Christmas in Appalachia 1964

[AJMD429]

.
Christmas is likely this way for many in remote places still…

https://youtu.be/qbUwR2K0s9A

But I’ll bet they appreciated some things far better than many do today…

[JBowen]

Doc, that story could have been about the families right here in Denning, Arkansas where I live. My Great and Grand parents told stories of my Grand fathers working in the coal mines underground in the early 1900’s. I
I was talking to my Mother about that video this afternoon and she remembers many Christmas’ of getting very little to nothing except a good meal back in the 40’s. They appreciated everything they had and we were taught to appreciate even a minimum wage job and not waste anything.
There are still families like that around here today.
Thank God for your blessings every day.
JBowen

[stretch]

Thank God for your blessings every day.

Yep.

There are still places in Appalachia like that today.

My ancestors were coal miners. I have a soft spot for
miners to this day.

-Stretch

[.45colt]

When I first moved here nearly 50 years ago My neighbors on one side came from the mountains down there. moved here to get work and their House though small was immaculate and every blade of Grass cut in the yard. Church, Family, and work they never missed a Day. They set the standard for Neighbors.

[Drawdown]

Born in Harlan Co KY in 1959, been here ever since. 4th generation underground coal miner. Went to work outside job in 1976, supply, maintenance, etc, went underground right after I graduated in 1977, never went a single day without a job! Only time missed, was recovery from few accidents, one im lucky still be here, beyond description, killed couple my buddies, I won't get into detail.
I didn't watch the video, but most always they're centered around the worst! And yeah, there's been plenty of worst here to go around, its true!
But i can assure you, that im amongst the luckiest most blessed Americans to have been raised as i was! Life and working for a living is tough in plenty places, back then most places!
But i was raised by best parents, grandparents, great grandparents, as is possible! And the previous post, I forgot who, was pretty much right! Work hard 6 days week, always in church on Sunday (not all, but 99% were God Fearing, Believing). Im not bragging, just bring honest? We lived by The Golden Rule, as its pretty much known? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! And it was 95% everyone! Thanksgiving and Appreciation was taught or beat into us whatever needed per individual! Some took a lotta beating still lacked, but its been that way from the creation! The roads were almost abandoned on Sunday, especially afternoon, after church! Like rest world, things sped up after 70's. It's a sight how prosperity and easier will spoil anyone! Things changed fast here, ways more modern, etc, like everywhere else!
I had to retire in 2016, Dr pulled me, but I didnt have long if I'd went long as I could. Coal Mining, (and i worked at the working face 37 of those 39 years, were coal is produced, thus the bad health effects), is a hard way of life! But for us just going in in 70's, it was in our blood, most us, just like cattlemen, oil men, etc, never thought of doing anything else! Still dont regret it, sure glad I was lucky enough to been raised in it!
My youngest son is 39, a 5th generation miner. But he went smart route, Graduated UofKy in 2008, Mining Engineer, had his Masters in only few as is possible short years, and is a PE nor long after, (Professional Engineer)! Ive been blessed beyond cimpare! Best combination of Brains & Commonsense ive ever known, that being verified by most anybody who knows him! But the BS Obama War on Coal, all that? This county about done for towards real prosperity in mining. He's teaching High School Math, Chemistry, few more related subjects. 6 different classes, and they hardly have any teacher with more than 1 subjects, and if any with 2, I doubt, not sure. He handles workloads and pressure with ease! My oldest boy is 45. He's Mentally Restricted, but he's as happy a person as you can meet! He knows 10 times more people here than I do, he's LOVED! Neither one has given me the first bit of trouble! Yes, they're both Servants of Our Saviour Jesus Christ! The youngest has even taught Bible Studies for past 4-5 years!

[765x53]

I believe the primary purpose of the video was to sell Johnson's "War on Poverty" / "Great Society" big government scheme. With no regard or respect for the dignity of the people.

[Drawdown]

I believe the primary purpose of the video was to sell Johnson's "War on Poverty" / "Great Society" big government scheme. With no regard or respect for the dignity of the people.

Bingo! Big lotta Truth, enough said!

[AJMD429]

I believe the primary purpose of the video was to sell Johnson's "War on Poverty" / "Great Society" big government scheme. With no regard or respect for the dignity of the people.

Yeah, that's the sad part - sadder than the 'hard life' (which I'm not trying to minimize) of the documentary subjects.

Even sadder is the fact that way back then, there were still enough naive liberals to pass yet another "War on _____". Seems like there is a contingent of folks who think that every single thing can be 'solved' by government. Personally, I think most of the problems we have day-to-day are either worsened, or CAUSED, by government.

[Crazy Horse]

I watched it and it was unbelievable how hard they had it,

[wvfarrier]

Heck, I grew up dirt poor. I went many nights without food, except what was provided at school. However, a neighbor taught me to shoe and ride horses, no one in our house ever went hungry again. I worked full-time after school riding and shoeing, using loaned equipment until I could buy my own. I swore my kids would never be subjected to poverty and by The Grace of GOD and our Lord Jesus Christ, they never have.

A person CAN pull themselves up by their bootstraps if they chose to do it

[t.r.]

I grew up in rural Beaver County within western Pennsylvania. When the steel mills went out, it caused a ripple effect in the economies. Coal and clay mines closed. The clay was used in the brickyards to form kiln bricks. Widespread poverty prevailed. I knew men who poached deer to feed their families. They were not proud of their wildlife crimes and it was kept quiet.

One day, a friend from school came by our house on a Saturday and asked to borrow some 30-30 shells. I explained that the ammo was locked in the gun case and my Dad was at his office in town. I called Dad and told him about the situation. He came home right away and drove us to Beaver Falls for a trunk load of groceries. Dad told my friend, "Don't be shooting deer out of season or you'll get in trouble. You come to me when you need food for your family." I was proud of my Dad, a genuine Christian man. TR

[Marcruger]

My grandmother and her neighbor started the first school lunches in NC. My mom couldn't carry enough bag lunches to the kids of "clam digger" families (poorest of the poor), so grandmother decided to take food to them. She and her neighbor would cook stew or soup, and walk the pot a 1/2 mile (they did not drive) to the school daily. Otherwise, those kids went days without food.

My grandad and three brothers had it hard growing up. His mom died and his dad got remarried. His dad died soon after, and their stepmother sent them to a orphanage (a workhouse) in Suwannee GA. When 16 grandad walked back to NC, and got a job. He saved and bought his three bothers out of the orphanage. This was around 1916.

Tough times. I am not worthy.

God Bless, Marc