An Appalachian Summer – Ebook sale for $2.99 or less
While writing Sunday’s post about picking beans with my son and grandkids and how I enjoyed our garden talk, I remembered writing about some bean picking and garden talking in my book, An Appalachian Summer. In that story my character, Piper (who they nicknamed Danny) picked beans and did that garden talk with a mountain woman while she was a courier with the Frontier Nursing Service. So, since An Appalachian Summer is on ebook sale this month, here’s a bit of that bean picking scene.
“’Bout the only way a body is ever gonna get ahead of the chickweed is to die and go to heaven, where I’m nigh on certain the Lord won’t let in any chickweed seeds.”
Delora Miller knelt down beside the bean row in the garden at Wendover. Piper squatted down across from her to help pick the early beans, but Mrs. Miller said they might as well get rid of any weeds while they were at it.
“You ever pick beans before, Danny?”
“Can’t say that I have.” That seemed a bad thing to admit here in the mountains where everybody had gardens, or sass patches as they called them.
“That’s city life for you.” The woman took off her straw hat and fanned herself.
Her gray hair was tucked into a bun on the back of her head, and she wore a green checked apron over a cotton dress so faded the flowery print had lost its color. But it looked cool.
Piper was ready to chop off her jeans at the knees, but Miss Aileen wouldn’t go for that. The couriers had to dress right. Jeans for dirty work in the barn and gardens or chicken yard. Riding trousers, boots, and white shirts when they went to Hyden or out into the districts.
Piper stood up and stretched her back before she bent over to rustle through the bean leaves for more pods. “Have you always grown your own food, Mrs. Miller?”
“We’d have gone hungry if we didn’t. That’s for sure. Most folks around here depend on sass patches. That’s why things can get lean when the rains don’t come..” Mrs. Miller put her hat back on and watched Piper pick a handful of beans. “Careful with the vines there. This is the first picking, but it won’t be the last.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mrs. Miller had shown her how to hold the vine and pull off the bean pod. The leaves made her arms itch, but that wasn’t worth complaining about. No need in fussing about the heat either.
“I hoped starting early we’d get done before the sun started cooking us. It’s a hot one for June.” Mrs. Miller pulled a handkerchief out of her apron pocket and wiped the sweat off her forehead. “But the weather is whatever the good Lord sends our way.” She looked up at the sky. “And I’m thinking he might be sending us a storm later, with how the air is feeling. That will get the nurses busy. Babies like coming on in a storm.”
“Why is that?” Piper asked.
“It don’t really matter why. It’s good just to know what is. Full moons bring them on too, but with that said, the Lord’s truth is that babies are born every day of the year with or without storms or full moons.” She bent down to start picking again.
Piper got some old time mountain wisdom from Mrs. Miller while picking beans with her. You can find An Appalachian Summer at most internet booksellers for the special price of $2.99 or less until the end of the August. I think you’ll like finding out more about the Frontier Nursing Service and Mary Breckinridge the founder.
What did you learn as a young person from an older neighbor, relative or friend?
Comments 8
Loyalty & Faithfulness
Author
Great things to learn, Lisa.
I loved reading that story! My copy is on loan to a friend right now and she’s loving it too!
One time I was helping my Granny (great-grandmother) pick beans in her sass patch. She went into the house to get us cool drinks. When she came back out, I had moved on to the row of peppers. I learned the hard way to never pick peppers on a hot sweaty day, without gloves. I was in misery after wiping sweat from my brow and upper lip. Poor Granny cried along with me…she felt so bad for not warning me. I was blessed in so many ways by having such a loving great grandmother. Several of your Appalachian grannys and aunts remind me of her. She was a true country woman. I never saw her without an apron, except in church. She always had biscuits in the warming pan and fresh apple butter on the table. And she taught me that you can talk to Jesus everywhere…especially in a bean patch.
Author
Sweet memories, Lavon. Thanks for sharing about your Granny. Those must have been hot peppers, but I’m guessing you never made that mistake again!
I love your description of your county woman granny. What a great lesson to learn about being able to talk to Jesus everywhere and anywhere. A bean patch is a good place for learning that and more.
Can’t think back far enough to answer your question. lol But, I just had to say that I am in the midst of reading An Appalachian Summer. A wonderful book that has me intrigued, which is normal for me when reading your books. Jamie and Aunt Truda have just arrived and they are ready to head out on a tour. Can’t wait to get back to it in a little bit. Thank you for another excellent story, Ann
Author
So glad you are enjoying the summer with Piper, Jamie, and Truda. I really liked all of those characters and how some romance filtered into the story. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Thank you for your kind words about my books, Ann, and for reading my stories.
I wish I could remember but at almost 77 I have forgotten as much as I ever knew, I thibk!!
Author
That has me smiling, Marjorie. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten the things you learned over the years. All of that knowledge has simply sunken down into your thoughts and become part of you. Now you are the one who can share the wisdom with others. 🙂