I am...

Before I talk about what I am...I want to first address what I am not. I am not a "mountain girl," nor am I a "city girl." I like to think I'm a healthy combination of both. I call myself (and this is my term...pretty sure it's not official anywhere) a Modern Appalachian.

I grew up in the small (but not too small) city of London, Ky. It's right in the middle of what is considered the Appalachian Region in Kentucky (I'm the red star).

The mountains, Black Mountain in particular, were just a couple of hours away, but then so were Lexington and Knoxville and Louisville.

My dad was born and raised in the mountains in the small coal mining town of Lynch, Ky. His dad was a coal miner, his dad's dad was a coal miner, his mom's dad was a coal miner, his uncles and great uncles were coal miners...he even mined some during his college summers. So that side of my family is rich with mountain history and traditions. So growing up I learned (and am still learning) quite a bit about that part of my heritage.

Then you have my mom's side of the family. She was born and raised in the same town I grew up in. Her dad ran a Texaco station right in the middle of town her whole life. Her mom was a school teacher. While she by no means lived the life of a big city family, she did experience more of a city raising than my dad.

So growing up for me, I was heavily influenced by both sides of my family.  I like McDonald's cheeseburgers, but I can make a pot of homemade chicken and dumplings that rivals anybody's. I have a smart phone that sometimes I don't think I could function without, but I also enjoy the peace and quiet of a summer night. I grew up playing Barbies, but I also kept a jar of fireflies that my cousins and I constantly refilled. Roses are pretty, but honestly, I prefer Hydrangeas (especially the purple ones). I have an accent, but only when I want to. I listen to some Bluegrass and Gospel music, but I also know every (and I do mean every) word to "Ice Ice Baby."

I love both sides of my family and have let what they each taught me shape me into the person I am today. Because of them, I am proud to be Modern Appalachian. As this blog continues I will write about my adventures, experiences, lessons learned, traditions, habits and life. And through this, I hope more people can come to recognize and appreciate the lifestyle of me...a Modern Appalachian.