Apples. My Dad worked his entire career as a mechanic in an apple processing plant. Apples were our family’s bread and butter.
Mom worked at the same plant in the fall, the busiest time as you can imagine. I later put two and two together and realized Mom was Santa because of apples.
Your roadside vendor has it right. God’s the ultimate supplier.
Inwood West Virginia, Musselman’s was the company. We lived just over the WV line near Winchester, Virginia’s apple capital. The address of our old home place is Apple Pie Ridge Road.
Oh, ok. I’ve never been to W VA but Apple Pie Ridge sounds lovely. I spent 23 years in Vermont and remember picking apples on a beautiful fall day. Hard work! Have you ever had apple cider jelly?
Life on the road is brutal. For a banjo player, it’s also expensive because you never get paid what it costs to get to the gig. (Unless it’s The Opry…) But I hope you spin a lot of time on the road, Mr. Dietrich. The stories you bring back are glorious.
My uncle served in World War II starting in Northern Africa and ending up near Naples, Italy. He also promised God that if he got home, he would never leave, except it was Ohio, in his case. My cousin told me she and her mom would go on vacations together while she was growing up, but her dad would just stay home, keeping his promise to God who brought him home.
I agree……the mountains in the Tenn/GA/NC area are heavenly! A day in the mountains is refreshment for the soul! It’s a long drive from North Florida but ALWAYS worth it.
YES, Cindy. I just completed a 928-mile roundtrip Dothan to Cookeville TN to see and introduce my Tennessee friends to Sean...and will even brave Atlanta traffice to get to the north GA. and NC mountains to hike.
My daughter has a house in Cookeville, but she and her family are temporarily living in Saudi Arabia. (Thank goodness for technology!) I certainly wish she had been there, so I could have wandered over and seen your show! :-)
Nothing quite like fruit fresh off the tree. You did such a fine job of drawing that apple that it may look better than the misshapen ones he had for sale. But I bet they tasted good. Biting into a honey crisp and having juice dribble into your beard and onto to your shirt; there's nothing quite like it.
Let me be the first to welcome you to the state of my childhood. I grew up in East Tennessee, in the beautiful Sweetwater Valley, where I-75 meanders from Chattanooga, all the way through our valley, past Knoxville (go Vols!) and up to the Kentucky border one little town changed its name to Rocky Top! From Sweetwater, Tn Hwy 68 goes SE to the Cherohala Skyway that is as beautiful as the Smoky Mountains!
Apples. My Dad worked his entire career as a mechanic in an apple processing plant. Apples were our family’s bread and butter.
Mom worked at the same plant in the fall, the busiest time as you can imagine. I later put two and two together and realized Mom was Santa because of apples.
Your roadside vendor has it right. God’s the ultimate supplier.
Now I want some apple butter 🥰
I love apple butter.
Me, too!
Me, too!
Me, too!
Where was the apple processing plant?
Inwood West Virginia, Musselman’s was the company. We lived just over the WV line near Winchester, Virginia’s apple capital. The address of our old home place is Apple Pie Ridge Road.
Oh, ok. I’ve never been to W VA but Apple Pie Ridge sounds lovely. I spent 23 years in Vermont and remember picking apples on a beautiful fall day. Hard work! Have you ever had apple cider jelly?
No apple cider jelly but I’m certain it can be found in our farmers markets. Is it spiced like mulled cider, that sounds heavenly?
More tart than mulled cider. Haven’t had any in years. What’s your favorite eating apple?
Life on the road is brutal. For a banjo player, it’s also expensive because you never get paid what it costs to get to the gig. (Unless it’s The Opry…) But I hope you spin a lot of time on the road, Mr. Dietrich. The stories you bring back are glorious.
Had the pleasure of running into your wife in a coffee shop yesterday. It felt like meeting royalty! She was just as warm and lovely as you describe.
Jamie is beautiful inside and out. And she loves a good cup of coffee.
My uncle served in World War II starting in Northern Africa and ending up near Naples, Italy. He also promised God that if he got home, he would never leave, except it was Ohio, in his case. My cousin told me she and her mom would go on vacations together while she was growing up, but her dad would just stay home, keeping his promise to God who brought him home.
I agree……the mountains in the Tenn/GA/NC area are heavenly! A day in the mountains is refreshment for the soul! It’s a long drive from North Florida but ALWAYS worth it.
YES, Cindy. I just completed a 928-mile roundtrip Dothan to Cookeville TN to see and introduce my Tennessee friends to Sean...and will even brave Atlanta traffice to get to the north GA. and NC mountains to hike.
Horrendous interstate highways to travel around or through when near Atlanta!!!! 😩 ALWAYS a relief when you’re on the other side!!!
Thanks for this, Sean. The apples were flawed, proof they weren’t fake. The seller of the apples was flawed, but very genuine.
I live just a little south of that man in an adjoining state and despite that I can guarantee that it felt like heaven.
Nothing like a juicy "appel" to make the day better.
"God grows the apples". Still, you pick some pretty good stories to go with them...Thanks Sean.
This makes me want to visit Tennessee. Bucket list item!
You must, you must. Do a road trip. October through November is perfect fall leaf time with all the orange and yellows blooming out.
Me, too!
No place like the beautiful Smokies. They are my favorite place on earth (as long as my family goes along on the trip)
When my family lived in Gadsden, AL we really enjoyed visiting & staying at the state park in Guntersville. Cloudland, GA was a beautiful place too.
Smokiest mountains. Almost heaven. But U Michigan has the best fight song🏈
Agreed, my mom and dad graduated Ann Arbor. 👍
Buckeye here.
Oh, I don't know..... 🤔
I went to MSU so I know UM is absolutely valiant even when they’re not the victors!
don't you really mean EXCEPT? MSU grad too
Well, I was thinking more of their academics.
Nice
We can still be friends, Susie!
Lol 😂😂
I attended college in Tennessee at Jimmy Carter time!. Luv smokies .
I’ve known a few Vietnam vets. None of them would ever talk about the war.
What they witnessed, suffered, and endured was so horrific, it is far too painful to relive. So they bury it as best they can.
But still, they are haunted by the memories that won’t die. And carry the burdens of guilt that belong to wartime. I pray for them every day.🙏
Talking about it helps them....many have said so. 👍👍
They are the fortunate ones🙏
My daughter has a house in Cookeville, but she and her family are temporarily living in Saudi Arabia. (Thank goodness for technology!) I certainly wish she had been there, so I could have wandered over and seen your show! :-)
Nothing quite like fruit fresh off the tree. You did such a fine job of drawing that apple that it may look better than the misshapen ones he had for sale. But I bet they tasted good. Biting into a honey crisp and having juice dribble into your beard and onto to your shirt; there's nothing quite like it.
Let me be the first to welcome you to the state of my childhood. I grew up in East Tennessee, in the beautiful Sweetwater Valley, where I-75 meanders from Chattanooga, all the way through our valley, past Knoxville (go Vols!) and up to the Kentucky border one little town changed its name to Rocky Top! From Sweetwater, Tn Hwy 68 goes SE to the Cherohala Skyway that is as beautiful as the Smoky Mountains!
I cried.
Which part made you cry?🤷🏼♀️
Only because I am old and on my last decade. I remember my good times
Love to you, Elsie, in relishing your good memories! ❤️☺️