Bmeandering

Bmeandering

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Smalltown/Appalachia/Blessings



community

ordinary folks
living their lives
surrounded by hills and fields
part of
rolling foothills
of  appalachian mountains.

appalachia
can conjur up mind pictures
of
sagging roofs
mattress and couch
springs exposed
crowding porch
rusted autos
cluttering the landscape
hungry mangy dogs
eying passers-by suspiciously
 as do their owners

but appalachia
is much more

it's a small town
with farmers and coalminers
a small but thriving hospital
a family owned grocery store

appalachia
is
a parade an hour long
princesses
a band
firetrucks
floats proudly proclaiming
God and small town
(and disney)




it's
a pumpkin festival
a gathering of friends and neighbors
mingling with visitors
reunions of high school mates
home first time in years



it's
a celebration
of
fall and harvest
of
God and His blessings

of sweat and toil
 hands stained with the earth
knees peaking through ancient jeans
suspenders
ball caps
t-shirts
work boots





tables full of bounty
from the garden
and the kitchen






life in a small town world

I left it, but it never left me
this is home
i'm proud to be from appalachia
and small town america

God has blessed me








Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands
Serve the Lord with gladness . . .
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves . .
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving . .
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.
From Psalms 100


also my Psalm Friday

Blessings as you end this set of week days
and enter into your weekend.



9 comments:

  1. I've never seen such huge pumpkins ... looks like a great event.

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  2. i enjoyed this post. i like the pumpkin tree, and i like the porch decorations. fun :-)

    Enter into his gates with thanksgiving...

    thanks for the verse.

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  3. I "found you" at Glenda's...just in time to see the giant pumpkins - and white ones at that!

    I've lived most of my 61 years in small town -- apparently smaller than the one in which you grew up. They have their charms.

    Seeing your porch decorations confirmed my inner- autumn yearnings.

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  4. This is so good. I especially like:

    "it's
    a celebration
    of
    fall and harvest
    of
    God and His blessings

    of sweat and toil
    hands stained with the earth
    knees peaking through ancient jeans

    Well done. Makes me want to live in a small town again.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It all looks so welcoming and warm. You've done a wonderful job sharing your hometown.

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  6. oh, gorgeous, friend. you capture the heart of home. now i want to visit. you write so well. thank you for this offering. xo

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  7. I have wanted to take a long, casual trip through the Appalachians for years and years. Drive through, meet people, SEE what I've always heard about and get a hand on the reality, since I've never been in that part of the country.

    What a blessing to see all the enjoyment before my eyes, and nearly be able to hear all the fun, too.

    Maybe someday....

    ReplyDelete
  8. This if one of my favorite pieces you've written, Beth! I'm drawn to small-town stories and descriptions of everyday life in close-knit, hard-working communities!

    ReplyDelete

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