Memoir

Lightning
Papaw leased land to raise tobacco across the road from his property. He kept an old pony named Lightning to work the fields. Lightning was a gelded red pinto, and he was as big around as a barrel. He was a gentle horse, but if he knew someone was afraid of him, he would pick, chasing them any chance he got. He ran Mamaw when he got the chance. If he was loose and caught Mamaw in the yard, he would run her back into the house.
By Kass4 days ago in Chapters
Blocked Culverts, Clogged Ditches, and Family Feuds
When rain came down in the holler, it washed leaves and debris off the hills and into the creeks and ditches. Culverts would become blocked, and the water would back up, eventually running across the road and washing away the gravel. Papaw worked hard to keep the culverts cleared, sometimes working on them before the downpour had even stopped. He kept the ditches and creeks cleaned out from his house to the main road.
By Kass5 days ago in Chapters
The Livestock Pond
Growing up, I spent summers fishing at a livestock pond across the road from my grandparents’ house. I fished with hotdogs, bacon, and balls of smashed bread. I would not touch fishing worms. I raided Mamaw and Papaw’s fridge for bait, grabbed my fishing pole, and headed to the pond. The pond wasn’t much bigger than a mud hole, but we thought it was the best. My uncle Ronnie stocked it with fish he caught from the river, and he built a nice dock to fish from. It was always peaceful there. Woods enclosed the water on all sides, and the surrounding trees were decorated with fishing line and bobbers. My cousins, Joseph, Leslie, and I weren’t the best fishermen, but we had fun. Cattails grew thick along the water’s edge. Colorful dragonflies glided over the water’s surface and rested on the soft cattails. Big bullfrogs croaked from the water’s edge. Bass flashed in the sunlight as they darted in and out of the stalks. Occasionally, a large catfish tail slapped the water, sending ripples rolling across the pond. We all reeled in fast and cast back out in the direction of the catfish, most of the time getting tangled in each other’s lines.
By Kass6 days ago in Chapters
The Meaning of a Gift. Top Story - September 2026.
He walked the roads for months, picking up aluminum cans. I did not realize at the time that he didn't have the extra money to buy a bike for me. I just accepted it as the way he chose to make money. I don't know how much he made when he cashed the cans in at the scrapyard, and I don't know how much he paid for my bike.
By Kass7 days ago in Chapters
Chaos in the Holler
West Virginia is often stereotyped as a place of poverty and uneducated, backwoods hill folk. My experience growing up here was nothing of the sort. However, I have met cousins raised out of state who were more like the stereotype for West Virginians.
By Kass7 days ago in Chapters
Preserved in Memory
It's gone now. Leveled, burnt, and what remained buried. Maybe it is better this way. I understand why it had to be torn down. I know structures aren't permanent. Time and the elements would have eventually consumed what the vandals did not. We will not have to watch the change over the years as the house turned into a skeleton of block and tin.
By Kass8 days ago in Chapters
The Heart of Appalachia
I was raised in the heart of Appalachia, up a dirt road holler in an old blockhouse my grandparents called home. The shelter of the holler shaded us from the heat of the late afternoon sun, but also kept us under a blanket of snow longer than we would have liked.
By Kass9 days ago in Chapters
Black Cat Watches
Introduction I saw this image shared by The Enchanted Booklet and thought it was cute. It made me think of "HooverCat", which visits every day for treats but runs away when I open the door.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 17 days ago in Chapters
Episode 3: "Who Are the 'Tsogo' People?"
Greetings, everyone, and welcome back to another episode of "The African Latino." On the previous episode, I explained the history of the 'Ateke' people and how they survived through hardships. Today's episode will be about the 'Tsogo' people.
By Michael Reynoso17 days ago in Chapters
Outside your box
Life's journey takes you in many directions, especially in my case. With dyslexia, I believe I have sometimes gone down the same path more than once.
By Katherine Aguilar24 days ago in Chapters
Episode 2: “Who Are The ‘Ateke’ People?”
Greetings, everyone. Welcome to “The African Latino.” In today’s episode, I will share with you in-depth information about the ‘Ateke’ peoples: who they are, their meaning, what they did during their daily lives, migration, survival, and staying true to their traditions.
By Michael Reynoso24 days ago in Chapters
Episode 1: “My PatriClan African Ancestry Results Revealed”
Greetings everyone, and welcome to “The African Latino.” I'll share my "PatriClan African Ancestry" results with you in today's episode.
By Michael Reynoso25 days ago in Chapters