Writing Time

Most writers have other jobs or other commitments, so they can't just write as the mood hits them. Usually serious writers will have to plan or schedule their writing times, at least sometime in their careers. It happened to me.

When I started writing my novels, I had huge blocks of time in which to write, and that made things easy. As my mother's health deteriorated, I  had become her caregiver. Yet, she could still do most things for herself. I cooked for her, took her to her doctors and then to dialysis, and became responsible for her medications. Otherwise, I just needed to be in the house in case she needed something or had any problems. I had enjoyed doing more traveling before this, but now I had the time to write. It still amazes me how God does bring some good out of bad situations, just like He promised. During this time, I finished eleven manuscripts and was working on the twelfth.

After about four years Mom made the decision to go off dialysis, and she passed away. My husband accepted the call to pastor a church in the eastern part of North Carolina, and I assumed the role of a pastor's wife I didn't have as much time to write. A year and a half later, my first historical novel, Cleared for Planting, was published, and I began promoting it, blogging, and being on social media more. I had even less time to write. In September, my second book, Sown in Dark Soil, was released, and writing time became hard to find. Not only was I a pastor's wife and promoting the books, but I also had to work with the C.E.O., editor, and graphic artist at the publishing house, as we bring other books out.

I'm not a person who usually has to schedule in time for things I enjoy doing, like writing, but I soon realized I was going to have to set some goals, if I finished more manuscripts. I had begun a new series set in early New Mexico, and writing the first book had gotten put on the back burner over and over again. Knowing that I had limited time, I set a low goal of writing a thousand words each day. It was an amount I thought I could always reach, no matter how busy the day. This has worked well for me. Most days I write at least 3,000 words, and on some days I write 7,000. I finished the first book and now am almost through with the second book in this New Mexico series.

Although, when I first started, I could write as many as 15,000 words on some days and always wrote 8,000, my situation has changed, and I've had to change with it. I don't have those large blocks of time anymore. I encourage any writers out there to set a doable goal, stick closely to it, and you'll feel good when you meet it or exceed it. Each person's situation and writing personality will be different. Do what works for you, but do. Write.

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The Witch of Big Lick

The 2nd book in the
Appalachian Roots Series

In doing some research for my fourth and final novel in the Appalachian Roots Series, I ran across an interesting legend. The novel, Transplanted to Red Clay, is largely set in Big Lick, North Carolina. At that time, a few years after the Civil War, Big Lick was the third largest town in Stanly County. The legend involved Lynn Bird, a woman who lived near the town, that rumors said was a witch.

Reports said that when children came too close to her cabin, she cursed them and pelted them with rocks. Livestock that wandered onto her land disappeared and was never seen again. Cattle that ate grass too close to her place sickened and died. She supposedly killed the child of one of her daughters who hadn't married first. Neighbors said they would hear an infant

crying from her place over the years, but none was ever seen. One source said that "if she was not the witch villagers believed her to be, she at least lived close to the devil." Her daughter, Hess, married William (Bill) Henderson, but Lynn tried to keep them apart. When Bill had had enough, he declared to an older widow, his friend, and a shopkeeper that he was going to Lynn's place to see his wife. He never returned and was never heard from again.

I had first thought I might work the legend into my book, but I intended to make Lynn a misunderstood woman. History shows that gossip and rumors often ran rampant about witches. However, the best I could see, Lynn lived after the turn of the century, too long after my book. I thought I would share the legend here, as a good tale for Halloween.

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William Blount

William Blount

William Blount was a noted statesman in both North Carolina and then Tennessee. He also signed the U. S. Constitution, as a North Carolina delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Afterwards, he served as the only governor to the Southwest Territory, because he led the successful fight to have the territory recognized as the state of Tennessee. Then, he was elected as one of Tennessee's first U.S. senators.

Home of Thomas Blount, William's brother, in Tarboro, NC
When William built his home in TN, he sent here for the nails.

William had been born on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1749, at Rosefield, near Windsor in Bertie County, North Carolina, which was his mother's homeplace. He was the first child born to Barbara Gray Blount and Jacob Blount. The Blounts rose to prominence, while building the family fortune. Sometime after William was born, his father built a plantation home, Blount Hall, in Pitt County. William served as paymaster during the Revolutionary War.

Blount House in Knoxville, TN

After moving to Tennessee, William aggressively sought land there and ended up owning millions of acres. However, he conspired with England to take Spanish-controlled Louisiana Territory, hoping that this would increase the value of his land. When the conspiracy became public knowledge, he became the first U.S. public official to face impeachment. William still remained popular in Tennessee, however, and served as a state senator until the end of his life.

William's office in Tennessee

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Moonshine

Also known by terms like white lightning, homebrew, white whiskey, hooch, and mountain dew, moonshine was the usual term used to describe a high-proof, corn liquor that was distilled illegally. The word "moonshine" is believed to have been coined in the Appalachian Mountains and derived from the term, "moonrakers," used to denote early English smugglers. Settlers, however, made their whiskey without aging it.

I grew up in Wilkes County, one time known as the "moonshine capital of the world." Although my family was never involved in making it, even as a small child, I could have told someone where to buy it. Everyone knew. I figure the local law enforcement had to have been paid off. But stills were tucked into remote spots all through rural areas, especially in the South and had been for years. That's also where NASCAR got it's start, from men out-running the cops while hauling moonshine. Later on, many moonshiners began adding chicken manure to their mash to make it ferment faster, a rather disgusting idea. To be true to the region, I've included moonshining in my historical novels, where all my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.

In Cleared for Planting, the first book in my Appalachian Roots series set in the 1800's, Emma's uncle makes moonshine on his homeplace near the Linville River, and her father ends up drinking it. In the second book, Sown in Dark Soil, on the way to the North Carolina mountains, my main characters meet a man transporting moonshine from the western part of the state to Salisbury. Moonshining became an important economic enterprise in many rural, otherwise poor, locations. It's definitely a part of American history.

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Chicken 'n Dumplings

When most people think of homemade chicken and dumplings they think of the flatter ones made without a leavening or shortening and in a slightly thickened, seasoned chicken broth. However, there's another kind coming from an Appalachian tradition. 

My mother, who was born and grew up in Watauga County, North Carolina, made hers the way her relatives taught her. She made her dumplings similar to biscuit dough, and they would rise in the pot as they cooked and become thick and more fluffy. She also added milk and a little thickening to the chicken stock, so that the soupy part resembled a cream soup or gravy. My husband likes these much better, although I like both kinds. 

I cook, much like my mother did, by just throwing things together until it looks and tastes right. I rarely measure anything, except for something I'm baking. I will try to write a recipe for how I make the mountain dumplings, but feel free it to alter it to your taste.

Mountain Chicken 'n Dumplings

2 cups self-rising flour
3 level tablespoons shortening
1 cup cold buttermilk (reg. milk can be substituted)
2 cups or more of chicken cut into pieces
1 quart chicken stock
1 pint milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup flour
Salt and pepper

Boil chicken until extra tender. Drain, saving the stock. Let cool and pick chicken off the bone, discarding the skin. Cut shortening into flour until granular and mixed well. Add milk and mix. Dump onto floured wax paper. Sprinkle flour on top and pat until about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares. Place 1 quart chicken stock in a large pot; add chicken, 1 cup milk, and butter. Take remaining 1 cup of milk and place in a pint jar with a tight lid available. Add 1/3 cup flour. Mix with a fork. Screw on lid tightly and shake to finish blending. Add to pot, salt and pepper to taste, and stir. Bring to almost a boil. Drop in dumplings with flour from wax paper and simmer slowly (so it doesn't stick) for 10 minutes. If necessary, stir carefully to prevent dumplings from breaking apart. Turn dumplings with a spoon and simmer for 5-10 more minutes or until dumplings are done. Remove from stove and serve.

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Fort Dobbs

Fort Dobbs is the only historic site in North Carolina from the French and Indian War time period. Built in the Piedmont, just to the east of the Blue Ridge near Statesville today, the area was considered part of the western frontier at the time. Leaders felt the state's unprotected frontier settlements risked attacks from those Indians who sided with France.

In 1755, Governor Arthur Dobbs convinced the colonial assembly to fund a fort on the western frontier. Construction began in the spring of 1756, and the fort was named for the governor. Its solid wooden construction was unusual for the South and more resembled some of the ones to the north. Of course, until danger came, other structures were used around the fort. As it turned out, Fort Dobbs was the only permanent frontier colonial fort in North Carolina.

About fifty men served at the fort, and it became a safe place for settlers. By the end of 1761, however, the number of soldiers had dwindled to thirty. As the war wound down, and the settlement inched farther west, the area around the fort became more civilized, and the fortification no longer seemed necessary. It was abandoned, and by 1766, the deserted fort had begun to fall into ruin. 

Today Fort Dobbs is a state historic site, which holds tours and reenactments. It's well worth a visit.

Fort Dobbs
438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville, NC
704-873-5882
Open 9:00 - 5:00, Tuesday - Saturday
Admission: Free

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Are You Helping or Hurting Your Church?

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to do good works (Hebrews 10:24).

You may have heard the saying, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." How true this is! If you try to pull something with a chain that has weak links, those weak areas will break and nothing is accomplished. Some think the same holds true for any organization and for churches, too.

Ye are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14a).


People in the community watch church members for evidence they live what they teach. If someone gossips, does things the Bible says not to, or doesn't live a Christian lifestyle outside the church, then others aren't likely to want to join that congregation. People notice whether we do or don't love all others and work to serve God. Christians are a walking advertisements, regardless if they recognize it or not.

By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:14).

What kind of advisement is your church making? What kind are you? Some think they can attend services when convenient, put a little money in the offering plate, and they've done their duty. That's just not true, and, from what His word says, God clearly doesn't think that. We need to open up those church doors and go forth out into our communities, because people will rarely walk in on their own. We need to put God first in our hearts, our minds, and our choices. Let's have our lifestyles reflect that we belong to God.

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My Dilemma 

I had an interesting thing happen this week as a writer. I got an email from a publisher of non-fiction history books with a state or local slant wanting me to send in a book proposal to them for possible publication. They are a tradition publisher, who pays royalties and requires no money from the writer. (More and more publishing houses are doing that these days.)

The publisher had seen my blog, read several of them, and thought I might be a good fit for their publishing house. I do tend to write my blogs about history and folkways through the week, because they've always been an interest of mine. I had never dreamed I might get a book offer from them, however.

Now, I've got to decide what to do. My love is writing my novels, and part of me wants to spend all the time I can on that. However, as a former history teacher and history major, I can also see me writing this book they want. I've looked at their website and started jotting down possible topics, as I think of them. Also, as my husband pointed out, this might get my name out there more and increase my name recognition.

I'm still having a hard time deciding what I should do. I think I could do this book and still keep up with my writing schedule on the Appalachian Roots series that I'm now publishing. I should also be able to still do book promotions, because I can write some when I travel. However, it would probably slow down the New Mexico series that I'm working to write now. I'm going to continue to consider the issue and to pray about it. Regardless of what I decide, it's been a huge compliment to be asked.

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Hay Art

Hay art has become a popular fad across the country in rural areas. They are especially popular in fall or with Halloween themes, but these are only the beginning. Winter brings out snowmen and Santas, and once the inspiration gets flowing, farmers and their wives seem to come up with some remarkable creations. It's limited to only the imagination.

In Iowa, a state where hay art is really popular, some of the counties, like Lucas, even have hay art contests. Some state fairs also have them as a category in the judged exhibits. In Montana, Friends of the Hobson Library/Museum sponsor a hay trail on the first Sunday following Labor Day every year in conjunction with the Utica Day Fair. This is basically another hay art contest.

You don't have to go far to find hay art, however. Chances are that, if you ride around rural areas not far from where you live, you'll find examples. It's fun to see how many different ones you can find. Just look at some of the ones here. It's amazing what can be done with a few bales of hay.

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Gathering for Fall

After all the vegetables and fields had been harvested, farm families in the past began making their final efforts to gather the last bounty from nature before winter set in. One of the first fall crops were apples. Sometimes these could be found in the wild, where an early settler had once planted them, from droppings where birds had eaten seeds, or from apple cores discarded by someone passing by. They would keep for a few months in a cool, dry place. Homemakers also dried them, made apple butter, prepared apple jelly, and canned them, after that process became available. Of course, they were good to eat right away and in such things as pies and desserts.

Black walnuts in their hulls

Nuts were also eagerly sought. Some types of nuts grew in almost every continental location. They could be collected and stored for cracking during the winter months. They were good for eating and added variety to bread and dessert dishes.

Persimmons came late in the fall. In fact, many people believed they didn't get sweet until the first frost hit. The tree is actually native to Asia, but it immigrated to Europe and into America. Homemakers came up with many recipes using the fruit. Persimmon pudding became a favorite one. Here is one recipe for it:

Traditional Persimmon Pudding

2 cups persimmon pulp
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup self-rising flour
2 beaten eggs
1 1/4 cups whole milk or half and half
4 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and butter or spray a 9x9 or 9x13 (depending on the thickness you prefer) baking dish. Mix sugars, soda, milk and eggs well. (You can adjust the flour and milk to get the consistency you prefer.) Blend in other ingredients. Pour into baking dish and bake about 55 minutes. It will puff up, but will fall back down when removed from the oven.

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Churches at Cades Cove

Driving through Cades Cove is a step back in time, and the old churches are part of that. Visitors today can walk though the churches and be reminded of an earlier era, when the church was often the heart of a community.

The Methodist church was organized in the 1820's by circuit riders, like George Eakin. It was included in the list of churches of the Holston Conference's Little River Circuit in 1830. The original church was log with a dirt floor and fire pit for heat. In 1902, John McCampbell built the clapboard church which now stands on the property in 115 days for a cost of $115. He also served as its pastor.

John and Lucretia Oliver introduced the Baptist denomination to Cades Cove in 1825. However, in 1830, there was a split throughout eastern Tennessee. The split came about over the issues of mission work, temperance organizations, and Sunday School. The Primitive Baptist remained the dominant church in Cades Cove for several years after the split.

The other church coming out of the split was the Missionary Baptist. At first they met in people's homes. They were finally able to erect a building on Hyatt Hill in 1894. The congregation outgrew this building, and a new one was built in 1915, which is the one you can see today.

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Lavender

In earlier times, women often kept herb gardens and used the plants grown there in many ways. Lavender was such a plant. Besides having a pretty flower and being used in soaps and scents, lavender has many medicinal uses. 

The flowers are collected and used in tinctures, infusions, or lotions. Infusions are steeped in hot water and strained to make a liquid. Tinctures include a little alcoholic beverage as a preservative in the same way cough syrups do. Essentials oils from the plant are included in the lotions and salves for topical use.

Lavender has been used to treat tension headaches, nervous exhaustion, depression, indigestion, and labor pains since ancient times. It also has a mild sedative. A weaker version is given to babies for colic. Other uses include a chest rub for asthma and bronchitis, a hair rinse to keep lice and nits away, a massage oil, a mouth wash for bad breath, and a relief for insect bites and stings. Maybe we all should consider planting a little lavender.

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