Old Pigs

When the weather turned cold in the fall and a cold frosty morn arrived, it was hog killing time. With no refrigeration the meat temperatures had to remain cool until the meat was cured. Hogs were killed when they were 300-500 pounds. They were fattened on slop (food scraps) and corn.

Pigs were the main source of meat for country people. Almost all of the hog could be used by the family. The hams and middlings (bacon) were salted and then smoked. Sausage was made from the scraps and sometimes the shoulders. The tenderloin was eaten fresh as were the organs. The fat from the pig was rendered into lard to be used for cooking. When the fat was rendered to liquid form it was poured into "tin lard stands (5 gallon lard buckets). The solids that remained were called cracklings and were eaten fresh or added to cornbread. Chittlings were made from the intestines after they were stripped and washed clean. The head, feet and tail were made into souse meat. The tongue was boiled with fresh back bones. The brain was usually scrambled with eggs the morning after killing and served with the fresh sausage. As the old saying goes, "Everything was used but the squeal".

This pen and ink drawing of the country pig is 10 inches by 12 inches and prints are available for $40.00

Indian Pink

Indian pink was very abundant in the southern part of the United States until around 1830 when it almost became extinct due to over harvesting.  The native Americans had found that the root, though poisonous, was a cure for worms in humans, especially roundworms. This treatment was often unpleasant and produced serious side effect, but soon American pharmacists as well as European physicians began to use the plant. The Creeks and Cherokees sold the plant in great quantities for cash. Fortunately, doctors became concerned with side effects- dizziness, rapid heartbeat, vision problems, and convulsions. Finally the use of Indian Pink was discontinued by the 1920's.

Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica) produces trumpet-shaped flowers, red on the outside and yellow inside. They grow in clumps and bloom from March to June. In nature they are usually found in moist woods and along stream beds but grow well in gardens. The flowering season can be extended by removing the withered flowers from the plant. Hummingbirds enjoy the nectar from the flowers and also aid in the process of pollination.

Pointed Blue-eyed Grass

The flower of the pointed blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)is about the size of a dime. The small blue or violet-blue flowers have a yellow center with points on the end. You will find them blooming from May to July. Their habitats are meadows, low woods, and shores. Even though the flowers are very small, the plant has features of the Iris family and is not a grass. The green seed pods below the flower will produce and release small black seeds.

Hummingbird Haven

This year our hummingbirds arrived on the first day of April.  We had already put out our feeders in anticipation of their arrival. Many of the same birds come back each year. We know this because if the feeders are not in place, the birds will hover at the window and look in as if to say, "Where's lunch?".  By the end of summer we may have as many as 20-25 birds. We will fill 4 feeders once a day during the time of greatest demand.

Hummingbirds burn a great deal of calories each day, feeding about 4 times every hour. They take in the nectar through their tubular tongues.  At night their body functions, such as heart rate and breathing, slows down to about 5% of the daytime function. Some hummingbirds migrate 2,000 miles from the breeding sites to their wintering home.

Do not feed hummingbirds honey mixed with water. There bodies cannot digest honey. They will eat it but will eventually die.  Homemade feeding solution can be made from 1 part white sugar to 4-5 parts warm water. (The warm water helps the sugar to completely dissolve.) Keep your feeders clean by rinsing them with vinegar and hot water. If ants are attracted to your feeders, coat the line used to hang the feeder with vegetable oil. This prevents them from climbing down to the feeder.

Male hummingbirds are very territorial. If the males begin to fight add more feeders.

Great Horned Owl

These night hunters take crows and turkeys off their roost and an occasional chicken out of the hen house. However, their main diet is the field mouse. Those of us living in the country appreciate their appetite for mice, as it is a constant battle keeping them out of home and barns on the farm.

In some Indian cultures the great horned owl was associated with death. Hearing the owl for several nights warned of a coming death. The Cherokee Indians placed owl feathers in water and bathed their children's eyes to keep them awake for all night ceremonies.

This particular owl is a great horned owl. They are the largest species in the area and migrate through the southeast during winter months. This drawing in pen and ink is available for $30.00 for a 6" by 8" print.

Ole Tom's Grave

This little inset in our rail fence is the marker of the grave of Thomas Atkerson and his child. As the story was told by my grandmother, Eula McCoy, Tom and his child died of a fever. His wife sold the land to Theodore McCoy for a horse and saddle in the early 1850's. They buried the two next to the house place. We have found evidence of the house beside the grave. His wife then took the horse and left never to return.

We have never been able to verify this story, however, there definitely is a grave, and we preserved the site in respect of "Ole Tom". The hill on which our house is located has always been called "The Tom Hill".

International Dogwood Festival

We have our art set-up this weekend in Winchester, TN for the International Dogwood Festival! Great weather for an outdoor festival. Lots of food, vendors, and music. Tomorrow night, May 3rd, the Charlie Daniels band will be performing on the square. No charge for entering the festival or watching the concert. Now that is a deal for Charlie Daniels fans.