creek School), this book is filled to overflowing with exciting family stories that Jasper grew up listening to on the front porch or around the cookstove or at reunions over plates of covered dishes. It is also graced with lyrics from several songs Jasper wrote about living in the backwoods of Madison County. We used the song titles as chapter titles, for example, chapter one, "High Hills of Caroline," and  chapter five, "Hill Billy Boy." Wait until you read the "That Old French Broad" chapter at the end. Okay, hint, there's a river in western North Carolina and Tennessee by the name of French Broad. 

Here's a portrait of Jasper by his granddaughter, Kendra Reese. He's doing what he loves. Making music.

 

And here's a picture of the two of us. 

When Jasper wrote the concluding poem in the book, he wanted to share his true passion for the place of his birth. 

Madison Magnificence 

by Jasper Reese

October 7, 2020 

Neither Van Gough nor Mike Angelo

Could have properly painted it.

Leonardo Da Vinci could not have sculpted its essence.

Only those who lived, loved and labored there,

In the midst of its depth,

Could project in the memories of their minds,

Its true magnificence!

And only the Powers that Be could create its beauty!

We all should be so lucky to love our home like this.

Catch of the day,

Gretchen