New Beginnings

I wish my blogger friends

peace, joy, and strength,

as the midnight hour chimes.

Brush away times of sorrow,

the hardships of last year,

the loss of dear loved ones.

May every day bring

health and happiness,

renewed hope and light

with family wrapped in love,

and blessings descending

as a dove this New Year!

               --Brenda Kay Ledford

Christmas Kindness

 

I was rushing through the crowded isles at the Dollar General Store trying to dodge people, products, and find presents.  It was difficult maneuvering the shopping cart around boxes blocking the path.  I was looking at the shelves for a gift and bam!  Bang!  Crash!

I hit a box with my shopping cart and dozens of  Hershey candy bars flew all over the floor.  I was so embarrassed.  I wanted to hide.  I looked around to see if anyone saw me make the blunder, then started to pick up bar after bar of candy scattered like an avalanche in the store.

A real sweet lady walked up and gave me a sympathetic look.  She had three children with her and it was obvious she had her hands full with childcare.  The young lady didn't miss a beat, bent down and started helping me to pick up candy bars.  "I won't stack them as nicely as they did," she said.

"Oh, thank you.  Thank you!" I  exclaimed.  "You are so  kind  to help me."

She smiled and wished me a Merry Christmas as she and her children walked joyfully to check out.

I was so blessed by her random act of kindness and  thought, "Now, this is the true spirit of Christmas.  We could use a lot more kind  people like this lady who will take time from their busy lives to help other people."

This is what Christmas is all about.  As my pastor says, "Love was born  at Christmas."

I wish all  my blogger friends a very happy,  healthy, and blessed Christmas.

A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas

Snowflakes silently falling

on the evergreen trees.

Sleigh bells ringing,

the faithful coming

to the little country church

in the Hawkins Cove.

A simple Christmas play,

children dressed in bathrobes

like shepherds tending

their flocks by night,

feathers flutter on angel wings.

Gathering around the manger,

singing "Joy to the World,"

the beautiful star of Bethlehem

fills the mountain church

with peace and love.

    --Brenda Kay Ledford

Reprinted from "Blanche, Poems of 

                          a Blue Ridge Woman,"

Published by:  Redhawk Publishing

I wish my blogger friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

Ledford Publishes Poetry Book

Redhawk Publications is excited to announce the release of Brenda Kay Ledford's poetry collection, Blanche, Poems of a Blue Ridge Woman. Ledford wrote the book in the voice of her late mother reflective of the lives of mountain women in the early 1900s to the present time.

Redhawk Publications Senior Editor Robert Canipe remarked:  "This book is a terrific depiction of mountain life in western North Carolina.  Readers are sure to be transported to the mountains with each new poem they read."

Redhawk Publications is an artistic initiative of the Catawba Valley Community College, publishing written works of interest for the community, North Carolina, and United States.  CVCC is the only state community college with a publishing press.

You may order Brenda Kay Ledford's book at:  https://redhawkpublications.com

Her book is also available at:  The Beal Center; Hayesville, NC.

 

Autumn Glory

 

Fire ignites the limbs

of maple trees burning

like Moses' bush

at Young Harris College.

A red-tailed hawk cuts

through the azure skies,

Blood Mountain radiates with

lemon, orange, and red foliage.

A waterfall tumbles

to the tune of a marching band

performing in Clegg Auditorium.

Percussion instruments celebrate

the dance of leaves.

Evening shadows creep

into Brasstown Valley,

a Full Hunter's Moon glows.

              --Brenda Kay Ledford

Aunt Robenia

 This is a group photo of my father's family.  Aunt Robenia is on the second row, second from the left.

I enjoyed sitting on the front porch listening to Aunt Robenia spin tall tales.  She often told the story about the time she got into trouble in the fourth grade at Hayesville School.

Several kids were eating peanuts and threw the  shells on the floor in the old rock gym.  The substitute teacher wobbled into the classroom.  "Who threw down those shells on the floor?"  No one confessed.

She ordered a little girl to sweep the floor.  "What's wrong with you?" yelled the teacher.  "Didn't you ever learn how to sweep?"

Robenia told the teacher the little girl had polio and couldn't sweep.  The teacher told Robenia to sweep.

"No, I won't sweep," said Robenia.  "I didn't throw down the peanut shells."

The hefty teacher stomped to Robenia's desk.  She grabbed both of her arms and yanked her out of her desk.  Robenia took off and dragged the teacher around the room.  When she got to  the front of the room, Robenia pushed the teacher down, climbed on a desk, and jumped out a real high window.

Robenia ran to a nearby church and hid.  She peeked out the window and watched the principal chug-a-lug by in his old T-model Ford.  When  the coast cleared, Robenia hightailed it to her  sister's house.  Rena had a belly laugh about Robenia's latest capper.

The next day, Robenia returned to school.  The teacher avoided Robenia like the seven-year itch because she had never seen such a strong child.  No wonder Robenia was so stout.  She often got into fights with her brothers and whipped them.  

By:  Brenda Kay Ledford

Reprinted from:  Old Tales

                            an anthology by:  Old Mountain Press:  

                            www.oldmp.com

A Girl and Her Dog

 

My great-niece and her dog

are the best of friends.

After a hard day of work

in the first grade,

Reagan has fun with her dog, Henry,

playing catch ball in the yard,

splashing in the lake

(with Mama watching),

and singing a merry tune.

There's nothing to worry about,

homework all done,

just running and jumping

with a girl's best friend.

Joy and song,

catching golden leaves

as they twirl and turn

on gusts of wind,

like birds let loose from their cages,

little Reagan and Henry are

two of the best buddies:

a girl and her dog savor

the lovely season of fall.

          --Brenda Kay Ledford

I hope all my blogger friends will have a lovely fall and enjoy this beautiful season.

Some call it autumn, others call it God!

Fabulous Fall

 

Acorns tap the tin roof

of an old red barn,

maples square dance

in pumpkin-spiced skirts.

A wedge of geese

resounds through azure skies

and lands on an oval pond.

Goldenrods glitter in the meadow,

watercolors splash the mountains,

Queen Anne's lace spins doilies

on the country roadsides;

corns shocks rattle their fingers.

Lilac asters toss their shawls,

Monarch butterflies sip

sweet nectar from milkweed:

the katydids saw their fiddles.

                   --Brenda Kay Ledford

This poem appeared in "West End Poets Newsletter,"

                                        September/October/November 2021

 www.westendpoetsweekend.com

Happy fall to all of my blogger friends!  

Daredevil Dogs

 

Daredevil Dogs

Early one morning, Pepper ( a black lab dog), Lady (a golden retriever), and I took a walk.  I wanted to get a cup of coffee to sip as we walked.  

I tied Pepper and Lady to a table outside Ingles, and went inside to Starbucks for coffee.  I didn't stay very long.  When I got outside, I couldn't find my dogs.  The table was gone.  A trash can was turned over and it was a disaster.

I looked across the parking lot.  Pepper and Lady were running like scalded dogs and dragging the table.

"Pepper!  Lady!  Stop!" I screamed.

Lady looked back at me as though to say, "I'm sorry.  Pepper made me do it."

I ran and chased those dogs until I was out of breath.  They raced to the parking lot at Huddle House.  A woman was getting out of her car.  "Don't tear that car door off!" I yelled.  "I'll have to buy a new Cadillac."  The table just missed the car by inches.

Pepper and Lady headed up a hill.  The table bounce, bounce, bounced over the rocks.  Those dogs didn't stop a minute and loped toward a medical clinic.

A man was shuffling across the parking lot on a walker.  "Don't knock that man down!" I screamed.  I held my breath and thought I was might have a heart attack.  That table just barely missed the poor old man.

By this time, I was exhausted.  If I ever caught the dogs, how would I tie them up and return the table to Ingles?  I just didn't know what to do.

A man was standing outside the part's place.  He rushed to the runaway dogs, caught them, and tied them to a tree.  Then he picked up the table and returned it to Ingles.  I tried to pay him, but he wouldn't take a penny.

I tell you what, if I ever take another walk with those dogs, I'll never tie them to a  table outside Ingles again.  I'll find a good, strong, light pole.

Well, this story is fiction, but I wanted to post it hoping my blogger friends might get a laugh.

By:  Brenda Kay Ledford

Ode to the Sunflower

 Ode to the Sunflower

Queen of the mountains,

you turn your head

to the first rays of the sun

and toast a new day.

You count the footsteps

of the light ricocheting

through a timbered choir,

reflecting like gold

on Lake Chatuge.  Foliage turns

shades of the rainbow as fall

slips into the hills and hollows.

You spread your arms

and nod in a cool breeze,

dazzle in splendor stretching

to kiss the azure skies;

your face brightens the way!

               --Brenda Kay Ledford

I wish my blogger friends a happy and beautiful season as fall arrives in your part of the country.

Brenda

Hibiscus

 

The early morning dew

bathed the hibiscus flowers

with pearls as they blew

their trumpets and splashed

colors across my front yard.

Everywhere I looked, 

fuchsia petals unfolded

a lie like the tropics.

Some pink as cotton candy,

others bright as snow,

red or yellow as fire;

shades of purple and blue;

ravishing hibiscus reaching

to the azure skies:

the glorious sight filled

my heart with delight!

            --Brenda Kay Ledford

SUMMER

 

I savor the blue-diamond mountains

unfurling like bolts of denim,

emerald fields of corn  pop up

beside Hyatt-Mill Creek

babbling past Holcomb's Farm

as black angus cattle graze

in celery-colored pastures.

Monarch butterflies flit

and dip on knockout roses,

the bluebirds sing cheerful

ballads in the piney woods.

On this summer day,

sunbeams burst through the clouds

and dance across Lake Chatuge

sparkling with a thousand diamonds,

I wade through the icy waters.

                --Brenda Kay Ledford

Reagan's Tea Party

 

My great-niece, Reagan Blanche, had a tea party with her friends at Grandma Barbara's house.  Little Reagan invited the characters from Sesame Street along with Minnie Mouse to the party.

Reagan served cookies and chips to her guests in Grandma's china decorated with strawberries.  Reagan and the animals sang "Happy Birthday" to Minnie Mouse.  She smiled and her big pink bow bobbed on her  head. 

Little Reagan had a lot of  fun with her friends.  She graduated from Kindergarten this year and was so happy to receive her diploma.  Besides having a tea party with her animal friends, she and Grandma are enjoying reading a lot of exciting picture books.  

Reagan is growing up too quickly.  It seems only yesterday she was a baby, and I was holding her in my arms singing to her.  

I hope my blogger friends are having a lot of fun this summer with their children and grandchildren, nieces or nephews.

Mama's Love Offering

 

Mama preserved the flavors

of the mountains with work-worn hands.

Standing over the wood stove,

she made blackberry jelly,

sweat ran down her face.

Gathering corn from the field,

serving roasting ears

with fresh churned butter.

A mess of poke salad

fried with scrambled eggs

gave her kids springtime energy,

ramps were served on the side.

Her handiwork filled the pantry,

white runner beans, sour kraut,

and sweet, juicy peaches sparkled

like gold in canning jars.

When Jack Frost sketched

lace on the windowpanes,

and snowflakes played tag,

Mama opened a jar of love.

       --Brenda Kay Ledford

This poem appeared in the June/July/August 2021 issue

West End Poets Newsletter

Homecoming or Decoration Day

 Many Forks Baptist Church in the Gum Log section of Union County, Georgia traditionally held Homecoming or Decoration Day the fourth Sunday each year in May.  It wasn't held last year due to the Covid pandemic.  It's a long held mountain custom to decorate the graves of loved ones on Sunday morning, then preaching  in the country church.  After the worship service, they had dinner-on-the grounds.  In the olden days, loads of food were spread on picnic tables under the shade trees.  People ate, fellowshipped until that afternoon when a singing was held in the church.  It was a popular event decorating graves and seeing folks at homecoming you hadn't seen for maybe a year or longer.  Unfortunately many young people aren't interested in Homecoming and this mountain tradition is passing away.  I used  to attend each year Decoration Day with my family.  I enjoyed it very much, but like many aspects of our culture, Homecoming is fading away.

Here's a poem I wrote several years ago about the Homecoming or some folks called it, Decoration Day.

It's homecoming

at Many Forks Baptist Church.

Folks come from miles

to meet and to decorate

the graves of loved ones.

The sun ricochets through

pine trees, old-timers lift

hymns in the country church.

Kinfolks congregate

under the oaks, spread

dinner-on-the-grounds:

Aunt Dot with her walnut cake,

Cousin Frances stirs potato salad,

the tables are loaded

with all kinds of food,

nephews break the wishbone.

Aunt Mary Lou cuts up

with the Henderson boys,

Uncle George Lee places flags

on the graves of soldiers.

It's a yearly get-together,

a time  to share memories

of laughter and  tears,

a family gathering at Gum Log.

                  --Brenda Kay Ledford

Reprinted from the poetry book,

Sacred Fire, 

by:  Brenda Kay Ledford

The mountain women outdid themselves cooking, baking, and loading the tables with scrumptious

food at the homecoming held at Gum Log each year.

Here's one of the groups that sang spirit-filled Gospel songs in the  Many Forks Baptist Church

after dinner-on-the-grounds.

 

Mother's Day

It's the first Mother's Day without my precious mama.  I never imagined the deep sorrow I'd experience when she passed away on April 14, 2021 at age 98.

You can't erase 69 years we had together.  We were tight.  Went everywhere together, did everything together.  Church.  Events on the town square.  Dinners.  Trips.  Weddings. Funerals. Visiting folks.

What a loss!

When I think I've gotten over grief, raw emotions spill over like an avalanche.

Mama was always there for me loving and  protecting me.  I cared for her 2 1/2 years bedridden.  Did everything for her.  I would still be caring for her if only...

So what was the purpose of so much pain and suffering?  

Rev. Joel Osteen says, "You have come from being a patient to a physician."

He says when you suffer so much, you move from needing comfort; a patient, to being a physician and giving comfort to others who are going through the trials you endured.

This thing called death is a hard, sorrowful journey.  But I believe through  the eyes of faith, I'm not alone.

I believe Mama is in heaven.  She's happy, set free from pain and suffering, and rejoicing with loved ones who have  gone before.  Best of all, she's with Jesus!

Never take your mother for granted.  If she's still alive, hug, kiss, and love her.  She may not be here next year on Mother's Day.

I wish all my blogger friends a very happy and blessed Mother's Day.  Mothers are special and you are loved.

Brenda

 

White-Tailed Deer

The horizon burns

like wildfire above

the Shewbird Mountain.

They appear as ghosts

in the Matheson Cove,

nibble tender green leaves

beside the Hyatt-Mill Creek.

They rip blossoms

from the mountain laurel,

purple flowers dangle

from their mouths

and dot the woodland trail.

They startle and bound

into the last ray of light

ricocheting through the pines.

            --Brenda Kay Ledford

Mother's Day will come this month.  I'm wishing all my blogger friends a very happy, and blessed Mother's Day!

Brenda

Needless to say, I love to watch the deer appear in the evening just as the sun goes down.  I love the fawns with dots on their coats.  They enjoy nibbling the tender green leaves and unfortunately, they enjoy feasting on plants just popping out of the gardens.  Deer are really cute, but can be the gardener's nightmare.

Tulips

Tulips

After Toi Derricotte's, "Cherry Blossoms"

I drove around the campus

of Young Harris College

to savor the flavor

of the tulips.

There were photographers:

students visiting the campus,

groups huddled beside

hundreds of tulips

blooming like  kaleidoscopes,

a moment frozen in time.

"Oh, tulips,

why can't my life

be so lovely?"

A young woman 

set up a tripod

beside the rock chapel,

took a photo of friends,

tulips framed the background.

All around me

the tulips danced

in lemon, ruby, tangerine,

grape, and cotton candy

streamers on the wind.

They whispered 

to my troubled mind:

" All is well,

you are strong,

you are strong!"

          --Brenda Kay Ledford

For those who live near Northern Georgia, the campus of Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia is magnificent now with hundreds of beautiful tulips blooming.  Many people just drive around the college to view and photograph the lovely flowers.  It truly is a visual feast!

I wish all my blogger friends a happy and beautiful spring!

Brenda

Spring

 

Spring!  Wonderful, beautiful spring!  

It seems as though this is the most splendid spring we have ever had in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina.  Maybe it's just I am wanting to celebrate new life after such a trying year.  

Everywhere you look there's beauty.  The Bradford pear trees are like giant ice cream cones.  Redbud trees dance in lilac lace, and Josie's tulip tree bursts forth with shades of purple.  The daffodils dot the verdant grass with churned butter, and the forsythia bush rings yellow bells on a crisp breeze.

This morning a bunny rabbit hopped across the purple violets and announced Easter is coming.  Baby chicks crack out of their shells and peep, peep, peep!  Songbirds lift cheerful tunes in the maple trees wearing strands of rubies.  

Nature is putting on a grand show celebrating new life. Sunbeams glitter on mountain streams echoing with bullfrogs blowing their trumpets.  The air is filled with fragrance that you cannot find in any bottle.  

Life.  Resurrection power.  Christ has risen from the grave and there is hope.

I wish all my blogger friends a blessed and beautiful Easter!

Brenda

Brenda Kay Ledford Publishes Children's Poetry Book

Brenda Kay Ledford's new children's poetry book, Reagan's Romps, was published by Kelsay Books in January, 2021.  This collection is about Brenda's great-niece, little Reagan Blanche.

The book was endorsed by Jaki Shelton Green, North Carolina Poet Laureate; Michael Beadle, a performance poet; and Peggy French, editor Shemom, e-zine, Cardiff, CA.

According to Jaki Shelton Green, " Reagan's Romps, is endearing and uplifting, where one find joy inside of your favorite rain boots.  Brenda Kay Ledford curates a lush, fertile landscape of verse and imagery that is sowing the seeds for the love of poetry and reading."

Reagan's Romps by:  Brenda Kay Ledford is available at:

www.amazon.com

www.kelsaybooks.com

My Valentine

 

If dogs were doodle bugs

and strawberries were slugs,

if socks had no toes,

and the cat had no nose,

if tulips had no lips

to sip sunshine,

I would love my little

niece, Reagan Blanche,

all the same even

if she had another name,

another name...

she's my very fine Valentine!

          --Brenda Kay Ledford

Reprinted from my upcoming children's book,

Reagan's Romps, by:  Kelsay Books.

I wish all my blogger friends a happy and lovely Valentine's Day!

Brenda