Beautiful! My mother was very similar trying to feed 7 children in rural Ohio. My dad was a barber (after the Beatles who made long hair fashionable). I love the way you wrapped it up with a lesson for us to remember, I totally agree.
Thank you so much for sharing this experience, especially your shout out to the librarians! I loved reading that essay about the creamed corn (some of those experiences were very close to home for me!), and will follow the Substack.
I have been to Grundy for work as a consultant. It is some real mountains, in fact, I needed break pads after my trip. The people are Appalachian tough, so tough that they had (and maybe still do), an elementary school wrestling team, that competes against entire state's teams in the USA National Elementary School Wrestling Duals. Impressive indeed, when you have a town that's just a little over 850 people.
Two fabulous reads. Thank you. These librarians have a boatload of stories in them. I hope they keep sharing. How do we get on their list to read them. And, I am a big AJ Jacobs fan. Maybe he will visit our small town, Saluda, NC. or, at least nearby.
So good, for so many reasons. Thank you, A.J. A big "yes" re libraries and librarians.
Librarians and books have been lifesavers for some of us. What are the most effective ways we can support them and help improve literacy rates (which show signs of decline)?
Thank you and Congratulations. I am impressed with your arithmetical skills in pinpointing the percentage of the population who came to see and hear you. So many treasures to be found in our almost broken country. I once had a somewhat-like experience at a library in a teeny tiny town on the Olympic peninsula....a book club gathering. I long to take a road trip stopping off at libraries in obscure parts (to me) of the nation. Also, my daughter was a Librarian in Oakland, Ca. for a while.....and like many other lonely kids in the midwest the local library saved my life.
Signed up for Teresa and Brian's Substack. Reading about Creamed Corn later today.
Wonderful essay. My father was a factory worker and we had similar experiences whenever the factory was on strike - roughly every 2-4 years. All we had to eat was what we grew or what was already in the freezer. The Union knew to go on strike in the summertime.
I think a Year of Living Appalachian would be brilliant. You could hike a while on the Appalachian Trail, pick tomatoes with immigrant labor, and visit hospitals manned by moonlighting intern doctors from larger cities. Don't forget the meth labs!
Thank you Ellen! That's so interesting about summertime strikes, thanks for sharing. And for the Appalachian thoughts. Not sure how julie would feel about the meth lab!
You could also go to NASCAR races. You could fish in the Tennessee river, and watch eagles at Guntersville State Park (Alabama), climb Mt Leconte (TN), visit Dollywood (TN), and the world's largest yard sale, which starts at Noccolula Falls in Gadsden, AL and ends up somewhere in Chicago, I think. I'm from Alabama, in the foothills of the Appalachias. Personally, I dislike Appalachia, but perhaps you could show me its kinder, gentler side.
A very hearty thank you to A.J. for sharing this terrific story by Teresa Matney & Brian Shortridge. We love stories with morals as they remind us of important lessons in life. We love humility, especially in victory, and I'm pretty sure I'll think differently the next time I open a can of fruit cocktail.
Do it do it do it! I’ve mostly only driven through Virginia, though I did stop long enough to say I’d “been” there. I swear it is the prettiest state on the I-95 and that is reason alone to go and stay awhile. More reason needed? Life vacation from the Big Apple. Work won’t end, but it’ll be different, and that’s good for anyone.
Finally, it’s next to West Virginia, which means on a monthly basis, you can go volunteer at Heart of Phoenix, the biggest (or at least best) horse rescue in all of Appalachia – and attend their Appalachian Trainer FaceOff in August. I basically throw a few bucks a month their way because they made their case, and provide great horse education, especially considering I’ve never had a horse and now want to have the conditions in which to keep one.
Thanks for introducing us to the librarians!
Thank you for the story!
Can’t wait to read more
Beautiful! My mother was very similar trying to feed 7 children in rural Ohio. My dad was a barber (after the Beatles who made long hair fashionable). I love the way you wrapped it up with a lesson for us to remember, I totally agree.
Thanks Kim! So glad you liked Teresa and Brian's work, I do too
Thank you so much for sharing this experience, especially your shout out to the librarians! I loved reading that essay about the creamed corn (some of those experiences were very close to home for me!), and will follow the Substack.
Thanks Farida! I love librarians!
I have been to Grundy for work as a consultant. It is some real mountains, in fact, I needed break pads after my trip. The people are Appalachian tough, so tough that they had (and maybe still do), an elementary school wrestling team, that competes against entire state's teams in the USA National Elementary School Wrestling Duals. Impressive indeed, when you have a town that's just a little over 850 people.
Poignant, moving , piece
Beautifully told
Thanks for sharing
Two fabulous reads. Thank you. These librarians have a boatload of stories in them. I hope they keep sharing. How do we get on their list to read them. And, I am a big AJ Jacobs fan. Maybe he will visit our small town, Saluda, NC. or, at least nearby.
Fantastic!! I would buy their book if they wrote it!!
Thank you for sharing your adventures in Buchanan County Virginia. We moved here from Florida. The library and Brian and Theresa are fabulous.
So good, for so many reasons. Thank you, A.J. A big "yes" re libraries and librarians.
Librarians and books have been lifesavers for some of us. What are the most effective ways we can support them and help improve literacy rates (which show signs of decline)?
Thank you and Congratulations. I am impressed with your arithmetical skills in pinpointing the percentage of the population who came to see and hear you. So many treasures to be found in our almost broken country. I once had a somewhat-like experience at a library in a teeny tiny town on the Olympic peninsula....a book club gathering. I long to take a road trip stopping off at libraries in obscure parts (to me) of the nation. Also, my daughter was a Librarian in Oakland, Ca. for a while.....and like many other lonely kids in the midwest the local library saved my life.
Signed up for Teresa and Brian's Substack. Reading about Creamed Corn later today.
Thanks Jean! And thanks to your daughter for being a librarian!
This was not what I was expecting to read as I went through my inbox this morning but it was such a delight. Thank you for sharing that story!
Thank you my fellow AJ!
Wonderful essay. My father was a factory worker and we had similar experiences whenever the factory was on strike - roughly every 2-4 years. All we had to eat was what we grew or what was already in the freezer. The Union knew to go on strike in the summertime.
I think a Year of Living Appalachian would be brilliant. You could hike a while on the Appalachian Trail, pick tomatoes with immigrant labor, and visit hospitals manned by moonlighting intern doctors from larger cities. Don't forget the meth labs!
Thank you Ellen! That's so interesting about summertime strikes, thanks for sharing. And for the Appalachian thoughts. Not sure how julie would feel about the meth lab!
You could also go to NASCAR races. You could fish in the Tennessee river, and watch eagles at Guntersville State Park (Alabama), climb Mt Leconte (TN), visit Dollywood (TN), and the world's largest yard sale, which starts at Noccolula Falls in Gadsden, AL and ends up somewhere in Chicago, I think. I'm from Alabama, in the foothills of the Appalachias. Personally, I dislike Appalachia, but perhaps you could show me its kinder, gentler side.
hello Mr Jacobs, Thank you for this email
I like your ideas and information
warm regards, Carmen 🤗
Thank YOU Carmen
A very hearty thank you to A.J. for sharing this terrific story by Teresa Matney & Brian Shortridge. We love stories with morals as they remind us of important lessons in life. We love humility, especially in victory, and I'm pretty sure I'll think differently the next time I open a can of fruit cocktail.
Thank YOU Behavioral Grooves people. I love the lessons you teach on your podcast.
Do it do it do it! I’ve mostly only driven through Virginia, though I did stop long enough to say I’d “been” there. I swear it is the prettiest state on the I-95 and that is reason alone to go and stay awhile. More reason needed? Life vacation from the Big Apple. Work won’t end, but it’ll be different, and that’s good for anyone.
Finally, it’s next to West Virginia, which means on a monthly basis, you can go volunteer at Heart of Phoenix, the biggest (or at least best) horse rescue in all of Appalachia – and attend their Appalachian Trainer FaceOff in August. I basically throw a few bucks a month their way because they made their case, and provide great horse education, especially considering I’ve never had a horse and now want to have the conditions in which to keep one.