Yesterday my folks, my aunt, and I went to Lexington, our nearest larger city for lunch and some shopping.  As we were driving, we passed a few farms with nice looking tobacco crops. Sad thing was, even I could remember the day when the entire countryside on that end of town was tobacco. My family has a long history in tobacco, my grandparents were tobacco sharecroppers as were the past generations of my mom's family. Sharecropping means they rented land and raised the crop allotted to the acreage. They received a portion of the money after the tobacco was sold and so did the land owner.

While I was growing up I remember my mom and my aunt both going 'home' to help my grandparents set their tobacco crop.  Small tobacco  plants were plucked from the loose soil of the tobacco bed and set using a tractor and setting attachment.

None of the people pictured in this blog are my family.

As a kid growing up we had two jobs.  One was to help 'pull plants' from the bed so that the setters could set.  The other was to follow behind the setter and fix any plants that were accidentally placed in the ground upside down. It was looooong tedious work. My mom and aunt always speak wistfully of setting time now.  Setting was a time for socialization (which might have been the reason for all the upside down plants). 

For the rest of the spring and a good part of the summer, the crop takes care of itself.  It needs weeding, watering if it doesn't rain and once it gets up a bit then you have to pluck the tobacco worms off: 

By late summer the crop is taller than most people and begins to flower:

The flowers are broken off , called 'topping' the tobacco, so that the plants resources can focus on growing larger leaves. Once the leaves begin turning yellow its time to start cutting.

This isn't a very good looking crop.

Cutting. 

My dad would sometimes come help during cutting  and housing as would the other men of the family.  This was the time when my granny would cook holiday size meals to feed the work hands. My mom and aunt would help then too.  Keep in mind that cutting and housing usually coincided with canning season...I hate breaking beans and shucking corn to this day...but dang I sure miss those home canned foods!

Housing.

Once in the barn, the tobacco hangs suspended for a couple of months to cure.  Some places smoke cure tobacco, but not here in central Kentucky.

 

After the tobacco cures then comes 'into case', a mysterious state I never fully understood but it has something to do w/ the amount of moisture in the leaves, its ready to be stripped from the stalks.  Once again this was a family endeavor. 

Take a look at the mans fingers in the picture below:

Notice the blackened fingers?  I remember everyone's hands being black as tar and sticky when they came out of the stripping room.  The kids hauled the stalks out as we couldn't be trusted to pull the right leaves or the right way. Different leaves had different names (again, that knowledge is lost to me) and were different grades. That black junk didn't just end up on hands, by the end of the day the inside of your nose would be black and your boogers would be rock hard and black as coal.  Yes, a little graphic but its the truth.

From the stripping room, the tobacco is bound into bales and hauled off to sell:

After that, its bought by various companies and made into cigarettes. Most burley tobacco from Kentucky does not become cigars, a different type of tobacco is needed for that.  Most of the country looks upon those big cigarette companies with hate and disgust in their eyes...the new devils that must be driven out.  And don't get me wrong, I don't like smoking, its a habit I am thankful I never picked up, I saw the devastation it can cause in my own family. But because I have roots in tobacco, I see a different side to it.  I know that the crop was supported thousands of Kentucky families, put food on their tables and clothes on their backs.  As tobacco has become an 'evil' crop most families have sold off the family farms, the land here isn't good for raising much else. So now the countryside that used to look like this:

Looks like this:

Yes, I realize that its been a coon's age since I posted last.  Either there hasn't been anything interesting to blog about or the events are too dang depressing to keep rehashing. Anyhoo, today I joined another member of my Meetup group and went to Mammoth Cave National Park for a cave tour. (Meetup, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the site, is http://meetup.com . People around the world start interest groups there. Plug in your zip code and away you go!)

One of the best things about the Bluegrass state is the variety of available outdoor activities and areas.  We are home to two National Parks and several National Recreations and Historic areas as well.

  

Mammoth Cave has almost 400 hundred miles of explored cave passages, making it the longest cave system in the world.  My tour today? Half a mile.  Sad, I know, but that half mile tour took 2 hours.  Over 500 wonderful knee wrecking steps. Today I took the New Entrance Tour, and it was nice.  Not my favorite, and I've taken most of the tours there.  I draw the line at the Wild Cave tours that have me crawling through cave streams on my belly.  This chick is 'corn fed' as my Papaw used to say.  He meant it as a compliment.  I mean I'm a chunky girl.  The Violet City Lantern tour is tied with the Grand Avenue tour as my favorite.  The VCL is an amazing journey into the history of the cave while using old timey lanterns as the sole light source.  One of the highlights of that section is the stone huts used back in the late 19th century as tuberculosis wards.  Some cutting edge physician from Louisville waaaaay back in the day thought that the constant climate in the cave would be perfect for people suffering from TB.  No, no one was cured but I wonder how many came away with mental issues from sunlight deprivation?  The Grand Avenue Tour is not for the 'faint of heart' meaning, if you don't like to hike, stay topside. At four miles long, its the longest tour offered and allows you to see the most of the cave, though you don't get to see the touristy stops you do on other tours.  You also spend nearly five hours below ground and if you have a mature tour group (aka people who aren't loud and obnoxious) you really start to notice the absence of things...animal/insect sounds, the sound of the wind of the trees, and the sounds of civilization. After five hours being thrust back into the light and sounds of topside you really notice it at first.

But I digress.  You might have wondered why they called the tour today 'The New Entrance Tour'.  Well, obviously its the new entrance.  The man who supposedly discovered the cave system (I apologize for not remembering his name) was actually trespassing on some else's land so he had to find a new way in.  He found a sink hole, loaded in some dynamite and BOOM!  We have a new entrance.  Apparently cave tours were a profitable business back in the 1800's and rival owners went to great lengths to draw tourists in, resulting in the Kentucky Cave Wars.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_Cave_National_Park#Early_20th_century:_The_Kentucky_Cave_Wars

And no, this is no where close to Hatfield/McCoy territory...that's the far eastern mountain area of the state. So without further ado, here are some photo's I snapped during my forced march through the cave (Our Park Ranger didn't believe in photo opts apparently and got crabby when gaps kept forming in our lines. Dude!  We just want to look at the pretty rocks!):

Mammoth Cave is considered a 'dry cave'. Formed as the local water table dropped in elevation, there are very few stalactite/stalagmite formations that most people think of when they think 'cave'.  Instead it has immense open rooms. But there are places in the cave system where the surface sandstone (the cave is entirely limestone) has cracked and water seeps vertically causing beautiful formations:

At the bottom of the Drapery Room

Sadly we saw no bats, and just like the bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in my many visits, I've never seen any. Ranger Drill Sergeant said that according to the park biologists, there are 8,000 bats living in over 400 miles of tunnels...so its odd to actually see them in the cave and generally when the bats move into a tour area, the tour gets shut down until they move their sleeping grounds. We did see some wild life in the cave though:

That's a cave cricket if you are wondering.  First time I've ever seen one in a cave, we had them living in our garage when I lived in Southern Indiana.  I'm not a squeamish girl, but let me tell you, these MF's are CREEPY!  Their legs are 2+ inches and they are HUGE!  I soooo wanted to squash this one, but I figured Ranger Drill Sergeant would not be amused.  

Someday I hope to visit the majority of our National Parks, especially those west of the Mississippi.     What National Parks have you visited?  Are you lucky enough to live close to these areas or do you have to travel a great distance? http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm

Shhhh....don't speak.....

Did you ever wonder why January 1st is designated as New Year's Day?  I mean, generally its cold, rainy (here in Kentucky), snowy if you're lucky and DARK. Everything is hibernating, the trees and bushes are bare, the ground brown.... Nothing looks 'New'. I'm sure there is a historical reason, but I'm just ranting, so who cares?  Why isn't New Year's Day March 21/22? You know, the first day of Spring?  Lets take a poll:

Which of these too pictures looks like it represents the concept of "New Year"?

A)

This was the aftermath of the 2009 ice storm.

Or


B)

My namesake: wild violets.

Yeah, that's what I thought. Don't get me wrong, I love winter and snow and ice. But nothing says "New" like the first Spring blossoms.   So HAPPY NEW YEAR (again)!

This is a red bud tree. All the weird flowering spots are where branches were
broken off in the ice storm from pic A.

Close up of tree 'sprouts'

It's mid February again, the one time of year that I absolutely hate-other than those dog days of summer when the world is one big sauna you can't get out of.  There are several reasons I feel this way and very little I can do to change things.  The first is that my little sister's birthday falls at the beginning of February.  Many of you know that she was killed back in '96 in a car wreck and it's something I've never fully gotten over.

A week later you have that lovely holiday *roll eyes everyone* Valentine's Day.  Maybe if I had a sweetheart to send me flowers or chocolates I wouldn't hate it so much.  Hell, its not even getting those things on February 14th that bugs the crap out of me because I'm really not that materialistic.  Its the fact that there isn't someone special to spend my time with.

The big kicker for me is that I am now less than a week away from turning 36 and as I pull out my life goals list that I started oh, so many years ago, NOTHING has been accomplished.  None of the travel, personal goals, nothing.  And I feel like my life has been one big boring screw up.

As the new year begins and we creep closer to April, I get really down on myself.  One of my biggest dreams is to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.  I want to thru-hike it as opposed to section hiking because I want to take that once in a lifetime opportunity to watch mother nature break from her sleep and unfurl herself in all her glory and fury.

Georgia to Maine: 2,200 miles

Between now and April I really get the blues about this dream that is slipping away.  Most north bound hikers start between mid March and early April.  Technically the trail is 'open' year round but during the winter certain sections get shut down because of the weather and the Northern terminus Mt. Katahdin closes down on October 15th (or earlier if the weather gets bad).

You may be saying 'What is stopping you from doing this and what can you do to change it?"  Believe me, I ask myself the same questions regularly to see if my answers change.  My first answer is $$$.  I have to save the funds to pay for the trek as well as $$$ to live on once the trip is over, 'cause lets face it, how many employers are going to say 'Suuuure!  Take 6+ months off for a vacation!' and still have a job to come back to?  Yes there are a few, but I've never worked for any of them.   By the end of 2013 I will be completely debt free (WOW!  I know!). That will free up $$$ to go into the dream fund.  And most of my big ticket equipment has been purchased over the years so all that's left is personal items and perishables.

The biggest issue holding me back mentally is my parents.  I gave up a dream job to be closer to them because of their declining health.  I really don't expect my mother to live another 10 years and if she does it will really shock me.  My dad's health has leveled off and it seems to be just the usual 'growing older' issues he is facing, his heart and diabetes are well under control at present.  I'm the only child they now have and our extended family can't be relied upon to help which makes me feel extremely guilty to take off into the wilderness for a walkabout. 

So for now I am focusing on getting my body in better shape, my finances in order so that when I am able to (Dear God let it be before I'm retired!) then this picture:

1st Blaze on the AT

And this picture:

Joel and Courtney 10/1/09

Will be ME and not my friends! 'Cause let me tell you, it really sent me reeling towards depression when they set out to accomplish MY life goal.  (If you care to read the trail journal they kept during  their trip here's the link:  http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=266291

"Feeding the Beast" or "Anarchy!"

Those of you who follow me on Twitter have surely seen the awesome food that my school expects our children to eat.  As their teacher, I am expected to sit down and eat with my children, whatever they are eating. I have several BIG problems with this.  The first:

That by the way you are looking at turkey with dressing, mixed greens (no seasoning at all), sweet potatoes (again no seasoning), and wheat bread.   In theory this should be a tasty, healthy mean.  Let me assure you it is not.  Being from the South those greens need SOMETHING!  Doesn't have to be ham hocks...but why can't we have some vinegar to go with them?  It comes out like boiled grass. The sweet potatoes could have some cinnamon or nutmeg, it doesn't have to be just butter and brown sugar.  If you were a 3, 4, or 5 year old would you eat that? Neither would I though I do take a taste of everything each time with the children.  Now realize that I leave my house by 8 a.m.. Breakfast comes about 7:30.  I don't get out of my classroom for my lunch break until 2 or 2:30.  By then I look like the honey badger desperate for anything to satisfy my hunger.

The rules also state that we are not allowed to eat in our rooms, and we can't use the refrigerator for staff food.  I have decided that if certain (ahem most) co-workers can misuse their cell phones during the day then by all that's unholy I'm going to eat when I need to! I am declaring anarchy! Well, maybe not anarchy, I'm not going to be stupid enough to eat my food in front of the suits...

The second biggest reason is that I'm choosy about the processed foods I eat and I generally make most meals from scratch at home.  Cereals, pastas, etc I will buy. But mystery meat?  Uh no thanks.  Won't buy it and won't eat it.

Tomorrow's menu is:

Kashi and grapefruit for breakfast. I have to go in for blood work before work (For my insurance, nothing is going on.) and can't eat before I leave.

Teriyaki chicken and pepper lettuce wraps for lunch.

And finally, toasted almonds and a smoothie for an afternoon snack on my commute home.  Since it takes me 45 minutes to get home and once there I take Shamus out for his big walk, I need a pick me up before then too.

Oh, and here is how I'm smuggling my contraband in:

 Load the insulated bag with food and ice packs and stealthily walk it into my closet.  Crap I hope I don't get a TSA pat down on my way in....

Tag! Your it!

The Rules:

 1. You must post these rules.

2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

11 Things About Me

1. I too am a bibliophile.  My dream job is to own my own bookstore.

2. I collect vintage cookbooks. My oldest is from the early 1900's and talks about the dangers of using electricity in the kitchen.

3. I love waterfalls and running water in general.  Something about sitting on the banks refreshes my body and soul.

4. I love rain...probably goes back to #3.

5. When I can't sleep I go online and plan fantasy vacations that I'll have to win the lottery to be able to afford.

6. I am a chronic procrastinator.  I leave everything but Christmas shopping to the very last minute.

7. Someday I hope to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.

8. I'm as un-Martha Stewart as someone can be.  No crafting talent whatsoever.

9. Narrow minded people annoy the crap out of me.  If they aren't hurting others why do you need to hate?

10. I'd like to travel the world and learn every language I encounter. 

11. I own more hiking boots than high heels.

Tagged Questions

1. If you were stuck on a desert island and could only take 3 books with you, what would you take?

 Only three?

 -Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey

-A survival manual

-A compilation of Tolkien's works

2. Favorite place you've ever traveled. Why? Hmmm.  It would have to be the Smoky Mountains, and only because I've been so many times I know the area really well and can stay out of the the tourist hells of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  OH, and the area is covered in rushing streams and waterfalls.

3. What's the most embarrassing song on your iPod/in your music collection? New Kids on the Block's Hanging Tough Album.

4. Do you have any pets? If so, what? If not, do you want any? A pug/mix mutt rescue named Shamus.

5. Would you rather get your nails done or go rock climbing? I really want to say rock climbing, but the truth is I'm terrified of heights.

6. What's the craziest thing you've ever done? I'm boring as hell.

7. What are your favorite ice cream toppings? Home made hot fudge sauce.

8. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would play you? America Ferrera

9. What's your dream job? See #1 about me. Although if someone offered me a job as an X-wing pilot I'd jump at it.

10. Do you have any tattoos? If so, what and where? If not, would you and what would you get? No ink, but I'd like to get a Wild Violet (purple).

11. What's your favorite quote? JFK-“Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future”

Questions to answer

1. If you won the lottery, would you continue to work or would you retire? Why?

2. Do you play and instrument?  What is it?  If not, what would you like to play?

3. Does your zodiac sign describe your personality?

4. If TV/Movies were real life, what character would you want to be?

5. What is the strangest thing you've ever eaten?  Would you eat it again?

6. What is the first book you remember reading or being read to you?

7. What other names did your parents consider when naming you?  Would you have preferred one of them?

8. What is your favorite food?

9. What's the most embarrassing hairstyle you've ever had?

10. What does your dream house look like?

11. Can you eat with chopsticks?

I'm tagging:

Becka- http://anythingbutaveragegirl.blogspot.com/

Del- http://welshswan.wordpress.com/

Cez- http://thecrazyworldofcez.wordpress.com/