#Appalachian heritage

[samantha-paige-howard]

Vlogging Appalachia- Grayson Highlands state park fall harvest festival-...

[thorn-enterprises]

Experiencing a Traditional Smoky Mountain Christmas

As the chill of December blankets the Smoky Mountains, the region transforms into a winter wonderland, making it the perfect backdrop for a traditional Christmas celebration. The combination of breathtaking scenery, rustic charm, and age-old customs creates a festive ambiance that feels like stepping into a postcard.

The Smokies, with their tall pines dusted with snow and sprawling vistas, offer a stunning setting for the holidays. Families gather around cozy cabins, their fireplaces crackling with warmth, and twinkling lights adorn the trees outside. The scent of pine mingles with the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, bringing holiday cheer to every corner.

Festive Traditions

One of the highlights of a Smoky Mountain Christmas is the embrace of tradition. Many families partake in the age-old custom of cutting down their own Christmas tree. A trip to a local Christmas tree farm is an adventure filled with laughter, hot cocoa, and the joy of finding the perfect pine. Once brought home, the tree is lovingly decorated with handmade ornaments, reflecting the family’s history and bonds.

In the evenings, caroling among the snow-covered roads or gathering around the piano for a sing-along brings communities together, strengthening the ties that bind. The rich Appalachian heritage is evident in the folk songs that echo through the crisp air, fostering connections and creating memories.

Culinary Delights

No Christmas celebration is complete without a feast. In the Smoky Mountains, traditional dishes take center stage at holiday tables. Families often prepare hearty meals featuring ham, cornbread, and green beans, along with sweet treats like pecan pie and apple cider, drawing inspiration from both Southern and Appalachian cuisines. Sharing these festive meals brings a warmth that only the sharing of food can accomplish.

Outdoor Adventures

For those eager to embrace the winter weather, the Smoky Mountains offer a plethora of outdoor activities. From sleigh rides through serene snow-draped landscapes to hiking trails glistening with frost, adventure awaits. Many families enjoy sledding down hills, building snowmen, or simply warming up around a fire with marshmallows roasting under the starlit sky.

Conclusion

A traditional Smoky Mountain Christmas is more than just a season; it’s a heartfelt celebration of family, community, and nature’s beauty. Whether through the warmth of candlelight, the joy of shared traditions, or the breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, this festive time of year creates lasting memories that residents and visitors cherish alike. So, if you’re seeking a holiday escape filled with warmth and wonder, the Smoky Mountains are the perfect destination to experience the magic of Christmas.

[fatgumsurpremacy-remastered]

The police will never get my moonshine, I’d sooner kill myself then let those dickheads grab my booze

[prozac-shaped-urn]

1:06 just play it. don't ask why.

@droughtofapathy knowing your love of harmony, i think you'll really like this. the singers are untrained, but their discordant harmonies are gorgeous.

[saucy-mesothelioma]

Apart from movies/series, what would you say is your favourite art medium? It could be digital, traditional, or a combination of these.

Well, I love a good book just as much as the next person with Harlan Ellison, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, and Tolkien being some of my favorite authors. But I also have a very strong love for vinyl records and collect them.

I've got John Denver, Queen, ABBA, ELO, and some soundtracks like Guardians of the Galaxy and Minecraft, but the two displayed in this picture are my pride and joy. They're both from 1966 and are in incredible condition, even playing better than the ones I bought online (these two are from a thrift store). Not to mention that these two artists mean a lot to me: Tom Lehrer is one of my favorite comedic songwriters and Jim Nabors is not only a gay icon to me but was also born close to where I'm from. I've got some new vintage records I've got to pick up from my grandparents house as well, stuff like Hank Williams and Buck Owens as well as a non-vintage Credence Clearwater Revival.

And of course, I'd never forgive myself if I didn't mention my love for Appalachian folk art. Dollywood is a well-loved vacation destination for my family, and although I love the rides and the cinnamon bread (that shit is like CRACK I swear to god it's so good), one of my favorite things about that place is the Craftsman's Valley. They let you see things like glassblowing, woodcarving, and ironworks among other things, but where there's pottery now they used to have a wagon station that used to be my grandfather's favorite since he breaks horses and drives wagons. Here's some pictures of what it used to look like:

Unfortunately I'm too young to remember that specific station, but I've spent hours watching the glassblowing and ironworks. It's genuinely mesmerizing and helps me feel a lot closer to my culture and have a newfound appreciation for it every time I see it.

[wizardpink]

Also worth adding that JD Vance isnt just the gop VP pick and sitting senator, he is a sitting senator FOR OHIO. Springfield and its residents are HIS constituents and he is out here spreading demonstrably false propaganda about a place he not only COULD visit and assess the "situation," but it's literally his fucking job, and he has never been to Springfield.

This racism against Haitians is really getting to me. I'm not even sure how to refer to it because I don't even want to say "eating pets thing" because they're not doing that! It's a completely made up racist hoax that the Republican candidates for president and vice-president are all in on.

[suitelifeoftravel]

Great Smoky Mountain National Park: Visitor Center

Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a World Heritage Site? These beautiful mountains, known as the Great Smokies, are located in both North Carolina and Tennessee, a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a segment of the Appalachians.  This land, measuring nearly half a million acres, became a national park in 1940 and a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1983. The national park’s…

[juhnkit]

The Appalachians: The Scotch-Irish - Scottish/Irish Heritage, Genealogy 

[kimberly40]

19th Century chapel at the Foxfire Heritage Museum in Mountain City, Georgia. This Appalachian Village is made up of over 20 historic log buildings.

[intheholler]

I'm a many-many-generations-Appalachian, and when I was a teenager, everyone assumed I'd leave, so I thought I should. And then when I did leave, someone called my mama and told her I was the most homesick child they'd seen in decades, that she should come get me. She didn't, because she wanted me to succeed that badly, but I got myself back to Appalachia PDQ. And then I never left again, because Appalachia is where I belong.

I know the stereotypes, but we can be happy here, too. I've got a good life, with a well-paying job I love, a silver anniversary spouse, wonderful children, and a nice house. My mama lives with us and that's just how we like it. Our quietly queer little family is proud to be Appalachian, and our children learn our history, like the recorded story from their great-grandfather who saw the Baldwin-Felts get off the train in Matewan.

Are there problems in Appalachia? Sure. But that doesn't mean we are all living in misery. Appalachian lives are more than poverty porn and strip mines and drugs and Dew mouth. We have our own festivals and music and art and foods and books to celebrate our shared heritage. We have our own holidays, too, like the first day of deer season. There can be a lot of joy in our Appalachian lives, if we let it.

And of course, we can all join together to remind folks that #heaintfromaroundhere ;)

.

[a-lil-bi-furious]

Top 10 Ships Including POC in 10 Different Fandoms

Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4

I was actually not tagged this time, but I am in desperate need of distraction from life and think about this particular tag chain a lot. SO…Round 5! In no particular order/ranking:

1) Eligia (Gia x Elijah Mikaelson) - The Originals

It’s about the chemistry! It’s about her encouraging him to take care of himself for once and have his own life and desires! It’s about him helping her adjust to a new life and re-engage with her passions! Wasted potential all around!

2) Fayanalissa (Melissa Glaser x Faye Chamberlain x Diana Meade) - The Secret Circle

Girls! Having fun! Supporting each other! The show should have let them all lean into their gayness.

3) Vandermarin (Mona Vanderwhaal x Hanna Marin) - Pretty Little Liars

I couldn’t find a single gif with all three of them so I stuck with just Mona/Hanna, which is fantastic, but imho the best iteration of them involves Spencer too. Then you get the friends-to-lovers, rivals/enemies-to-lovers, and friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers dynamics!

4) Karolsen (James Olsen x Kara Danvers) - Supergirl

Wasted potential. A whole season of great buildup and for what?? Also a great ship with Lucy thrown in the mix.

5) Forwood (Tyler Lockwood x Caroline Forbes) - The Vampire Diaries

Have I mentioned: Wasted! Potential! And buildup/development! They became everything to me and I’ll never forgive the show or Julie for how dirty they did Tyler and Forwood in the name of a certain Mikaelson sibling.

6) Arisagi (Arisu Riyōhei x Usagi Yuzuah) - Alice in Borderland

If this show and this ship taught me anything, it’ s that the little, seemingly insignificant parts of life mean everything.

7) Gwiles (Miles Morales x Gwen Staci) - Spiderverse

They’re just so CUTE. I need to rewatch these movies post haste.

8) PeterMJ/Spideychelle (Michelle Jones “MJ” x Peter Parker) - MCU Spider-Man

again, they’re so CUTE!! Still devastated about No Way Home.

9) Herongraystairs (Jem Carstairs x Tessa Gray x Will Herondale) - The Infernal Devices

No gif bc no screen adaptation yet, which is crimes. But Ot3 of all time. They all love each other so much it doesn’t even matter how it’s framed in the explicit text, they simply transcend early 2010’s monogamist-heteronormative standards. If Cassandra Clare was braver they’d be even more canon.

10) Everlark (Katniss Everdeen x Peeta Mellark) - The Hunger Games

Everlark has everything, ok? Ship of all time.

Can’t include a gif from the movies for obvious reasons, but I’m a big POC Katniss Truther. I know Suzanne doesn’t talk very explicitly in the books about race for the most part, but the Seam folk are so POC-coded. Given geography, social division & treatment, features, etc. likely of Appalachian Native American heritage.

Absolutely no pressure to play, but in case anyone else is in need of distraction I’ll tag a few people (and encourage anyone who sees this to play too, if you want!) ♥️ @welldressedllama @blairwaldcrf @doyelikehaggis @scribeoffate @letthestorieslive

*Also! Be sure to click on the names below gifs to go visit and show some love and support for the creators’ wonderful sets! :)*

[thorn-enterprises]

The Timeless Charm of Banjos

When you think of American music, certain instruments inevitably come to mind: the guitar, the piano, and, of course, the banjo. With its unique twang and lively rhythm, the banjo has captivated musicians and audiences alike for centuries.

Originating in Africa and evolving in the United States, the banjo boasts a rich and diverse history. Its distinctive sound has played a crucial role in various genres, from traditional folk and bluegrass to country and even jazz. The instrument typically features a circular body, a long neck, and four to five strings, allowing for a range of playing styles that can be both intricate and soulful.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the banjo is its role in storytelling. Whether in a lively jam session or a somber ballad, the banjo adds a layer of emotion and narrative depth that enchants listeners. Iconic artists such as Earl Scruggs and Bela Fleck have pushed the boundaries of banjo playing, illustrating its versatility and capacity for innovation.

Moreover, the banjo is more than just an instrument; it's a symbol of American cultural heritage. Its presence in Appalachian music speaks to the region's history and traditions, while its resurgence in contemporary music showcases the instrument's ability to adapt and thrive.

Today, more musicians are picking up the banjo, drawn by its playful spirit and the warm community that surrounds it. With a blend of traditional techniques and modern influences, the banjo continues to evolve, proving that while music may change, the joy it brings remains timeless.

So the next time you hear that unmistakable pluck and strum, take a moment to appreciate the banjo's rich history and the vibrant musical landscape it helps create. Whether you're a seasoned player or just a curious listener, the banjo has something magical to offer us all.

[liberalsarecool]

25 years of 'thoughts and prayers'.

Thurston High School

Columbine High School

Heritage High School

Deming Middle School

Fort Gibson Middle School

Buell Elementary School

Lake Worth Middle School

University of Arkansas

Junipero Serra High School

Santana High School

Bishop Neumann High School

Pacific Lutheran University

Granite Hills High School

Lew Wallace High School

Martin Luther King, Jr High School

Appalachian School of Law

Washington High School

Conception Abbey

Benjamin Tasker Middle School

University of Arizona

Lincoln High School

John McDonogh High School

Red Lion Area Junior High School

Case Western Reserve University

Rocori High School

Ballou High School

Randallstown High School

Bowen High School

Red Lake Senior High School

Harlan Community Academy High School

Campbell County High School

Milwee Middle School

Roseburg High School

Pine Middle School

Essex Elementary School

Duquesne University

Platte Canyon High School

Weston High School

West Nickel Mines School

Joplin Memorial Middle School

Henry Foss High School

Compton Centennial High School

Virginia Tech

Success Tech Academy

Miami Carol City Senior High School

Hamilton High School

Louisiana Technical College

Mitchell High School

EO Green Junior High School

Northern Illinois University

Lakota Middle School

Knoxville Central High School

Willoughby South High School

Henry Ford High School

University of Central Arkansas

Dillard High School

Dunbar High School

Hampton University

Harvard College

Larose-Cut Off Middle School

International Studies Academy

Skyline College

Discovery Middle School

University of Alabama

DeKalb School

Deer Creek Middle School

Ohio State University

Mumford High School

University of Texas

Kelly Elementary School

Marinette High School

Aurora Central High School

Millard South High School

Martinsville West Middle School

Worthing High School

Millard South High School

Highlands Intermediate School

Cape Fear High School

Chardon High School

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Oikos University

Hamilton High School

Perry Hall School

Normal Community High School

University of South Alabama

Banner Academy South

University of Southern California

Sandy Hook Elementary School

Apostolic Revival Center Christian School

Taft Union High School

Osborn High School

Stevens Institute of Business and Arts

Hazard Community and Technical College

Chicago State University

Lone Star College-North

Cesar Chavez High School

Price Middle School

University of Central Florida

New River Community College

Grambling State University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School

Ronald E McNair Discovery Academy

North Panola High School

Carver High School

Agape Christian Academy

Sparks Middle School

North Carolina A&T State University

Stephenson High School

Brashear High School

West Orange High School

Arapahoe High School

Edison High School

Liberty Technology Magnet High School

Hillhouse High School

Berrendo Middle School

Purdue University

South Carolina State University

Los Angeles Valley College

Charles F Brush High School

University of Southern California

Georgia Regents University

Academy of Knowledge Preschool

Benjamin Banneker High School

D H Conley High School

East English Village Preparatory Academy

Paine College

Georgia Gwinnett College

John F Kennedy High School

Seattle Pacific University

Reynolds High School

Indiana State University

Albemarle High School

Fern Creek Traditional High School

Langston Hughes High School

Marysville Pilchuck High School

Florida State University

Miami Carol City High School

Rogers State University

Rosemary Anderson High School

Wisconsin Lutheran High School

Frederick High School

Tenaya Middle School

Bethune-Cookman University

Pershing Elementary School

Wayne Community College

JB Martin Middle School

Southwestern Classical Academy

Savannah State University

Harrisburg High School

Umpqua Community College

Northern Arizona University

Texas Southern University

Tennessee State University

Winston-Salem State University

Mojave High School

Lawrence Central High School

Franklin High School

Muskegon Heights High School

Independence High School

Madison High School

Antigo High School

University of California-Los Angeles

Jeremiah Burke High School

Alpine High School

Townville Elementary School

Vigor High School

Linden McKinley STEM Academy

June Jordan High School for Equity

Union Middle School

Mueller Park Junior High School

West Liberty-Salem High School

University of Washington

King City High School

North Park Elementary School

North Lake College

Freeman High School

Mattoon High School

Rancho Tehama Elementary School

Aztec High School

Wake Forest University

Italy High School

NET Charter High School

Marshall County High School

Sal Castro Middle School

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Great Mills High School

Central Michigan University

Huffman High School

Frederick Douglass High School

Forest High School

Highland High School

Dixon High School

Santa Fe High School

Noblesville West Middle School

University of North Carolina Charlotte

STEM School Highlands Ranch

Edgewood High School

Palm Beach Central High School

Providence Career & Technical Academy

Fairley High School (school bus)

Canyon Springs High School

Dennis Intermediate School

Florida International University

Central Elementary School

Cascade Middle School

Davidson High School

Prairie View A & M University

Altascocita High School

Central Academy of Excellence

Cleveland High School

Robert E Lee High School

Cheyenne South High School

Grambling State University

Blountsville Elementary School

Holmes County, Mississippi (school bus)

Prescott High School

College of the Mainland

Wynbrooke Elementary School

UNC Charlotte

Riverview Florida (school bus)

Second Chance High School

Carman-Ainsworth High School

Williwaw Elementary School

Monroe Clark Middle School

Central Catholic High School

Jeanette High School

Eastern Hills High School

DeAnza High School

Ridgway High School

Reginald F Lewis High School

Saugus High School

Pleasantville High School

Waukesha South High School

Oshkosh High School

Catholic Academy of New Haven

Bellaire High School

North Crowley High School

McAuliffe Elementary School

South Oak Cliff High School

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Sonora High School

Western Illinois University

Oxford High School

Robb Elementary SchoolThurston High School

Columbine High School

Heritage High School

Deming Middle School

Fort Gibson Middle School

Buell Elementary School

Lake Worth Middle School

University of Arkansas

Junipero Serra High School

Santana High School

Bishop Neumann High School

Pacific Lutheran University

Granite Hills High School

Lew Wallace High School

Martin Luther King, Jr High School

Appalachian School of Law

Washington High School

Conception Abbey

Benjamin Tasker Middle School

University of Arizona

Lincoln High School

John McDonogh High School

Red Lion Area Junior High School

Case Western Reserve University

Rocori High School

Ballou High School

Randallstown High School

Bowen High School

Red Lake Senior High School

Harlan Community Academy High School

Campbell County High School

Milwee Middle School

Roseburg High School

Pine Middle School

Essex Elementary School

Duquesne University

Platte Canyon High School

Weston High School

West Nickel Mines School

Joplin Memorial Middle School

Henry Foss High School

Compton Centennial High School

Virginia Tech

Success Tech Academy

Miami Carol City Senior High School

Hamilton High School

Louisiana Technical College

Mitchell High School

EO Green Junior High School

Northern Illinois University

Lakota Middle School

Knoxville Central High School

Willoughby South High School

Henry Ford High School

University of Central Arkansas

Dillard High School

Dunbar High School

Hampton University

Harvard College

Larose-Cut Off Middle School

International Studies Academy

Skyline College

Discovery Middle School

University of Alabama

DeKalb School

Deer Creek Middle School

Ohio State University

Mumford High School

University of Texas

Kelly Elementary School

Marinette High School

Aurora Central High School

Millard South High School

Martinsville West Middle School

Worthing High School

Millard South High School

Highlands Intermediate School

Cape Fear High School

Chardon High School

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Oikos University

Hamilton High School

Perry Hall School

Normal Community High School

University of South Alabama

Banner Academy South

University of Southern California

Sandy Hook Elementary School

Apostolic Revival Center Christian School

Taft Union High School

Osborn High School

Stevens Institute of Business and Arts

Hazard Community and Technical College

Chicago State University

Lone Star College-North

Cesar Chavez High School

Price Middle School

University of Central Florida

New River Community College

Grambling State University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School

Ronald E McNair Discovery Academy

North Panola High School

Carver High School

Agape Christian Academy

Sparks Middle School

North Carolina A&T State University

Stephenson High School

Brashear High School

West Orange High School

Arapahoe High School

Edison High School

Liberty Technology Magnet High School

Hillhouse High School

Berrendo Middle School

Purdue University

South Carolina State University

Los Angeles Valley College

Charles F Brush High School

University of Southern California

Georgia Regents University

Academy of Knowledge Preschool

Benjamin Banneker High School

D H Conley High School

East English Village Preparatory Academy

Paine College

Georgia Gwinnett College

John F Kennedy High School

Seattle Pacific University

Reynolds High School

Indiana State University

Albemarle High School

Fern Creek Traditional High School

Langston Hughes High School

Marysville Pilchuck High School

Florida State University

Miami Carol City High School

Rogers State University

Rosemary Anderson High School

Wisconsin Lutheran High School

Frederick High School

Tenaya Middle School

Bethune-Cookman University

Pershing Elementary School

Wayne Community College

JB Martin Middle School

Southwestern Classical Academy

Savannah State University

Harrisburg High School

Umpqua Community College

Northern Arizona University

Texas Southern University

Tennessee State University

Winston-Salem State University

Mojave High School

Lawrence Central High School

Franklin High School

Muskegon Heights High School

Independence High School

Madison High School

Antigo High School

University of California-Los Angeles

Jeremiah Burke High School

Alpine High School

Townville Elementary School

Vigor High School

Linden McKinley STEM Academy

June Jordan High School for Equity

Union Middle School

Mueller Park Junior High School

West Liberty-Salem High School

University of Washington

King City High School

North Park Elementary School

North Lake College

Freeman High School

Mattoon High School

Rancho Tehama Elementary School

Aztec High School

Wake Forest University

Italy High School

NET Charter High School

Marshall County High School

Sal Castro Middle School

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Great Mills High School

Central Michigan University

Huffman High School

Frederick Douglass High School

Forest High School

Highland High School

Dixon High School

Santa Fe High School

Noblesville West Middle School

University of North Carolina Charlotte

STEM School Highlands Ranch

Edgewood High School

Palm Beach Central High School

Providence Career & Technical Academy

Fairley High School (school bus)

Canyon Springs High School

Dennis Intermediate School

Florida International University

Central Elementary School

Cascade Middle School

Davidson High School

Prairie View A & M University

Altascocita High School

Central Academy of Excellence

Cleveland High School

Robert E Lee High School

Cheyenne South High School

Grambling State University

Blountsville Elementary School

Holmes County, Mississippi (school bus)

Prescott High School

College of the Mainland

Wynbrooke Elementary School

UNC Charlotte

Riverview Florida (school bus)

Second Chance High School

Carman-Ainsworth High School

Williwaw Elementary School

Monroe Clark Middle School

Central Catholic High School

Jeanette High School

Eastern Hills High School

DeAnza High School

Ridgway High School

Reginald F Lewis High School

Saugus High School

Pleasantville High School

Waukesha South High School

Oshkosh High School

Catholic Academy of New Haven

Bellaire High School

North Crowley High School

McAuliffe Elementary School

South Oak Cliff High School

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Sonora High School

Western Illinois University

Oxford High School

Bridgewater University

Robb Elementary School

Michigan State University

Covenant Christian School

.

TBA

***feel free to copy and paste, then share ****

[she-whatshername]

A Tyrrish headcanon about Garrick and an OC I have no reason writing because I am behind on everything

I imagine Garricks partner to have a very thick accent

In the world of Fourth Wing though, she’s coming from the Esben Mountain region of Tyrrendor.

Like if you ever heard a Memphian accent or an Appalachian accent, it’s like that

Hair is hur. Your is yur. Man is mayne. Like if she was in the Iron Squad it would be the Ern Squaw. Vowels in general and constants have their own flavor to them.

I fucking love a Memphis accent.

Anyways

After the apostasy, Tyrrish was officially banned and a punishable offense so all marked ones had to speak the common language only. For Bodhi, Xaden, Imogen, Garrick and the other aristocrats this was easy as they learned to code switch to the common language without much of an accent and assimilate just fine

But for Garricks sweetheart, she grew up only with Tyrrish so the switch was hard and her common language is laced with a heavy tyrrish accent. I imagine people being like “what did you say?” When she talks

I imagine her froster care was horrible but I’m not diving into that

Because she’s a marked one, her “what do you need help with as we gather under the tree”, aka Xadens little club conversation is about fixing her accent (which she’s proud of by the way because it shows her Tyrrish heritage she refuses to let go of, however it draws unwanted attention)

So Garrick offers her lessons because of course he does

Also Hearing her accent reminds him of home and that’s of comfort to him

Also, she pronounces his name Gurrick, or just Gurr for short in the common language and he thinks it’s just hilarious and also endearing as shit

Like if they every get in a argument and she says his name like it’s pronounced in the books he’s like, oh I’m in trouble lolol

Other than her accent she’s loyal as shit, funny in her own way, loves Garrick deeply, and holds a grudge like no other (she challenged her Navarrian foster sister on the mats her first month and when she beat her she took her shoes not her dagger as her sister stole and burned her shoes during fostering and she was waiting five years to exact revenge lol)

[boyharder]

i need to know your effie thoughts for the ask game actually i literally can’t stand her and ik u can’t either. lets hate together

ooohhh... the primal, primal hatred within me has been unlocked. this post gets the fancy layout out of my disdain. my stance on effie is utter hatred, and that's not just because of hayffie (and if you ask me about them, i'll give you another response,) but because of *who* she is.

effie to me is a character who is unmulti-faceted, and uncomplex. she's a capitol-born woman who goes into the work of an escort in order to reap district children and prepare them for the brutality of the hunger games. this, she takes pride in. she revels in her role, finding pleasure in the possibility of moving up the ranks to a “better district,” and only sees twelve as a breeding ground of “barbarism” and “savages.” (her words.) when faced with the role of a responsible adult, she fails. she fails to firstly, assure the safety of katniss and peeta in a situation where their mentor is checked out and totally inebriated and not in a state where his well-being is at its best. he in slavered in his own vomit and bile, barely able to get up without assistance. in response to this, she hops over his doubled-down body and walks away.

doesn't call for assistance from a capitol hospitality member, doesn't attempt to help haymitch herself. she leaves two kids being sent to the slaughter to divide responsibility that *she* should've taken up, to then carry their mentor to the bathroom in order to help him clean up, because as aforementioned, he's in no state to take care of himself. she neglects to be of any assistance, and priss or clean-freak aside, she *failed* to be the reliable adult in that situation.

she then goes on to tell katniss, a girl who comes from the poorest part of her district and is a girl of color, who is HEAVILY if not canonically hinted to be a native american (judging appalachian history and heritage and her description,) that the two seam children who came before her circa to the 74th games ate like “savages," a well-known word that discriminates against the indigenous and is a violent stereotype based on cruel assumptions of a minority. with the context of the seam children being impoverished, skinny and malnourished, effie discriminates against children who usually have no winning chance. they die in the bloodbath every year. she assumes the most heinous thing of these tributes, who are *children.*

as an escort, she plays the role of an oppressor. she is open and willing and a participant in the death of district children, and it is of her liberated autonomy to do so. despite then realising how she's been indoctrinated by the capitol when it comes to the games, and finding sympathy for the rebels and partly having an understanding of the political uproar relating to this, she's never been likeable to me. she acts as a reaper in both the escort sense and the symbolic sense as she is constantly choosing who is for the butcher — who will die at the hands of the games.

the movies twist her into something more sympathetic and rebellious when it doesn't really lie with her persona, doesn't really appeal to me that she would get her hands dirty for the cause and be so collaborative with the people (the rebels) who are against her and her very being. adding to this lightly, effie and haymitch are a contrasting pair. she is the enemy, and she is (like any escort and any capitolite who isn't a full-blown rebel like plutarch,) the oppressor, while haymitch is an example of the opressed.

the tributes are murdered by panem out of a penance for the prior rebellions, and yknow. being complict in all of that, effie *is* a second-hand murderer. that's how i spin it, anyway.

[transbookoftheday]

Tar Hollow Trans by Stacy Jane Grover

"I've lived a completely ordinary life, so much that I don't know how to write a transgender or queer or Appalachian story, because I don't feel like I've lived one…. Though, in searching for ways to write myself in my stories, maybe I can find power in this ordinariness."

Raised in southeast Ohio, Stacy Jane Grover would not describe her upbringing as "Appalachian." Appalachia existed farther afield—more rural, more country than the landscape of her hometown.

Grover returned to the places of her childhood to reconcile her identity and experience with the regional culture and with the people who had raised her. She began to reflect on her memories and discovered that group identities like Appalachian and transgender are linked by more than just the stinging brand of social otherness.

In Tar Hollow Trans, Grover explores her transgender experience through common Appalachian cultural traditions. In "Dead Furrows," a death vigil and funeral leads to an investigation of Appalachian funerary rituals and their failure to help Grover cope with the grief of being denied her transness. "Homeplace" threads family interactions with farm animals and Grover's coming out journey, illuminating the disturbing parallels between the American Veterinary Association's guidelines for ethical euthanasia and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health's guidelines for transgender care.

Together, her essays write transgender experience into broader cultural narratives beyond transition and interrogate the failures of concepts such as memory, metaphor, heritage, and tradition. Tar Hollow Trans investigates how the labels of transgender and Appalachian have been created and understood and reckons with the ways the ever-becoming transgender self, like a stigmatized region, can find new spaces of growth.