The H Word, JD Vance, and Appalachian Identity

{This blog post contains commissionable links to my Bookshop affiliate account. I receive a very small commission on your purchase, at no cost to you. That said, I ask that you please don’t buy Hillbilly Elegy; don’t give that work or its author any more power. I frequently add more fitting books to the Appalachian Voices page of my Bookshop storefront.}

Growing up, there were a handful of words that under no circumstances were my brother and I ever allowed to say. There were the usual ones, the ones that probably got y’all in trouble with your parents as well, and then there was the H word. You know the one. Well, at least if you grew up like I did, in 1980s Eastern Kentucky with educator parents, you know the one: Hillbilly.

“I’m proud of my hillbilly, white trash background. To me, that keeps you humble; that keeps you good. And it doesn’t matter how hard you try to outrun it. If that’s who you are, that’s who you are. It’ll show up once in a while. ”

— Dolly Parton

The message was clear: yes, it’s a pejorative term for people from the Appalachian region. Yes, people say it about us, both behind our backs and to our faces. But if we allow ourselves to play into the stereotype, then we’re giving them power over us.

Now, I’ll admit that, over the years, I’ve played with dropping the H-bomb myself. Isn’t that what taboo words are for? I was taking back the idiom, as they say. Besides, Miss Dolly Parton embraced the term, and who am I to question Dolly? But, anytime I did use that word it was always with the sense that “I can say it because I am one. Y’all can’t.”

The truth of that word, whether taboo or reclaimed, remains constant: it’s a “them and us” mentality. Appalachians are, by definition, sheltered. Our geography and our culture sets us apart. We learned a long time ago not to trust outsiders. A few may come to help — Mrs. Alice Lloyd comes to mind, as does Mary Breckinridge — but most come to exploit us. Because of the cycle of exploitation and ridicule, we’ve learned to protect ourselves from outsiders. My grandfather grew up on the campus of Alice Lloyd College in the 1930s and ‘40s. He often told a story about when he was 17 and Mrs. Lloyd found work a group of local Knott County boys on a Massachusetts cranberry bog. When a Boston reporter interviewed my Poppy and his friends, they purposely defied all expected stereotypes by speaking perfectly enunciated, grammatically-correct English. Similarly, a few years ago when a UC Berkeley professor profiled my brother about his remarkable career in coding, our entire family proceeded with extreme trepidation until she won our trust. Call it us vs. y’all or call it insular behavior, if you ain’t from around here, we don’t quite trust you.

Last thing I’ll say about JD Vance is I also grew up in a holler with moonshiners, coal miners and all the stock hillbilly characters. Venture capital has also put money in my pocket. Difference between him and me is that I don’t consider myself superior for “rising above it.”

— Heather Watson⚜️ HerKentucky (@HerKentucky) October 14, 2020

In one of the very first posts on this blog, I mused that, every few years, there’s some documentary or photography exhibit or TV show that reinforces all the old, hurtful stereotypes. Of course, I’ve been pretty vocal about my own Appalachian identity and my loathing of these pandering displays over the years, so it wasn’t exactly surprising that yesterday, when Netflix dropped the first trailer for the film adaptation of J.D. Vance’s best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, a lot of people texted, tweeted, or Facebooked to ask my opinion. I certainly have one, that much is for sure.

Mr. Vance is an Ohio native who was raised in part by his grandparents, natives of rural Breathitt County, KY. Hillbilly Elegy tells the story of a difficult childhood: Mr. Vance and his sister were abandoned by their father and, later, by their drug-addicted, frequently-married mother. He spent time in Middletown, Ohio, a steel town outside Cincinnati, as well as with his grandparents in Breathitt County. After troubled high school years, Mr. Vance went on to a stint in the Marines before matriculating at Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He went on to a Silicon Valley venture capital career before settling into a million-dollar Cincinnati home. Elegy tells the story of his tumultuous childhood, shaped by his iron-willed grandmother and the cycles of addiction, violence, and poverty so common to Appalachian families. The love among Vance’s family members, even in hard times, is apparent, and his Mamaw is a wildly compelling character. His academic and professional success is impressive. But, Mr. Vance is way too self-satisfied in his telling of rising above his humble beginnings and his analysis of Appalachian culture smugly oversimplifies so much.

Hillbilly Elegy experienced tremendous success when it was released in 2016, reaching the top spot on the New York Times Bestseller List and securing Oprah’s recommendation. Many viewed the work’s analysis of blue-collar rural Americans as a key to understanding the paradoxes of that demographic’s support of then-Presidential-hopeful Donald Trump. Suddenly, his tale of personal success had a very coded message about the politics of the disenfranchised. And, it seemed a launching pad for Mr. Vance to embark upon a career as a conservative pundit and potential political candidate. It also pissed off a whole lot of Appalachians. Mr. Vance’s analysis of Appalachians’ perceived laziness (“many folks talk about working more than they actually work.” and financial instability (“We spend our way to the poorhouse… Thrift is inimical to our being.”) are cruel and antiquated, painting all hillbillies with the broadest possible brushstrokes. Faced with these ad hominem attacks on our very existence, Appalachians have, in the four years since Hillbilly Elegy’s publication, responded with more nuanced and reasonable books of essays. We’ve also collectively shouted that he ain’t even from around here.

The brilliant singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson — himself an actual native of Jackson in Breathitt County, and not just a sometime visitor — mocked Hillbilly Elegy by calling it “Tuesdays with Meemaw” and noting “I’ll give this to J.D.- like so many coastal elites that have come to eastern Kentucky to point out all its problems, much like them he offered no solutions, but just found a way to get f—ing paid for it. Twice.” My own view has always been that Mr. Vance is like the kid that every Appalachian youth has encountered - the one who comes down from Ohio to go to Vacation Bible School with his cousins and tries to tell us how backward we are. Yes, your Mamaw lives here, but you don’t, kid. You don’t get to claim “insider” status on telling us how to live.

My paternal grandparents receiving degrees from Eastern Kentucky University, 1961

In the four years since Hillbilly Elegy’s publication — four years since I started reading the book, then gave up and disgustedly put it in my neighborhood Little Free Library because I just didn’t want it around me — I’ve thought a lot about my own Appalachian experience in contrast with Mr. Vance’s. I didn’t live through generational abuse and trauma. I was fortunate to have parents who worked hard and treated my brother and me well. I was fortunate to come from folks who had access to higher education. My relationship with my own tough-as-nails Appalachian grandmother isn’t traumatic or fraught. I’ve had kinfolk who made really great personal and professional decisions and others who haven’t. I chose to leave the holler; my brother has built a fascinating career in our hometown. I know Appalachian folks who, like Mr. Vance, have gone on to Ivy League law schools. I can count at least three folks from my hometown who currently work at the Cleveland Clinic. I have friends who’ve stayed in Appalachia and enriched our community as schoolteachers and policemen. And I know a few folks who don’t seem to do much of anything. I don’t really judge their worth by their resumes or their bank accounts. One group is neither inherently lazy and irresponsible nor categorically commendable. I didn’t grow up in the cartoon of Mr. Vance’s Appalachia, and I don’t particularly want to hear his commentary on my homeland.

So, to answer the question asked of me yesterday, I won’t be watching Colorado native Amy Adams and Connecticut-born Glenn Close in an Oscar-bait, poverty-porn denigration of my homeland. I don’t need to laugh at gorgeous and talented actresses in cringeworthy hillbilly garb. Maybe I’m continuing the exclusionary cycle of us vs. them that keeps Appalachia secluded or maybe, once again, I’m shielding myself from harmful outsiders.

All I know is that we real hillbillies will be over here savoring the lyrics of Dolly Parton, Sturgill Simpson, and Tyler Childers instead.

The Best Bourbons for Beginners

A friend recently texted me with one of my very favorite questions to answer: “If I wanted to try (and like) bourbon straight up, what should I try?”

Now, of course, my first thought was “how awesome is it to first experience bourbon as an adult who isn’t starting off by over-indulging in something cheap or by mixing it with Coke?”, then I started thinking of a few tips.

1. Start with a lower-proof spirit

Proof is, of course, the measure of alcohol by volume. The proof statement on a bottle of alcohol is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. So, for example, a 90 proof bourbon is 45% alcohol. If you’re starting to taste bourbon straight, it’s probably easier to start with something that doesn’t have an overwhelming alcohol burn. This will help you experience more of the flavor of the bourbon and give you a better appreciation of your preferences. I’d suggest something in the 80 to 90 proof range.

My top picks for low-proof bourbons that provide a complex and delicious flavor profile are Basil Hayden’s (80 proof) or Old Forester 86 Proof. Entry-level Four Roses (formerly known as Yellow Label) is a good sipper at 80 proof, and Cooper’s Craft, at 82.2 proof, provides a good introduction to the fruity and floral notes of its older siblings in the Brown-Forman lineup, Old Forester and Woodford Reserve.

2. Look to something that works with your flavor profile. 

It always astonishes me when someone tells me that they “don’t like bourbon”, because there’s such a huge spectrum of flavors available in various bourbon expressions.

If you like sweet flavors, a bourbon with a high wheat content like Maker’s Mark or Larceny will be a good starting place. The strong vanilla and brown sugar notes of Woodford Reserve are also always great for those of us who have a sweet tooth!

If you tend to choose more savory flavors, a higher rye content is good. Buffalo Trace and its big brother Eagle Rare are a great starting point, as is Michter’s US*1. Knob Creek is another great bourbon that provides a full, spicy flavor.

3. Don’t be afraid of water.

A drop or two of water is an easy way to lightly dilute your bourbon and open up its flavor. Make sure you use a pure, clean water (nothing messes up a nice drink like a weird-flavored water or ice cube!). You’ll be able to really taste and appreciate your drink while making it a little easier to drink.

Cheers, y’all!!

Magnolia Aesthetics PDO Thread Lift Review

I’ve partnered with Magnolia Aesthetics to provide HerKentucky readers with honest reviews and let you know about the latest services and promotions. Magnolia Aesthetics is located at 149 Chenoweth Lane in Louisville’s St Matthews neighborhood. You can keep up with all my Magnolia reviews on their HerKentucky Partner page!

Remember that scene in Steel Magnolias where Truvy tells Shelby “Honey, time marches on and sooner or later you realize it’s marchin' across your face!”?

Over the last couple of years, that’s felt less like a quotation from one of my very favorite movies, and more like a bit of a fact. I started to notice that the lines from my nose to my mouth — the nasolabial folds — were becoming more prominent. While I’ve been pretty fortunate to experience minimal wrinkles and lines into my 40s, I did want to address this area before the damage got worse.

Here’s my scary, mostly makeup-free “before” photo. You can see some very definite lines in this area.

When I consulted with Kimberlie Mobley, the co-owner and injection specialist at Magnolia Aesthetics, about these lines, I was adamant that I did not want to do something as invasive as fillers. As with my Botox treatments, I wanted to keep my face looking as natural as possible while giving it a bit of a “tuneup.” Kimberlie explained the PDO injection process, and I agreed that this was the best option for me.

A PDO thread lift is a minimally invasive facial rejuvenation procedure in which thin sutures of polydioxanone, a biodegradable synthetic polymer, are injected into the face. These “PDO threads” degrade in about 6 months’ time. The threads work by stimulating collagen production; this results in firmer, younger-looking skin. I saw results within 3-4 days on my first treatment and immediately upon my second round/ touch-up treatment.

I don’t love needles, and I especially don’t love having anyone mess with my face in a way that could make me flinch, so I asked immediately about the pain level. I was reassured that it wouldn’t be awful, and that was my experience. I would characterize each injection as feeling like a bee sting. There is slight swelling for about 24 hours, and I did experience a mild bruise with one of the injection sites. It was not a prohibitive level of pain, and I’d certainly undergo the procedure again!

Thread lift results improve over several months. You can expect the results to last up to two years. The downtime is minimal, but I’d schedule a week or so before an event where you want to look your best.

I’m so thrilled with my results, y’all. My lines look significantly softer and less dramatic. The PDO lift process took five years off my face in one process that took less than an hour! I would recommend this for anyone who wants to march time back off her face just a little, while still looking natural! I received my PDO treatments in early August; I can certainly see results after seven weeks or so! I could really tell the difference in this recent photo.

Thanks so much to Magnolia for partnering with me on this post. Visit Magnolia Aesthetics at 149 Chenoweth Lane in St Matthews, give them a call at 502-632-2244, or email them to set up your PDO thread treatments today!

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Kentucky Football Fan Gear from Fanatics

Shop my outfit: Kentucky Football Hoodie

It’s finally football season in the Bluegrass, y’all! t’s been such an insane year, and I’m so excited to finally have college football returning today. You know, real SEC football.

Shop my outfit: Kentucky Wildcats SEC Shirt (Men’s version here)

Now, football season looks a little different for most of us this year. We’ll be sitting at home rather than tailgating. We’ll be cheering our favorite teams from our couches, not our home stadiums. That gives us even more reason to stock up on new team gear for the football season! I’ve teamed up with Fanatics.com to show you some of my favorite gear for at-home football viewing.

This SEC Football tee — BBN edition is so cute. They have a version for every SEC school! I think I’ll spend all fall in my Football in the Bluegrass Hoodie. It makes me feel a little closer to all the fun of Lexington on Game Day!

I ordered Bob this amazing lightweight sweatshirt from Fanatics and I’m so in love with it that I may just need to order one for myself. It’s just the most incredible texture and weight!

Fanatics has some great pieces for everyone in your family. I love the SEC branded mask, the classic women’s fleece jacket, and the vintage Wildcat hoodie. Fanatics has great prices, fast shipping, and a fabulous selection. You can be well-dressed for the big game, even if you can’t make it there in person!

Happy Caturday, y’all! Here’s to lots of football!!

{This post contains items gifted by Fanatics.com. This post contains affiliate links; I will receive a small commission on purchases, at no cost to you.}

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon

(I was provided with press samples of Old Forester 100 proof and Old Forester 150th Anniversary for review purposes. All opinions are my own.}

It’s no secret that I love Old Forester. I can’t even be objective about it. The 100 proof is one of my favorite everyday bourbons, and I think every home bar should have a bottle of OldFo Rye for cocktails. Now that I’ve fully acknowledged my fangirl status, let’s move on to a more impartial review.

Old Forester has a special place in the history of bourbon. In 1870, Louisville-based pharmaceutical salesman George Garvin Brown created a new, 90 proof whiskey , which he named “Old Forester” after a Dr. William Forrester. The new product batched bourbon from three nearby distilleries, Mattingly, Mellwood, and Atherton. Mr. Brown innovated the bourbon industry by sealing his whiskey exclusively in glass bottles and signs each bottle as his personal guarantee of its quality. Whiskey in individual bottle was pretty big news in 1870. Old Forester has been produced continually by the Brown-Forman Corporation for the past 150 years. (Brown-Forman was one of six distilleries that were allowed to legally distill alcohol for “medicinal purposes” during Prohibition.)

Brown-Forman Building, Dixie Highway, Louisville

This week, I had the fun opportunity to take part in a Zoom press conference with Old Forester President Campbell Brown and Master Taster Jackie Zykan in which they announced the latest OldFo release, which celebrates the 150th Anniversary of their iconic bourbon.

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon is a special release that was first planned seven-ish years ago when Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris set aside 150 barrels of Old Forester distillate in the Brown-Forman Shively rackhouse. The barrels were aged around seven years and underwent a heat cycling process that led to a maturation equivalent of about nine years. Several barrels were, of course, lost completely to the angels’ share, with the remainder being sampled and blended to produce three distinct batches. Jackie Zykan noted that three blends were chosen to honor the three original distilleries from which Old Forester was first blended. The 150th Anniversary Bourbon is bottled unfiltered at batch proof in an amber glass bottle, reminiscent of the original Old Forester packaging, with about 25,000 bottles in circulation. This release will retail for around $150.

Jackie noted that, while all of the releases are fantastic, Batch 1, which she describes as a “fruit bomb,” is her favorite. The press samples were mailed randomly, and I received Batch 2, which Jackie and Campbell refer to as “sweet and spry.”

Tasting Notes:

I tasted Old Forester 100 Proof against the 150th Anniversary, Batch 2 as a baseline.

Old Forester 100 Proof

Mash bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malt

Proof: 100

Nose: honey, floral, cherry, brown sugar. Opens up to a strong note of red fruits.

Palate: golden syrup, banana, toasted pecans, cinnamon, toasted oak.

Finish: green apple and caramel.

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon, Batch 2

This isn’t a bourbon for the occasional bourbon drinker. At 126.4 proof, it’s powerful and syrupy — a sipper for serious whiskey fans. It’s a delightfully rich and layered bourbon that exaggerates and amplifies some of the best notes for which Old Forester is known.

Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malt

Proof: 126.4

Nose: deep and woody notes of toasted oak, walnuts, honey, and banana bread, opening up to dark brown sugar.

Palate: maple syrup, French toast, dark cherry, orange, cocoa, date.

Finish: spicy and dry with notes of orange peel.

Cheers, y’all!

King of Kentucky 2020 Release Bourbon Review

(I was provided with press samples of Woodford Reserve Five Wood and King of Kentucky for review purposes. All opinions are my own.}

I set up a tasting flight of Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select, Woodford Reserve Five Wood (Summer 2020 Distillery Series) and King of Kentucky 2020 Release. I chose this lineup for a couple of reasons. First, I find that many of Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris’s bourbon releases have distinctive fruit flavors. A preliminary whiff and taste told me that the Five Wood and King of Kentucky releases both had very strong cherry notes that would make for an interesting and complex comparison. I also wanted to try this lineup together because of their very similar mash bills, to compare how differences in aging and finishing contributed to the flavor differences.

I thought we’d start off with a bourbon everyone knows, Woodford Reserve, as a baseline.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select

• Mash bill: 72% corn; 18% rye; 10% malted barley

• Proof: 90.4

• Nose: vanilla, honey and butterscotch, opening up to a light oak, cocoa, honeysuckle, and pear.

• Palate: cinnamon, caramel, citrus fruit, vanilla, and baking spices.

• Finish: creamy and warm, with apple pie notes.

Next up is Woodford Reserve Five Wood, a limited release for Summer 2020.

Woodford Reserve Five Wood

Currently available for sale at Woodford Reserve Distillery for $49.99. I received this press sample earlier this summer; it was a June 2020 release. This is standard Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select distillate with a twist — after the traditional oak barrel aging, the bourbon is then finished in four additional woods: an Oloroso Sherry barrel, an Amontillado Sherry barrel, a Ruby Port barrel, and a Tawny Port barrel. This Summer 2020 release is part of the Distillery Series, which experiments with finishing to produce interesting new takes on traditional Woodford Reserve expressions. (It would be interesting to taste this alongside Angel’s Envy’s Tawny Port and Oloroso Sherry Cellar Collection releases, to compare the impact of the barrel finishes.) This is a very nice sipping bourbon. It’s fruity and complex, distinguishing itself from standard Woodford Reserve with rich berry and cherry notes. It would be a fantastic sipper for late summer and early fall!

• Mash bill: 72% corn; 18% rye; 10% malted barley

• Proof: 90.4

• Nose: Cherry and wood. You’re instantly transported to a rick house — it’s oaky and sunny, with a whiff of wildflower honey. It opens up to familiar notes of Woodford Reserve like caramel and baking spices, along with a sherry note.

• Palate: Cherry, dried cranberry, molasses, baking spice, toffee, blackberry, caramel, and tawny port.

• Finish: sweet and elegant with lingering sherry notes.

The last taste in our flight is King of Kentucky 2020. Oh my, is this a special release, y’all. It’s interesting to taste the progression of a higher corn - lower rye mash bill as well as a far longer aging time (fourteen years to Woodford’s seven). The flight builds in proof, sweetness, and fruit notes, ending in King’s explosion of syrupy cherry goodness. It’s a great exploration of how very similar baselines can be developed in interesting ways.

King of Kentucky

So. let’s just go ahead and say it. This is probably my favorite Brown-Forman product I’ve ever tasted. (I’d definitely put it up there with OF Birthday 2012. It’s that good.) It’s over-the-top in every regard. It’s high proof with a huge aroma and big, jammy notes of fruit. It was aged 14 years, with barrels yielding at average 26%. Every detail reminds you why, in its third year of limited production, King of Kentucky has become a favorite among bourbon lovers. King of Kentucky is available this month at select retailers in Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois. Only 1,900 bottles were produced; it retails at $249.

• Mash bill: 79% corn; 11%rye; 10% malted barley

• Proof: 130.6 (Proof varies depending on barrel, from 125 to 135)

• Nose: Dark cherry, cinnamon, coco, caramel, and tobacco. Opens to a buttery fruit fragrance.

• Palate: Cherry, golden syrup, dried fig, baking spice, and brown sugar.

• Finish: Spicy rye with a lingering warm note of brown butter.

The King of Kentucky label pays homage to an early bourbon brand: King of Kentucky was established in 1881, acquired by Brown-Forman in 1936, and discontinued in 1968. This is the third year that Brown-Forman has released a King of Kentucky expression.

Cheers, y’all!

LED Light Therapy For Pain Management and Anti-Aging Treatment at Magnolia Aesthetics

Shop my outfit: Lilly Pulitzer Tunic

I’ve partnered with Magnolia Aesthetics to provide HerKentucky readers with honest reviews and let you know about the latest services and promotions. Magnolia Aesthetics is located at 149 Chenoweth Lane in Louisville’s St Matthews neighborhood. You can keep up with all my Magnolia reviews on their HerKentucky Partner page!

Oh, hi, giant pin in my thumb!

If you’ve been following along on my Instagram feed this summer, you know that I’ve had some major issues with my right (and dominant!) hand. I’ve experienced some pretty intense arthritis pain in the CMC joint at the base of my thumb due to wear and tear (hello, iPhone and keyboards and cooking and needlepoint!) as well as some structural issues. I underwent a fairly intense surgery in July and am still recovering and under severe use restrictions. I hate to complain, but I’ve been in A LOT of pain this summer, y’all.

I’ve also looked pretty awkward trying to hold things, but I suppose that’s a smaller complaint.

Both before my surgery and after my cast came off, my friends at Magnolia Aesthetics offered a unique treatment solution: LED light therapy. Ashlee, the incredible aesthetician at Magnolia, uses a professional-grade LED light therapy device which can be calibrated to different wavelengths to address chronic pain, fine lines, or acne. It’s an incredible device, really; Ashlee applies it my hand 3 times a week for 30 minute sessions, and I can feel a difference immediately! The light immediately goes to work increasing oxygen flow in the treated area, stimulating collagen production and activating pain relieving pathways. The result is a reduction in pain and inflammation. I certainly feel like I’ve healed a lot faster because of this treatment. I certainly can feel increased flexibility and reduced inflammation when I receive my treatments. It’s been such a valuable addition to my recovery! You can read more about the science behind LED light therapy for pain management here.

Ashlee also added the LED light to my most recent facial, which was a wonderful experience. We used the anti-aging setting to combat fine lines and wrinkles. When combined with hyaluronic acid, I could see a big difference in my skin texture almost immediately!

Thanks so much to Magnolia Aesthetics for sponsoring this post. Visit Magnolia Aesthetics at 149 Chenoweth Lane in St Matthews, give them a call at 502-632-2244, or email them to set up your LED light treatments today!

You may also be interested in:

My first experience with Botox

My partnership with Magnolia Aesthetics