The Two Hardest Workin' Women This Side of the Mississippi

Today, Kate and I had our second encounter with Charlie the Mountain Man from Teaberry, KY and it was just as, if not more, exciting as our first meeting.


Charlie was waiting for us at his mother's home when we pulled up to work this past Wednesday. He greeted us by calling us the 'two hardest workin' women this side of the Mississippi' and bragging on us to his friend about how we carried all the shingles up the ladder and onto the roof. He then proceeded to ask us if we wanted to see his horse which he had brought down from his place and was keeping at his mom's. So we took off around the house to meet Charlie's horse which he had tied up under the apple tree.

The meeting/conversation went something like this:


Me: Can I pet her or will she bite me?
Charlie: No, she won't bite you. She's a good horse. Won't kick you. If she does, I'll kill her.
Me and Kate: Oh ok.


Charlie Proving His Point



At this point, Charlie motions us closer and asks me to hold some of his things so he can prove his point about the gentleness of his horse. He then proceeded to grab the tail of the horse and pull on it with is entire body weight saying "See? It won't kick you. Surely won't. Look here!" The horse couldn't have cared less and just continued to graze.

Me: Um, yeah I guess you're right. Does she have a name?

Charlie: I call her Murry.

Me: Mary?

Charlie: Yup, Murry. But that's just what I call her, y'all can call her whatever you like. Well, that's her. She's a real good horse. Won't hurt ya'. I'll see y'all later. I'm going mushroom hunting.

And with that and a few more parting words, Charlie took off with his friend to go up in the mountains and look for mushrooms. He brings all sorts of greens and mushrooms home to his mother that grow on the mountains here and are good for eating. Augustina even gave some of the greens, called Tangle Gut, to Tony for him to take home and try.

Unfortunately, we finished the roof at Augustina's house yesterday so we probably won't be seeing Charlie again. Unless by some good fortune, he happens to be around when we bring back her new windows. So far, I've met a pet coon and got to meet the most long-suffering horse in the universe, I can only imagine what else Charlie has up his sleeve.

I have my fingers crossed.

Mary & I