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National Geographic : 1982 Apr
Contents
fC ETTIN' OUT" on a summer afternoon, afarmer and his wife catch the breeze. Weatherboardingon the house covers an originaltwo-story log cabin, Built on a homestead around 1800. GlispiaLeach, local log-cabin expert, believes there are "more standing log structureshere than anywhere else in the country," a legacy of pioneer beginnings. years in military service had taken them to Hawaii and Colorado; then they had re turned to buy the run-down farm next to Randall's homeplace. Randall clears a bit as he can, since both work at full-time jobs, but eventually the farm will be paid for. Why had they returned? Elvon smiled and looked off into the distance. "I don't know. There's somethin' about these hills." Beyond the pasture, white mists were ris ing from Otter Creek. The sun was like a flaming ball falling into the hollow. The tobacco patch was tall and clean. I watched the expression in Randall's eyes as he dreamed about the future of "these hills," and that hardy self-reliance of those early Skaggses came to mind. I recalled a remark by Taylor County agriculture extension agent Jim Perkins: "The amounts of ferti lizer have changed and the tractors have changed, but the people haven't." That was apparent back at Red Fern where the "bluegrass singin'" at the James Smiths' had begun. All kinds of central Ken tuckians were sharing in the old-time fun: the tenant farmer and his wife, the mayor of Campbellsville and his family, a preacher or two, and some Hippy Holler folk. As I hummed along on the old tunes, dairyman Mike Bland caught my eye, "You ready to move back home?" "I reckon I jist ain't carin'," I answered, and thought that maybe, just maybe, com ing here on purpose, to write this story, wasn't such a bad idea. Kentucky, you are the dearest land outside of heaven to me. Kentucky, your laurel and your redbud trees. When I die, I want to rest upon a graceful mountain so high, Forthat is where God will lookfor me. - "KENTUCKY," BY CARLDAVIS, . © 1942 (RENEWED)WARNERBROS., INC. 546
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