#letter from home

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1153: See Him Again (Sonic)

12:12 p.m. at the Crocodile Residence's Kitchen...........

Espio: (Grabs his Chin While Examining Directly at the Turkey in Front of Him) Hmmm.............

Vanilla: (Nervously Grabs Onto her Knuckle Placed on her Chest) Give it to me straight, Espio. ('Gulp') I-I can handle it........

Espio: Well...The color and texture of the skin is rich brown......The seasonings are in place.....(Sticks the Needle Point of the Meat Thermometer onto the Middle of the Turkey as He Watches the Device Calculate it's Temperature) And from the looks of it, the temperature is very close to actual heat temperature. (Takes the Thermometer Out of the Turkey, Forming a Proud Smile on his Face) With that being said, I am happy to announce that our turkey this year is in near perfection.

Vanilla: (Gasps Before Happily Clapping her Hands Rapidly) It's even better than last year!~

Espio: (Happily Nodded in Agreement) Indeed. You went all out this year around and it definitely shows- (Immediately Gets Pulled into a Tight, Loving Hug)

Vanilla: (Happily Hugging Espio) WE went all out this year alone!~ Our Thanksgiving dinner wouldn't nearly be as spectacular as it is now if it weren't to your help and guidance!~ Thank you!!~

Espio: (Winces in a Bit of Pain) Don't....mention it.....Happy to help, Mother!......

Vanilla: Oh. (Lets Go of Espio with a Sheepish Smile on her Face) S-Sorry about that, dear~ The excitement got the better of me again....

Espio: That's alright, mother. (Picks up the Lit and Place it Over the Newly Cooked Turkey) Master would get ecstatic too if he was here to see all of this.

Vanilla: I've been meaning to ask you about him. Was he the one who taught you how to cook in the first place?

Espio: Somewhat. His favorite meal growing up would always be any bowl ramen you could think of. So when I was younger and with the help from a few of his peers, I was able to learn how make one for ourselves to enjoy on many occasions. (Smiles Fondly at the Past) And every time, he would always put on a delightful smile on his face, praising me for a job well done.

Vanilla: (Giggles Softly) Can't say I blame him. Your ramen are worth the praise and admiration~

Espio: (Happily Bows at Vanilla) Thank you. I'm glad you guys like them. But anyways, it wasn't until I grew up and left out of the dojo on my own a few years later that I've gradually started to learn how to cook various other meals from every cookbooks I could get my hands on at the time. It always makes me wonder what master would think if ever tries them out for himself. (Slowly Starts to Frown a Bit) If.....he's okay that is......

Vanilla: (Frowns a Bit as Well) You still haven't heard back from him yet?

Espio: ('Sigh') I can't say that I have unfortunately...... I know it takes time for a letter to reach it's destination in a long distance, but it's been so long since either of us seen each other face to face. I couldn't help but to worry about him.....

Vanilla: (Gives Espio a Reassuring Smile on her Face) Have more faith in him, dear. I'm sure you two will see one another one day.

Espio: (Simply Nodded) I hope so. (Smiles Softly at Vanilla) I have yet to introduce him to wonderful folks i considered my family.

Vanilla's heart starts to melt in pure happiness by Espio's comment. It makes her happy to know Espio and Charmy see her as their mother, let alone have them and Vector apart of her family to begin with.

Cream: (In the Other Room) ESPIOOOO!~ A LETTER HAS ARRIVED FOR YOUUUU!~

Cheese: (In the Other Room as Well) CHAO CHAO!!~

Confused and curious, Espio and Vanilla decides to head into living room to find out.

Vanilla: (Walks into the Living Room Along with Espio) The mall man came by our house on Thanksgiving Day?

Vector: Nah, it was a while Flicky that flew by

Charmy: With this really cool looking scar on the right side of his eyes.

Cream: It must've so hard for that poor little thing to see properly.....

Espio: A scar on his.....(Eyes Suddenly Begins to Widened at the Realization) Wait....That Flicky....It doesn't happen to belong to Master, does it?

Vector: Only one way to find out.

Espio catches the scroll Vector tossed to him before giving a silent nod,, opens it up, and, begins to read it out loud for everyone to hear.

Dear Espio,

Hello! Its been so long since I heard from you these days. I apologize greatly for not being able to write a letter back sooner. I have been a lot busy training with newest recruits nowadays that I don't quite have much freetime on my hands as I used to in the old days. And before you start to worry, yes, I am doing fairly well these days. I might have gotten older, but my guidance and unyielding spirit has not died out just yet.

On a brighter note, I have read each letter you have given thus far, and while it pains me that you are not with us these days, it also makes me incredibly happy to hear that you not only found a profession that tests your skills and intelligence flawlessly, but you also found those whom you formed an unbreakable bonds with. Those you considered as your very own family.

You've grown a lot since then and as such, words cannot describe just how proud I truly am of you and your progress thus. I still hope for the day we cross paths once more soon, even meeting the love ones you've talked so much about, but until that day comes, all I can do now is to wish you the best of luck to what life has in store for you next and pray that one day, you will strive to become a better man than I could ever hope of being.

Until we meet again, take care, my prized student.

Love,

Hoshimaru Hasashi

Tears begins to flow down from Espio's eyes as the melting feeling of his heart starts occur within him. It's been a long time since he feels the need to cry. But as emotional as he is now, he's extremely happy to know that one and master is not only alive and well, but that he's proud of him. Proud of the young man he spent all these years training and raising worked his way up to becoming what is now: a Chaotix Detective and a full-fledged shinobi.

Cream: (Starts Getting Worried) Espio? Are you okay?

Espio: Yeah.....('Sniff') (Uses the Back of his Knuckle to Wipe the Tears Away) Everything is fine.......

Vanilla: Do you wanna group hug by an chance?

Espio: Yeah....('Sniff') (Turns to Everyone with a Teary Smile on his Face) A hug....would be nice about now.......

Vanilla: Oh baby!~ (Rushes Over to Give Espio Another Loving Hug) It's okay.

Cream: (Joins in on the Hug Fest as Well) There's no need to cry~

Cheese: (Joins in) Chao Chao Chao.

Charmy: (Joins in) Yeah, It's okay.

Vector: (Joins in on the Group Hug) We got you, man. We stick together no matter what.

Espio: (Hugs His Family Back) ('Sniff') I know.....('Sniff') I love you all so much.....

Cheese suddenly notices a folded up piece if paper on the ground before floating himself over there, picks it up, and unfolds it for himself.

It didn't take long fornthe young Chao's eyes to widened at what he saw before rushing back to the family.

Cheese: (Starts Tapping on Charmy's Shoulder) ('Psst') Chao. Chaochao Chao Chao.

Charmy: (Turns to Cheese) Hm? What's up, Cheese?

Cheese: (Shows Charmy the Picture) Chao!

Charmy: (Eyes Widened at What he is Seeing Right Now) NO WAHAYAYAYYYY! (Starts Bursting Out Laughing)

Vanilla: (Quickly Turns to the Bee Along with Everyone Else) Charmy?

Vector: What gotten you more noisy than usual?

Charmy: (Flailing his Hands amd Feet Around Before Taking the Picture From an Already Snickering Cheese's Hand) Guys, guys, you gotta see this! Chese found one of Espio's baby picture sitting on the floor!

Espio: (Eyes Widened as He Turns Directly at Charmy) Who's baby picture?

Charmy: (Points at Espio) Yours! (Forms a Teasing Smirk on his Face) Apparently Master Hisashi's Prized Student just so happens to be a famous Lil' Ninja Star~ See? (Shows Everyone a Picture of a Baby Espio Happily Holding up Kunais Up in the Air with the Captions 'BABY NINJA STAR' Written Below the Picture Itself)

Espio: (Eyes and Mouth Widened in Complete Shock and Silence)

Cream/Vanilla: ('Gasps') Oh my gosh!~

Vector: (Starts Laughing as Well)

Vanilla: (Clasps Her Hands Together as They Begin to Gush About thr Picture in Question) He's looks so adorable!!~

Cream: AWWWWWW!~

Espio: N-N-No!.....(Starts Blushing) D-Don't tell me.....

Vector: Hey, Ninja Star! Your master wrote a note for you behind the photo. Says he hope we could savor your cuteness for generations to come!~ (Continues Laughing with Charmy and Cheese)

Espio: (Crunches Up the Letter in Complete Anger) Damn you.....Master Hisahi!!

Cream: (Gently Grabs Hold of Espio's Other Hand) Espio, are you okay now?

Espio: (Takes a Very Deep Breath Before Looking Down at Cream) Well, other than my immense embarrassment, I say I'll do just fine for now.......

Cream: (Smiles Softly) That's good. (Hugs Espio) Please don't be mad. We only laugh because we care.

Espio: ('Sighs Heavily') I just hope no one else sees th-

?????: ESPIO!~

Espio's eyes starts to widened yet again as he turns to see his girlfriend abd boyfriend, Blaze and Silver, joining in on the sightseeing crowd.

Blaze: (Smiles Brightly) You didn't tell us you had an precious baby photo lying around here~

Silver: (Clasps his Hands Together as He Starts Gushing) You look so cute and squishy, I could just pinch your cheeks just thinking about them!~

Espio: (Squats Down on the Ground and Lowers his Head onto his Knees) My life is officially over.....

Cream: No, your life is still continuing. (Hugs Espio Yet Again) And we're here to see it through the very end. (Gives Espio a Kiss on the Head)

Espio: ('Sigh') I know.

Happy Late Thanksgiving, Everyone!!

@cyber-wildcat

@rechicken-and-waffles

@caleb13frede

@albion-93

[jazzdailyblog]

Pat Metheny: A Jazz Journey of Innovation and Artistry

Introduction: Certain musicians in the vast world of jazz transcend boundaries and capture audiences with their distinct sound and innovative approach to music. Pat Metheny, a virtuoso guitarist and composer whose long career has left an everlasting influence on the jazz genre, is one such luminary. Metheny has consistently pushed the frontiers of jazz, drawing listeners worldwide with his…

[seymourmusicclub]

PAT METHENY - LETTER FROM HOME

[muffinlance]

ORBSJB AGNI AS A TURTLE DUCK I'm sorry but LIKE HOW CUTE AND then it's like he's this turtleduck in the pond bc depending on how people treat animals, small ones that need help, that's how he knows if they're good and he blesses the ones that treat him kindly and then Zuko and I'm sorry of this sint coherent (I'm a long time fan of your content btw, all the his and the books and omg I wish I could've gotten some)

Azulon looked down. His grandson, along with the turtleduck in his arms, looked up.

“This is Agni,” the boy said. “He says you should stop now.”

QUACK, said the duck. It was a strange red-gold. It was glowing. It was staring at him, even through the flames of the throne.

“Stop what?” humored the Fire Lord.

“The war,” the boy said. “It’s killing too many firebenders. Also his sister has been yelling at him, so we should let the waterbenders go, too, and be nice to them from now on so he can get a good night’s sleep and not have her redirecting comets at him any more. Probably we should leave all the other benders alone too because he’s pretty sure it was the air spirits that made him a flightless duck. He says that’s their sense of humor.”

QUACK, said the turtleduck.

“…Guards,” said Azulon.

This proved to be an ill-advised action.

ALTERNATE TAKE THAT WENT NOWHERE AND ISN'T EDITED HAVE FUN WITH THAT:

There is a Fire Nation child in Hakoda's village. The child has a softly glowing turtleduck in his arms and a quietly oozing wound under his bandage. This is not how Hakoda thought his morning would go.

"What's with the turtleduck?" asks Hakoda's son, who is wrapped around Hakoda's arm and his spear in a way that makes it very hard to instinctively stab at red-clothed things. Hakoda... expected more of them. But the tiny sail boat the kid just ran into Sokka's lumpy watchtower seems to be empty, now that its single feverish passenger has stumbled over. With his duck.

"It's a turtleduck-phoenix," says the Fire Lord's heir, answering exactly none of Hakoda's actual questions. "...You remember?"

"That your hair is going to get worse before it gets better?" says Sokka. "Absolutely."

The Prince scowls. "Then where's Aang?"

"Katara's been looking for him. He's still in the iceberg."

"...The Ember Island Players' iceberg?"

"The Ember Island Players' extremely accurate and well-researched iceberg."

The Fire Prince stares at Hakoda's son. The Fire Prince stares at Hakoda. The Fire Prince flips his duck around to face himself, then starts shaking it. "Give me a less stupid reality."

QUACK, protests the duck, with a burst of accompanying immolation that does nothing to dissuade the prince.

"Sorry, buddy," soothes his son, "you were always in the stupid reality. Remember the frozen frogs?"

Quack, says the duck, as if in confirmation.

[demaparbat-hp]

Letters to Home

Read on AO3

"Live," she pleads. "I don't want you to sacrifice yourself for this war—for me. I just need you to come back. Please...please come back to me." . Zuko writes the letters whenever he can. During a break from a council meeting, late at night in his chambers, after another training session with Azula—all he does is write to her. Because he needs to let her know that he's alright and their plan is working. She needs to know that he'll come back.

[rararatigan]

More Quotes From the Blood Bus (No. 4)

“I can’t wait to get home to my cheese.”

[ohno-wallace]

And the rest is history 💌

[cuterefaction]

Trektober Day 28 - Anniversary. If there's one couple I root for as much as Book Club in Star Trek, it's these two - Gul Dukat and Kai Winn are the two most horrible people in the quadrant, have wonderful chemistry and deserve to grow old together (in a penal colony, far away from everyone).

[ryllen]

Look what came through the mail today! The letters & ( •̀ω•́ )σ 3 little gremlins from letterstoear.

Just wanna say i adore the flower stickers on the letters too much, they are that much worth mentioning.

[divine-draws]

Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes we both Oh yes we both Oh yes, we both reached for The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun Oh yes, we both reached for the gun For the gun

[flownwrong]

chaotic ckr c6d squee propaganda (?) post

This, started half a year ago for @ds30below, was initially a general c6d short reviews post but kinda skewed majorly towards CKR's repertoire and wasn't too review-y. So I gave up on making sense and on including the non-CKR works. I don't know who the audience for this is, because I never give basic details for people who don't know about this stuff but say too much for those who do. I giffed what I could and tried to avoid what I know a lot about but haven't actually seen. Here goes.

Frank's Cock (1993)

Not much to say. It's only 8 minutes, it's beautiful and you should see it if you haven't. I won't spoil the subject, but you can likely guess. Watch it, cry a little. Then go watch some more of Mike Hoolboom's stuff, the vimeo link above is from his channel.

Two X-Files episodes (1994 – 1995)

Well, I haven't actually seen X-files since I was about fifteen and watched the like two seasons, and I remember none of it. I rewatched the two early episodes CKR appears in and they were fun. I did not watch the, the movie or whatever where he's doing the evil gay thing. But really, this one is on the list so I can show you this self-indulgent gif of him being Very Long:

Double Happiness (1994)

You shouldn't watch this one for CKR. I mean, you absolutely should see him here, looking like he's barely out of his teens and playing up the insecure act and having devastating chemistry with devastatingly beautiful Sandra Oh, but this is not why it's great. And it's really, really great. It's touching and funny and sincere. If you wanna have some feels about complicated family relationships and identity and growing up (at any point in life), you'll find them here.

Curtis's Charm (1995)

Don't regret watching it, can't recommend. Not gonna lie, I was emotionally affected. But I usually am by things as in-your-face bleak as this. Mostly, it's trying very hard to be smarter than it is, I think.

However: CKR's One Wild Curl is everything to me (see above, on the right. It was, like, actually curly. I was rendered speechless). And like two seconds of Hugh Dillon made me do a double-take, lol. Incredibly weird knowing this was shot like half a year before HCL began shooting. Feels like it must've been a decade earlier.

Hard Core Logo (1996)

I could make three separate posts about this one, so of course I have no idea what to say.

This one, you should watch for CKR, actually, he's something, but so is every single other aspect of this film. I wouldn't change a thing about it. It hits you like a 16 wheeler. Perfectly cast, unimaginably beautiful, hysterical and melancholy and disgusting and compelling.

Related recs:

A wonderfully fun article/retrospective/interview for its 20th anniversary a while back.

You should also absolutely read Hard Core Roadshow if you enjoyed the film. It's a book documenting the whole thing from conception to release. It touched me for its own sake, not just a backstage glance, full of love for the craft and the people and carrying this tangible bittersweetness about the heightened and fleeting nature of this kind of work.

(here, I feel compelled to include a quote from another c6d-related interview on Slings & Arrows, which I read after the book and went like man, it's really a universal experience isn't it.

Coyne: <...> But I also think, and this is my experience, what we were all experiencing, because we were all talking about our lives, our life in the arts — there’s something very melancholy about doing something you love, because it will never be good enough, it will always break your heart.

McKinney: Or it will be fleeting.

Coyne: It’ll be fleeting. You come together with people you feel passionately connected to and two weeks later they’re tearing down the sets.)

Quotes from the article and the book respectively include:

McDonald: So there was a kind of mutual dependency society with Hugh telling Callum, “Don’t worry, man, I got your back, I’ll tell you how high or low to wear your guitar, I’ll tell you how you should dress, I’ll tell you what you should drink…” and Callum was like, “I’ll tell you what hitting your mark is, I’ll tell you why they pull out fucking tape measures, I’ll tell you why you have to do it again, I’ll tell you about not overlapping dialogue..” and you know they clung to each other, like the other one was gonna fucking save them.

And:

A final gathering at the back of the tour bus with Bruce, Callum, Hugh, Bernie. We listen to the tape of HCL songs, all the way through, one last time. And we belt the words out. Bernie sings loudest, performing for Salerno's camera. Hugh and Callum sit back, looks of sadness. I get the sense that if they could do it, they'd chuck their lives and be Joe Dick and Billy Tallent forever. Callum leans to Bruce and says exactly what everyone else is thinking: "I don't want it to end."

There's much more to both texts than *gestures* the whatever those two had, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

And Xeriscape is the best HCL fic I've read. Granted, I read very few because it's not a source that creates in me a craving for fic. But this one perfectly matches the film's fucked up beauty with its language while also adding a quieter, more fraught layer of humanity that we only get glimpses of in canon and that perfectly fits John. 10/10, would recommend.

Anyway. Watch it. Read it. If you haven't. Otherwise, come scream with meeee! And go reblog my gifs or something. Idk.

Letters From Home (1996)

Mike Hoolboom strikes again, with another short. This goes into the "don't watch it for CKR, watch it because it's great" box. Yes, you will cry.

For Those Who Hunt The Wounded Down (1996)

Another bleak one! It sucked to watch, I mean, on purpose. There were a couple of very effective scenes. I really enjoyed the opening. They say the book is decent too, I haven't checked that out.

Actually, let's just switch back from coherent thought to undignified staring at his mouth with this one. What the fuck is that cigarette thing. I couldn't help myself.

Last Night (1998)

These gifs are not representative of the whole movie. There is more happening than CKR kissing or hugging people. He's also doing more than just kissing and hugging. It's all very... impressive.

Guess who's also here again? Sandra Oh! And say hi to Don McKellar, who is an absolute champion for writing/directing/starring. You'll be seeing more of him.

Another one for the "watch it for its own sake" box. Seriously, that late 90s indie stuff is banger after banger. It's so beautiful! Look at those colours! Look at those shots! It's very uneasy and charming and melanchioly and itself in the best way.

Twitch City (1998 – 2000)

Don McKellar is back to murder you with discomfort! Bruce McDonald lends a hand. Molly Parker is also here. And Daniel McIvor, who'd go on to direct, for example, Wilby Wonderful. It's a party. If you watched some stuff from above (or below) on this list, most faces and names will be familiar to you, tbh (another Hugh Dillon double-take happens).

If you liked Spaced, you'll love this. You might also love it because it commits to its weirdness with an admirable resolve and is genuinely hilarious. (Honestly, CKR's outfits alone warrant a watch.) The idiosyncrasy is definitely Don McKellar's doing 200%. It couldn't be more different from Last Night, but if you've seen one, you'll recognise the other.

Battlestar Galactica (2003 – 2009)

I don't think a person should be allowed to look this pretty in the sweaty-and-dying makeup in that light (this sentence probably looks very weird to those not under the CKR magic spell).

I don't know what to say about BSG because I really, really enjoyed early it initially, but by the middle of S2 it got... well, whatever that was. If you know you know, if you don't, still give it a go. You might get invested enough to suffer through it all, as I have been, slowly.

The unfortunate thing is that CKR got to be there mostly in the "what the fuck" years and not the "wow that's so cool" years. That, as you might be aware, is a pattern with him. But! When he was here, he was so genuinely, wonderfully creepy not in the typecast-baddy way, but in this slow, half-absent way, which really worked. You can also see him tortured a little, as a treat!! <3

Also, a wild John Pyper-Ferguson appears! If you're looking at him thinking you know him from somewhere but not immediately remembering, you'll figure it out, I believe in you. I was very happy to see him.

Wilby Wonderful (2004)

Another win for the put CKR in more good shit team!!! Guess who's here again? Sandra Oh! Also, Paul Gross. Don't watch it for him either though haha.

Another one for whoever wants to look at pushing against the weight of others' (or your own) expectations and growing into who you are or reconsidering who you are or finding meaningful connections with others even when you're kind of a mess and they are too.

Not nearly the first time CKR's gotten to play a queer character, but man, this one really is the heart of the in-universe community, and, through that, of the film. A rare chance to see him so far out of the prickly persona! He's just so solid and calm and there for others in this one and, and soft, ough. It's awesome.

By the way, if any of you have the commentary track or know someone who has, please drop me a line here or on discord (emotionalrisotto), I really wanna hear that.

Supernatural (2005)

I love Supernatural a lot. It was a formative experiences (albeit a very late one) and I owe a lot of my favourite stuff about fandom-ing to the buddies I met through it. I can't believe I'm telling you this (because who hasn't seen it, not because I'm reccing it), but you should really try it if you haven't. It's pretty rad.

I had no idea who this guy was when I saw that episode (the second ever one!), though. I simply cannot fathom what @nigeltde-fic felt when she first saw it. I think I personally got very lucky she didn't combust on the spot. It would've been unfortunate.

On a sillier note, CKR's character has weird tension with both Sam and Dean in this episode, which is par for the course. I personally think they should've... no, I shan't say it. You can probably imagine.

Californication (2008 – 2013)

I haven't actually seen it, lol (and I suspect I won't enjoy it, but I'm very curious and also CKR looks really really good).

The real reason for this one on the list is to share a fic rec. Really, it's a due South F/K fic featuring Lew Ashby. It's ridiculously hot and very satisfying in its romantic resolution, too (but then, I'm kind of big on selfcest. And consensual voyeurism. And pretend relationships when done like this. And sublimated yearning. Erm.)

Shattered (2010 – 2011)

I wish this never happened. I badly, badly wish this never happened. I can't turn back time, but I can warn those luckier than me: do not go there. Yes, even for this dude. You'll sleep better not knowing just what it is he was the EP on. And the only important part — the mascara — can be seen above (yes, the show does look that bad, it's not just the gifs).

Just kidding — I watched it, didn't I? You'll have fun hating it! Just prepare for industrial grade cringe, lower your expectations (No, lower. No, still lower than that. And just a bit more.) and you'll have a great time!

Star trek: Discovery (2024)

Or, as I call it, Star Trek: The Mediocre Show. Discovery S5 was... what it was, but it was a wonderful viewing experience — mostly thanks to the gang (@kittkatk and @feroxargentea especially!)

What a joy it is, to follow a show week by week, yelling and laughing and discussing the whole time. And giffing, too. I was very happy to contribute to the Disco fandom from my own little obsessive corner, and I was glad to see people adoring Rayner, haha.

He's a pretty neat character — very much a stereotype, yes, but with CKR's usual twist of odd vulnerability and weirdness. Also, I loved the ears. I miss the ears. The ears were great.

I even wrote a fic! Although it's not within my usual range to write for canons and universes I don't know well — and back then, I'd only seen S5 of Disco. It was a lot of suffering, and a lot of fun.

Closing thoughts

I'd really love the dude to get a better agent. And possibly better taste, but I realise that's a tougher ask. Seriously, it's been too long since he was in something majorly cool. I'm grateful to him, at least, for not making terrible music on the side. And I still have a lot of his back catalogue to get through, some of it even good, so there will be more insanity. Until then!

[p4nishers]

remember when fitz said in fool's assassin that it had taken him YEARS to accept beloved wasn't coming back? that he had waited for him, some part of his soul still dangling? waited like a dog told to sit and stay? that he had slowly begun to believe beloved didn't care about him anymore? that only after that did he really start to mourn? that he had obsessed over it for years, trying to excuse it? that he had chewed on one single line beloved had left him over and over and over, even going as far to question their friendship? that the scar of beloved's absence never healed? that the act of trying to understand his life years earlier turned into the act of trying to understand beloved? that he was never whole again after beloved left? that he likened the loss of beloved to nighteyes' death multiple times? remember that? yeah.

[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 ;)

.

[sallytwo]

Jennifer nearly jumped into the water / and she was tired like no one's ever been tired

[wildflowercryptid]

doodles of cliff at 29 years old, thriving while living in mineral town & making new friends during his delivery trips to forgotten valley!

[theworldatwar]

A German soldier receives a letter from a loved one during the early stages of Operation Barbarossa - Eastern Front 1941