A Simple Life in the Appalachian Mountains - All Chapters

This video is our July 1st 2001 visit with Gene & Hansel at their hermitage in eastern TN in the Appalachian mountains.. I hope that you enjoy this experience as much as we did. Thank you for watching.

[@scottconger1266]

They say it's the simple life and in some way's it is, but believe me when i tell you these people work their asses off, these are the kind of people that built this country, god bless them all.

[@freedomm323]

common sense folk, the academics today couldn't start a fire if they had a lighter and gasoline

[@nigellee9824]

No, your wrong there, the people that built this country had ambition, this guy’s to lazy to wash....

[@cking91182]

@@nigellee9824 you don't know

[@cking91182]

this is not how all the people act. trust me!

[@cking91182]

and this video is old af

[@dandolen1300]

It was a honor to know these men. Gene and Hansel were part of my life growing up. And as the years went by the Lord called me to preach and I held both of there funerals. I have lots of memories in that hollar. Thank God for the Light family. They have been a big help to me.

[@mmmatthewww]

I just read your comment here. That's great that you found this video, especially having known both Gene and Hansel. Maybe someday we meet in TN. Do you live in Greene County?

[@JenAmazed42]

​@@mmmatthewwwthis was filmed in Greene County? I live in Chuckey. I'm just getting started watching

[@mmmatthewww]

@@JenAmazed42 ....yes, this was filmed in Greene County. Chuckey is a really nice little town. Love that old train station. We had some friends that owned that beautiful home that was at the big produce farm from way back in the day. Thanks for checking out the video. Pretty cool huh?!

[@gillwill5023]

Those are some kind words you ha e for your friends people like them are a rare breed

[@travisosborne7281]

Got many uncles like them learned alot

[@ChunkyBunny2]

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia. This is mindblowing to me. I did not know people lived like this. I'm not in any way criticizing this way of life, I actually find it fascinating and kind of captivating. Something about it feels so pure like it's how people are meant to live. I honestly have a difficult time understanding these people, I thought I knew the extent of how southern sounding English could sound, but I was wrong. This is the heaviest accent of English in comparison to what I'm used to. Again, not a criticism, but something I was amazed to hear. I have a lot of respect for these kind people, and seeing this has really opened my mind.

[@beckymay2140]

I was raised in a small town in Southern Illinois then 40 yeain NW Arkansas but even livin there wasn't anything like these folks are blessed to have it. But it was way more cityfied then these people live but I'd not been ashamed to have been raised in these mountains by any means ...I have way more years behind me then in front of me but if I'd know this way of life I'd definitely Choose it ...THE Pride these folks just have to feel bout their way of doin Life n it really is a Choice..These folks would Never wanna live in a Big city like New Your ( lord me either) just sayin their Struggles are Real but definitely more in a Good way...God Bless those who don't understand or wouldn't want this way of life...Bless their heart's they got it sooo wrong if they think the More Money the More Better nope I strongly disagree...Waking up in the mornin Every mornin to homemade biscuits some sort of meat tators n fresh eggs...my granny In Witter Arkansas population under 200 had never seen a Dr. until for the first time in her life at 77 when her appendix ruptured n she was admitted to Washington Reg. hospital in Fayetteville she acted like she was stayin at a 5 star hotel with everyone waittin on her bringin her meals to her in bed yep she was amazed at the Service she got lol her words ...God rest her pure beautiful soul..God Bless America n Prayers for those who don't See the devil is workin overtime in thos world these days..

[@1wickedgroove]

Stress is terrible. If you have piece of mind ,you're doing alright. I believe these folks are doing alright. They sure seem peaceful and happy to me.

[@crawwwfishh3284]

Them folks are the salt of the earth.

[@leatricehamilton9807]

@@crawwwfishh3284Amen 🙌

[@leatricehamilton9807]

@@beckymay2140that’s for sure.. but a lot people don’t believe in Christ Jesus. The Only Begotten Son of God. They’re spiritual blind. I love the Country the people are so genuine at Heart. God blessings towards these people ❤️

[@kamjo79]

I grew up deeeeep in the mountains of eastern ky. My family owned one whole side of a mountain starting too many generations ago to count. When my great-great grandparents had their kids raised, they all set up houses alongside that mountain and started families of their own. Everyone raised a big garden on the flattest part they could find. We got water from the streams. We had outhouses. The men in our family worked in construction, which wasn't constant, but constant enough to pay the few bills that had to be paid. We raised chickens and had a couple of cows. We canned our food for the winter. This was in the 1980's when I was a little girl. When your parents got tired of you they'd tell you to 'get on down to mamaw's and pester her awhile'...so we did, and each one of us had one small tv and that tv would get 3 channels, nbc, cbs, and abc..the only time we watched tv was on Saturday morning for cartoons. We were outside the rest of the time. The women all used my Grandma's old ringer/washer and hung clothes out to dry on the line. I got my arm stuck in that ringer once and that's the only time I can remember my grandma whooping my ass. There is no better life than the life I had as a child. My imagination could take me anywhere, and every door was open. I was welcome anywhere my heart desired to wander. And wherever you went, there was a pot of soup beans and corn bread on the stove to hold you over 'til dinner and you weren't getting away until you had some. LOL. I've since moved into a completely different lifestyle where the government has it's people right where it wants them, a slave to taxes and 40 hour work weeks, and I live now in a time where there's a war for my children's consciousness. The system wants them fat and happy in front of a computer or video game and I want them outside using the shelter of weeping willow tree as a makeshift fort. We still raise a garden..my husband and I. And as someone said here before me, when the system goes down, the masses will wish they had a little mountain blood flowing through their veins because they will be utterly and completely helpless.

[@Natethanastysnake666]

Born in 85 and had a fraction of your experience Kam Jo. I tell you those were the best days of my life. As the person before me said, your short story was well written - it was like I was there:)

[@AardvarkOneTV]

Kam Jo, my family got "civilization" in about the early 80's. Meaning we got air conditioning, about 20 channels on cable TV and an electric washer and dryer. (I was in my early teens then or late pre-teens.) As a youngster, I also got my arm stuck in my mom's washer wringer. Don't remember much except it hurt and my Mom panicked. And before the cable TV, I remember Dad putting our antenna up on top of the ridge and us running the wire down to our house to get the 3 channels or so. I hated the times our signal went bad and we had to "walk the line" up the hill to try to find if something had fallen on the line or if we needed to turn the antenna a little different direction to get a better signal. And of course TV was something us kids might have watched a couple hours each day. Saturday mornings we watched more. Other than that, we were out playing in the dirt and the hills. Looking back, not sure how we kept safe at times but we made it. The "good ole days" I suppose.

[@Entropian2012]

I'm actually thinking about going up in the mountains and trying to live off the land just not sure if I can do it lol. I really want to move to the country I hate the city.

[@staninjapan07]

Enjoyed that little tale. You must have had a great childhood. I loved being in the (Welsh) mountains in summer when I was a boy (in The U.K.) and I agree, you wouldn't want this horrible life for your kids, and if the systems by which we govern ourselves were to fail, you would indeed want some experience of simple living to help you out.

[@bookworm4314]

@staninjapan07..the Welsh mountains are beautiful indeed. Love this way of life but as free as it is it's not easy either. This makes me miss some of my own people back home in Ireland. Really enjoyed your story Kam Jo. I also miss my youth.

[@coach3958]

They are happier in their world, than we are in ours!

[@freedomm323]

free livin, free thinkin'

[@lindsaythomson5539]

Free hand out from the government

[@lindsaythomson5539]

Sqwaten

[@27273100]

@@lindsaythomson5539 -- ...and using it wisely. That's all I ask of them as a taxpayer.

[@kenharris1475]

If you don't know what yet talking about hush it!

[@robertbelt5515]

I live in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, my ancestors came here from Scotland & Ireland by way of England, I've also got Cherokee in my ancestry by way of my grandfathers side, I've got letters and papers that my grandma passed down to me to pass on to my kids that are dated back to the 1700's there are some very interesting stories about my ancestors and the hardships they went through when first settling in the mountains of Kentucky and Virginia at the time before West Virginia became a state, I make several trips a year back to the mountains of my ancestors to visit with kinfolk that still live in the mountains, it's always like going home for me when I get in the mountains and listen to some of the old folks tell stories about the past and the present, even though I've read a lot of the old stories, it's always better to hear it coming from my kinfolk, they live a slower paced life and more laid back lifestyle and I love everything about it and them, I can sit for hours on end listening to the music and the old tales, I'm always claiming that one of my trips is gonna be to just stay in the mountains, and every time I say it the 1st response from everyone is "When You Decide To Come Home For Good, We'll Have A Big Ole Time" I've even picked out a little place that I want to live, mountain folks are the most resilient of anyone I know, if they like you and your honest with them they'll give you the shirt off their back, but you don't want to cross one or try to get over on anyone, they do live a hard life, but when it comes to celebrating something, even just a Saturday night or a visitor coming to spend some time, you won't find no better eating and hospitality anywhere else, not to mention the spirits that you can only find in the Appalachian Mountains, (and I don't mean ghosts) but they do have a treasure trove of ole mountain folklore and stories handed down from generation to generation, some of my best times in the mountains have been sitting on a log bench in front of a hardwood fire listening to the music from a Dulcimer & Banjo along with a Fiddle or two chiming in, then someone will start to sing a ballad from long ago............

[@susanyoung1600]

Oh my goodness! Write a book! I'd buy it!

[@deliab6641]

I love these Appalachian people so much.they are so humble hard working and very loving family oriented people.may God bless them and their families.

[@Me_o_Mel]

Delia B Thank you

[@ozarkmountains4947]

Delia B dont forget the ozark mountain people of north arkansas

[@robinhager1989]

As a life long West Virginian thank you. But I have to say that most people that live here aren't like this family. Not that there is anything wrong with the way they live but most don't live that way! And yes people that live in this state are hard working people. They would give you anything they have! I'm proud of them

[@rogerfournier3284]

ON POINT!

[@deborahchesser7375]

When all you have is family and a garden and a rifle, that’s how you live,simple,hard and true.

[@tammyrussell5103]

Just fooling around on KZbin. Totally amazed to come up on a video of Gene and Hansel! I have driven and walked that road. Walked behind the mule with that plow in my hands. Hansel laughed with me when I let that same plow come up out of the ground. Used to camp down below their house. Cannot believe I found this on KZbin. Used to take Gene yellow tomatoes that my Momma had canned. I have been in that house in the winter and it is cold. I have one of his sleds. And for the person who asked what the sleds were for, Hansel harnessed the mule, hooked it to the sled, and used it for transportation. Like a truck, to haul stuff on. And unless Hansel got a new radio, my Momma got him that one for Christmas one year. Gene had Glacoma, not cataracts. He is gone now. Laying in the family cemetery. I am proud to say, these two men are my cousins. Who in the world is Matthew Greenwood?

[@68chevelleconcours]

Lol, apparently your kin to Matthew somehow. Pretty neat to hear a comment from someone else who knew this land. Sorry to hear you lost your cousin. Where is this place located? They talk a lot like we do. I grew up in Greenville TN.

[@boondocks8002]

I thought they were calling him "handsome" LOL...I live in East Tenn. Grew up in the mountains in 70's and 80's. Many people still had out houses, no electricity, hand pumps for water etc. Even the churches we attended in the country had no bathroom but out houses. People have no idea about hard work, sacrifice, faith, love for neighbors is all about. We were too busy to be depressed, or bipolar. The only things we worried about were putting food on the table fixing the floor that was about to fall in or having shoes for the winter. Americans or spoiled today.

[@richeytony21]

awesome

[@billrandell4641]

@@boondocks8002 I grew up fancy..we had a 3 holer... mama, daddy, and a little one for me..

[@hanitotorewa7191]

This captures the essence and true living style of Gene and Hansel. A life style, mannerism and accent that may have never be known, seen or heard (especially in our part of the world NZ) Thanks Mathew and Tammy for this insight.

[@surfboy3216]

One of the most beautiful things I’ve watched on youtube. Priceless.

[@sandraargo8382]

Doesn’t look simple to me.

[@nouseforaname5378]

@@sandraargo8382 you must be a complicated person

[@mmmatthewww]

Thank you for your nice comment, we thought it was pretty special when we filmed it.

[@OldSchoolParatrooper]

I remember growing up similar to this. Dad could build (still can) anything. Mom was always handy and a good cook. Granny just a half mile up the dirt road. Built our own barns and shops, canned food, snapped beans, worked from half an hour before light to well after dark. Bought my own 30-30 rifle by 13 with money from a summer of bucking hay. From that day til I joined the army if I wasn't working or in school I was either hunting or fishing. Lots of ppl don't realize this was still the way to live even in the mid 1990s

[@noemasteich]

Life must been horrible for you then under covid. All the masks and restrictions

[@jimolson8166]

Ok I’m crying now god bless these people the are the exactly like my family I mis my grandma so much

[@noahthenomad]

Same 😐

[@jamessimpson6444]

My name is Jimmy i just got 179 acres from my father clay County KY though about selling it but after whatcing this i don't know been in my family for 60 years.

[@tabatha5554]

I'm so grateful that I was born, raised and raising my kids in the mountains of Western North Carolina! I love sitting around talking to the old timers and hearing their stories. People can judge us and say whatever they want to, but we are raised to respect our parents and elders, say please and thank you, yes ma'am and no sir and although some of the newer generation isn't all about working till their hands bleed like these men, we still try to instill those hard working values into our kids. People are still friendly and say hello to each other, neighbors still help each other out. I am extremely proud of my southern, mountain heritage.

[@philanderton22]

Your story has touched me deeply, it is true what you said about that period when people were very friendly and helpful to each other. I moved from Holland to Belgium a few years ago for work, while I live right next to the border, the Belgian mentality is so different from the Dutch one. From there I decided to go back to Holland. I've been to California en Georgia many times.,and I found the people more friendly and helpful than the European ones . Take care.

[@pblacklock]

Grew up near the blue ridge, have family in the Tennessee Smokies and I'm crying a river of tears as I write this from California. I sure would like to know what it is to live the simple life again. Even if I break my back, sweat buckets and go a little hungry. This is food for the soul!

[@jazzcatt]

How 'bout this for a solution. Stop yer bawlin' and head back home. No need to wish for something you could easily have back!

[@billrandell4641]

It's still here ..Y'all come on back home

[@joannepokoiski4171]

I’m am an old city girl, I loved this video! Awesome!

[@coreyfrasnelly7364]

Leave California.....it’s not for you.....GO HOME!

[@ronowens4820]

Just come on back to the hills then.

[@georgiagardengirlshomestea1560]

I grew up here here in the mountains. I never thought what others thought of me or us. Until I went in the Navy. Every time I opened my mouth someone would say, omg where are you from. I smile and proudly say, GEORGIA!

[@5winder]

I really miss that country life... somebody raised that boy right... real respectful. God bless you people. Stay free. And may the Lord come home soon.

[@michaeljoyner6470]

Looking at this is like getting a breath of fresh air.-----All real and natural.

[@driver2909]

Just be glad you cant smell through youtube.

[@sissyrayself7508]

No. This is grinding poverty, filth and garbage and chaos. Nature is organized and beautiful. This is apathy.

[@joniroberson6974]

I love my mountain peoples. Their so rich in knowledge. There's nothing like em. You can learn a lot about life from these folks. God bless us all!!

[@crediblemulk4638]

When the system comes crashing down, these people will be the ones the sheep turn to for help. Great way of life.

[@gilbertovelazquez6313]

Credible Mulk very true. we are getting used to a stressful life but we wish it could be simplier.

[@armandito9735]

Gil. V.:.unfortunately life is not always simple....otherwise it would be called paradise,.....we are put here to see how we handle our problems and hard times.

[@tammywines9771]

Credible Mulk Come up here and stay with us in good old West Virginia we will keep you fed and safe.

[@therealbigfoot3076]

When is is crashing down?

[@nogoglobal]

These ppl and the homeless..yes..

[@joeytrimble1558]

this is the 70th time I've watched this .. love it every time

[@mmmatthewww]

Me too! Even having been there and seen this with my own eyes, I still marvel every time that I re-watch this video.

[@joeytrimble1558]

can you translate the joke ? I can't quite understand him when he tells it

[@jondoes8222]

Is he still around?

[@ronbutler6526]

One of the greatest videos in America. What a simple life and a great heritage.

[@sonyagraske376]

FROM CANDLER, NORTH CAROLINA .... I SAY "AMEN TO YOUR STATEMENT." ☺💙☺

[@johnrussell6602]

My hat's off to these folks. They are survivors and smart!

[@jaycoleman6552]

John Russell "Hat's" IS NOT A CONTRACTION! It's *HATS.

[@queenfubi]

@@jaycoleman6552 "My hat's off to these folks" means "My hat is off to these folks". One person can only remove one hat. "Hats off to these folks" is a command to more than one person to remove more than one hat. Who trolls comment sections trying to correct perceived grammatical errors? SMH

[@JVarni]

"People don't like to dig a grave on Sundy either, do they?" There's that mountain wit and dark humor I've always loved.

[@johned1956]

I love men such as he, because they're our living history. So much to learn from them.

[@TheRaerae1971]

That is probably the happiest dog in the world!

[@lukequinlan4523]

And horse he is even wagging his tail don't see that much

[@dawnehelene59]

His fleas are happier.

[@01sapphireGTS]

Watching this did my heart good. It is good ole boys like Gene that pioneered and built this country with their hard work and common sense ways. "A man ought to be thankful that he's got what he's got." - Gene

[@mmmatthewww]

I did not know Gene or Hansel personally, but my friend Ronnie is a relative of theirs, and it was Ronnie who invited us to meet the brothers. We considered it a great privilege to have been given this opportunity to visit them at their mountain dwelling. Gene and Hansel are two of the most natural, unaffected, contented, and hospitable people that we've ever met. Much like Henry David Thoreau returning to the woods to live deliberately, and to front only the essential facts of life.

[@johnjohnson-sm3yf]

Thanks for sharing. There living the real American dream . People now day are clueless of what real life is .

[@tonymelton8323]

There's 2 parts of life. The first part we dream and try to leave our ancestral homes, the 2nd part we yearn to return where it all began, The beginning.

[@jenniferaurora5113]

I'm a city girl born and raised, yet when I see videos like these portraying a simpler country life I feel like that's where I want to be

[@jacklowe3788]

This vid reminds me of times gone by - Now in my late 50's I remember nrighbor like this fellow who was an old moonshine & retired pulp wood cutter - He used to make homemade wine every year either from the grape vines growing up the side of his house or the little cherry tree grove on the other side - This man taught me old time ways when I was a boy & everything from bustin wood to taking a drink - Sure miss them old timers & simple ways! Thanks for bringing back the memories here in Virginia...

[@kirbylane9451]

Dying breed. Not many left here left in WV. who still live this way. My great aunt and uncle had a farm like this one and they passed away back in the 80's. I still got the old coal heating stove and large wood cooking stove from there old house. All of my great uncles tools were hand made, and hand powered. A simple honest life that people could learn from today.

[@jeffholt3841]

My dad grew up like that, said it sucked. Nothing good about living like that. They had no electricity, a car battery hooked up to a radio, smokehouse, spring house, newspaper glued on the walls. Said it's depressing, hopeless, isolating. Moved to a metro area and became very successful.

[@jakeh6980]

Jeff Holt, if you never lived the way these ppl did, you grow up never appreciating what you have. Ppl like this are the people that would survive if the country ever crumbled or shut down and chaos took over which were on the brink of now due to the communist democrats killing our country and about to crash our economy. City ppl wouldn’t know what to do if the economy crashed. These hard working people who grew up in the most beautiful places in the country and yes, poor, but ppl like this know how to survive. Growing your own food, building everything you need yourself, knowing how to hunt and live off the land is a gift. City people are too dependent and spoiled

[@mr.r2362]

@@jakeh6980 City people are also narcissistic, superficial and mentally ill beyond belief.

[@YokoLuong]

I'm from south Kentucky too and most of my family is like them its our way of life.

[@williamgates5652]

God bless Appalachia and her people.

[@moonpie859]

Believe it or not I am 54 years old and remember people living this remotely in South Eastern Kentucky. No body thought they was poor either.

[@janicerice1683]

I, too, born-raised in South Eastern Kentucky - so proud of where I came from. I now live in Pennsylvania, and, what a shock I had coming to Western Pa - they, too, are in the Appalachians, and, there's educated people here & uneducated too - as, I say, I'm so proud of Eastern Kentucky! Love it! And, I'm going back to, "My Old Kentucky Home." Yea, yea, yea!

[@nancysmith3432]

No we had food and a place to live.we didn.t know there was any other way to live.

[@purpleglitter3926]

Because they live in a Bubble like ants in a case you buy in the store☺ I do think their neat ppl

[@juliebarry7393]

I left North Georgia in 2015 and there were still folks up there who live like this. Folks who've never even had running water in the house. I used to joke "I live so far out in nowhere they dont even have cable here yet". But it was true. When I left there was a good 20 miles between Cherokee, Dawson and Pickens county that never had cable until wireless was a thing because satellites didnt work so good up there.

[@lukequixere7235]

Men like this are a dying breed here in the mountains, but there are still a few scattered around. There are still a few folks that don't have plumbing or electricity, and they are happy. Many would describe these good people as "ignorant hillbillies" but I believe these men and women have tapped into what truly matters, not superficial symbols of personal pride and accomplishment. These old -timers are truly fascinating in their tenacious attitude and innovative ability to make do with whatever comes to hand. So many of these fine folks have been replaced by touroids who came here on vacation, and then never left. As a result of these migratory half-backs (people who move to Florida from northern uptight yankee states, and then move halfway back and settle HERE), our Appalachian traditions and culture are at risk of being lost.

[@bradk5717]

Couldnt have said it better myself. Yes we are a dying breed and yes people think we are ignorant. We choose to only live with the true essentials of life. Call it our way of life of you'd please.

[@lukequixere7235]

Bogger CRAPMOSTINK Folks around here make do without many of the "creature comforts" of urban areas, yet we don't feel deprived, rather blessed at the uncluttered simplicity of it all.

[@TheTomBevis]

I'm always amazed what you can learn from those old-timers. That was the inspiration for the "Foxfire" series of books, if anyone has heard of those, these days. Herbalist, moonshiners, construction, and much more.

[@frankiejustice9257]

luke quixere amen bro

[@suenetteedwards5965]

luke quixere Amen Luke!! Yeah, here in Northern Virginia the damn yanks have ruined everything!!! Virginia may break a piece off again. The rest of the state and those of us who sought sanctuary here have had just about enough of them.

[@bjbobbijo5066]

On my Dad's side of the family I am the 1st generation to be born and raised up here in the north (Indiana). My dad was born in 1930 and didn't go past the 3rd grade. There was more important things to do at that time in his location of the hills. His dad had came back from WW1 with what we now call PTSD and made his own moonshine to self medicate. Life was difficult at times. But my Grandpa still worked hard to provide for his family. They grew their food and either canned or dried it to preserve it. They had to butcher their animals and hunt for meat. Since they lived in the country and grew their own food The Great Depression did not cause them to starve, but there were still issues. My Grandpa got awarded a medal for showing extreme bravery in the war, but he had to kill a lot of people to get it. He was just 16 when he enlisted. He wrote the number 18 on a piece of paper and stuck it in his shoe when he went to enlist so that when they asked him if he was over 18 he could honestly say yes. He killed a lot of people. He saw his best friend blown up and stood there in shock as his friend's guts dripped off of him. Any 16 year old boy would come back a mess after several years of seeing that type of stuff. But them hills and being out in them woods hunting for herbs and fruits gave him peace. He taught my dad the ways of herbs and my dad taught me. I have taught my daughter and now she has taught me a few I didn't know about thanks to the Internet helping us learn more. We doctor ourselves up a lot but I need regular doctor care due to type 1 diabetes. My herbs help me in many other ways though. If there were to be an EM pulse that would wipe out our electricity this country would collapse but my 19 year old daughter would know how to survive and know what wild plants can be eaten and which ones can be used for what sicknesses. As a child my dad got farmed out while growing up in the hills.. If you don't know what that means it is when a richer family takes on feeding and housing your kid in exchange for the kid to work on the farm. The parents of the kid could come take their kid back once things got better financially. It was a good way to keep your kid fed and out of the hands of orphanages. My Dad said he was one of the lucky farmed out kids because he got to sleep in the house and not in the barn like a lot of other farmed out kids had to. He said the family he worked for was kind and even gave him shoes and clothes. After he got out of the military (Korean war) he figured on making Indiana his home because his mom and step dad had moved here because the step dad got a good paying job up this way. His brother came as well. His sister stayed down in the hills with her dad and she met a guy and got married. She now lives up here in Indiana and is 93 or 94 years old. My dad and his brother both got a job at the same factory where they worked for decades. It would close down for 2 weeks every summer so ya know what we did? We went down to the hills to see our kinfolk during th a t time every summer. That was before seat belt laws were in place so we was able to pile a lot of luggage and people into a car or into the back of the pick up truck. The truck was better because it could handle them so called roads on them hills which were in worse shape then the alleys in the cities up here. Heck, it would sometimes take an hour or more on them pot hole infested "roads" just to get to the top of the mountain to where our kinfolk were. We would go visiting with kinfolk and friends having fun. At night time moonshine got bought in from the old fashion still and the card playing began. There was a lot of laughter and story telling. The kids down there thought I spoke strange but not totally strange due to my dad's influence. The society down off the hills in the bigger cities were shaming the country folks calling them things like dumb dirty hillbillies when my dad was growing up. It made no since to him because his little wooden cabin was always clean as was his clothes and they bathed. They were shamed for being Cherokee as well. They'd get called dirty hillbilly indians. So my grandpa''s sister destroyed all the paperwork and geanology information that proved that my great-grandmother was Native. I dunno how she expected to hide everyone's facial features. How stupid of her. Scottish and Irish runs in our blood too. My Dad was old enough to be my grandpa. I was raised old fashion only having a wood burning stove to heat the house. We didn't have much. My parents had 8 kids. I'm number 8. But they worked hard to provide for us. I grew up back a 1/2 of a mile long drive way surrounded by fields, woods and a creek. My nieces and nephews were just a few years younger then me so we kids had fun being turned loose outside, they liked spending the summers with us. Ok my story book is over. In a joking way I say that I am half Yankee and half hillbilly and proud of both. Or I'll say that I am a flat-lander-billy living here where there aint no hills.

[@robertbrowning1527]

Sounds a lot like the way my Dad brought us up. Dad's family and mom's both born in KY. Dad would hunt during season! We would take rabbits and squirrel sell em to the black ppl. Times were hard back in the 60's. 1965 Dad showed me and my older bro. what ginseng and yellow root was. I'm still diggin. Picked blackberries Mom made cobbler and jam, jelly. Man I really miss Thoe's day's.not the out house much.

[@deirdrepasko9056]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story. You have a unique talent of drawing the reader in to the point where the reader can place them self in your shoes. I can see the horror of war, hear the sounds of a farm, and children laughing. You ought to write a book.

[@donnajohnson8355]

I enjoyed reading this Story. I grew up just about like that

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Well written interesting story

[@MaureenMaynes]

It's just like the Waltons - caught in time. What a wonderful way to live:)

[@hamefurgid]

I am Scottish living in Scotland and met 2 wonderful ladies at the weekend who are proud of their Hillbillie roots. They had auto harps with them and told us about their lifestyle. It's awful how people make assumptions about different cultures. We should be embracing them. We were treated to some fabulous music and songs. They were Girl Scout leaders and were visiting Scottish Girl Guides. I could have listened to their accents for hours!! :)

[@UncaDave]

My grandad was from Scotland, Edgar S. Tolmie, grew up outside of Glasgow. Never lost h8s accent, loved fin n’ haddy too!

[@luisilaygan8160]

I can relate the life of this man. though I live in a different country but being poor I am since the beginning of my life, its nice to be away from the standard ways of life. I prefer to be like him living in a peaceful vicinity.

[@susanyoung1600]

God bless you for looking after this remnant of another time. These people are the salt of the earth.

[@mikekennedy5470]

Proud to say that i also have family members who still live in south eastern ky and im always welcomed with love and great memories..

[@edwardkenway6467]

We have a right to preserve our people, our culture, and our heritage without forced assimilation.

[@Jimlovescock]

TheReddPerkins who,said they didn't? Preserving our culture,heritage and way of life does not prevent anybody else from doing anything.

[@cmwillisful]

If you immigrate to the united States, you can keep your traditions and ethnic identity, but you are expected to assimilate.

[@michaelsteven1090]

@TheReddPerkins When there not citizens of that country?

[@ShaddySoldier]

Every people has that as a God given right. Cool name BTW haha

[@solarpanel8195]

@@cmwillisful every country is like that now. Technology is a demon. We all thought it would improve society but now it forces us to assimilate and live in a box. Technology for the most part, destroyed humanity and the skills of true humans. It's making us all weak n stupid.

[@jennicase]

my great great grandma lived to be over 100 in the hills of Kentucky I loved going up there as a kid, upon the mountain

[@shirleyhill6014]

LOVE this video - I'm proud to be from WNC and my Daddy is an apple grower here for over 60 years--still at it at 86!! I'm blessed! My maternal grandparents made molasses when I grew up--I remember how good that cane was to "suck on"! :) I surely would love to buy one of this man's sleds.

[@mmmatthewww]

Thanks for your comment Shirley!

[@selenabeaulieu2361]

Matthew Greenwood Matthew what state and town was this I love it and want to move there

[@brittanyisaacs7892]

the true americans i salute them.

[@edwinstorz702]

Amen, my Pop grew up in the South Eastern Missouri Hills, and i still have family there, i love it there in those Hills, Real True Blue Americans, yes Sir i am 100% American Proud!!!

[@jackiemcewen3225]

edwin storz m

[@chickenlittle6756]

"That's what's wrong with most people today. They dont live the ole timey way and they worry their self to death." So much truth in that statement

[@scottwilson5020]

Whoever gave this a thumbs down is obviously not near as happy as the man in this video..simple happy life

[@niamhneevekinsella7951]

So nice to see how these two boys live, what a beautiful area. The sleighs are lovely and that solar radio is so cooL. Best wishes from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@mmmatthewww]

Thanks so much

[@deanmatheny5089]

These are REAL people! I have much respect!

[@jetcitygrljewels9719]

This was a very special video, thank you for sharing it with the world. I have never been there. I can identify with my love for the simple life. However, I have lived in the same small town in WA state twice (Snohomish). It's in the country and I love it. I purchased my first home there and I didn't want to leave. My husband at the time wished to purchase land so we that. We could not afford it in Snohomish so we went further north and purchased a home on almost 10 acres. Later, we purchased another 5-acre parcel right next door and owned 15 acres altogether. My almost 30-year marriage did not work out and I left him. (That is another long story within itself). I moved back to my beloved town, Snohomish. I rented a 1910 restored farmhouse. My neighbors were a cow pasture, with a view off my deck of mountains, the cows, and a barn. The home was on about an acre. I shared it with my 2 beautiful Golden Retrievers. Those were the days. I was in heaven. The home was just the right size for us. When I moved in I had almost nothing. I learned to refurbish furniture in that home and it became a sort of passion. I had 2 out-buildings and I could work on those hobbies year-round. I was able to purchase old inexpensive furniture for dirt cheap and I was taught about quality. I learned to make old, sad-looking furniture new and beautiful again by stripping and refinishing it. The yard was completely overgrown when I moved in. I immediately got to work and I restored the yard to its original beauty. I weeded and trimmed all the flowering bushes and trees. Next, I purchased and planted inexpensive perirenal flowers for some of the bare spots in the planter to the left of the front porch. I hung about 4 hanging flower baskets from the deck, along with windchimes and hummingbird feeders. The deck was covered and I was given a really nice painted white wicker outdoor set. I sat out there year-round, with my dogs. It was so pretty. I obtained a job right up the street at a local meat shop. I was a meat wrapper. It didn't pay much and it was hard work, but it was a job. There I didn't just "wrap meat". I cleaned the meat, I assisted in the cutting of the meat, I moved "halves of beef", yes, I wrapped and identified the cuts, made sausage, hamburger, and bacon. I loaded the (usually beef) on racks and put them in the freezer. I "unloaded" 1/2 or whole beef, pork, bacon/sausage, or game, etc orders for our customers, I carried gut buckets to the disposal containers and because I was the lowest "man" on the totem pole, I was responsible for the nightly cleaning of the shop, the equipment, and the weekend cleaning. I fed and cared for our customer's animals that they brought in for slaughter until it was time. The shop owner also had sheep and goats. It was my responsibility to feed them as well. Later I was hired elsewhere for a little more money and I worked there for 2 years. I interviewed for what I thought was going to be a better job within another division of that company. I was hired at once. I didn't realize that this "division" was a "start-up" company. Within 6 months from being hired, this company lost its 2 largest clients, due to "old accounting issues". They started to lay-off. I was laid off. Sadly, my dogs have since passed away and I had to move to another town that is bigger and congested. I am attending college because I received grants to restart my life. My plan once I graduate and get a career is to return to Snohomish and I would like to have a couple of dogs. Once you live in a quiet beautiful place, you never forget it. If you have to leave I think most always want to go back.

[@pintabean1]

Sunshine Girl1966 - I’m sorry about your dogs. Sounds like you’ve lived an authentic life...such strength. Thx for sharing your story - it will inspire me on days I’m feeling like a wimp

[@jetcitygrljewels9719]

@@pintabean1 Thank you so much.

[@LA2Alaska]

There is something truly wonderful about living out away from the crowds of people surrounded by nature.

[@kamjo79]

***** God old Popcorn was something else wasn't he? LOL

[@corywesley4595]

That feller in the beginning of the video reminds me so much of my dad. He logged bugwood for years after he quit cutting timber: during my lifetime. He never used skitters only mules, measuring the bugwood with sticks, chewing his Redman and King-B. I was born in Appalachia and I have lived in the city as well but I never miss the city when I go home, but I definitely miss home when I am in the city. R.I.P Lester Lee Wesley 05/09/1950-06/30/2014.

[@dwhunter8904]

These are good honest people. About every other holler where I was raised in West Virgina, had people like this. Salt of the earth.

[@DHarri9977]

This was a real pleasure to watch, real people just living and surviving don't want for nothing and are happy plain and simple.

[@mickcarey712]

wan the rest of the world falls apart it's good people like him will carry on like nothing happened it won't make any difference too them and it will be a better world for it

[@mmmatthewww]

I like your comment Mick, thanks for that.

[@mickcarey712]

I think the only thing that they will miss is the radio

[@sharonwalia4162]

Mick Carey get a solar or crank radio. I plan to, soon as I save up enough from my grocery money. Look in Amazon or one of those places or see what they have or can order at radio shack.

[@AthenaDancer70]

We won't miss the radio, most of us do our own pickin and grinnin ;)

[@richardjeffery517]

The rest of the worlds insignificant

[@tgstoken]

Living for the land, not living for the dollar.

[@zeddieb5150]

I tell you what it's crazy to see people living like they did a hundred years ago. It reminds me of when I was a kid going to see family in Phil Campbell Alabama. I'm pretty sure some of the houses had dirt floors. They would go to the general store. They called sodas co dranks. Cold drinks I think is what they meant. Like here coke is more than a brand it means anything sugary drinks that fizzes they all smoked or dipped Bruton snuff. No running water. A paper bag was a poke. Great video brought back some memories.

[@sha8342]

A man outta be thankful he’s got what he’s got! Truer words were never spoken. I’m not sure why KZbin put these videos on my phone but I’m so glad they did. I can’t get enough ! Sure is making me long for Kentucky again and missing my relatives something terrible. I just might plan another visit. Person outta follow their heart. We’ve only got one time around this life, make it the best.

[@scottcozart8950]

gotta love the simple life. we're all in too big a hurry these days. I wish to live like this myself. people talked and loved each other. we can't put our phones down or get of the computer nowadays.

[@suenetteedwards5965]

Scott Cozart Amen. If it don't drive you crazy first, it'll drive you to drink or your body will just give out. I feel like I'm caught between two worlds. The one I love and the one I have to be in right now.

[@mmmatthewww]

This was actually filmed in 2001. We are attempting to arrange a return trip.

[@mauijim00]

What is that joke/chant/song he's doing about 9:30 in?

[@atiredblue]

Any luck?

[@ShawnPlusOne]

God bless him what an amazing loving man.

[@peterdavies4306]

Absolutely beautiful in every way! Thankyou so much for sharing this with everybody! Sending my love to you and all your family.

[@KevinBorgOfDeath]

Thanks for this video. Great to see the father taking his family, most importantly his son, to visit these two old men in their home, and talk/learn of them.

[@KeepMeLord05]

God love him,, cause I sure do..

[@ShaddySoldier]

God loves all us, we just have to love him back!

[@rkots2962]

I appreciate that boy's dad letting his son educating the very root we came from..

[@tonywilson2530]

I absolutely love listening to what the elders have to say. I've always loved listening to the stories they share about their life growing up. Folks like this man here are getting to be scarce this day and age.

[@elipadilla8186]

Much respect for this man hes not standing in front of Walmart with a sign asking for anything

[@stanleystalvey6185]

My grand parents lived this way in south Georgia. There was a hand pump for water by the back porch but electric water in the kitchen and maybe 2 light bulbs in the whole house. Children visiting from the city would play with the hand pump for 3 hours.There was an outhouse, too. The girls took a bath in the kitchen in a washtub and the boys took a bath outside under the hose when the weather was nice. The wooden houses were warm enough in the winter with a fireplace and cool enough in the summer with a window fan. I was a grown man before I knew what an air conditioner was and caught pneumonia from it the first time.. The kids were shooting guns by age 12 and driving grandpa's trucks around the yard in first gear. We killed and cut up our own hogs and chickens in the yard.. The was deer hunting in the fall and always a place to sit all night and fish on a bridge from dirt roads far into the wilderness. Church was the only social gathering for miles around..

[@ashleyenglish4822]

What part? I grew up near Clyattville/ Lake Park Ga

[@myme5615]

Anybody else noticed this old guy is blind, much respect for him doing whats doing out in the hills.

[@maryslocum9443]

Didn't you notice the line he had running there to building...

[@susanorr7535]

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to watch this amazing story.

[@lynn.d1015]

My grandfathers were West Virginia coal miners. Very nice hard working honest people

[@dianalovescolors]

I been putting salt on my watermelon since I was a kid. Learned that from my southern grandma from Louisiana, people up North here always thought I was crazy. I still do it. 😉

[@robertfortado9201]

I grew up in New Orleans and my grandma had me outing Salt on watermelon my whole life now only way I eat it

[@charperw]

Grew up in Weston W.Va, and always have had fond memories of the Appalachian mountains and it's people.

[@Charlotte-wp9rf]

carl walters - I grew up on Isaac’s Creek just around the hill from Tichenal Methodist Church. Went to grade school at Good Hope. You probably know where that is. We didn’t have a lot of money but we were rich.

[@adamcarpender6721]

This is absolutely the way to live material things don't mean enemies when you're out there you learn real quick I lived in the woods by myself for two and a half years straight I know that ain't lifetime but I sure do have an understanding and I rather be out there living and Society God bless everybody thank you for this wonderful video

[@wvbonbonqueen]

I love seeing these kind of videos and glean some kind of good information from them. Thanks for sharing a day in your life and the lives of those you interviewed in here too.

[@davidandingem.644]

You are right! I collected all the books from Foxfire. It explains plain living in the Appalachian, teaches how to live of the land, hunt, trap, slaughter, preserve and cook. How to gather herbs and fix a wooden wheel and gives recipes how to cook the simple but oh so tasty cooking. L collected the books for my grandchildren because I fear the day will come were they need this knowledge to survive.

[@paisiosjones1300]

I'm gonna start writing homeschool materials from Foxfire. I just moved back to our family farm after living in the city. I hope this way of life rubs off on my kids... and me. I've forgotten too much.

[@calvinlyonsmusic5705]

this was just great to watch. thank you for filming these hard working happy peaple and for them showing us around.

[@svatoplukhavrys9715]

Many greetings to Gene,Hasel,hors and dogs. I am from Czech republic,Europe.

[@alien2836]

who's still watching in 2019

[@Four_corners420]

AREA 51 almost 2020

[@timcluckey8806]

December 21st

[@buddyx6]

@ AREA 51 Dec 23, 2019

[@goodlifeyo85]

J.d brought me here

[@thomaschabot9500]

Right here!

[@marykelly6187]

People didn't believe we had Hillbillies in MS. Well I'm here to tell ya', they do. NE Miss. just below Corinth was (is) the highest point in Miss. Wooddale Mountain. We had fiddle music at night and played guitars and zithers. Scots/Irish. We danced at night and ate cornbread & buttermilk. Nothin' any better than homegrown blackberries made into cobbler with Aunt Affie's real churned butter. We would go every summer to daddy's 300 acres and had a time of it!!!!

[@williamjones6053]

Mary Kelly there some around ..and hello from Ackerman ms...our state is changing but it's still a few years behind

[@terrellhinton6441]

Woodall Mountain that's near pickwick lake

[@orianna9200]

That sound like heaven to me!

[@shiddedfarded9832]

Columbus/Caledonia MS

[@ozarkmountains4947]

Lmao thats not true, 400 feet above sea level. Its a baby hill, and no holl folks. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@cbthethird]

reminds me of growing up in the rural south. Thumbs up to anyone who understands this kind of living. And the language...

[@untangledmind1]

cbthethird I understood every word! Most country people can. It's just the dialect and the rhythm of how we talk. It's unique and I wouldn't have it any other way. People can mock and tease if they like but it is music to my ears! I love to hear my elders talk. Wisdom in every word and euphemism and country way of talking! Not saying you were teasing. Just acknowledging that you liked it and that I like it too! God bless!

[@nancylee1625]

Thank you for sharing this story. It is inspiring to me and I appreciate the simplicity and honesty.

[@cool_hand_luke97]

when the big city crumbles. see where they run.

[@OrangeySky11]

colby turner They might just be told to turn around and 'git!' Mountain folk will take care of their own first if TSHTF.

[@jakestokes398]

God I hope not

[@greenspark101]

colby turner this aged well, sir 🥇

[@CherieNoel]

Matthew, this is amazing. I've watched it several times, and I figured I ought to thank you for the wonderful insight into a piece of America I might otherwise have had a hard time seeing. These people are as much the ones I joined the Army to protect as my own family. I really hope you do go back in the winter and do another film. Amazing.

[@truthseeker3977]

Like steppin back in time. It shows we can all learn from each other. Thanks for sharing.

[@sherrilmcalpin1966]

I want to thank y'all for this video. They are truly living a simple life and good people too. This world could learn a few things from these folks.

[@dhebert111]

Beautiful show of respect for these people.

[@mmmatthewww]

Thanks Dominique.

[@codybreeding3653]

i loved every second of watching this reminds me of my childhood and my family

[@tessen58]

One of my favorite videos ever. I watch it over and over again.

[@PeekabooYa]

A fascinating glimpse into the lives of these wonderful people. Thank you 💗

[@PreachermanPiper]

This was most enjoyable, thanks for the memory.

[@naelyneurkopfen9741]

Thank you for sharing this. Absolutely wonderful!

[@skymiller530]

THANK YOU for not treating these men as a lesser form of human. I look at hearts, and all the people in this video have great big ones. Thank you for sharing.

[@brandysigmon9066]

I'm from Boone county West Virginia and I could listen to these old mountain folk tell stories forever. A good deal of them are a whole heck of a lot smarter than people think.

[@jamiemarcum8743]

I love these folks, I would love to go somewhere like that just to stay and talk a while

[@beckyhoffman9423]

Jamie, I am game. I wish we could set up a trip and go. It is just me now and I want to learn as much as possible. I have a cabin in the mountains to stay in and I go as much as possible to Tennessee. I am from Mississippi. I would love to go and take it all in.

[@Diditmatter]

Seems simple but it takes years of knowledge handed down to make it work.Most of us would die if we tried to live off the land.

[@bigboi1407]

Factx

[@Msbuddy08sej]

Sho would for sure.

[@deecantola1923]

I could die just thinking about it.

[@theredneckboys7701]

The knowledge that man has I wish I had. You cant teach that kind of experience. That is from years and years of hands on experience and patience and hardwork

[@41willys62]

I loved it! Thanks for sharing it with us. God bless the mountain men.

[@whitenorthstar]

This is so heartwarming! Thanks for sharing Matthew and say Hi to Gene and his brother for me! God bless them and your family!

[@srgbuffalobuffalony7112]

We are from Buffalo, New York. Yep! But we spent 4 years living in central South Carolina and travelling about the region, especially N Carolina as well. We fell in LOVE with this region and its ecology, culture, peoples, environment, wildlife, name it...! Absolutely love this and would give anything to move back and DIE THERE!! Yes. Thank you so much for this. We love NY State - but we also love the Appalachian Regions and the south as much.

[@BigEdsGuns]

Thank you Matthew Greenwood for sharing! God bless.

[@alh4309]

awesome video .i admire these men and families that live off the earth .they are humble people