#Lower Appalachia

[journey-to-balance]

Call me stupid, or silly, or naïve, but never did I ever think something like this would happen.

I want to talk about Hurricane Helene, specifically as it relates to Western North Carolina, especially since our mainstream media doesn't seem to want to, or at least that's how it feels to me.

Truth is, my hands shake as I thumb through the pages of my photobook. Heartsick and in horror, I recall memories of The Blue Ridge Mountains, and Lower Appalachia. It was autumn of 2021, the road-trip was planned to celebrate Bernie's birthday. I didn't know it then, but this would become the last road trip I took with my beloved, my soul dog, Patch. He would pass that fall, shortly after this trip.

We made incredible memories, all thanks to the incredibly welcoming hospitality of the people of Lower Appalachia. I remember stopping in for coffee pretty much anywhere and they would welcome my dog, always with a treat, or a paw shake, or a kind word. I remember stopping in a restaurant prepared to take my food to go, and the staff encouraging me to stay, providing a table in the courtyard, bringing my golden retriever a bowl of water, and offering a micro brew that based on my tastes, they'd think I'd like. They knew my dog was family, welcomed, accommodated and earned my business. And damn it, I remember I was lost on a backwoods road after a long hike, was dangerously low on fuel, and an old man in a beat-up Chevy truck, stopped and said: "follow me, I'll show you to the nearest station."

Now, as I browse the pages of this photobook, with my memories, my priceless memories, I think of these people, not rich, not city dwellers from "New York" like me... I think of these mountain folk, simple folk, salt of the earth folk and I'm overwhelmed with emotion and horror. A hurricane? In the mountains of Western North Carolina? Unfathomable! Dear God, all my photos, Boone, Blowing Rock, Chimney Rock, idyllic dreamlike mountain villages, leveled. Route 40, I know it well, clearing it due west on my way to Tennessee, gone, leveled, under mud, people, stranded, bridges, collapsed, bucolic farmland, devastated. The images on the web, sickening, while the media remains eerily silent.

Please keep Boone, Western North Carolina and all those affected by Hurricane Helene in your hearts. It is my understanding that 911 and cell service is down, landslides have barred people from leaving, and they remain trapped. Infrastructure is down, and God knows when, how, or if these mountain towns will be able to rebuild.

Lord have mercy. I hold you up in prayer. My sincere gratitude for the memories and for showing this out of towner so much love.

Maritza

Our Journey to Balance

[stargod]

Hi, sorry, its been literally 4 months since QuintonReviews put out the Beverly Hillbillys video of all time and i'm still not over the fact that all upperclass people from urban areas were apparently so unaware of crayfish that no one knowing What They Were could b A Running Joke for like Half the Series???? How? How??? Ive never Met a person who doesnt know a crayfish. My moms from Minneapolis and she regularly went to catch crayfish in streams n creeks! Its genuinely my favorite joke I'm absolutely elated at the notion 😭🤣🤣

[plantanarchy]

if you own a house in florida its more likely than not you are not lower class check that privleg!

Appalachia is not located in florida, and I would never deny I have a fair amount of privilege, being white and able-bodied with a family who could support me if I went suddenly bankrupt.

[atelierlili]

💚Fandoms United For Helene Relief💚

Recently, Hurricane Helene has devastated areas of Appalachia and in particular Asheville, North Carolina. It is the deadliest mainland hurricane in the US since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Many have lost their homes, possessions, and are struggling for food and other basic necessities. 

The hurricane hit many areas that are historically impoverished, and the North Carolina State Climate office state that "the full extent of this event will take years to document – not to mention, to recover from."

Katniss Everdeen’s home, District 12, is set in Appalachia, and The Hunger Games movie was filmed in Asheville, NC, and so the Hunger Games fandom wanted to put together a charity event and invite our friends from other fandoms to join. You might have seen us before as Hunger Games and Friends for Helene Relief, but as tumblr has been cracking down on these lately, we were shadowbanned and terminated twice. Nevertheless, this is an effort that we find extremely important to address and have come back as Fandoms United for Helene Relief. Due to this, there have been a few changes such as an updated email and dates that have been pushed back. It’s also the reason that we’re posting this on one of our team member’s personal blogs.

Fandoms United for Helene Relief is a fanworks collection to raise money for local charities addressing the needs in Asheville, NC and other areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Fanfiction authors and fanartists from any fandom can volunteer to submit a new work to the collection. Fans who give to one of the approved charities can then email the event proof of the contribution and receive ALL of the fanwork submitted to the collection. 

Approved charities: Our focus is on local charities who have ties to the community, know their needs, and will stay for the long haul in these communities over the years as they rebuild. Our list of approved charities include organizations that help foster children, unhoused, seniors, animals, general relief, and more, for whatever cause is close to your heart. Information and links to their donation pages can be found on this google doc. 

Fanwork criteria: As mentioned before, the work needs to be new and not published on any other platform. We ask for a three-month period from the release of the collection until authors and artists post the work to another platform. Fanwork can be from any fandom, for any character or ship. All fanwork must be rated PG-13/T or lower. As organizers, we won’t be able to verify the ages of those donating for the collection and cannot risk sending explicit material to minors.

Timeline: We want all interested contributors to commit to the collection by November 2 by submitting this google form. Final works must be submitted to fuhrgames74[at]gmail.com by November 16. The organizers will then compile the collection and it will be released November 30. Those fans who would like access to the collection can email proof of contribution to fuhrgames74[at]gmail.com at any time up through December 30. Those who email prior to November 30 will have access on the day and those who email after release day will receive it as soon as possible once the proof of contribution is received. Fanfiction authors can then publish their work on other platforms February 23, 2025.

FOR MORE UPDATES AND INFORMATION PLEASE FOLLOW US AT @fandomsunited4hr !! I will be posting more info, which includes our featured artists and writers, there in the future.

Questions or comments can be sent here on our tumblr or emailed to fuhrgames74[at]gmail.com

Whether you write, donate, and/or reblog, we appreciate your support!

[dark-corner-cunning]

The Virtues of Sacred Woods: Embracing the Magick of Trees

Note To Reader: As we find ourselves in the heart of summer, journeying along the southern road of the crossroads here in Appalachia, we embrace the virtue of earth and the magick of Old Mother Green Cap. This post is woven from the threads of traditional witchcraft, physical witchcraft, and my own path. As always, take what resonates and leave the rest. Feel free to make up or create your own correspondences and virtues as you see fit.

What is a virtue? In our witchy world, a virtue is a beneficial quality or power of something, a word whispered from the metaphysical lips of existence. It's the hidden essence, the subtle energy, the magick that pulses through the veins of the natural world. When we speak of virtues, we're invoking the spirit and energy that dwells within every tree, every branch, every tool crafted from nature's gifts.

Among the myriad stick-formed tools in the Traditional Craft of Cunning, two stand as pillars in our practice: the Wand and the Stang (or Staff). While their virtues are distinct, their roots intertwine deeply with the ancient woods from which they were born. Let us briefly explore these sacred tools, for within their grain lies the power to shape our craft and connect us to the hidden currents of the world.

-The Wand: Conduit of Power-

The wand, slender and elegant, is a faithful companion to the cunning practitioner. Its primary virtue lies in its ability to direct power and energy, much like a conductor's baton orchestrating the unseen forces around us. Wands are used to banish unwanted influences and spirits, sweep away negativity, and conjure helpful entities from the ether. When we cast a working circle, the wand traces the boundary, marking a sacred space or container where magick can unfold.

Each wand, depending on the wood it is crafted from, carries its own unique virtue. A wand of oak might offer a fiery virtue of strength, wisdom, power, protection, or aid to solar rites and magick… while one of willow could provide a watery virtue of emotional healing, strengthening love, divination, enchantment, enlightenment, or aid to rites and workings of the Moon. The wood whispers its secrets to us, guiding our hand and amplifying our intent. Thus, the wand becomes an extension of our will, a bridge between the mundane and the magickal.

My "Red Serpent" Wand: This wand is directly linked to the serpent energy of the land. It is made from Oak and has a Dragon Blood Stone, Snake rib, and Blood embedded into it. I use it as an extension of my own willpower and life force. I usually bury it under a Full moon to charge when "Sprowl" is at its peak.

-The Stang: Pillar of the Worlds-

The stang, often fashioned from a forked staff, holds a different yet equally potent virtue. It can stand as a representation of the Horned One, the dualities of nature, and the power that flows from earth to sky. In its form, we see the concept of the World Tree, a sacred axis that grants access to the virtues of both the upper and lower worlds and those that lie at the crossroads.

In ritual workings, the stang is a steadfast companion. Its presence anchors us, grounding our energy and connecting us to the land. When we walk the paths of the wild, the stang serves as a tool to gather and store land energy, the elusive "sprowl" that breathes life into our craft. It becomes a beacon, drawing the virtues of the earth and sky into our rites and rituals, where they can be harnessed and directed.

My Stang that I have been slowly working on for a few years now. It is made from Oak and the forked ends have Clear Quartz in each end. It has the Web of Wyrd Rune on the front and the symbols for each element on the back. I mainly use my Stang during laying and conjuring the crossroads for rituals.

-The Dance of Wood and Witch-

In the dance of wood and witch, we find our path illuminated by the virtues of our tools. The wand and the stang, though different in form and function, both serve as conduits of the ancient energies that flow through the natural world. They are not mere objects, but living entities that resonate with the heartbeat of the land.

Some practitioners favor keeping several wands, each made from different kinds of wood to suit various purposes. Yet, many find solace in the singular presence of one main stang or staff, a trusty ally that carries their spirit and intention.

As we continue to explore the virtues of the different woods, let us remember that our connection to these tools is a sacred bond. Through them, we touch the spirit of the trees, the whispers of the wind, and the silent strength of the earth. They are our guides, our protectors, and our allies in the timeless craft of cunning.

-The Virtues of Woods-

Note: This list is but a glimpse, for the world is rich with countless species of trees. Here, I focus on trees that dwell in my own corner of the world and the ones I know. These are mainly just the virtues of the wood and bark (not the leaves, flowers, seeds, or fruit). I highly recommend you embark on a journey to discover and list the trees within your local area, letting their virtues reveal themselves to you. Also, please take caution of any poisonous trees.

Alder: Defensive Magick, Strength, Leadership, Bravery, Divination, Healing, and Wind & Weather Magick

Apple: Love, Healing, Friendship, Divination, Garden Magick, and Harmony

Ash: Healing & Regeneration Magick, Sea Magick, Communication, Knowledge, Wisdom, Travel, Aids workings of Spirit, Passage Between Worlds, and is often the wood chosen for a Stang.

Beech: Wisdom, Knowledge, Focus, Meditation, Wishes

Birch: Purification, Creativity, Willpower, Initiation of Inception, Birth & Fertility.

Blackthorn: Baneful, Associated with Bucca Dhu/The Devil, Blasting, Defensive Magick, Setting Boundaries, Toad Magick, and Rites of The Dark Moon.

Cedar: Cleansing, Protection, Wards, Divination, Summoning, Consecration, Prosperity

Chestnut: Clarity, Focus, Justice, Encourage Longevity

Crepe Myrtle: Glamour Magick, Fertility, Youth, Peace, Money

Dogwood: Wishes, Protection, Health, Wisdom

Elder: Protection, Exorcising Illness, Spirit Conjuration, Blessing

Elm: Protection, Divine Feminine, Healing, Fae Magick

Gorse: Purification, Conjuration of Fair Weather, Discovering, Protection, Fertility & Love

Hawthorn: Associated with Bucca Gwidder/The Green Man, Dealings with Spirit Folk, Fertility, Enchantment, Wards, Charm, Spirituality, and Fishing Magick. Folklore suggests not using Hawthorn as a staff as it may employ ill luck upon walking journeys.

Hazel: Wisdom, Luck, Fertility, Wishes, Divination, Dowsing Wands, Inspiration & Visions

Hickory: Legal Matters, Protection, Protection, Wisdom, Leadership, Acquisition, Power, Wholeness

Holly: Aids Rites of Death/Rebirth, Exorcism, Defensive Magick, Potency, Logic, Power Transfer, Protection

Linden: Creativity, Enchantment, Enlightenment, Truth, Healing

Locust: Enforcing Boundaries, Binding, Defensive Magick, Enchantments, Wood and Thorns used to make pins for Baneful Magick, Appalachian Association with European Blackthorn Virtues.

Magnolia: Fidelity, Love, Hair Growth Magick, Marital Happiness

Maple: Love, Luck, Longevity, Money, Travel, Cleansing, Communication

Oak: Strength, Power, Protection, Wisdom, Longevity, Endurance, Doorways between Realms, Solar Magick, Potency, Associated with The Red Serpent.

Palm: Fertility, Focus, Potency, Divination, Purification, Protection

Pine: Strength, Protection, Healing, Prosperity, Exorcism, Wisdom, Increase of Power

Poplar: Spirituality, Change, Rebirth, Summoning, Wealth, Willpower, Witch Flight

Rowan: Protection, Guarding, Defensive Magick, Warding, Necromancy, Quickening, Conjuring Visions, Lifting Curses, A staff of Rowan protects while journeying.

Sumac: Cleansing, Healing, Creativity, Focus

Sweet Gum: Healing, Spirituality, Enchantment, Leadership

Sycamore: Ancestral Wisdom, Divination, Prosperity, Strength, Endurance

Walnut: Cleansing, Healing, Focus, Insight

Willow: Moon Rites & Workings, Emotion Healing, Love, Fertility, Divination, Change, Wishes, Enchantment, Spirituality, Wards

Witch Hazel: Chastity, Protection, Emotional Healing

Yew: Death Mysteries, Ancestral Wisdom, Transformation, Change, Renewal, Baneful, Necromancy

[venerablemonk27]

Now that spring is here, we're starting to see some changes in the local bird population. New faces are starting show up, and even the year-round species are out singing and generally being visible. There's territory to claim and potential mates to attract, after all. But while many species are just arriving or passing through, one that's dear to me is just about ready to depart.

[ID: A male Dark-eyed Junco stands in the newly-revealed grass and dead leaves. Juncos are small birds, about the size of a sparrow. This one is the slate-colored variety, with a dark grey head and upper body, contrasting with bright white underparts. He's facing the camera and looking slightly to the left. His eye is dark brown, nearly black, and his triangular bill is pale pink. End ID]

The Dark-eyed Juncos are strictly winter residents of southern Wisconsin, preferring to nest in Canada, the Northeast US, and parts of Appalachia. This past weekend, I could tell they had migration on their minds.

[ID: Another male Dark-eyed Junco, standing among dead twigs and sunflower seed shells. This one is darker grey in the head and breast, with lighter grey on the wings and a bit of rust color on the back. End ID]

For most of winter it's fairly common to see a solitary Junco or pairs or small groups picking through the snow under the birdfeeders in our backyard. But now they're forming a flock of at least 30 birds, foraging together and singing their loose trilling song. It's as if they know they have a long flight ahead, and every moment of daylight must be spent filling the tank and gathering their compatriots.

[ID: A male Dark-eyed Junco forages in the twigs and leaves for scattered birdseed. Juncos scrape at the ground with both feet simultaneously in a little hop, then inspect the freshly-exposed ground for tasty morsels. This one is mid-scrape, with debris flying around it. End ID]

So I decided to sit on the deck with my camera for a while to bid the Juncos farewell until next winter. I've been scattering seed back there every so often, and the other birds aren't exactly neat or careful when digging through the feeder above. As such, the Juncos have lots to choose from while poking around between the squirrels and the Mourning Doves. Once I sat down, they didn't seem to mind me at all.

[ID: A female Dark-eyed Junco inspects the ground for bits of seed. The females are distinguished from the males by their paler grey upper parts, sometimes with more brown and tan shades mixed with the grey. End ID]

Though, the birds did seem to mind when my kid joined me on the deck, brandishing his bright green snow shovel. They scattered to the trees or the fence and stayed there until I convinced him to put the shovel away in favor of coating the deck boards in a thick layer of sidewalk chalk.

[ID: A female Dark-eyed Junco sits on a wooden fence, waiting patiently for the danger posed by a nearby four-year-old to pass. The wind is catching the white feathers on her left hip and flipping them up like the flounce of a skirt. End ID]

As the sun sank lower in the sky, I figured I better get dinner started. I spent another minute or two listening to the evening birdsong before capping my lens and helping to knock the chalk dust off my kid's coat and pants. This sudden activity caused the Juncos to scatter once again. Have a safe trip little ones. I'll see you when the snow flies.

[ID: A female Dark-eyed Junco stands in the dirt, looking at the camera with head cocked to one side, as though she's wondering what this person finds so interesting about her. End ID]

[sophiologism]

i love the south. the ozarks and ouachitas, the piney woods, southeast texas, the mid-south, the lower delta, cajun country, the cumberland plateau, the deep south, new orleans, central appalachia, the smokies, the piedmont, the gulf coast, chesapeake bay, the south atlantic plain, the outer banks, the carolina beaches, the lowcountry, all of north florida… i just love it here and i love being from here. i love how diverse an area it is with so many different cultural identities and yet we all have solidarity due to common struggles and experiences. it has a lot of issues, and we as southerners have a lot of work to do, but i’ll never give up on us and our home.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive

In a recent study published in The Lancet, researchers updated their analysis from the original Eight Americas study to reflect current life expectancy disparities in the United States.

What is the Eight Americas study? The Eight Americas study was published nearly two decades ago to provide crucial insights into life expectancy inequities in the United States. Herein, the U.S. population was categorized into eight groups based on race, geographical location, urbanicity, income per capita, and homicide rates.

In 2001, the Eight Americas study reported gaps of 12.8 years for females and 15.4 years for males in life expectancy, with the observed disparities in mortality particularly large for young and middle-aged males.

In the current study, scientists update and expand the original Eight Americas study by examining trends in life expectancy between 2000 and 2021 for ten Americas categorized by age, sex, and age group. The ten Americas included analogs to the original eight groups, as well as two additional groups comprising the U.S. Hispanic or Latino population.

Important observations The ten categories of Americas included Asian individuals, Latino individuals in other counties, White, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals in other counties, White individuals in non-metropolitan and low-income Northlands, Latino individuals in the Southwest, Black individuals in other counties, Black individuals in highly segregated metropolitan areas, White individuals in low-income Appalachia and Lower Mississippi Valley, Black individuals in the non-metropolitan and low-income South, and AIAN individuals in the West.

The lowest life expectancy in 2000 was among Black Americans residing in non-metropolitan and low-income counties in the South and highly segregated metropolitan regions, as well as AIAN individuals in the West. The second lowest life expectancy was observed for White Americans in low-income counties in Appalachia and the Lower Mississippi Valley.

Between 2000 and 2010, life expectancy increased for all Americas except for AIAN individuals in the West, who experienced a one-year reduction.

Further reduction in life expectancy was observed for AIAN individuals in the West between 2010 and 2019. A smaller reduction was observed among White Americans residing in low-income counties in Appalachia and the Lower Mississippi Valley, Black Americans in non-metropolitan and low-income counties in the South, as well as White Americans in non-metropolitan and low-income counties in the Northlands.

During the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, life expectancy significantly decreased across the Americas. However, the extent of this decline varied widely among Americans.

A slight recovery of life expectancy was observed for Black Americans in highly segregated metropolitan areas, Asian Americans, and Latino Americans in other countries between 2020 and 2021. However, for other Americans, life expectancy continued to decline during this period.

In some cases, significant variations in life expectancy rates were observed by sex and age group. Significant variations in income and educational attainment were also observed between the ten Americas.

These differences had varying impacts on life expectancy. For example, AIAN individuals residing in other counties had the highest income and educational attainment in most years; however, these individuals were ranked fourth or fifth in life expectancy before 2020.

These disparities reflect the unequal and unjust distribution of resources and opportunities and have profound consequences for the wellbeing and longevity of marginalized populations."

Conclusions In 2000, a 12.6-year gap in life expectancy was observed among the Americas, which gradually increased by 2010 and accelerated to 20.4 years after the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIAN individuals in the West were the only Americans who experienced a reduction in life expectancy over the two-decade period preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. Low healthcare accessibility, unemployment, low education attainment, and systemic discrimination may contribute to reduced life expectancy among AIAN individuals in the West.

A significant improvement in life expectancy was observed among the three categories of Black Americans during the study period. A significant improvement in educational facilities, reduction in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- and cardiovascular disease-related deaths, and reduced homicide rates likely contributed to the improved longevity and reduced life expectancy disparities among Black Americans.

A significantly longer life expectancy was observed among Latino Americans as compared to that of White Americans. The longer life expectancy might be associated with the higher life expectancy, specifically among foreign-born Latino individuals.

The largest reduction in life expectancy during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic was observed among AIAN, Black, and Latino Americans, which may be attributed to systemic racism and racial inequities observed during the pandemic. Considerable inequalities among White Americans by geographical location and income level were also observed, which may be due to variations in income and educational attainment among these individuals.

These findings emphasize the importance of addressing and analyzing the different factors contributing to life expectancy disparities in the U.S. to ensure that all Americans can live healthy lives, regardless of their geographical location, race, ethnicity, or income.

It is time for us to take collective action; to invest in equitable health care, education, and employment opportunities; and to challenge the systemic barriers that create and perpaetuate these disparities."

Journal reference: Dwyer-Lindgren, L., Baumann, M. M., Li, Z., et al. (2024). Ten Americas: a systematic analysis of life expectancy disparities in the USA. The Lancet. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01495-8 www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01495-8/fulltext

[seasononesam]

REAL early seasons supernatural back when it was monster of the week and embracing this kind of gothic Americana stuff was so awesomeeeee. I wish there had been more like weird local haunted houses or cursed cornfields or whatever (I’m not American so I don’t know the deep lore pls fill in with appropriate Midwest American myths). They should have gone to Appalachia and done a super duper scary episode about the old gods or whatever. Like the angels and demons and stuff is fine especially when they get super weird and religious with it. But. Gothic Americana I miss u come home

I know, some of my favorite episodes are the ones based on urban legends. I'm from ohio and there's definitely lots of haunted places around here and local legends ect. like don't get me wrong I love cas, love the angels, but I kinda miss when the show was more...I guess kinda lower stakes (as in there was no heaven yet and sam and/or dean hadn't died and been brought back to life and no one knew about the true vessel stuff) like in the first two seasons. I know they can't do monster of the week stuff forever but the USA is huge there's so much more they could have done. here I am crying over the potentially lost plotlines of a show with 15 seasons DON'T MIND ME.

[appalachiancowboy99]

Hey! I'm not sure whereabouts in Appalachia you're located but with everything coming out of the WNC/AVL/ETN area hope you are safe!

Thank you so much for checking in. <3 I'm from Southwestern Va, so we did get hit by the storm. Lots of trees down from mud and water escaping the mountains, and some people had power poles and lines go completely through their homes. We were without power for a few days, but others aren't getting their'n back until tomorrow evening at the earliest. One of the worst parts is not being able to reach out when the disaster does happen: most of us live outside of town, so cell service is out of the question, especially when the power goes out.

Massive tree down on the side of the small bridge going toward town.

But we didn't get it as bad as some did. Some places in Appalachia got completely wiped out, namely places in North Carolina and Tenessee. People are missing, animals gone, homes and businesses are completely underwater. Majority of us who're in Appalachia are lower income, so the devastation really hits home when those affected could never be able to afford to get anything back. It's absolutely heartbreaking. Some photos for reference:

Ashville, NC.

Asheville, NC, residences.

Interstate 26. Erwin, TN. I did find links to some fundraisers if you or anyone else would like to donate to help (by no means do you have to, just knowing and getting word out there is help enough <3):

RISE Erwin

American Red Cross

Unicoi County Animal Shelter

United Way of East TN Highlands

If you're in need of food in the Ashville Area, Mercy Chefs are donating free meals

Christ in Action, if you're needing help with debris clean up.

Samaritan's Purse if you or anyone you know is in need of oxygen after losing power or equipment.

Hunger and Health Coalition for Boone, NC.

Send supplies via Amazon for Unicoi relief.

Hotel Assistance

Call 1(800) 824-3463 if someone you know or love is missing.

[thelittletobsterthatcould]

Chimney Rock is flooded. The town, the entire town of Chimney Rock if GONE. Asheville is cut off from the world, all the bridges that lead into the city are flooded. My mother’s house + her mother are some of the only standing houses in their neighborhood. The rest have been crushed by fallen trees and power lines. They have no power, electricity and little contact with the people near them and are housing 10+ people each. Plus pets.

The only aid my mother, brother (who still lives with my mother) and grandmother—who already live in a rural area is from a local dairy farm and one guy who own a helicopter. Trees and power lines are blocking the only road in and out. They have to walk over 13 miles on foot to get basic supplies and support. All these people have no way to contact their family members who are stuck in their own homes. My family lives in lower income area, lots of trees and nature, and my brother is the youngest person there at 20, my mother is in her 40s and the second youngest.

I’ve seen no news coverage about this, and I know there’s more people and families both alive and dead who are trapped and suffering and are getting zero news coverage about it—even on a local level. I’m sure there’s more, and it’s worse, much worse than I can ever convey but I’m just trying to spread the word. I’m lucky to live with my dad in an area that already has, electricity, power, access to food etc., we have no way to get to my family (all the roads are blocked and the roads that are flooded).

And I (personally) think it stems from the idea that people have of the south. “Oh well why didn’t they just leave??” APPALACHIA IS ONE OF THE MOST POVERISHED REGIONS IN AMERICA THEOR ECONOMY IS COAL AND TOURISM. THESE ARE REGULAR EVERYDAY HARDWORKING PEOPLE.

“They still could have left!!” THERE ARE FUCKING MOUNTAINS!!! MY FAMILY LIVES IN THE UPSTATE AND THEY ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY CUT OFF FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD!! I HAVE SPENT TWO DAYS WORRYING FOR MY FAMILY WONDERING IF THEY WERE ALIVE!!!WONDERING IF MY PHYSICALLY DISABLED GRANDFATHER WHO LIVES EVEN FURTHER IN THE COUTRY THAN THEN IS ALIVE!!

PEOPLE ARE STUCK!! PEOPLE ARE TRAPPED WITH NO ACCESS TO A HOSPITAL!!! TENNESSEE WAS HIT, THEY AREN’T NEAR THE FUCKING COAST!!! WHY WOULD THEY EXPECT TO GET HIT??? ENTIRE TOWNS DONT EXSIST ANYMORE!!!

AND NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT IT OTHER THAN OTHER SOUTHERNERS!! BUT IF THIS HURRICANE HIT THE NORTH PEOPLE WOULD TALK ABOUT FOR WEEKS, BE DEVASTATED AND OFFER AND AID THEY CAN!! BUT BECAUSE ITS HITTING THE SOUTH NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT IT OTHER THAN US!!!

I learned a long time ago about the concept of mountain strong. And I really truly believe it not, our government has failed us and we only have each other to help each other out. For the days leading up to this, we heard about the impact and to be ready if we some wind and rain. I can’t get a reliable source of contact with my mother, brother, grandmother and maternal grandfather. The only reason I know their alive is because someone at the dairy farm had my dads email address and sent him an email.

Have you ever lived in fear of your family—a reasonable size for my family too—being dead? Have you ever stayed up for two night and eaten a can of beans for dinner over a camping stove only to throw it back up because your so afraid of your family being dead? Have you ever cried so hard you threw up and passed out because you were scared your last conversation with any of them ended in a fight?? And have you ever had to see the exact storm that they built up for weeks get no news coverage??? Can you imagine the fear??? The anger??

So yeah, I’m pissed as hell. And I don’t know if this will get any traction, or if anyone will read all this, but I need to spread the word any way I can.

[midmaximoo]

I'm currently in rendering hell right now as I'm finishing up some wttt Vermont doodles, and so in the mean time Ima take a break and share some of my head canons for Vermont - so here we gooo!

Vermont has a very obvious farmer's tan. No matter how much sunscreen he puts on, poor VT gets assaulted by the sun no matter what.

Vermont, Maine, Colorado, and Alaska go camping together every year. These states specifically bc of the average wilderness experience most people in said places end up having. Alaska tolerates these guys the most out of the lower 48, and VT is also sort of reclusive and quiet so Alaska and Vermont are buds.

VT skis and Colorado snowboards, they both like to hit the mountains & trails every year together

Vermont has tattoos! He's got maple leaves, a hermit thrush (VT's state bird), just a lot of nature related ink.

Vermont doesn't own a car, he has a motorcycle.

His aesthetic is along the lines of cryptidcore, goblincore, overall a very green sort of grunge.

He can speak French (due to him bordering Quebec, and VT was populated by a lot of French soldiers/immigrants during 1600-1900s.)

Louisiana and Vermont would probably be quite good friends. I can imagine Loui saying something in his lovely Louisiana French dialect, and Vermont being one of the few states that understands him and can respond in kind.

Honestly I feel like most Mideast/Southeast states would get along pretty well with VT even if he is pretty antisocial at times. He has a similar folksy vibe that fits well. (historically, VT was built by "lower class" immigrants working hard blue collar jobs. Lot's of the same Scottish and Irish influence as most Northeast states. Eventually, they trickled down south through places like Appalachia as time went on.)

Vermont is a townie at heart, not having very big cities and a smaller population, he definitely is a vocal workers rights activist and loudly opposes classism and loves himself a union strike if needed.

Vermont and New Hampshire may have started out hating each other, having a sort of rivalry. After time went on, and maybe due to living in the Statehouse right next door, or maybe even years prior, these two states really didn't have that much contempt for each other as one might seem. They mainly "hate" each other as a bit now, finding it funny. They are probably married for tax purposes (VT loves NH lack of sales tax lol).

Vermont is the Statehouse's resident veterinarian, being very good with pretty much any animal under the sun native to his state or not.

He also has a green thumb and loves gardening.

VT has a pet Raccoon named Champ (after the famous lake monster)

Vermont is a vegetarian, despite being a state with a lot of hunters. He'd do it for survival, but only as a last resort. To counter that, I'd say he is good with a bow and arrow (a reference to bow season).

This fella can play a lot of instruments. He especially likes the banjo bc why not?

Okay that's MORE than enough for now, and this was mainly for me to just yell into the void and keep for reference. I just want more wttt VT content bc he could be such a fun character! Sorry I tricked you into reading my Vermont propaganda

[chadfallout76podcast]

Major Update: Life...is a changing for me/us (and a sneak peek of Vault-Tec Rises!

Good afternoon!

I wanted to give you all an update on Vault-Tec Rises as well as an update on myself and some major life changes happening this year that may impact our season while the dust settles. Firstly, I'm more than halfway done with our next major feature length episode, "Vault-Tec Rises"...which is technically episode 16, set BEFORE Little Sanctuary of Horrors. It essentially is the story of how everyone came to be there in the first place, what Vault-Tec and the Enclave are really up to, and is the start of our last 4 episodes of the season as the Battle for Appalachia begins.

Secondly, I've shared quite a bit about the journey of these past 10 years with my husband Travis and his struggle with mental health. Many of you were kind of enough to support or share our GoFundMe to help take the pressure off the crushing debt we were under with mounting medical bills and his bills, none of which was covered by insurance fully. Trying to keep us afloat financially has been a long-term struggle of mine and here's in New Hampshire we just haven't been able to get ahead. After having to cancel some of his services last week as we couldn't afford them, we made some major decisions.

The next few months I'll be doing a lot of painting, landscaping, plastering and prepping to list our home on the market. Financially we can't afford to buy again for a while, so we're stuck renting. Based on what things are selling for in the area, I'm not too worried about getting out of it fairly quickly. We'll be moving to Texas, in between Dallas and Fort Worth in a really beautiful, new planned community where leasing and the overall lower cost of living will save us $20k a year which will allow us to not only fix our debt issue permanently, but also they have one of the leading centers in the country for C-PTSD. Once settled, I'd be able to get him more direct help he's needed that we just don't have access to out here.

Texas is going to be a big, big change for us...a huge move, but one I'm eager to make. Our backup editor is continuing to plug away at stories as well as I've had my hands full with work trying to keep the lights on (literally). I wanted to explain all of this with clear honesty so you know what I've been doing, what I'll be doing this year and why it often takes us so long to ship episodes to you. Your patient and support of me really, really means the world to me. The other benefit of this move is that once I'm not strangled hustling for work 7 days a week, I'll have more free time to actually create. Something I really want to do...as there are still two more seasons of Chad and some other projects I really want to share with you all.

I hope to have our 3-hour feature length Vault-Tec Rises completed in the next few weeks, so stay tuned. :) And if you can please excuse how hectic this year will be between selling and moving halfway across the country I'd appreciate it.

Much love to you all,

Ken

[plantanarchy]

you own a house?? 😭 it’s crazy how americans I follow keep turning out to be upper class. good for you though!! i want a house too one day

I am incredibly and deeply fortunate to own a house, yes! Though in American terms, I'm very firmly middle to lower class. I work a blue collar job and live in rural yinzer appalachia, I do not know that I could or will ever claim upper class status lol

[rimouskis]

as someone who's been living in Appalachia for most of my adult life, the fucking idiot who just got chosen as the conservative VP pick is a charlatan who made his name by looking down upon a misunderstood and mocked region and its lower class. un-fucking-believable.

[just-your-average-tangerine]

This is reviews and ratings for the narrative/ fiction podcasts I have/ am listening to. This is mostly for me but if you want to use this as a recommendation go for it but be warned I'm not talking about plot or giving a description, there's no mentions of potentially triggering material so do your own research first if that's something your concerned about.

Welcome to Night Vale

-Night Vale owns my entire ass, no one does it better. I've been listening since the beginning and while I do think the quality has dipped a bit in the last few years its still really good. 9/10

The Magnus Archives

-Nearly perfect. Holds up and even improves with subsequent listens. The final season drags a bit imo but worth it in the end. 9/10

Old Gods of Appalachia

-really good story, gives you a lot to keep track of character wise but is written well enough that its not too hard and you can still follow the story if you forget some. 8/10

Moonbase Theta Out

-I can't wait for this to be over. Unfortunately, the storyline has a chokehold on me, and i need to know how it ends. Otherwise, i wouldn't be listening anymore. While there are several pretty good voice actors, there's enough bad ones that it's hard to listen to. Took the idea that characters should be flawed a little too far and made nearly every character completely insufferable. Nearly everytime a character is being given critical and emotional information it cuts away, in what I assume is an attempt to save the audience from listening to the same information over and over again, but instead it deprives the audience that look at how the character reacts to the information, which could go a long way in making them seem more fleshed out, instead you only see them emote in angry outbursts or melodramatic soliloquies (which is not helped by the subpar acting). 2/10

Death By Dying

-pretty funny but I don't think there's been enough episodes to make a educated review or rating

Hello from the Hallowoods

- very good overall. Good story, heartfelt and well written. Percy's story hits close to home for me, which sometimes makes me mad because he comes across as very weak and insecure and it gets on my nerves. But honestly that's less of a problem with the Percy or the writing and more of a problem of him being one of the very very few trans masc characters in existence so its extra disappointing when i find him irritating. Polly owns my ass, I would die for him. 8/10

Where the Stars Fell

-I binge listened up to the current season which I feel wasn't the way to go but it's still pretty enjoyable. 6/10

Midnight Burger

-Very funny. I love the characters and their dynamic and just the idea of a time a space traveling diner, it's beautiful. The beginning of this new arc confused me a bit but it's starting to come together. 7/10

We Fix Space Junk

- Very funny but with the underlying terror of what's going on with automnicon. Looking forward to new episodes. 6/10

The Sheridan Tapes

-started really strong but has been spending too much time on the characters agnst and not enough time actually progressing the story. At this point I'm just looking forward to a conclusion. 4/10

Camp Here and There

- it was pretty good, nothing exceptional but not bad but then I took a single glance at what was going on in the fandom and it was so obnoxious that it immediately ruined it for me. I feel bad lowering the rating due to the fandom but like, yikes. 2/10

SCP Readings

-very entertaining, easy to follow even if you don't have any prior knowledge about scp, which I do not. 7/10

The Amelia Project

-I think I'm to early in this one to make a solid judgement but I enjoy it so far. Venerio haunts me.