Linda Scott DeRosier
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Pass-Along
Pass-Along Wallace at the Cabin Pass-along is the practice of one generation handing down to the next the physical skills it takes to make a living along with the spiritual capacity needed to make a life. As one who was born at the head of an eastern Kentucky holler, 'spiritual capacity' (my sense of what it means to belong to a people and a place, to keep space for family and friends at the center of my life, and to build outward from there) has been my Appalachian birthright. Incidentally, the picture at the top of this page is Gwen's Cabin. [If you've read Creeker, you know who Gwen is] Wallace built it for her up the holler from where we both grew up, where Gwen and Sister, and I -- and sometimes Easter if she wasn't busy -- used to go swing on grapevines when we should have been working but were trying to sleaze out of it. As I admitted in the book, Gwen and I were not the most willing workers and got out of every bit of it we could. Though I don't miss the work itself, I do miss those afternoons spent stringing beans or skinning beets sharing whatever came to mind in community with my people. Those of us who are strewn like a handful of wildflower seed all-the-scrap over this country need a place to continue the community of pass-along that we received on front porches as we listened to the old ones and added our own opinions to the mix. I envision this page as a place to share all manner of views, ideas, hints, tips,directions, quotations, funny stories, or any other piece of wisdom that has helped us draw our own life's map from was to is. So first off, please visit my Guestbook through the links below: The second section of pass-along will contain recipes I have found particularly larrapin' and I hope you'll add some favorites here too. Along with my flower bulbs, I consider my recipes to be among the most valuable belongings I inherited. Cooking and eating loom large in the making of a creeker; believe it. Creeker Cookin': You'll probably notice a lot of parentheses in my recipes. Don't disregard these because the directions in the parentheses are often what make this food taste country or they include some adaptation to bring it in closer to today's health standards. Grandma Emmy's Fried Corn (serves 6) 9 good sized ears of corn 1 or more strips bacon 2 tbsp butter or margerine 1-2 cups milk Cut the corn off the cob. (This is the hardest step because it gets all over everywhere but it's worth it. You have to have a much bigger pan or bowl than is necessary to hold the corn just to keep from making a big mess.) Scrape the cob. (Don't skip this step because it's the scrapings that make it taste so good.) Fry up a strip or so of bacon (if you're scared of bacon fat, just do one strip) in a heavy skillet (you can actually use any skillet -- the heavier the better -- but a well-seasoned iron skillet is best). Set the bacon aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan, and add a couple of tablespoons of butter or good margarine (such as: I Can't Believe It's Not Butter brand) to your skillet. Dump in the corn and cover with milk (you can even use skim here and it doesn't affect the taste all that much.) Turn the heat down, cover the pan and let it cook, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom so it doesn't burn, until the corn is tender. Crumble the bacon strip(s) into the pan and stir. Serve immediately but it tastes just as good cold a couple of hours later (provided you can have any leftovers, that is.) Now then, consider yourself invited to take part. I promise I won't try to be profound if you won't. If we wait to say something that carries sufficient moral weight, we may never have any posts here. If, however, you have something really wise to say - whether it's your own idea or you're quoting - let 'er fly. We'll be thankin' you for it too. So go to "The Pass-Along Message Board" and leave me a message. Pass-along Message Board: Let me hear from you. -- lsd -- Click and type in a question or comment Linda, I have tried to email you. I am your Aunt Vivian's grandaughter. (Diane's Daughter)You can email me back at cammie1968@yahoo.com Thanks, Cammie Susan Lutes Beattyville, KY Linda, I was in attendance the cultural diversity conference at Eastern Kentucky Univeristy on February 7th and was blessed to get to hear you speak. I was truly inspired by your speech and ran out to buy Creeker that same day. I have read both books now and I am a true fan. You have so much insight into Eastern KY Culture. I work for a nonprofit organization that works to bring medical practitioners into rural communities. I talk to kids from Eastern KY and encourage and assist them if they are interested in a medical career. Having grown up in this area of the country myself I am aware of the obstacles these kids face. It was an honor to attend the conference with you and I look up to you a lot. I earned a bachelor's degree in psychology after I was married and had children and in May I will recieve my Masters in Public Health at the age of 33. You are a true inspiration to me. Thank you. I forgot to give my name and contact information. Tom Bonny (859) 622-8330 tom.bonny@eku.edu Linda, I am putting together our 6th annual Diversity Conference at Eastern Kentucky University, which is scheduled for February 7-8 of 2007. Would you be available to speak as the keynote speaker on the 7th. It would be great to hear your message of growing up in Eastern Kentucky and overcoming the barriers you encountered to become successful. 2-20-06 Happy Birthday, Linda Sue Preston, wherever you are. Happy Birthday, Linda Sue Preston, wherever you are. 2-20-06 Happy Birthday, Linda Sue Preston, wherever you are. 2-20-06 Happy Birthday, Linda Sue Preston, wherever you are. 2-20-06 Happy Birthday, Linda Sue Preston, wherever you are. Linda, I want to thank you again for your wonderful writing. It gives me a glimpse at my childhood and keeps me in touch wiht my roots. Is there a list of events scheduled for you this year (2006)? I would love to attend one and get a chance to finally meet my favorite author. I hope you are well and enjoying life as usual. Peace and love to you and yours in 2006. --Sheila Dunbar-- Hey Linda Sue, My computer has crashed several times but I finally found you again. I really enjoyed both of your books. They brought back some of the best times and memories of my life. My trips to your home and Thelma were always the highlights of my years growing up. The pictures reminded me of the times trapsing in the Grandpa Preston's pasture. This city boy always seemed to find the "cow pies". Hope to see you sometime. Bob Potts My name is Debra Necessary Gibson and I am happy to report that I don't think I'm kin to the infamous Liz Necessary but I am crazy about "Creeker" which I purchased from the Ba-Czar(really)outside of Pound, Va., which butts up next to Eolia ,Ky. A most serendipitous find for a girl who fel in love with "Daughter of the Legend" by Jessee Stuart as a young girl and later named her baby girl Ivy from Lee Smith's "Fair and Tender Ladies. " I will gladly share my "find " with all my mountain sisters here in Castlewood, Va. Too bad the old baby basket won't be baking any new ones cos'I would name the next one after you!! I enjoyed the book as much as any thing I've read in a long time. Thank you for the bright spot in my day. necessaryfrog@yahoo.com 2-20-05 Happy Birthday, Linda Sue Preston, wherever you are. Ms. Derosier, Thank you so much for your words of life and inspiration in Creekers. Although my mother married my daddy at age 22 and lived in Fort Worth, TX until the end of her journey on earth 4 years ago, she, too, was from the hollers around Paintsville. She graduated from Meade Memorial School in 1942 and her name, Mary Louise Roberts, is listed for that year on the school's website. Momma was a wonderful person who taught us the meaning of family as you described in your book. We went "back home" to the hills often as I was growing up and Kentucky was always "back home" to us kids, even though we were all three born and reared in Fort Worth. My brother happened to discover your book in a very "back home" kind of way and then loaned it to me to read. My brother's step-daughter was graduating college in Lexington and he and his wife traveled from Fort Worth To Lexington for the graduation ceremony. While staying at a hotel there, my brother, who knows no stranger, began talking with the desk clerks at the hotel. They were a brother and sister from Paintsville who were going to college in Lexington. My brother mentioned to them that we had family in the Paintsville area. When they heard this, they told my brother of a wonderful book called Creekers, that was written by a lady from that area. The next day, the brother (desk clerk) told my brother that he had found the book and wanted him to have it. My brother called me excitedly on his drive home from Kentucky and read me the student cheer printed inside the cover of your book. He read the book and now I have also. I am now looking forward to reading your book about your parents, Life and Grace Preston. God bless you for bringing my family a little closer to our Appalachian heritage and God bless the two young students/desk clerks at the hotel where mny brother was staying. Though they were complete strangers, they treated my brother as long lost kin and gave him a wonderful gift of your book. Judy Jones I was sittin' here in the company of my own mind, feelin' the beatin' of a heart too large to be inside my chest. I was thinkin' on the sounds that set it to flutterin' and my wings to flickerin.' I want to know of the creatures I can hear, what be their dream that comes to my ear? "The sounds of life" I named my search, and Google brought me to your holler. Never heard your name nor books before, but your soul must been knockin' on my door. You invited me in to leave a message so hear I am. madagastar Ms. De Rosier: My daughter is Angelique Galskis and I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your books. I have shared them with all the ladies in our church and they too enjoyed them. I hope to meet you some day as my daughter has great respect for you. Phyllis Davis Hi Linda. I hope you check this occasionally. Congrats on the award, you certainly deserve it. Jack and I have landed in Lake Havasu City Arizona and I am teaching at a high school for misfits. I look forward to reading your second book, I just ordered it. Your schedule look outrageous, I hope you slow down occasionally to take a breath. Say hi to Arthur for us. Sandra Ainsworth Hey Linda, Just to let you know that I am your cousin through marriage to Arthur. I have such an interst in finding out more about my cousin and his wife and this website is fantastic. It gives me a place to start. I plan on buying all of the books you've both written, BUT, I would LOVE to have signed copies. I was hoping to see Arthur on his trip to Ct. in April. I have not given up on that yet. Well, let me introduce myself to you. My name is Jan (Bonafine) Shirshac and I live in Columbia, Ct. Arthur's mom, Rose and my mom, Clara, were sisters. I just lost my mom the day after Christmas (2003). Well, till soon I hope. Thanks for the great reading. Jan 3/9/04 Hi! I was at your speaking engagement last night at MSU and I enjoyed it immensely. I have finished both Creeker and Songs and absolutely loved them. Although I have grown up in a different time (I'm 23), I was raised in Martin, KY (Floyd County). Therefore, I can really relate to your description of family values, relationships, and living in a small town or holler. I found both works to be right on and I am thankful to you for writing them. Its so great great to have something ring so true so close to home! I can only hope that there is more to come! Thanks, Jen Crisp jdcrisp@hotmail.com February 20, 2004 Linda Sue Preston, I remember you at Sweet 16. But you had been kissed by then. I saw to that. Thanks for the memories. Happy Birthday, Pretty Girl. Just finished "Creeker" (for the seecond time) and "Songs of Life & Grace". Growing up in the same time frame (Class of 56) just over the border in Mingo Co. WV, they brought a flood of memories. Thank you. P.S. Is sawmill gravy the same as red eye gravy? sallybernhardt@hotmail.com Linda, Thank you for the time you spent with me after reading in Lexington, I've given copies of both your book's to friends and I'm getting many more request. Please send me a free case of Creekers and Song's of Life, as i can't keep up with the demand for free copies of your work! Your Cous. Jimmy Perry jperry1@mis.net I am reading Creeker and am more than half way through the book. I love it!! It makes me want to visit Greasy Creek and see the place you grew up. Best of all though, it is such a wonderful tribute to your parents and grandparents--a way of letting them live again.I want to make this book last as long as I can. BPatton--Tennessee I am reading Creeker and am more than half way through the book. I love it!! It makes me want to visit Greasy Creek and see the place you grew up. Best of all though, it is such a wonderful tribute to your parents and grandparents--a way of letting them live again.I want to make this book last as long as I can. BPatton--Tennessee Hi Linda Scott! Hope you keep the pass alongs as a feature. As I followed the directions, I was back in Irvine, in Estill county watching my grandmother make her hoecake in the skillet ready for the country butter.I met you at Hindman a couple of years ago. I look forward to your new book, hope our paths cross again.margaret bagley Mrs. DeRosier - I loved your first book that I read for UK 101 (I am a University of Kentucky student) so I immediately bought your second book as soon as it came out. I enjoyed them both so much that I decided to write a paper (for my final exam in Humanities) discussing the importance of family in Eastern Kentucky. I would love to ask you some further questions and include some direct quotes from you in my paper. If you ever have time in your busy schedule could you either responde here or email me at elizabeth.lakes@uky.edu about the importance of family and how you feel that you are always a part of Eastern Kentucky. If you can't responde that's okay! I will write about you and your books anyway! Thanks! A huge fan, Beth Speaking of favorite lines...this one came to mind today as I wandered the beach w/ my hair "just so" to get the maximum benefits of the sun. "Grace had taken off her hat so the sun might have its way with her hair. The sun beats peroxide every time, she thought..." Indeed! I couldn't agree more! J I remember you as a brighity little thing, too...still are, best as I can tell. But as you always say, I can't do anything but live with it. Sister lsd: Don't know if you've seen this yet, but you really oughta!! Songs has been ranked #1. That pretty much says it all; way to go! Check it out at: http://news.bookweb.org/booksense/1793.html The Fall 2003 University Press Book Sense 76 Top Ten 1. SONGS OF LIFE AND GRACE, by Linda Scott DeRosier (Univ. Pr. of Kentucky, $26, 0813122767) "Linda Scott DeRosier, who chronicled her Appalachian childhood in the acclaimed memoir Creeker, turns her attention to her parents, taking us deep into their 58-year marriage. DeRosier shows us the joys, hardships, love of the land, and love of each other that surrounded this American rural family. By reading her story, we are able to remember our own." --Arlene Morse, Hawley-Cooke Booksellers, Louisville, KY Linda Sue! Well, you've outdone yourself...again! I didn't think you could beat CREEKER, but Gwen and Wallace were right - you did! I so enjoyed SONGS OF LIFE AND GRACE!!! They are both awesome! What made it even more special, while reading your latest book, was being in Montana visiting you and Art w/my daughter, Jamie Jo. What a great book! It was too neat to read all the stories (HISTORY)about both sides of my family - my mom, Betty Jo Holbrook and the Frank Ward family - knowing they are true! You are certainly a storyteller - you keep your readers entertained - I laughed and cried thru the book - it was just great! PLEASE KEEP WRITING! Also...thanks for always keeping close to your roots - you're Linda Sue - true blue....and what a special guy you have in Art. We love you both so much! ROADIE - Connie Sue and Jamie Jo :-) Please give Foxy a hug for us! Linda Sue, I was a couple of years ahead of you at Meade and I remember you as a briggity little thing. I thought you really nailed it in Creeker so I didn't think I would like this book as much. I just logged on to say that I think I may like it better. What you said about the difference between your time and your sisters time was really true of me and my younger brothers and sisters who were closer to Pats age. I left there right out of high school but have stayed close to home and what you say about the things we all took with us and treasured is as true as what you said in Creeker. Thank you, and Clyde Roy Pack, for writing about us and home and I'll get back about my favorite lines in your Song book, because I'm going to read it again. Geneva Ms. deRosier, about favorite lines, I've found a few so far, some deep and serious - meaning of life serious. But I'll post a less serious for now since that's how the quoting started: "In those days, Momma's view was what those church folks didn't know wouldn't hurt them. Her new husband thought she was the bang-up best, and everybody else could suck sand for all she cared." All in all, a great book! Melissa B., TN Hi Linda I have just seen your book "Creeker" and plan to read it. I am an occupational therapist. I live in Magoffin County but work extensivily in Martin County as a home health therapist and know where you are talking about.I work up at Turkey, Tomahawk, Piegon Roost, Johnson Bottom,Wolfe Creek, Warfield, Beauty, Lovely, Oppy, and all over. Have you ever heard of Gene Sisco? For a doctoral class {yes I was able to obtain a doctorate) I wrote about the occupations of the Applacian culture. I will send you a copy if you want (comments and all). For the paper I interviewed Blaze Star from Breeden WV. near Kermit. Well I am sure I will enjoy your book. It is wonderful to see someone from Eastern KY that has been so successful. I love the Applacian culture and to study about our heritage. I am a graduate of Berea College. Many students from that area have attended Berea... Well bye for now... rod morgan rehabrod@yahoo.com My favorite line: "...Momma never did discipline her [Sister] properly, even when she ruined my paper doll..." (p. 164). That line just makes me laugh out loud! I'd be interested in hearing lines that especially "sing" to anyone else. Heather HEY LINDA I REALLY LOVE THE BOOK. ITS GREAT TO READ YOUR BOOKS AND TO KNOW WE WERE ALL THERE GROWING UP IN THE SAME ERA. YOU KNOW, THAT WAS THE REALLY GOOD LIFE. KEEP WRITING BOOKS THAT WE CAN ALL RELATE TO,YOU MAKE THEM SO INTERESTING TO READ. DOTTY CHILDERS MEEK Thanks Linda, Tell Nancy I hope to see her in Huntington, if she doesn't make one of the earlier signings. lsd Thanks for the "heads-up" on your new web site--love it! I've given Nancy a copy of your 03-04 schedule. Would love to "meet" you again. Linda Hey Sheila, I don't have the recipe for Tomato Dumplings, but I have a lead on them. Gwen's husband, Wallace (the one in the picture at the top of this page) says his sister makes GREAT Tomato Dumplings and he'll get the recipe for me. I'll put it on here soon as I get it. lsd Hi Linda, This is Roby's wife Sheila Potts. Roby constantly talks about his mother's Tomato Dumplings! Your Aunt Irene. Do you have the recipe? If so, Please pass it along! Thanx! Sheila Thanks J, See you somewhere. lsd lsd, A website even better than the last; well done. "Songs" is beautiful - and I wish you much success. See you somewhere on the road... Love, J The picture on the cover of Songs was taken around 1910, and from the collection of Uncle Asberry Preston’s girl, Eula Lee Preston Perry Preston(1907-2002). She’s the little girl in the pink dress standing directly in front of my Pop Pop on the upstairs porch. The picture itself is of the Life Preston Homeplace on some after-church Sunday afternoon with a gaggle of kids and grandkids gathered for dinner. That’s Great Grandpa Life standing off to the left side—wife Elizabeth sitting in the window [holding her pipe, we think]. That house is proof that those Prestons were carpenters from way back--the first Preston-built house on Two-Mile, I think. The house was located between Two-Mile and Offutt above the mill dam on Greasy Creek where Life plied his trade grinding whatever needed to be ground. To his death, whenever one of us had a job to do my daddy would advise us “now, get in there and grind.” Thirty-some years ago, when Aunt Eula got the picture reproduced, framed, and hung in her parlor, Daddy looked at it for the first time, shook his head and said, “Now you think about that old sumbitch raisin’ all them kids down there on nuthin’” That was Daddy. That was his family and he was always proud to be a Preston. lsd 9/1/03 The cover of Creeker has long been my favorite picture of my family--the Lifie Jay Prestons of Two-Mile--and all four of us are there, too. That's Daddy and Momma [pregnant with Sister] and and me, on our porch in Fall 1946 and I believe the picture captures much about the way we were. Daddy had just finished building those steps he was sitting on and he'd sat down to have himself a cigarette. Momma was ready to hang out her wash--those are clothespins in her hand and you can see the end of the clothesline too. Uncle Ernie, whose camera chronicled our lives had called me over from playing in the yard and snapped that picture. If Momma's washing, it must be Monday. If Daddy's home on Monday, he must be laid off from the mines. Yet there we were, smiling. I knew Momma would take care of me. Momma knew Daddy would take care of us. In fact, all three of us knew Daddy could take care of everything so we had no reason to be anything but optimistic. Such was the story of our lives. lsd 9/1/03 |
Appalachian Writers' Workshop Hindman Settlement School July 2004 Some Appalachian writers-- Memoir Class  Sharyn McCrumb hearing of St. Dale . . . to come  Lee Smith and Hal Crowther A few pictures from the Ohio River Book Festival May 2004 Bob Sloan, author of Home Call Ohio River Book Festival  Billy C. Clark and Jim Gifford of JSF Press Ohio River Book Festival May 2004 A few pictures from the Southern Kentucky Book Festival April 2004 David & Lalie Dick, authors of Rivers of Kentucky, Plum Lick Publishing, Talking about Jesse Stuart, the subject of David's next book  Silas House and Crystal Wilkinson Such a bunch a country here! Silas House author of A Parchment of Leaves and Clay’s Quilt Crystal E. Wilkinson author of Water Street and Blackberries, Blackberries  Frank X Walker Talking about Lewis and Clark and other journeys with the author of Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York and Affrilachia  Barbara Popyach, David and Lalie Dick Talking cooking with Barbara Popyach, author of Kentucky's hot new cookbook, Kentucky Authors Cook and Eulalie and David Dick, authors of Home Sweet Kentucky Pictures from "Looking Toward Home" Morehead State University, March 2004 |
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