Thank you so much for talking with him… We need to learn from those old timers and be grateful for what we have nowadays. People like him paved the way for where we’re at right now… Thanks again, I loved the story. I wish I could sit and talk with him all day long.

Reminds me of my great-grandmother who was 108 when she died, born in 1899, sharp as a tack until the day she died. The stories of living on a farm, seeing the first car, and getting plumbing/electricity are amazing stories of how they lived. And they were happy and content, even during the depression. She always said, " we lived on a farm, and always had food, we didn't know we were poor, until we took the family to the store and couldn't afford anything. But we at least weren't starving."

wow! he looks real good for 92!

Not only the stories, the elders let the mountains tell them when to plant, when to harvest, what plants helped you with what ailments and probably a thousand more things we don't even realize. All that's being lost. People like you are getting some of that information and it's a great thing! Thank you!

I enjoyed this. I used to know a 99 year old man. I loved to just sit by him under a shade tree, iced tea in hand, and let him talk about whatever that came to his mind, as long as he wanted. I learned so much just listening. I didn't mind the rambling at all because he'd always have something in that too. I wish I had recorded his many stories, jokes, and life lessons from an age gone by.

I'm 39 and I enjoy hearing about things happen in early 1900s and 1800s

I love going to old folks' homes and listening. THAT is our history.

My maw passed away in 99 at the age of 99. As a kid I asked her what it was like during the depression. She said they didn’t feel a thing. Life didn’t change for her or anyone round here that she knew of. Everyone round here grew their own food. Canned for the winter. Mountains of Southwest Virginia

I love this Donnie. You can waste time in a lot of ways but one sure way not to waste time is sitting and talking with old people. They are a living, breathing history book loaded with knowledge. I thank God everyday for the time I spent talking with old people. Have a great weekend!

His mind is still sharp as a tack.the memories he has is priceless.I love to listen to the old timers.they have seen so much interesting stuff happen in their days.we need to cherish them because there leaving us so fast.thanks Donnie for the video.God Bless.

What a special gift this morning. My soon to be 19 yr old dog woke me at 4:30 to let me know the cabin was getting to cold for her and it was time to get the wood stove going. I so wish the families of these old timers would keep up these old places and their histories before they all become asphalt and cement 😔 There are many on a journey these days to get back to the harder, simpler and fulfilling life and would love the opportunity to work the land again and live a wholesome life. We always say how hard the life was, but they knew nothing else. Just like Bill not recognizing how well he was fed at the time. My dream was to live this life. I've come very close to it considering the times we now live in. Raised 7 kids in a 870 sq ft off grid cabin in the mountains in Cali of all places, but as I've shared, my kin folk are from TN and NC, then to MO & IA between 1830's and 40's, then a few of them ended up here in the 1950's. If you get the opportunity to visit him again PLEASE share with him how much I enjoyed his stories and family history. Much love and appreciation for all your doing Donnie. Take care and stay warm my friend.

What a beautiful old home! Each room clearly is filled with love. I have often seen these homes and wanted to live in them myself. My late husband thought I was nuts. They are a part of so much history. Yes they don't have insulation and probably don't have electricity but oh they are filled with such riches! Thank you Mr. Donnie for sharing this wonderful story. Until next time God Bless.

Absolutely love hearing his stories. Hearing him talk about his life makes me homesick for the generations of my people who have gone on. Come march, my dad would have been 93 this year.

My grandpa was born in Dickinson Co. VA, where Carter Stanley was born. Grandpa was one of 11 kids; his uncle had 12. Their claim to fame was that they had always fended for themselves, and never had to work FOR anybody. That was demeaning, made you like a servant. This interview is so informative, all the details, he really is a talking history book!

Thank you Mr. Bill for sharing your stories! I used to talk to my granny about these days. Lots of times we would be shelling purple hull peas or shucking corn in the back yard and she would tell us stories of " back in the day" I remember her always having apples and oranges in a bowl year round. She always said they reminded her of Christmas. Her brothers and sisters would get 1 apple and 1 orange in their stocking, and that was the only time of the year they got them. I remember being really young and with my great grandmother and running out to meet the grocery man. Every week a man in a old panel truck would bring a few groceries like coffee or a small bag of sugar and such we couldn't raise. She would give him a short list for the next week. He would most times trade her for eggs or butter. Sometimes, i would see ger give him a few coins. I never knew we were poor. We always had food in our belly, laughter and lots of love. We always had gardens, a cow to milk and make butter, chickens, and canned what we grew. I have carried many buckets of water up the hill from the spring. My granny has passed on, and im grandmother now. I have the privilege of living in this home. Built in 1851, the logs still strong. My family has lived here at least 100+ years. That spring has never run dry. Not long ago I saw a list that said- 10 Depression Era foods. After looking at it I was like heck at least 8 of the foods was some of my favorite food my granny and great grandmother cooked and in turn taught me to cook. l still cook these foods! Thank you, sir, for your time and the stories. Thank you for the moments that take us back to better days. Most kids will never know what they missed. God bless

I believe the reason you and Robin see and feel the spirits is because they are thanking you for respectfully remembering them and the times gone by. I see it as a very special gift bestowed upon you. 💜

Thank you for sharing Bill's stories with us Mr.Laws. What an amazing life. We take so much for granted in this microwave society these days. God bless you both.

I'm in the UK and while I had to listen hard to understand this dear man i was hanging onto every word. It was just fascinating hearing about his family and their history.....cherish your elders everyone. Thank u Donnie. God bless x

This is beautiful, old Bill's memories of years gone by. The old house is beautiful and well constructed. I remember myself when tobacco mainly paid the bills for farmers, and I spent many a long day in the tobacco fields. Precious memories, Donnie, thank you so much for sharing this. May God bless Mr. Bill and you as well.🙏❤️

Children seem to adapt better than their elders. As a child during the depression, my dad spent some time living in a tent city on the beach of La Jolla, CA. In his 80s, dad would say that was the best time of his life. There isn't a hint of any dwellings on the beach now, but whenever I go there, it's as though I can feel the spirit of my dad and grandparents. Like Bill said, "Not haunted, you can just feel their spirit." If your loved ones are with God, and God is always with you, then they must be with you also.

Thank you, Donnie, for sharing this story. I enjoyed listening to Mr. Bill As he told his story. I went through some hard times growing up, but nothing to compare to what he went through. His story made me Thankful for my raising. I appreciate all the work you put into your videos. Many thanks. God bless.

His grandpa might have had 23 kids… but those women had a lot more years involved in carrying them, birthing them, and raising them. My goodness. That was a different time though. Thank you for this video, it’s a real treasure. You are documenting history.

Those photos would be nice on a calendar. What a beautiful person. Thank you for sharing your experience with him with us. I hope he leaves a long healthy life.

Thank You 🙏🏼 Great story of Days Gone By! My family and many friends grew up in houses like these. Lived off the land and looked after one another. Presious Memories 🪶

Bill sounds like living history! My mother is still living and is 97' now from Shelby NC. And it's amazing that she can still remember about the same as bill's story. She said it was a very hard life. Most of our old homesteads are long gone now and just the fading memories are left. Thes are the people who built America! Not much education but knew everything about farming life. Mainly cotton and tobacco crops. No electricity no running water and the bathroom was outside ' great story I enjoyed this one ❤

Excellent❤. Great find!

This is a National Treasure. Bless Mr. Donnie. TY

Im 50 yrs old and could listen to yall ( you) for hours ! Thank you for what you do..Please post more interviews like this .Thanks brother

Such a great, well told,honest told story!

Good morning Mr law have a great weekend and God bless you and your family thank you

Thank you Mr. Laws for sharing Mr. Bill's life story. Wonderful ❤ God bless you both.

This is such a wonderful video. This is a true story of the American people. My dad will be 90 this year and he has lots of stories and pictures from his grandmother in 1901 all the way through. My Nanny (his mothet) was the air raid warden during the war and my dad had the Scarlet Fever and was in a childrens hospital for a while. Our histiry is our life. Something the young don't seem to understand. This is our history , our stories to always remember our past and to who we are now. Have a blessed day! Love, peace, and hugs to everyone!!!! Kathie Rados- Jersey City,NJ😊❤

Hi Donnie, i really enjoy your interview with Old Bill. He has been truly blessed with longevity, and good health. God bless him. Such beautiful country. I believe it's important to keep in mind that, even though our loved ones have passed on, it's not the end of the story. There will be a mighty reunion, when Christ returns to establish His everlasting Kingdom , right here on Earth. Keep the faith. sincerely, Louise

What a wonderful story!! The next time you see Bill, please thank him for sharing his story with us. He's a great story teller! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Stay warm, it's going to be a cold one! God bless!

Great interview with Mr.Bill Heath which is proof that in the past tough times made tough people & too the younger generations listen to the elders and you can learn much ! Great Great video Donnie thanks !

Oh Donnie! What a wonderful story you and Bill have brought to life for those of us who weren’t there in those hard times. Bill is a good man & I’m so glad he remembered things to share with you and us. I just loved seeing the old pictures and hearing about his family! Thank you Donnie for sharing your visit with Bill so we could hear about his life & hard times. I also want to thank you for documenting all of this information on times gone by for us to learn about it! Please stay safe & warm! Blessings always! ❤️✝️

You give us such great stories! Thank you. You reminded me, my paternal grandmother was Pennsylvania Dutch born in 1903. I wish I had been around her more and wiser to get more stories. One was that her father was a circuit-riding Methodist preacher (I have his Bible). Once while traveling to his church in a buggy, he was “set upon by thieves.” He beat them away with his buggy whip and went on to his preaching appointment, unfazed as it was told. Their name was Shindeldecker. So many stories in our families and the people who can tell them are quickly passing on. Get your family’s stories good people and write them down. We and our children need to hear them. Thank you Donnie and say thanks to Bill from your followers!

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. THANK YOU. I ENJOY THIS HISTORY. 🐓🐓

Morning Donnie, thanks for sharing this great story of the past.

These types of stories need to be taught in schools today. Thank you for sharing your stories!

Yes Donnie , you were very fortunate to meet this fine gentleman , and we are all very fortunate that he is still with us . We can hear first hand the wisdom , and knowledge he has gained during his long lifetime . Much , much better than reading from a book . Great video Donnie .

Wonderful video Donnie….Thank you for keeping our history and traditions alive….❤️God Bless You….Stay warm and healthy and Lord willing I will see you next time ❤

I stopped doing my morning dishes to pay attention to this man's life story. Thank you both so much.

Morning Mr Donnie. Thanks for another awesome video my friend. I really enjoyed Mr Bill's story telling. Mr Bill trading egg for piece of candy you can't beat that back then i quess.

Your photography is very beautiful and makes you feel like you are there too. Thanks for all your hard work and care! Appreciate so much! Just love listening to you!!!

Thank so much for talking to Bill. Please tell him thank you for sharing his memories and stories with us. These stories are so precious and need to be told. Bless you and Bill for everything.

Thank you so much Mr. Donnie. My family is from Surry and Stokes County, NC. Your videos give me a glimpse into how my ancestors lived. Please keep posting.

Donnie , thank you for sharing these stories and giving us some insight on how others, like Bill, grew up. Please let Bill know how much we appreciate him and his time. Looking forward to more, take care!

That was priceless, Donnie. We need to talk and document more with our elders. History is fading away.

Donnie I just wanted to thank you for talking to Bill I know he enjoyed it so much telling his stories I love hearing stories of the old times everyone in our family are all gone so I have no one to tell me of the old times I enjoyed it so much it was sad to looking at those shoes in the house bless his heart but I just wanted to thank you for sharing with all of us We watch all of your videos and just love you so much God bless you Donnie can't wait for your next video

Absolutely love this brother! God bless ole Bill for sharing that amazing family history and stories. Mighty spooky picture too!! God bless you my awesome mountain brother 🙏

I could have listened to him all day

My mother just turned 100 years old last December. The stories, actually life experiences she’d tell us through the years were so memorable. Thank you Donnie for this video. ❤

Tell Bill i said thanks for his stories to GOD BLESS y’all Amen 🙏

My dad turned 91 last month. It wasn't until a couple of years ago he really started talking to me about his life growing up. We drove to where one of his house/shack use to be, tucked back off a gravel road in the woods. Only the chimney was left standing. He was one of 12 kids but would have been more if all the babies had lived. I've always been fascinated with old people and old stuff. Thanks for this story. It took me way back to my great grandparents days telling me their stories, playing the banjo and singing.

The depression truly was a sad time for American 🇺🇸 God bless you Donnie❤

Good morning my friend ,My dad used to talk about the depression back in the day ,another good one my friend.

What a wonderful interview/video. It reminded me of listening to my dad and uncles tell stories of growing up. My dad was born in 1921 and was the youngest of six. I miss them all!

Good morning Mr Donnie! I hope you are keeping warm! I'm so glad I found your channel. Been here quite a while now and I have yet to see a video that wasn't just ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Your love of the Appalachian countryside is as strong as a love I've seen in anyone about anything! You are a wonderful person with a beautiful soul! Thank you for another great video my friend and GOD BLESS 🙏❤️✌️

Mr. Law many years ago I was turned on to the FoxFire series and then it was such a heart felt feeling of my youth being captured by somebody else. Watching your videos I get the same feeliings. It feels good. Keep up with your story telling and bringing back the past and of course what's going on with us right very now. I guess my grand kids will look back to these days as I do mine. Thank you sir, and God Bless you....

Thanks for the video. I’m from the east Tennessee region, Campbell County to be exact, not far from where this old gentleman lives and his story takes me back to my own childhood. My grandparents lived like that growing their food and not much grocery shopping like now. I’m 80 so I can remember very little about coming out of the depression. I know we didn’t have anything any way so it didn’t matter. I do remember noticing how other kids at school had better clothes and shoes than I did. Now I wish I had talked more to the generation before me, my parents and grandparents, about their stories. Thanks again. Love and enjoy your videos so much.

Good morning Mr. Donnie have a great day, great video

I can't even imagine 23 kids! My grandmother had 15 children and I thought that was amazing. I so enjoy speaking with these wonderful elderly people. The stories and their memories are priceless. Thank you! I live in the desert of Nevada, but every time I watch your videos, I get homesick and brings back so many memories.

These stories are beautiful. And often forgotten. It's great that you talked to this gentleman. I love talking to our elders and learning from all there stories.

Thank you so much for this, cousin Donnie, and many thanks to old Bill for sharing his childhood memories! My own daddy was born in 1901 and my mother in 1923, so they told me plenty about depression days. It was a mighty sad time, my friend. Today's young people could never survive anything like that, could they? That store owner that Bill spoke of, Jonathan Esau Keck, is my 13th cousin, by the way, and his wife who always saw to it that Bill got a piece of candy, Becky (Rebecca Lavina Keck) is my 16th cousin once removed, so I feel a very real attachment to Bill and what he shared. What a blessing to know that my kinfolks were so kind to him as a little boy!❤ Thank you for all you share, cousin! Your channel is a huge blessing to this old sharecropper's son and your distant cousin, and I truly thank G-d for you! Shabbat Shalom, dear cousin, and G-d richly bless you and yours! Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Great video Mr. Donnie, thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing old Bill’s story Donnie. Great history! This is your friend from Indiana still enjoying all your great work. God bless you Donnie.

Thank you so much for sharing this Mr Donnie ❤ It's so fascinating to hear of times gone by from the actual participants ❤ I can't imagine what he's seen over his lifetime ❤ God bless you ❤

What a great interview. He must have loved to tell his story. I see such little interest in the young folks today for stories of the past.

Wow, this was so personal and powerful. 23 children, so many mouths to feed. Make the moonshine and sell it before resorting to stealing to get by. Im really amazed how clear thinking his memory was for 92!!! This recording is a real treasure Mr Donnie not to mention his grandma in the window too, wow!! THANK YOU♡♡

Thank you, Donnie!! So many memories in those hills!

Brings back so many memories.❤ This video is touching, so much history. God bless and thank you.

Thank you for sharing Mr. Bill's story. It was wonderful to hear about his life.

Really beautiful country and stories ❤

What a great story from the past by a wonderful man. I love the stories and so appreciate you sharing them. God bless Mr. Donnie and thank you!

Thank you Donnie. I loved hearing Bill talk. Thank him the next time you see him. I love hearing this history thru Bill’s stories. I just loved this.❤❤❤😊

Good Morning Mr Laws.....I love these videos man, makes ya wonder and the stories these places could tell 😢

Excellent 👏wonderful recollections and interview !! Thank you both 🙏👏👏

Another great story, I'm sure he enjoyed telling his stories I sure loved hearing them❤

I love this video! That was so nice for Bill to share with us. Thank you Donnie, for these wonderful videos!

Amazing! Love this!! My husband and I retired to Tazewell after living all over the globe! The history and the people here are wonderful and amazing! Many ancestors fought at Kings Mt. To help defeat the British. We found heaven on earth!!❤❤😊

Thank you Donnie and Bill!

Thank you Mr. Donnie for sharing this with us. I could sit and listen to these stories all day long. I love hearing the old timers telling it. It's just sad that not too many left from that time. It's really great that you document everything so it can be passed down. I'm looking forward to hearing more of these stories. Hope you have a wonderful and blessed day❤

Donnie you just time traveled! Past Present and Future. That was a very special video! It's documented now. We wouldn't have heard Bill's Story. I'm sure you made him happy in his heart for you and us to hear his life and his people from the past. It was hard times then. But so much simpler times. As I'm getting later in life I appreciate that I can hear these stories. I was raised in Deep Appalachia also. When I was at a very young age. I so much love to sit on the porch with the elders and just listen to their life, events and family and way of life. Strangely the elders would tell me... I had an old soul. I didn't understand that then. I do now. For sure! Because at a very young age.... I wished I could have lived with them back then. Family means everything to me.... As it did to them. The value Family isn't the same now as it was then. Sad and Heart Breaking! Thank you for what you do! It's appreciated! Touches the Soul! You remind me of a very close friend that past several years ago. God Bless you and your family! Stay warm. Throw another Log on the Fire that cold damp chill is in these Appalachian mountains. Lol

Big countrified thanks and hugs go out to you DL and Bill. I consider it an honor being alive during the time of older wise folks like you. Like the people themselves, these stories are irreplaceable and this is what this old Veteran went to war to fight for. This way of life and the very heritage you represent. God bless you, Bill and all of the REAL Americans still living "the old ways" in rural Appalachia.

I'm listening to your channel for over 2 yrs now, Mr Donnie. Listened to it whilst taking care of my home, packing my belongings to move countries for studies, and now that I need some mind off from the practicals at the university. Appalachia fascinates me, and it is a pleasure to listen to your work, Mr Donnie. All the best & lots of thanks from Europe

Love these old stories. I could listen to them all night long.

When this crazy world gets to me, I can always count on you Donnie to calm my soul and remind me that there are good decent people still in this world and show me your peaceful surroundings 😊

Thank you so much for sharing Bill's stories with us. My dad was about Bill's age and also grew up during the depression. He was the oldest of four kids and passed away almost three years ago. His youngest brother is the only one left now. That old house is so awesome. It's so sad to see it falling apart. It needs a family to fix it up and live in it. I always appreciate your videos, and I'm glad you take the time to record these stories and preserve history for us. Thanks so much, Donnie. May God continue to bless you and grant you good health so that you might be able to keep telling these stories.

I enjoyed this so much ty. I grew up w my great grandfather. He was a Blanton out of the hills of eastern ky living in central ky. born 1900. Died 1995. A whole century of stories almost. Lost a Leg working on the rail Rd @ 15 yrs old. Was a teacher in a one room school house & later got into real estate. But boy growing up with him I only pray that I'm as thankful & lucky to learn & hear about the old ways & times & stories. So bless u for what your doing on your ch.

A great remembrace of times gone by.I still feel people in them times were stronger and more reliant on themselves then folks nowdays.Struggles build character and many now lack common sense.

Love those stories. History. Its fascinating to me. Much respect to the old timers.

I'm 70 and have spent countless hours listening to my elders growing up. These people suffered the worst life could throw at them and still built a beautiful country for us. The preceeding generations forgot this fact or never knew about it. So God continues to humble the majority and make them aware of what they let slip through their hands. Sadly, worse times are ahead until we come back together as a nation of people, striving for the greater good of all. If not, America will become a memory. Thanks Donnie for bringing the simpler times to our attention and showing that they were the best of times. When the family unit was bone deep and hearts upon God's doctrines.

Good morning my friend from a snowy cold PA 😊 thank you!

My paternal grandfather was born in 1919. He was the youngest, or second youngest of 6 kids. He had lots of stories of the depression, WWII, and moonshining. His father (my great grandfather) bought 80 acres in central Montana during the depression at .25 cents per acre, and They made payments! On 20 dollars worth of land! They grew sugar beets to make alcohol. The boys trapped weasles, and gophers, sold the tales for a few pennies each. My dad told me when he was young, he remembers eating boiled wheat, and the purple birds from the grain elevators. They burned wood all day to keep warm, at night they would throw in a big lump of hard coal, bank the fire, and go to bed. All those stories are just good memories now!

Loved hearing the stories from Bill about his life and family. This is truly a treasure! Oh how we love our elders as they show us life from the past that history books dont teach. Love it!

Thanks for the interview with old Bill. Yes really nice to hear the old stories.

Gm Mr Donnie ❤️

Good morning Donnie. This was an awesome interview with Bill. Really enjoy your videos and all the information I learn from you ❤

It would be nice if these old homes could be restored 😢