A coal-miners grand daughter ~ paradise pure.

As the grand-daughter of a coal miner, folk artist and maker I embrace who I am.  If you've heard of Merle Travis you will find Muhlenberg County, where I was born.  The sound of bluegrass is a sound you will hear when driving through, our rural town.  I was influenced by the coal culture.  My great- aunt Lucille worked at the company store.  Stitch by stitch she would sew the most beautiful quilts.  Oh, how I wish I could give this to her, for she would appreciate it the most I believe.   Finally, we have real silver company money.  

Coal flickers were used by miners to buy goods at the company store.  They were made of tin.  Many miners stayed in debt to the company as they could always get an advance.  Who else would give them credit?  If you listen to the songs of lore by Merle Travis, John Prime and other thumb pickers you will hear the sounds of heritage in the community.  I am the great-niece of Raymond "Red" McClellan.  Raymond known by a few as Red was credited with assisting Merle in finding his unique thumb-picking sound.  Merle would come in to see my great-uncle who just happened to be blind.  Raymond was born with tunnel vision, he was premature & nursed to health by his sister Lucille who kept him inside of his crib in a shoe box.  She vowed he would live even though the doctors said he would not.  He lived and contributed to the rich history of my hometown.  Our family has been connected to this community for over two-hundred years.  My ancestors settled in Muhlenberg during the 1800's, two revolutionary soldiers and their wives.  I am a lineal descendant of John Hunt, Sr.  and Captain Henry Rhoads, Jr.  The godfather of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.  With love in my heart for my homeland I cast this piece for my heritage collection, paradise pure.

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