This is my Grandmothers documentary and I'm so excited finally found the video. Iree was my great grandmother and never got top meet her but I was born in 2004 and she passed away 2010 but I still never got to see her. One of the 13 children, Thelma is my grandmother and she's doing well, another Ruthie Gibson is doing well too.
@@batteriesnotincluded4715 well I usually don't talk to my great aunt and uncles that much because they live far away from me but I believe 3 or 4 of the 13 children have passed away due to age and other problems they faced.
I really enjoyed your family’s story. Thank you for updating us on how they are doing. I sure wish that the makers of the documentary would do an update.
I’m glad you enjoyed it my friend. I can tell you from firsthand knowledge, this is really how we had to live. We’re all in this struggle together, sometimes it takes a different form for everyone.
We like to see how the other half lives. And find a better understanding of what makes them tick. And sometimes in doing so we learn that we actually like and respect them.
Iree are the type of women that are the glue that holds these rural families together; I’m from rural VA, and ladies like Mrs. Iree were priceless to the culture
I’m from rural southwest Virginia. My Dad was a Coal miner for 44 yrs. Which finally caused his demise due to Black Lung . God bless mountain people and all coal miners past and present. Love you all. ❤
@@tamakelly2879I am from KY. We used coal for heat. I've never understood how people stereotype coal miners. If not for brave, hard working men like your father, willing to risk their lives to support their families, where would our nation be? Coal is vital to our existence. I suppose if you don't know, you can't appreciate coal miners and mountain people. I love my people . Thank you for sharing your story.☮️❤️
I saw a small update that made me cry. Most of the family had passed or moved on. the closness they had while Iree was alive was gone. Same thing happened in my family. It's was the older generation that kept us all together. Once my Grandma passed everybody slowly went their seperate ways.
It's sad but I know what u mean.. when my mom's mom passed everyone went on.. we use to go visit her side of the family when my grandma was alive much as we could.. especially for holidays but when she passed we haven't gone to visit much and nobody gets together for holidays anymore 😕 that's what I missed the most as a kid is family camping trips and family getting together for holidays
That's a sad truth that once the "rock" that held everything together passes on unfortunately families dissolve. Their generation (Iree's) was really the greatest generation. She was just like my granny and I miss her dearly. And just like you said, my family just went separate ways when she passed. Sad!
As an Appalachian, we’ve been misunderstood, misrepresented, and mocked by the rest of the US for centuries. Nowadays, our culture is slowly dying. I’m proud to be from where I’m from, and I hope my kids will be as proud of their heritage and culture. It’s one of the most unique, rarest in the world, right up to the accent. God bless the mountain people.
My family is from WV. But, I was born up in NWOhio. I gave worked with the public my whole life. I csnnot tell you how many times I can detect an accent from WV or Kentucky. Sad part is many people would be embarrased by it. I would tell them to be proud and not embarrassed. Then tell them about my mom going back home and come back with hers. My boys would get one when they stayed down home. My dad died when I was 8. Found some diaries of his from high school. He would lament about being up here and hating it. My momtil her dying days hated the flat land and how people were up here. God bless you all. The big kicker. My Grammy got mad at me one day for saying you guys. She said, missy are there any guys here. Uh no mam. From that day on, I learned to say you'll. I was 12 and am 59. I grt teased and I just put these people in their place with kindness.
@@mmedlen1961 I'm born and raised in N.E. Ohio..I LOVE the W.Virginia area as well as Kentucky and Tennessee...have spent time in all three states in the mountain areas fishing and hunting at times and find those areas beautiful and the people even more so...I have immense respect for the land and the people who live there!
I grew up on a farm in Appalachia. We may have been material poor but we had so much freedom, freedom to play in the woods with our cousins when we weren't doing farm work. My siblings and I agree that though we were poor we were greatly blessed by God and when we look back to that farm those years we truly were blessed.
I was born in 1981. And for some reason this is my comfort show. I graduated in 1999 and this is when this was filmed. Maybe that’s why. Such innocent and easier times.
I grew up like this in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, but I went to college and law school and now live in the suburbs with my family, but I'm grateful that I learned to live simply. I'm now a public defender in this area try to help people like this if they get in trouble. I am the public defender in Booneville now where the guy in the film had his court case. I sure do miss my mamaw and papaw who lived like this. They are passed now.
Good on you. I couldn’t handle the actual practice of law: it can be so heart wrenching and brought out in me a rising cynicism. In a way, I regret now that I can’t hang out a shingle here in the WV mountains, the only place I’ve ever been where the police feel like they’re here to protect and serve and know the people of their community, not dropping the hammer on the addict mother blowing herself up in a trailer cum lab. But yes, thank you so much for what you do. Police and DA’s may be the arm of the law, but the defenders are its soul.
@@believeringod.4004 why do you say that? I usually see Booneville through the eyes of the court system. I actually live in Winchester. Anyway, I can say I don't think I've seen any minorities in court in the past 5 years. I know there must be minorities who live there, but it's usually poor white people in court.
I live in South Africa at the bottom of Africa. I have watched documentaries of the mountain people and have come to like them a lot. Even though they are so poor they have something that many people dont have and that is the love of family and they stick together. They are real people who dont wear masks. Wat u see is wat u get and i love that. Love from South Africa💕
I love that you wrote, "what you see is what you get" So true and wonderful--wish more people could understand that being genuine, "no masks" and brave enough to just be yourself is beautiful!
Dumb. Can we call the Deplorables yet. Stupid us as stupid does. Keep your ig'nant ass in the woods. We are all full up on crazy in the real world 🤣😂😂🤣😂
If nothing else this documentary should give you perspective as to what a good strong woman looks like and the commitment to her family is beyond words.
@@dawnboquist5473she wasn’t abused , her mother was - don’t judge someone for how they have to live ! I’m sure you’re the first to scream white privilege!
Iree was so beautiful in every way possible. I truly admire her. I don't understand how anyone could watch this and say they were "poor representation" of the area. You make me proud to be from KY. I think Iree worked harder in her old age than most of the newer generation ever will.
I love what Ms. Iree said at the end about them always having food and a place to stay. What a beautiful way for a matriarch to feel. She was a great woman.
donneesf you never walked in my Granny’s house that they wasn’t a pot of beans to eat or a pan of cornbread or whatever on the stove, once my Granny passed, we lost the matriarch, and the family doesn’t seem as tight anymore, I guess for better or worse, times change.
Wanda boiling the water saying ‘you have to make do with what you got’, then hand wringing clothes she washed with rain water. It’s hard but she made sure her babies were clean and bathed daily. That’s a true mother’s love.
Im Native American and grew up on the rez in South Dakota and we knew folks like this everyday and got along because we similar in our daily lives, much respect to them hollow folks.
I live in Cocke County, Tennessee! Watching this reminded me of my grandparents. They lived in the mountains and had 9 children. Unless you live in the Great Smokey Mountains or anywhere in Appalachia you just wouldn’t understand. Everything is about family and hard work. Like when she said you have to make do with what you got. My mom always told me how hard she had it,growing up and wanted better for her kids. Her and my father always worked two jobs and they beautiful life for their selves. I was always told to never forget where you come from and never put others down for having less. I’m so grateful for amazing hard working family.
"I'm tryna talk to ya man to mother, mommy" priceless. I miss my big family and extended family get togethers. The food, atmosphere. Family was everything. Once the elders passed on, we all went our diff. ways. Man I miss it tho. Good times.
My father was from Olive Hill Kentucky and my mother from Clintwood Virginia. My father had 16 brothers and sisters and grew up on a Tobacco farm. My mother had 9 brothers and sisters and her father worked in the coal mines. The mine was by there house and they lived in a house owned by the mining company. My parents were married for 58 yrs. . I am very proud of my heritage✨My father was a very hard working man and was blessed with the gift of music. He played by ear and could play any instrument.My father had a 5 th grade education and could read some and write his name and my mother was the first in her family to graduate high school.My mother was a outstanding cook and Seamstress and sewed all of my clothes growing up. She’s still living and is 89 and still cooking her biscuits and gravy and beans,greens and cornbread.Enjoyed your video and my God keep you all safe and send some blessings your way ✝️💐
My mommy and daddy got married in Clintwood. Back in the day everybody from Pike county used to go get married in Clintwood because they didn’t have to wait, they could just get the license and get married right then. There’s an orphanage up there too that my grandma lived in after both of her parents died.
I don't mean to bring up race into this. But whenthose black people and other rasict who hate america , and also live in america, always say that white people have no culture, this is america.. Hard-working people raising a good family. Put your family first. We truly need more strong families like this. I feel a lot of the problems we have in today's society. Could probably be fixed if we had more fathers in the home. I'm Hispanic but I love truly admire ppl like this. The old fashion traditions. Homemade food, live off the land and a strong father. Love this doc That's how I feel about that.
Growing up in these hollers here in the coalfields of southern West Virginia, and growing up with family like this and around families like this, it makes me unbelievably happy to see all the loving comments from everyone. I was expecting more of the hillbilly, incest, Wrong Turn dumb stuff you hear a lot of childish people say. It warms my heart to see all of the love everyone has given. Much love and respect to every one of y'all. Thank y'all!
this made me cry, I was born and raised in west virginia, I miss my roots. The hateful comments don’t understand the love that can come from community like this
I was born and raised in a 2 bedroom ,1bath house on a small farm in South Carolina.Both my parents workeď to support us.we lived moderately but we survived.
I hate to break it to you, but this was like a quarter century ago.... Any of those quilts still around would be family heirlooms and family treasures to this point
Real authentic people, True proud family, not ashamed of their background , they embrace it. I was born and raised in the projects. In the middle of the ghetto. I have much respect for this family. Never forget who you are, never forget where you came from. This documentary deserves an Oscar.
@@hallestoes1 Unfortunately WHT privilege DOES exist in America its just you don't grasp it when you are WHT yourself because you've never had experience being tormented simply due to the color of your skin. Imagine being just as poor as these people in the documentary then add on having to deal with daily racism in a country that was built on racism. Even these people have WHT privilege in this country compared to every other group..
I would love to buy one of her quilts. They were beautiful. Especially the white one with the big star pattern on it. I really really want to buy one. Could I?
Didn't it state that all of the children that live in the hollow get government assistance? Yeah, then that's an easy living. Shame on them. Get a job or move somewhere where you can get a job. My family moved from WV to OH in the 1950's to secure a better life. Even my family that still lives in WV are not on welfare.
Peace growing up in S.C was the same way I grew up in the city CHAS S.C.but boy did. I love going to family in the summer great experience it makes you humble rather your up or down growing up like this makes you steer the course.
@@tamibennett8683 there's a higher percentage on Gov assistance in urban area than out here in the sticks. There's poor in every area and hard workers also. I grew up like this and never knew anyone who got a check personally that was looked down on
@@tamibennett8683 An easy living? Very few Americans would trade their lives to live in the squalor they live in. Old rusted cars and crickety falling apart houses in some abuse-filled holler. You sound like a self-righteous snob to judge people from upon high that are this low on the fortune totem pole. Tami, it's extremely likely that I make more money than you ever have or ever will, and I came from a place like this video. But the difference, is I'm humble enough to know I caught some breaks. Namely, I had a few examples in my family (like your family) of how to make it out of this world. It's SO EASY for people like us who had good examples, that showed us "Here's how you apply for college loan money", "Here's how to end a cycle of abuse", "Here's what to say and do in a job interview", "Here's how to dress for success", etc. It was even harder to gain the "How To's" of life in the 90's in rural America that didn't have internet yet, like where this was filmed. If this is an "easy life", I'm sure there's people with no healthcare, dental, internet, clean water, and 5 generations of trash in the front yard of their 120 year old shed that would be HAPPY to give you their life and bank account if you would give them your house, healthcare, money, car, and all the education and job training you have. If you're not willing to take that swap, the least you can do is be grateful for the examples that helped keep this from being your life, instead of piling shame on the poorest and least educated people in America. Maybe extend an ounce of humanity to them. Some day you'll have to face God, remember that. Even if you don't consider any of your life good fortune, I suspect God above has something to say about crediting yourself with 100% of your success. Sometimes, the best break in life is a few examples that keep us from total ignorance and fear about how to transcend the world we're born into.
@Jan LeMay I agree. My heart broke for him but I don’t blame her at all. They were too young. And she,I think, felt pressured to marry him. I don’t think she felt the same way and didn’t know how to get out of the situation. It’s crappy all around.
You would love my quilts too...i was raised in these mountains to my granny learned me years a go how to quilt quilts an how to tack them..lord how i miss her!!!ky is a wonderful place its my home..i leave a few miles from these folk!! God bless u all!!
Yes they were!!! I wonder what she charged for them. Probably close to nothing!! The ones at Cracker Barrel aren't hand made and are close to 300-500 dollars!! Her quilts probably took so long to make, since she was all alone with only one daughter-in-law wishing to learn and carry on that tradition. Think of how long and involved that was. Thats why they had had 'quilting bees' with 20 or more women working on one quilt!!! This documentary being 20 years old, there is a chance she is still alive. She would be 88.
God has prepared a Special place in heaven for Iree Bowling. Her husband is blessed to have been givin this gift to enjoy & have as his wife. She is what defines exactly what a "Real Good Woman" is! GOD BLESS THEM EVERYONE.
@@robbyddurham1624 ... The Bible says... Christs sacrifice on the cross gives all his Children life after Death...Luke 16 Lazareth and the poor man... That word hell in there...was not in the original scriptures. The word means to open your eyes and understand. Everybody goes to paradise...the good the bad and the ugly. Lol. Im going to post a writing...That explains that Satan got that word Hell in there.. To scare folks into paying the pope. God Loves us... Love him...believe in his son...and Repent everyday...and I suppose I'll be seeing you someday in Paradise. Here's the Bible: The Rich mans Hell was inside himself knowing he wasted his Life...Read how uncomfortable he was...his personal torment...(The adversary (instead of Jesus-AntiChrist) is Making up bibles and deceiving Gods children with lies very quickly). Hell is a figure of speech here...as he looks up and sees the beggar locking arms with Abraham. His body was buried... not his Spiritual body... I will get the scriptures for you to examine...they both died and were buried. The Beggar was not in a translated body like Jesus...Abraham took his Spiritual body into the RIGHTEOUS Side of the chasm in Paradise (you have to read the rest of the chapter) #1. All Souls Belong to God. #2. When this clay pot body breaks-dies...our spiritual body and our soul (2 separate things) returns to the Father who gave it. Abraham was Not in Hell talking to the Rich man. Go to Your Strongs 2007 or before...Written by James Strong. And look up the Word Hell...follow down to Luke 16:23 it gives you...G86...go to Greek word #86.The place of departed (from body) Souls. They have gone somewhere (and Hades/hell are example words used in the english translAtion). G86 refers to G1492...go there. G1492 says...to see/to know/ to be aware...to understand. Then it refers to G3700. ...go there...this same word Hell...means your eyes are finally wide open ... Finally volunteering to observe. Hell...means "finally volunteering to see with your eyes wide open ... In this case...finding out...as the rich man did...he was wrong and couldn't go back and change it. Very Sad. I want to cry for him really. I used to be ignorant of Gods word too. I will never go back there. Now Im learning the lost scrolls writings...and reading them aloud [mychan]...to help blind people learn what I'm learning. I should read Luke 16 next. I am a very old woman. See my site on youtube for more Hebrew and Greek. THE WORD is what its called.
Update on Iree, her extended family, and her 13 children as of 2023. Oma (14:16) died in 1999 at age 93 Marion (42:46) died in 2006 at age 74 Bascum (2:55) died in 2003 at age 75 Iree (2:33) died in 2010 at age 81 Pierce (21:46) died in 2005 at age 55 Barbara (not mentioned) died in 2018 at age 70 Patrick (19:24) died in 2021 at age 59 Denny (4:10) died in 2021 at age 65 Lonzo (4:26) died in 2022 as age 68 Out of her 13 children, 5 have passed. Average age was 61.8. It makes Neil's comment at 20:54 very sad. He had seven brothers. Now he has three. As of 2023, the main properties shown in the film in Mud Lick hollow are still all owned by the same family members. Bless this family. RIP to all of those who have passed. 2024 EDIT: Since so many people asked about Clint, here's what I could find about him: Clint (Clinnest Adam Bowling) appeared to have spent some time in a small apartment in Cincinnati. In October 2015, he was arrested in Fayette County for non-payment of fines. That picture is online. As of 2024 he is now 46 years old and shows as having PO box in Bear Branch which is just south of Saul, KY.
*Do you know what ever happened with Lonzos wife Pauline that had cancer? Do you know any more info on the rest of them? I absolutely love this family,and this has me in tears*
“There’s nothing here for him”.... when I left WV to join the Air Force, with tears in his eyes my dad told me two things. I love you and don’t come back here, there ain’t nothing for you... from age 17(when I first moved back after 15 years of being kept away) to 22 he told me he loved me 3 times, hugged me twice and told me to find away out of there more times than I can count. These folks may seem backwards to you on the other side of the screen, but you treat them fair and earn their trust and these folks will lay down their lives for you. They do work hard but they start hard work so young their bodies are used up. The clothes may look dirty but it’s all the crap in their well water that’s stains them with rust and sulfur. These same sort of folks and their lands have been used up by the coal and timber industries and now all the fracking. They are afraid they can’t live without welfare but they work hard and still need help. They still stay married and raise their children. And even though they cuss at each other and even fight, they still stay a close family. Oh, and a small fire with all your close friends and family on a peaceful summer night is still better than any night out on the town in a big city any day!!
Precious family.. And one thing for sure is they don't lack love and support. They are wealthy in thAt area. Some of the riches people around wish so much they had someone reAl .
@Johnny Rep such a special gift to have!💚 I love quilts as heirlooms with all the hours of quiet time and love put in to making them, the memories made with them, and all the peaceful naps in their histories. I love a good story. My dad bought me a quilt made by an Amish woman when I was 12 or 13, and its probably my favorite thing from anyone ever.
Years ago I watched this documentary. Irene’s beautiful quilts inspired me to learn to quilt. It also inspired me to be more humble and content with what I have. They are rich in family togetherness ❤️
killerkennyas yes mam !! You can say that again.... some of these comments are so ignorant.... They may not had much ... but the genuine love can’t be denied in this documentary... when their daughter left her husband and she finally got on her feet and had a roof to put over her two beautiful girls!! That gave me goosebumps... to many... it may had been a run down house to them ... but a step up for her... the joy she had in her voice and eyes said it all
This is the best movie of this type I have ever seen. I have always wanted to live in this area, but I am a country girl trapped in the city. 80 years of age so its too late now, but I still have my dreams. God bless you all.
Digging roots and gathering Moss is hard work, but I enjoy it. I was raised in Southern Appalachia, college educated Soil Scientist but I am proud of my heritage. God bless these people. Discrimination is wrong, we are all part of God's creation.
Brian = I'm a hillbilly but I'm an educated hillbilly. That makes me doubly dangerous! Thought you'd like that. My family is also from Eastern Kentucky & I am college educated too ;)
Does the part where all of them are on public assistance bother you at all? If you want more, you need to do what you did. I don't blame them for taking it, they're entitled to it by law. Do we have a good reason to pay for their life choice?
@@robbyddurham1624 I grew up this way and Damn Proud of where i come from..My Family never took a cent from the Government....I agree with your point....I just had to speak up for MY family because we are not the only ones to stay independent and Free in times of need....
Tunnel Rat what an absolute lie. You have may not taken money, but your family has definitely benefited from Government intervention in Appalachia. You have forgotten what the bad times looked like.
@Wary of Extremes you have absolutely zero clue as to what your talking about obviously you haven't grown up like this or you would know just exactly how hard it is under those circumstances
But, that young boy that cusses and hollers all the time..he's a few bricks shy of a load. Maybe his life is so forfeit of future...maybe because he tries to be what he's not. He is not seeing beyond just getting married.....
I GASPED at those quilts hanging on her line. They're some of the most beautiful I've seen and I'd be so happy to have my bed covered by one. I was shocked when she said she hadn't been able to sell one in SEVEN years. Quilts with that level of generation to generation craftsmanship put into them, with the added benefit of Iree having an obvious eye for design/aesthetic, would make them extremely desired today. She could have easily asked for hundreds of dollars per quilt had the ability for her to list them online/ship orders out herself been available back then.
I totally agree. Her quilts are exquisite. I would guess in the $500 and over range. Especially with her skills and background and the size of the quilts. How much would you price them up? They should really get on Etsy. And she could design quilts with less intense labor, for people who want in the $200 and $300 range.
@A Pagan Feminist Ah that’s very interesting…and depressing. yeah Etsy has become a little disappointing over the years. They really aren’t about handcrafted work anymore. and every big company likes to use the words “crafted, artisan, hand-crafted, etc” when it’s far from the truth. It’s become marketing catch words, not the real thing.
@@Mr_Justy same in my region, but the youth are leaving for work elsewhere and the older generations are dying off. Mostly middle aged in my area largest age group. My grand mother knew home remedies and edible plants and mushrooms. I know scant info on this enough to be dangerous, but My kids hear it. But video games are more important I guess to them. Our area is still a great place to live, but more and more folks from other regions moving in. Used to be we'd know our neighbors and no one could do something with out the neighborhood knowing... lol... if you did something neighbor one would know your folks... but people were much closer. Only about 10 years ago my folks started locking their door at night. Also the open invitation to neighbors was, if we aren't home come on in and have coffee till we get back. That is what I think we are losing.
I have friends in Applachia, and they say lots of foreigners are slowly moving in,that it's starting to look like Mexico and other foreign countries and slowly driving these people out.
Well holy sh*t. I just watched that brother smile wryly about having to put his family's house on the line to get his brother out of jail. "You can always find more dirt. But I got 7 brothers & I wanna keep every one of them". THAT'S family.
@Sandor Weiss Hahaha, all I politely wrote is that the guy in the video is a better person than you are, & all you're doing with your neanderthal comments is proving my point. Go off some more my man, demonstrate how right I am, lol. Guys like you are so easy to manipulate.
I grew up in red bird ky my family was poor, we had food to eat, clean cloths, shoes on our feet. But I didn't know we was poor until I got older. Growing up we had a simple life. To me this was the best part of my life ❤ I cherish every memory
When you have a loving and supportive family.Its more priceless than money.🙂 A lot of people got so much material things yet their families are falling apart and are not intact.
I watched this documentary on HBO when it came out. I found it here on UA-cam a couple of years ago. I watch it when I miss my mama's side of the family... which is often. Mrs. Iree reminds me of my great grandmother. She worked hard to get our family out of poverty. She grew up in the Swamps of North Florida, picking tobacco since she was 5. My mama's whole family is gone now. This culture is so important to the thread of the story of America. Annie Mae Conner, I sure do miss you, lady ❤
She seemed to have been lucky that she married herself a man that didn’t beat her with a hector stick and from what I see adored her makes all the difference, nothing sadder than a woman spiritually, mentally physically beat down
It;s Christmas eve, and I've just finished watching this wonderful story. Never in my life have I felt so rich in money or so poor in family. Thank you for the upload.
I wholeheartedly agree with all the comments to this comment thus far. It's sad that so many people, especially PROFESSING CHRISTIANS (NOT TRUE believers!!), have no concept of FAMILY, COMMITMENT, or anything bordering on Christlike behavior. This family, with it's many flaws ( including all of that offensive language!!!) and "dysfunctions" (as defined by today's standards), have more love among themselves than most of the so called "rich" people AND "Christians" combined!!!. If all of us would treat others as we want to be treated, especially our blood relatives AND extended family (as one person pointed out, the family we "choose"), and choose to love and treat one another with the respect we should all deserve (earned by the quality of the life we choose to lead, helping others,etc.,), this cruel, heartbreaking world would be a much better place in which to live, work, and FUNCTION!!!👼. May God bless 🙏 and keep this family, and SO MANY like it in this country who struggle but stick together in times of adversity, and may the parents of those original 13 children rest in peace 👼😃🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Family is NOT always blood especially on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Clint's good mama wanted him to succeed. You miss that comfort when they are gone.
Hi everyone. I´m watching this documentary from the other side of the earth, from Denmark. We live a totally different life. I really enjoyed this, and wish the best for the family. I dont understand all the hatefull coments though... why? I see no evil in theese people. In our part of the world, we spend far to little time with our family... Guess we could all learn a thing or two from eachother. ❤️
You are so right Mads!! People who make hateful comments do so because of some kind of envy. These people are the richest in the world because they have a love that keeps them strong and together. Ignore the nasty comments, they are just nasty people.
Thanks for not judging all Americans by the outpouring of hateful remarks by some : ) I wish we were more like you as a country. When i was in college 20 years ago i did lots of research papers noting how the US could benefit from policies similar to yours. Mothers in Denmark, according to Danish law, if I'm correct, have roughly 50 weeks of Parental leave at full pay...here in the US only 3 states even offer ANY maternity leave, and its by choice if they do so, not the law!! The US is not a real family friendly place to be born. The US goes to great length to hide the benefits other countries give to its population. Check out this site...www.oresunddirekt.se/in-english/in-english/family-parenting-in-denmark/parental-leave-when-you-work-in-denmark scroll a bit and we see "This information is For EU citizens Only" omg. Do you have an extra room,? lol
True! I live in southeastern Ky and I’ve always said, no matter how bad the outside world gets, I want my five babies to know that they always have a home to come back to where they know they are safe and loved.
@@nancypayne9347 Wow, 😔 I hope in adulthood you were able to create the love, acceptance and security you needed and deserved. Sometimes older folks and friends become our family.
Success means different things to different people. They are part of a family that would do anything for anyone, they support each other and do what they can with what they have. The amount of education they have will only take them so far. They live a simple life, if they are ok with that then they are as successful as they need to be.
this family does. These days women aren't women. These people don't have a pot to piss in BUT the women are still there being really women. The average woman would have been left long ago. These men are lucky.....
Im screaming and begging for more documentaries like this you have no idea how desperately our future will need them ❤ i wish more would have been made this detailed authentic and wholesome from "back in the day" 😔
My grandmother used to catch rain in barrels and would boil it to take a bath in and to cook with. Sulfur water is no joke. She lived that way up until 1993 when she passed away. This reminds me so much of my family growin up in Northeast Tennessee. I now own their farm and the barrels are still there sittin in the same spot. Precious memories.
My only livin grandmother is almost 98 if the lord lets her live born in 1923 unaka NC but lives in southeast TN where im from grown up and still live im not on my farm anymore it got stole from me and my sister 25 acres three houses bought n paid for by my papa white after ww2 for a thousand dollars he wanted me my sister to have it for us an our kids but it didnt work out that way long story but anyway i miss my farm down next to the foot o the mountain n right at the mouth of the hollow i live with people on top of me an all sides i hate it but its what i gotta do for now anyway...i could be happy where these folks live i like Kentucky pretty well i been several places in the state... put me out in the woods and i'll be fine i dont wanna be spittin distance from my neighbor...i'll have me some solar panels and a good generator one o these days then im gonna dissapear!
My husband and I STILL catch rain water. We've got a 200 gallon tank. It's almost full. We water our garden with it instead of well water. It's so much better for the plants. Lord have mercy we grow enough food to can for the winter and STILL give half of it away.
Anyone who has a new appreciation for their lives after watching this and seeing the quality of life yet the heart and soul? Family values? Anyone with that new found appreciation of their lives please thumbs up. 👍 this family is incredible. Humanity at its core. Love conquers all.
@@Secret4u2hear really? They just needed to get off there ass and work. That old lady talked about teaching them to work, but she's the only one you seen in the garden. My granny would have been out there but her kids and grandkids did the heavy work. I live in this area, you can find a job and in the 90s when this was filmed the coal industry was begging for people.
I feel that "alone in the wilderness" with Dick Proenneke that comfort feeling. Off track but, Bob Ross was my teenager "calm comforting" through a terrible childhood too. Hope this is okay to put here ua-cam.com/play/PLX_9Qrw9O4KmTFVPexbTFS3tcTUiYEuBm.html
During my teens and early 20's, I ignored and almost shunned my Appalachian roots, seeing it as backward and unsophisticated. As I've aged and come to my senses, I've taken interest in my heritage and fallen in Love with it. I now have the greatest respect for my centuries old Appalachian heritage and would not trade it for the world.
Ian Moone I am from Mississippi and I knew people like the Bowlings. Some of the best people on the planet. Always willing to give what they couldn’t afford to give. At least the majority of them anyway...
@@pureblood_straight_pride1853 It is hard to find people like that anymore, and even harder to be like that. I live in a small town in SW Virginia, near where I was raised, and I would Love to be a good neighbor to my neighbors and be close with my family, but truthfully, I don't trust a single one of my neighbors, and most of my family is fractured by petty feuds and the die off of all the elders that kept order. It is a sad reality that this way of life, the mindset, is quickly becoming extinct, and giving way to something I simply don't want to be a part of.
Ian Moone I hear ya. My family is the same way. I ended up moving to Texas... It’s just my husband, son and I... We are planning on buying some land... Would love to find others that were like us to make a community. Everyone pitches in and grows the food, security etc. Not that hippy crap either lol.. This world is in a bad place and the good people need to come together and stand with each other. I don’t trust very many people and every day that is tested..
My cousin was a electric line worker and went to southeastern Kentucky to help reestablish electric service there. He loved the way of life and people there so much that he moved there. He met a lady there and married her. It's been over 20 years ago and he still lives there.
@ThirdeyeStrike either your reading comprehension is very low (probable) or you're commenting on why your own eyes are so freaking beady (also probable).
I grew up in a holler in WV just like this. I can’t even express how much I wish I could turn back time and live those moments again. I ran far away as soon as I turned 17 because I thought getting out of there was so much better. I went to Florida, then Texas and lived there for many years. We just moved to Kentucky, only about an hour or so away from where this family lives and I can tell all of you right now, there is no better way of life than how this family lives. Simple. Wholesome. Family is everything and you take nothing for granted and appreciate even the smallest things.
Nothing to do down south that’s why the drug’s play such a big role. Excuse me I meant to say the poor place’s down south we aren’t talking Miami and Atlanta or places like that we’re talking those tiny specks on the map lol. Take care everyone ✌️
When 12 yr. olds are getting pregnant and women are being beat, there's no medical help, no police help, no education - there's not much hope. I wouldn't exactly call it wholesome.
Even though this was an HBO documentary and not a television series, the entire family should've been paid a large sum of money because it took over a year to film this movie, "American Hollow." They should've been paid as much money as those Swamp People and those Duck Dynasty brothers.
Swamp People and DD, that's not "real" it's entertainment. It's incredibly unethical for documentarians to have to pay their subjects. They did a great job of highlighting the struggles of the Bowlings and families like theirs so we can make changes that benefit everyone.
Much respect, admiration and BLESSINGS to Iree and her family ...From a KIWI from NEW ZEALAND 🌅🌊🌲.. I didnt want this documentary to end...I felt part of The Family ..Thankyou 🙌🙏💕
My daddy left Richmond Virginia made a beautiful life for us & my Momma however he drove back & fourth almost every weekend to help his family especially his Mother He always listen to take me home country road. I spend many summers there & absolutely adore these people .God Bless each one of them
@Megan Whomever try again. Just squares, all one size. Pay attention to your seam allowance and make sure your seams match on the corners. Press the seams so they lay opposite where they meet. Watch Quilt In A Day with Eleanor Burns, or Sewing With Nancy from Nancy Zieman.
I was born and raised in Barbourville kentucky. I'm currently living in York Pennsylvania. I love kentucky and my hometown. I never forget where I come from. My town and state is always in my heart.
Iree talking about her husband and how he was always good to her, took care of her, didn’t abuse her. Then the kids start talking about their childhood and the truth comes out that Daddy was a drunk. Iree thought he was a good husband because she grew up with an abusive father so as long as he didn’t beat her, she could overlook the drunkenness.
@@holly5077 Thays not what he was doing!! He was a drunk yes, but they all got a check so Bass had his own money!! Iree says he helps do the work, whether he was drunk or not while doing so I'm not sure.. I dont agree with how Bass was an alcoholic and not helping the way he should have bit I assure you he wasnt " living off a woman" ... I do not think a woman such as Iree would allow it to happen to that extent!!
Sadly so many Appalachian mountain women lived that way of life including many in my family in earlier years. Seems like it was a way of life. Like they where stuck with a house full of kids and nowhere to go but stay and hope for the best. Iree is from a dying breed that no longer exist. Raise 12 kids, laundry by hand, 3 full meals every day, sold quilts to get a little money all while living in an abusive relationship. I live,born and raised in the Mts. I've heard so many stories just like this one. I guess the abuse just made them stronger. Then now you see 2 kids enjoying life doing everything together. Iree reminds me so much of my grandma. Never had time for a paying job, pulls out $500 for the bond when neither kid has $25.
@@johnwyatt8057 that’s how most of us southern mothers are.. do without to help out our own because whether they’re grown or not, we think we brought them into this world so we should help them when the world is on their shoulders.. she knew he was innocent and honestly he should have sued.. 17 days seems like 17 years in jail time I’m sure
I actually thought that was one of Iree's siblings, and that he was talking about their father. She mentioned that her dad was abusive. But maybe I was confused. I did struggle a little to keep track of everyone & how each person was related.
@Ami Riegel God has Angels on earth, He was probably testing you for a very high position in the next life, you make me feel humble, love and hugs, be blessed.
My familys from NC and i would have loved to grow up like this. Im so tired of this 4k bullet train of a world. Places like that are always steady and homely. Thats real happiness. True family love that talks to each other with no censors. Love it. Great video!
I am a New Zealander & drove through the States, coast to coast & back again. I loved travelling through Kentucky & Tennesse, The terrain reminded me of home in NZ. I stayed on a riverboat in Tennessee & met characters I will never forget. I loved the people in those tiny towns. Thank you so much for making this, what a magical experience getting to share this beautiful woman's life. What a Gem. I was very fortunate to be able to experience the lifestyles of very wealthy people across the States but the ones that stole my heart were all poor folk, my American Mum (she felt like it) was a poor old woman in Terre Haute IN who I will love & miss until the day I die. Please make a follow-up. The US has a poverty level that I had never seen before & these people's stories are all part of the Quilt that is America. Thank you! What a Pleasure.
Hard out!! Reminds me of village lifestyle in the Islands!! No money but food food food and incredibly happy!!! God is a big difference!! Love love love Clint!!!
The women that got beaten by hecktr the stick didn't realize that ln her husband's mind he was not beaten her hecktr was and told him to do it he had a split personality mental illness at all it's I don't this could ever be professional help even by the Dr she didn't know how to escape it so sad
Loved by all who knew him such a wonderful person loved Jesus with all his being and relayed up on Jesus for his very existence love from me to all the lamb family so precious thanks
Now it’s hit me; this sounds like something out of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, from ‘Cross Creek.’ “ . . . They ain’t no screens to the house and the skeeters like to eat us alive. And I cain’t keep the antses outen Tim’s breakfast.” Heartbreak. Beautiful heartbreak. It’ll make you cry, it will.
One of the things I dread the most is watching my son & daughter have their heartbroken. It’s one of the few things I know I can’t fix, only be there with and for them.
Dude none of them was happy. The old woman said she was depressed and stressed out all the time. The only reason they stay is bc they don’t have money to leave not bc they love each other. lol.
There was a certain community that got thrown out in progress. Now people suffer differently, eben if they habe more Money but no community. But i would not want to go back either. Or change Place with them, poverty, exploited labor, so mich Trauma going around, repeating in each generation. I grew up with some of the themes in the docu, although much lese poverty and not in the US but europe.
@siiiriously3226 I'm glad you understand what I meant unlike some others families today don't stick together like that they turn on each other it's truly a thing of the past they didn't have the biggest house or the most money but they stuck together and depend on each other families always have problems the prefect life doesn't exist
That was great. I wish there was a part 2. I love Iree. You can see in her eyes what a great person she is. Much respect to her. And that scene with the chickens was badass!
Before today you never could've convinced me that I'd someday watch a documentary about somebody else's family and bloodline and make me feel a mix of nostalgia for the old days before my family fell apart so to say, or to actually be a part of their family... There was so much warmth and love it makes me wonder how everyone is doing these days
This is my second time watching this and im sure ill be watching this again. I love the honesty of this family. I would love to know the outcome of this family.
All I know at the moment from looking at findagrave.com (I am still in the middle of watching this video) is that Iree's mother Oma Rice passed away the same year this video was made (1999). Bascum "Bass" Bowling passed away a few years later in 2003. Iree Bowling passed away back in 2010. Two of Iree and Bass' 13 children are now deceased as well. Pierce passed away in 2005, and Barbara passed away fairly recently in 2018.
As a father and husband, I live and breath for my family. Every second. Truth is, if it weren't for my wife, I wouldn't be half the father I am to my children. The women set the standard. Men just try to live up to it the best they can. I don't know if any men ever rise to the same level as the woman.
Look at that woman, 68 years young an if she had a make over she wouldn't look a day over 25. This is what living should be. GOD bless them and theirs.
Why is it that just because a family isn't a family without a mother women feel the need to imply that they're superior? A family disintegrates without a father too, or have you never heard of a strip club?
Iree was such a remarkable woman! She worked harder than anyone else I saw in this documentary & she loved all of her family so unconditionally. My ex mother in law lives about an hour away from this family & grew up similarly. She and her sisters also grew up quilting & continue to do so, and from watching them hand sew them - you just cannot imagine what goes into them. Iree's quilts were absolutely beautiful!
Im from Alabama, I can relate to living just like this. God has blessed us with love, and happiness, good health bc we have to work hard, I had rather have love n family than fame n money. I really mean that‼️
@@barbaragentry1188I'm 15 years old and my little brother is 8 years old and we live in Kentucky in the mountains and last night I was driving me and my little brother down the mountain to the little store to get some ice cream and people were looking at us when we were walking out of the store and getting into this old little truck because both of us were barefooted and I was wearing a crop top and my little brother was shirtless and wearing his swimming shorts and I remember when I was driving down the mountain this huge truck was driving really close behind us and I was screaming that I couldn't see anything because the lights were blinding me and I was driving really fast around the curves and my little brother was screaming sissy slow down because he was scared that we were going to drive over the edge of the cliff and flip over and both of us will die
i'm from a different part of KY, but i think this documentary did a great job of showing what life is mostly like around here. i love Appalachia so much, i'm very deeply rooted to this place and it is just fantastic. the scenery is beautiful, the people are usually good people. and the culture is real unique, i just love it
Ms Iree reminds me so much of my great grandmother from Harlen County Ky. ❤ wish I could've met Ms Iree and learned how to make those beautiful quilts, and sit on the porch and talked awhile with her.
This is my Grandmothers documentary and I'm so excited finally found the video. Iree was my great grandmother and never got top meet her but I was born in 2004 and she passed away 2010 but I still never got to see her. One of the 13 children, Thelma is my grandmother and she's doing well, another Ruthie Gibson is doing well too.
How is everyone else doing?
@@batteriesnotincluded4715 well I usually don't talk to my great aunt and uncles that much because they live far away from me but I believe 3 or 4 of the 13 children have passed away due to age and other problems they faced.
I really enjoyed your family’s story. Thank you for updating us on how they are doing. I sure wish that the makers of the documentary would do an update.
@April Marie Henline what?
@@sherriryan8502 me to Sherri. You might even see me on there lol
Im an black american who's from the city and I have to say I absolutely enjoyed this
Rock on brother!
I enjoyed watching this video too .
I’m glad you enjoyed it my friend. I can tell you from firsthand knowledge, this is really how we had to live. We’re all in this struggle together, sometimes it takes a different form for everyone.
Tonio Morton Thank you my fellow American. God bless you.
We like to see how the other half lives. And find a better understanding of what makes them tick. And sometimes in doing so we learn that we actually like and respect them.
What he said "I have 7 brothers, and i ain't got one to spare" that was so sweet. That is how caring a family should be...
I feel like that with my siblings. Not a spare one.10 now 7
Thank God I'm an only child.
@@MsSilentsiren why would this make you say thank God I'm an only child?
That just squeezed my heart. Their dedication to each other is amazing.
@@MsSilentsiren being an only child is boring.I am an only child as well.I wish i had a sibling/siblings.
Iree are the type of women that are the glue that holds these rural families together;
I’m from rural VA, and ladies like Mrs. Iree were priceless to the culture
I’m from rural southwest Virginia. My Dad was a Coal miner for 44 yrs. Which finally caused his demise due to Black Lung . God bless mountain people and all coal miners past and present. Love you all. ❤
@@tamakelly2879I am from KY. We used coal for heat. I've never understood how people stereotype coal miners. If not for brave, hard working men like your father, willing to risk their lives to support their families, where would our nation be? Coal is vital to our existence. I suppose if you don't know, you can't appreciate coal miners and mountain people. I love my people . Thank you for sharing your story.☮️❤️
@@tamakelly2879I'm from Staunton Virginia!!😊
Grew up in abusive household. This woman is amazing.
Amen to that! ♥
I saw a small update that made me cry. Most of the family had passed or moved on. the closness they had while Iree was alive was gone. Same thing happened in my family. It's was the older generation that kept us all together. Once my Grandma passed everybody slowly went their seperate ways.
It's sad but I know what u mean.. when my mom's mom passed everyone went on.. we use to go visit her side of the family when my grandma was alive much as we could.. especially for holidays but when she passed we haven't gone to visit much and nobody gets together for holidays anymore 😕 that's what I missed the most as a kid is family camping trips and family getting together for holidays
That's a sad truth that once the "rock" that held everything together passes on unfortunately families dissolve. Their generation (Iree's) was really the greatest generation. She was just like my granny and I miss her dearly. And just like you said, my family just went separate ways when she passed. Sad!
Granny is always the glue that holds big families together
That happened in our family. It breaks my heart every single day.
You are right. After my great grandma passed I barely saw my cousins again. My aunts and uncles either. Sad.
As an Appalachian, we’ve been misunderstood, misrepresented, and mocked by the rest of the US for centuries. Nowadays, our culture is slowly dying. I’m proud to be from where I’m from, and I hope my kids will be as proud of their heritage and culture. It’s one of the most unique, rarest in the world, right up to the accent. God bless the mountain people.
👏🏼 absolutely
I have a feeling your kind of people are what just might SAVE this country...You all ARE TRUE Americans!!
They sucking all the welfare up in this country n the black community takes the fall for it...
My family is from WV. But, I was born up in NWOhio. I gave worked with the public my whole life. I csnnot tell you how many times I can detect an accent from WV or Kentucky. Sad part is many people would be embarrased by it. I would tell them to be proud and not embarrassed. Then tell them about my mom going back home and come back with hers. My boys would get one when they stayed down home. My dad died when I was 8. Found some diaries of his from high school. He would lament about being up here and hating it. My momtil her dying days hated the flat land and how people were up here. God bless you all. The big kicker. My Grammy got mad at me one day for saying you guys. She said, missy are there any guys here. Uh no mam. From that day on, I learned to say you'll. I was 12 and am 59. I grt teased and I just put these people in their place with kindness.
@@mmedlen1961 I'm born and raised in N.E. Ohio..I LOVE the W.Virginia area as well as Kentucky and Tennessee...have spent time in all three states in the mountain areas fishing and hunting at times and find those areas beautiful and the people even more so...I have immense respect for the land and the people who live there!
I grew up on a farm in Appalachia. We may have been material poor but we had so much freedom, freedom to play in the woods with our cousins when we weren't doing farm work. My siblings and I agree that though we were poor we were greatly blessed by God and when we look back to that farm those years we truly were blessed.
Yep i heard about you breeding with cousins
@@Anthonyinkz just piss off you nasty moron !
I agree I grew up on a farm in upstate New York same thing . Great childhood
@@jarrodstrong7888 what part of upstate ny?im from there myself
mmeatheaddd finger lakes a small town called Penn Yan between Syracuse and Rochester wine country !
I was born in 1981. And for some reason this is my comfort show. I graduated in 1999 and this is when this was filmed. Maybe that’s why. Such innocent and easier times.
Until you’ve actually made a quilt, you can have no appreciation for what they are worth; they are priceless.
Truth!
💯♥
I would never sell the quilts my great grandma me me. Priceless for sure.
My mother all was told me anyone who makes u a blanket or whatever....loves u its alot of work..
Or, when one is made for you as a gift.
I grew up like this in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, but I went to college and law school and now live in the suburbs with my family, but I'm grateful that I learned to live simply. I'm now a public defender in this area try to help people like this if they get in trouble. I am the public defender in Booneville now where the guy in the film had his court case. I sure do miss my mamaw and papaw who lived like this. They are passed now.
Good on you. I couldn’t handle the actual practice of law: it can be so heart wrenching and brought out in me a rising cynicism. In a way, I regret now that I can’t hang out a shingle here in the WV mountains, the only place I’ve ever been where the police feel like they’re here to protect and serve and know the people of their community, not dropping the hammer on the addict mother blowing herself up in a trailer cum lab.
But yes, thank you so much for what you do. Police and DA’s may be the arm of the law, but the defenders are its soul.
@@b.w.22 Thank you so much for your kind comments.
If you lost it all you would know how to survive. God bless you maam we need more professionals like you. No silver spoon just guts and hard work.
God bless you
@@believeringod.4004 why do you say that? I usually see Booneville through the eyes of the court system. I actually live in Winchester. Anyway, I can say I don't think I've seen any minorities in court in the past 5 years. I know there must be minorities who live there, but it's usually poor white people in court.
I live in South Africa at the bottom of Africa. I have watched documentaries of the mountain people and have come to like them a lot. Even though they are so poor they have something that many people dont have and that is the love of family and they stick together. They are real people who dont wear masks. Wat u see is wat u get and i love that. Love from South Africa💕
I love that you wrote, "what you see is what you get" So true and wonderful--wish more people could understand that being genuine, "no masks" and brave enough to just be yourself is beautiful!
@@neverthesame7887 ur welcome. God bless
Depends what you mean by poor. In my modern day 9-9 life their rich.
Dumb. Can we call the Deplorables yet. Stupid us as stupid does. Keep your ig'nant ass in the woods. We are all full up on crazy in the real world 🤣😂😂🤣😂
@@MaxieJams Maybe get a dictionary and actually look at it before you comment and call people dumb 🤭.
If nothing else this documentary should give you perspective as to what a good strong woman looks like and the commitment to her family is beyond words.
Amen. I wish there were more like Mrs. Iree. Like Lonzo said, if it hadn't been for their Mommy, they would have starved.
No. A strong woman walks away from abuse.
@@dawnboquist5473she wasn’t abused , her mother was - don’t judge someone for how they have to live ! I’m sure you’re the first to scream white privilege!
Iree was so beautiful in every way possible. I truly admire her. I don't understand how anyone could watch this and say they were "poor representation" of the area. You make me proud to be from KY. I think Iree worked harder in her old age than most of the newer generation ever will.
I watched this and started looking on zillow for a place to live,
James, there are several places down in there for sale. Mudlick holler really don't have any places, but the main road does.
@@jackdodanta9240 Thanks we found a couple to see
James Jordan 🥰
James Jordan You mean you were serious?
I love what Ms. Iree said at the end about them always having food and a place to stay. What a beautiful way for a matriarch to feel. She was a great woman.
donneesf you never walked in my Granny’s house that they wasn’t a pot of beans to eat or a pan of cornbread or whatever on the stove, once my Granny passed, we lost the matriarch, and the family doesn’t seem as tight anymore, I guess for better or worse, times change.
She held that whole family together
She shouldn't have had kids. Problem solved
@@andrewroy6376 Why? What makes you say such an absurd thing about that great woman?
Just a bunch of leeches.
Wanda boiling the water saying ‘you have to make do with what you got’, then hand wringing clothes she washed with rain water. It’s hard but she made sure her babies were clean and bathed daily. That’s a true mother’s love.
Yes even in this primitive living she still want her kids to be bathed and thats a mothers love
Nobody cares
@@bogden9585 😐 who hurt YOU?
@@ddz1375 😂🤣😂🤣
@@bogden9585 👀😁
Im Native American and grew up on the rez in South Dakota and we knew folks like this everyday and got along because we similar in our daily lives, much respect to them hollow folks.
I'm from Pine Ridge, these folks have Native ancestry.
South Dakota and Appalachia are waaay different homie but I think I get the spirit of what you're saying
Facts..Fort Hall Idaho, Thank God for potatoes....
THANK YOU..I'm IrishScot/Cherokee..Most of these are
No you didn’t
I live in Cocke County, Tennessee! Watching this reminded me of my grandparents. They lived in the mountains and had 9 children. Unless you live in the Great Smokey Mountains or anywhere in Appalachia you just wouldn’t understand. Everything is about family and hard work. Like when she said you have to make do with what you got. My mom always told me how hard she had it,growing up and wanted better for her kids. Her and my father always worked two jobs and they beautiful life for their selves. I was always told to never forget where you come from and never put others down for having less. I’m so grateful for amazing hard working family.
I lived in Appalachia for many years , and that wasn't my experience . It was as corrupt as any other place I've lived .
"I'm tryna talk to ya man to mother, mommy" priceless. I miss my big family and extended family get togethers. The food, atmosphere. Family was everything. Once the elders passed on, we all went our diff. ways. Man I miss it tho. Good times.
My father was from Olive Hill Kentucky and my mother from Clintwood Virginia. My father had 16 brothers and sisters and grew up on a Tobacco farm. My mother had 9 brothers and sisters and her father worked in the coal mines. The mine was by there house and they lived in a house owned by the mining company. My parents were married for 58 yrs. . I am very proud of my heritage✨My father was a very hard working man and was blessed with the gift of music. He played by ear and could play any instrument.My father had a 5 th grade education and could read some and write his name and my mother was the first in her family to graduate high school.My mother was a outstanding cook and Seamstress and sewed all of my clothes growing up. She’s still living and is 89 and still cooking her biscuits and gravy and beans,greens and cornbread.Enjoyed your video and my God keep you all safe and send some blessings your way ✝️💐
My mommy and daddy got married in Clintwood. Back in the day everybody from Pike county used to go get married in Clintwood because they didn’t have to wait, they could just get the license and get married right then. There’s an orphanage up there too that my grandma lived in after both of her parents died.
Nice to hear from Family 🥰🎚️🌻
I don't mean to bring up race into this. But whenthose black people and other rasict who hate america , and also live in america, always say that white people have no culture, this is america.. Hard-working people raising a good family. Put your family first. We truly need more strong families like this. I feel a lot of the problems we have in today's society. Could probably be fixed if we had more fathers in the home. I'm Hispanic but I love truly admire ppl like this. The old fashion traditions. Homemade food, live off the land and a strong father. Love this doc
That's how I feel about that.
❤❤❤
Dang this is unbelievable
I lived in Florida for 4 years .. came across this movie about 8 months ago got so homesick I moved back home to WV ten days ago
My Daddy went to Heaven last month, a month shy of 87. He and his family lived in and around Morgantown. He loved it there.
That’s dumb
Good for you ❤️🙏🙌 Praying you enjoy every minute of it ❤❤❤ 🥹
He have seven brothers and he don't have one to spare I respect this Man
Growing up in these hollers here in the coalfields of southern West Virginia, and growing up with family like this and around families like this, it makes me unbelievably happy to see all the loving comments from everyone. I was expecting more of the hillbilly, incest, Wrong Turn dumb stuff you hear a lot of childish people say. It warms my heart to see all of the love everyone has given. Much love and respect to every one of y'all. Thank y'all!
I'm jealous I wish I grew up in a family like this! Unconditional love!!
I'm proud to be a 4th generation logan WV miner too bro
Oh there's a lot of nasty comments on here I promise. That's just city folk that don't know shit about what being a true hillbilly really is though.
To be fair though, you don't wanna go driving into a Holler if you aren't kin or invited.
@Jenny Farnsworth That's awesome! Welcome home! 😊 Where did you move to?
this made me cry, I was born and raised in west virginia, I miss my roots. The hateful comments don’t understand the love that can come from community like this
Bless you. I lived in WV all my life and these kind of folks are like slot of the ones I know , the very best of humanity.
I was born and raised in a 2 bedroom ,1bath house on a small farm in South Carolina.Both my parents workeď to support us.we lived moderately but we survived.
Agreed 💯
I also am from WV and am missing it in so many different ways.
I grew up in Harlan County KY and I miss home so much. I've watched this about ten times already.
The quilts are absolutely beautiful. I enjoy watching a family, who have not much, but very rich in love and family values. They try hard..
Iree is smart and intelligent, and actually has a comedic side to her. I am so glad her story was told. What an amazing woman ❤️
That guy Neil looks IDENTICAL to Chris cooper character in the movie ‘adaptation’
I would buy Iree's quilts in a heartbeat. The craftsmanship is impeccable and what a beautiful piece of heritage and history!
I hate to break it to you, but this was like a quarter century ago.... Any of those quilts still around would be family heirlooms and family treasures to this point
@@JasonP6339 I don't think he meant literally lol everyone can see this was from 1999
"A man walked on the moon years ago, and I don't have running water" Great quote.
@BabyChainGang Lmao sure thing buddy
That's a great quote....
And a great point!
Nobody walked on the moon but it’s still a great quote
@@thegoodshepherd7777 You people are still around?
@@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong you have to be a grade A lemming to believe that story at this point big guy
The relationship between Clint and Polly is so pure. Made me cry.
Real authentic people, True proud family, not ashamed of their background , they embrace it. I was born and raised in the projects. In the middle of the ghetto. I have much respect for this family. Never forget who you are, never forget where you came from. This documentary deserves an Oscar.
I lived in both. Appalachia and the projects in cincy, there's good and bad folks in both. There's lots to be learned from both❤
Check out the white privelage! Perfect example!
I like my poor life so people don't even got what i got i thanks god for what i got . got money job and 4 boys risa up. Country boys can survive
@@jeffwelsh4154 white privilege only exists for the 1%. And your comment is disgustingly racist.
@@hallestoes1 Unfortunately WHT privilege DOES exist in America its just you don't grasp it when you are WHT yourself because you've never had experience being tormented simply due to the color of your skin. Imagine being just as poor as these people in the documentary then add on having to deal with daily racism in a country that was built on racism. Even these people have WHT privilege in this country compared to every other group..
My mother purchased quilt patterns off Iree. I have one her her quilts.
Thant's awesome,Aaron.
How do you get patterns?
I would love to buy one of her quilts. They were beautiful. Especially the white one with the big star pattern on it. I really really want to buy one. Could I?
Itsme 23 that was my favorite as well.
Debra Henderson my mother had communicated threw hand written letters.
This is a great documentary that shows all the things money can escape you from, and all the things money cannot buy you.
Didn't it state that all of the children that live in the hollow get government assistance? Yeah, then that's an easy living. Shame on them. Get a job or move somewhere where you can get a job. My family moved from WV to OH in the 1950's to secure a better life. Even my family that still lives in WV are not on welfare.
Peace growing up in S.C was the same way I grew up in the city CHAS S.C.but boy did. I love going to family in the summer great experience it makes you humble rather your up or down growing up like this makes you steer the course.
@@tamibennett8683 there's a higher percentage on Gov assistance in urban area than out here in the sticks. There's poor in every area and hard workers also. I grew up like this and never knew anyone who got a check personally that was looked down on
Well put
@@tamibennett8683 An easy living? Very few Americans would trade their lives to live in the squalor they live in. Old rusted cars and crickety falling apart houses in some abuse-filled holler. You sound like a self-righteous snob to judge people from upon high that are this low on the fortune totem pole. Tami, it's extremely likely that I make more money than you ever have or ever will, and I came from a place like this video. But the difference, is I'm humble enough to know I caught some breaks. Namely, I had a few examples in my family (like your family) of how to make it out of this world. It's SO EASY for people like us who had good examples, that showed us "Here's how you apply for college loan money", "Here's how to end a cycle of abuse", "Here's what to say and do in a job interview", "Here's how to dress for success", etc. It was even harder to gain the "How To's" of life in the 90's in rural America that didn't have internet yet, like where this was filmed. If this is an "easy life", I'm sure there's people with no healthcare, dental, internet, clean water, and 5 generations of trash in the front yard of their 120 year old shed that would be HAPPY to give you their life and bank account if you would give them your house, healthcare, money, car, and all the education and job training you have. If you're not willing to take that swap, the least you can do is be grateful for the examples that helped keep this from being your life, instead of piling shame on the poorest and least educated people in America. Maybe extend an ounce of humanity to them. Some day you'll have to face God, remember that. Even if you don't consider any of your life good fortune, I suspect God above has something to say about crediting yourself with 100% of your success. Sometimes, the best break in life is a few examples that keep us from total ignorance and fear about how to transcend the world we're born into.
"It hurts mommy"...
OMG, I nearly cried when he said that...bless his heart, hurts when our babies hurt. No matter what age they are!!!❤😘
Oh wow same here, that really got to me. I had a feeling she'd do that to him though on the day, terrible.
J L he was crying because he wasn’t going to marry as a teenager.
.
@@11buleria lolll
That was sad..... first loves .....Breaking up is hard to do 🙁
@Jan LeMay I agree. My heart broke for him but I don’t blame her at all. They were too young. And she,I think, felt pressured to marry him. I don’t think she felt the same way and didn’t know how to get out of the situation. It’s crappy all around.
Wow...those quilts are works of art! So beautiful.
Heard they were mostly made from recycled cloth.
You would love my quilts too...i was raised in these mountains to my granny learned me years a go how to quilt quilts an how to tack them..lord how i miss her!!!ky is a wonderful place its my home..i leave a few miles from these folk!! God bless u all!!
Yes they were!!! I wonder what she charged for them. Probably close to nothing!! The ones at Cracker Barrel aren't hand made and are close to 300-500 dollars!! Her quilts probably took so long to make, since she was all alone with only one daughter-in-law wishing to learn and carry on that tradition. Think of how long and involved that was. Thats why they had had 'quilting bees' with 20 or more women working on one quilt!!! This documentary being 20 years old, there is a chance she is still alive. She would be 88.
Jeff Schwab same
@@Megdracula so would i, beautiful quilts made from beautiful people...
God has prepared a Special place in heaven for Iree Bowling. Her husband is blessed to have been givin this gift to enjoy & have as his wife. She is what defines exactly what a "Real Good Woman" is! GOD BLESS THEM EVERYONE.
I love what you said. It is so spot on true.
Seriously!? Aim higher hun. I guarantee u deserve better.
I hope you're correct.
@@dariahughes5564 ... Read my post. These folks have MORE than any runnin water will provide.
@@robbyddurham1624 ... The Bible says... Christs sacrifice on the cross gives all his Children life after Death...Luke 16 Lazareth and the poor man... That word hell in there...was not in the original scriptures. The word means to open your eyes and understand. Everybody goes to paradise...the good the bad and the ugly. Lol. Im going to post a writing...That explains that Satan got that word Hell in there.. To scare folks into paying the pope. God Loves us... Love him...believe in his son...and Repent everyday...and I suppose I'll be seeing you someday in Paradise.
Here's the Bible:
The Rich mans Hell was inside himself knowing he wasted his Life...Read how uncomfortable he was...his personal torment...(The adversary (instead of Jesus-AntiChrist) is Making up bibles and deceiving Gods children with lies very quickly). Hell is a figure of speech here...as he looks up and sees the beggar locking arms with Abraham. His body was buried... not his Spiritual body... I will get the scriptures for you to examine...they both died and were buried. The Beggar was not in a translated body like Jesus...Abraham took his Spiritual body into the RIGHTEOUS Side of the chasm in Paradise (you have to read the rest of the chapter) #1. All Souls Belong to God. #2. When this clay pot body breaks-dies...our spiritual body and our soul (2 separate things) returns to the Father who gave it.
Abraham was Not in Hell talking to the Rich man. Go to Your Strongs 2007 or before...Written by James Strong. And look up the Word Hell...follow down to Luke 16:23 it gives you...G86...go to Greek word #86.The place of departed (from body) Souls. They have gone somewhere (and Hades/hell are example words used in the english translAtion). G86 refers to G1492...go there. G1492 says...to see/to know/ to be aware...to understand. Then it refers to G3700. ...go there...this same word Hell...means your eyes are finally wide open ... Finally volunteering to observe. Hell...means "finally volunteering to see with your eyes wide open ... In this case...finding out...as the rich man did...he was wrong and couldn't go back and change it. Very Sad. I want to cry for him really. I used to be ignorant of Gods word too. I will never go back there. Now Im learning the lost scrolls writings...and reading them aloud [mychan]...to help blind people learn what I'm learning. I should read Luke 16 next. I am a very old woman. See my site on youtube for more Hebrew and Greek.
THE WORD is what its called.
Update on Iree, her extended family, and her 13 children as of 2023.
Oma (14:16) died in 1999 at age 93
Marion (42:46) died in 2006 at age 74
Bascum (2:55) died in 2003 at age 75
Iree (2:33) died in 2010 at age 81
Pierce (21:46) died in 2005 at age 55
Barbara (not mentioned) died in 2018 at age 70
Patrick (19:24) died in 2021 at age 59
Denny (4:10) died in 2021 at age 65
Lonzo (4:26) died in 2022 as age 68
Out of her 13 children, 5 have passed. Average age was 61.8. It makes Neil's comment at 20:54 very sad. He had seven brothers. Now he has three.
As of 2023, the main properties shown in the film in Mud Lick hollow are still all owned by the same family members.
Bless this family. RIP to all of those who have passed.
2024 EDIT:
Since so many people asked about Clint, here's what I could find about him:
Clint (Clinnest Adam Bowling) appeared to have spent some time in a small apartment in Cincinnati. In October 2015, he was arrested in Fayette County for non-payment of fines. That picture is online. As of 2024 he is now 46 years old and shows as having PO box in Bear Branch which is just south of Saul, KY.
Ole Hector gunna get what's comin to him from the Good 😊Lord
I think this documentary is fun to watch especially remembering my own family was kinda just like this and now there about gone
*Do you know what ever happened with Lonzos wife Pauline that had cancer? Do you know any more info on the rest of them? I absolutely love this family,and this has me in tears*
What happened to clint
@@debbieguffey9695 Wondering same
“There’s nothing here for him”.... when I left WV to join the Air Force, with tears in his eyes my dad told me two things. I love you and don’t come back here, there ain’t nothing for you... from age 17(when I first moved back after 15 years of being kept away) to 22 he told me he loved me 3 times, hugged me twice and told me to find away out of there more times than I can count. These folks may seem backwards to you on the other side of the screen, but you treat them fair and earn their trust and these folks will lay down their lives for you. They do work hard but they start hard work so young their bodies are used up. The clothes may look dirty but it’s all the crap in their well water that’s stains them with rust and sulfur. These same sort of folks and their lands have been used up by the coal and timber industries and now all the fracking. They are afraid they can’t live without welfare but they work hard and still need help. They still stay married and raise their children. And even though they cuss at each other and even fight, they still stay a close family. Oh, and a small fire with all your close friends and family on a peaceful summer night is still better than any night out on the town in a big city any day!!
Precious family.. And one thing for sure is they don't lack love and support. They are wealthy in thAt area. Some of the riches people around wish so much they had
someone reAl .
I love your comments. This is very real. Thank you.
They are def good people. I enjoyed reading your comment. Bless them all.
@J K I know you wouldn’t trade your life to live out there. These people aren’t happy.
@@jamesmonroe6291, WV will always be home for me. Even stuck out in Cali, I still get homesick.
Quilting is such an underrated trade. Hers are so beautiful!
@Johnny Rep such a special gift to have!💚 I love quilts as heirlooms with all the hours of quiet time and love put in to making them, the memories made with them, and all the peaceful naps in their histories. I love a good story. My dad bought me a quilt made by an Amish woman when I was 12 or 13, and its probably my favorite thing from anyone ever.
@Johnny Rep 9999o988999oo989o9o9oooo
Years ago I watched this documentary. Irene’s beautiful quilts inspired me to learn to quilt. It also inspired me to be more humble and content with what I have. They are rich in family togetherness ❤️
Hers are definitely legit
theyre wonderful
Well they didn’t have a lot but they had love...that’s priceless.
I'm not from there..but my dad used to say we aren't rich in money but we are rich in love
killerkennyas yes mam !! You can say that again.... some of these comments are so ignorant.... They may not had much ... but the genuine love can’t be denied in this documentary... when their daughter left her husband and she finally got on her feet and had a roof to put over her two beautiful girls!! That gave me goosebumps... to many... it may had been a run down house to them ... but a step up for her... the joy she had in her voice and eyes said it all
@@consmath1400 haha..big facts..kintucky...where they fuck their cuzband
No room for laziness either, everyone pulled their own weight and helped.
1:21:31 nothing like crying and punching a old chicken coop for a ole Appalachian skank name Shirley.
This is the best movie of this type I have ever seen. I have always wanted to live in this area, but I am a country girl trapped in the city.
80 years of age so its too late now, but I still have my
dreams. God bless you all.
There’s several on here about this area. Look for “ Rich man Poor Man “, Making of a Coal Town, Town built on Coal, just a few.
Digging roots and gathering Moss is hard work, but I enjoy it.
I was raised in Southern Appalachia, college educated Soil Scientist but I am proud of my heritage.
God bless these people.
Discrimination is wrong, we are all part of God's creation.
Brian = I'm a hillbilly but I'm an educated hillbilly. That makes me doubly dangerous! Thought you'd like that. My family is also from Eastern Kentucky & I am college educated too ;)
Me too, I am an RN. Education is key. From southern West Virginia!!
Does the part where all of them are on public assistance bother you at all? If you want more, you need to do what you did. I don't blame them for taking it, they're entitled to it by law. Do we have a good reason to pay for their life choice?
@@robbyddurham1624 I grew up this way and Damn Proud of where i come from..My Family never took a cent from the Government....I agree with your point....I just had to speak up for MY family because we are not the only ones to stay independent and Free in times of need....
Tunnel Rat what an absolute lie. You have may not taken money, but your family has definitely benefited from Government intervention in Appalachia. You have forgotten what the bad times looked like.
This family is 100% dedicated to each other and I absolutely admire them.
@Wary of Extremes you have absolutely zero clue as to what your talking about obviously you haven't grown up like this or you would know just exactly how hard it is under those circumstances
@Gorge Taylor wow you're on all of the comments making an ass out of yourself. 🤔
@@billybiker5712 so true , being raised n.the hills of eastern.ky was the best
That's all they have
But, that young boy that cusses and hollers all the time..he's a few bricks shy of a load. Maybe his life is so forfeit of future...maybe because he tries to be what he's not. He is not seeing beyond just getting married.....
I GASPED at those quilts hanging on her line. They're some of the most beautiful I've seen and I'd be so happy to have my bed covered by one. I was shocked when she said she hadn't been able to sell one in SEVEN years. Quilts with that level of generation to generation craftsmanship put into them, with the added benefit of Iree having an obvious eye for design/aesthetic, would make them extremely desired today. She could have easily asked for hundreds of dollars per quilt had the ability for her to list them online/ship orders out herself been available back then.
I totally agree. Her quilts are exquisite. I would guess in the $500 and over range. Especially with her skills and background and the size of the quilts. How much would you price them up?
They should really get on Etsy. And she could design quilts with less intense labor, for people who want in the $200 and $300 range.
@A Pagan Feminist Ah that’s very interesting…and depressing. yeah Etsy has become a little disappointing over the years. They really aren’t about handcrafted work anymore. and every big company likes to use the words “crafted, artisan, hand-crafted, etc” when it’s far from the truth. It’s become marketing catch words, not the real thing.
@A Pagan Feminist p.s. What kind of things do you make & sell on Etsy if it’s OK to ask?
I know! I wanted to drive right down there and buy one
@@mellio9077 yeah, I wish there was a real site that just sells handmade goods from small scale makers.
As an Appalachian person, I love this story as it is a time capsule into a dying culture. Great Show.
Why do you think the culture is dying? I grew up in the poorest regions of New Hampshire, which is very similar to the Appalachian region.
@@Mr_Justy same in my region, but the youth are leaving for work elsewhere and the older generations are dying off. Mostly middle aged in my area largest age group. My grand mother knew home remedies and edible plants and mushrooms. I know scant info on this enough to be dangerous, but My kids hear it. But video games are more important I guess to them. Our area is still a great place to live, but more and more folks from other regions moving in. Used to be we'd know our neighbors and no one could do something with out the neighborhood knowing... lol... if you did something neighbor one would know your folks... but people were much closer. Only about 10 years ago my folks started locking their door at night. Also the open invitation to neighbors was, if we aren't home come on in and have coffee till we get back. That is what I think we are losing.
I have friends in Applachia, and they say lots of foreigners are slowly moving in,that it's starting to look like Mexico and other foreign countries and slowly driving these people out.
Bless her precious heart. She was so sweet and you know she was one strong lady that pushed through her suffering .
Well holy sh*t. I just watched that brother smile wryly about having to put his family's house on the line to get his brother out of jail. "You can always find more dirt. But I got 7 brothers & I wanna keep every one of them". THAT'S family.
johnnydtractive The dark curly headed chubby guy cracked me up. He was just bluntly honest and jolly, lol.
@Sandor Weiss I couldn't disagree more with you about his IQ. And it's obvious his emotional IQ level is about twice yours.
@Sandor Weiss Hahaha, all I politely wrote is that the guy in the video is a better person than you are, & all you're doing with your neanderthal comments is proving my point. Go off some more my man, demonstrate how right I am, lol. Guys like you are so easy to manipulate.
@Sandor Weiss what a salty little bitch you are
He said he “didn’t have one to spare.” Family love and unity.
I grew up in red bird ky my family was poor, we had food to eat, clean cloths, shoes on our feet. But I didn't know we was poor until I got older. Growing up we had a simple life. To me this was the best part of my life ❤ I cherish every memory
When you have a loving and supportive family.Its more priceless than money.🙂 A lot of people got so much material things yet their families are falling apart and are not intact.
Knew some Sizemores and Brocks from Red Bird.
You got a real nice dog there . Your profile pic
That’s not poor that’s “monetarily challenged”. Long as you got love and health you’re not poor.
German Ramos - At lesst you had clean cloths.
I watched this documentary on HBO when it came out. I found it here on UA-cam a couple of years ago. I watch it when I miss my mama's side of the family... which is often. Mrs. Iree reminds me of my great grandmother. She worked hard to get our family out of poverty. She grew up in the Swamps of North Florida, picking tobacco since she was 5. My mama's whole family is gone now.
This culture is so important to the thread of the story of America. Annie Mae Conner, I sure do miss you, lady ❤
Ms.Iree is one hell of a woman! She is a sweet, strong woman and seems to be the heart of the family. Bless her heart.
My grandma had 14 kids in the Great Depression, my grandfather was a farmer and worked in the woods cutting trees. They lived a hard life.
Chose to be happy
I wonder if she is still a live? I wish they would do an updated video.
She seemed to have been lucky that she married herself a man that didn’t beat her with a hector stick and from what I see adored her makes all the difference, nothing sadder than a woman spiritually, mentally physically beat down
@@juliebrakefield7917 I just read a comment where they said she died in 2010
I want to see an updated 2020 and see where the’re all at today.
Me too
Iree passed away in 2010 Bascum passed a few years before. There is a FB page where you can keep up with some of the rest of the family.
I'm friends with her great gran daughter ❤️ her name is Erica
@@wilhelminasybil3256 I'm friends with her great gran daughter
Yep that's for damn sure I was born and raised in Macon County Georgia and I swear I can relate
It;s Christmas eve, and I've just finished watching this wonderful story. Never in my life have I felt so rich in money or so poor in family. Thank you for the upload.
"Poor in family"- well said. You aren't the only one. So sad and absolutely lovely at the same time.
My birthday
One year later an I'm watching this on Christmas eve
I wholeheartedly agree with all the comments to this comment thus far. It's sad that so many people, especially PROFESSING CHRISTIANS (NOT TRUE believers!!), have no concept of FAMILY, COMMITMENT, or anything bordering on Christlike behavior. This family, with it's many flaws ( including all of that offensive language!!!) and "dysfunctions" (as defined by today's standards), have more love among themselves than most of the so called "rich" people AND "Christians" combined!!!. If all of us would treat others as we want to be treated, especially our blood relatives AND extended family (as one person pointed out, the family we "choose"), and choose to love and treat one another with the respect we should all deserve (earned by the quality of the life we choose to lead, helping others,etc.,), this cruel, heartbreaking world would be a much better place in which to live, work, and FUNCTION!!!👼. May God bless 🙏 and keep this family, and SO MANY like it in this country who struggle but stick together in times of adversity, and may the parents of those original 13 children rest in peace 👼😃🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Family is NOT always blood especially on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Clint's good mama wanted him to succeed. You miss that comfort when they are gone.
I watched this 5 times and I cry every time. I'm from Nashville Tennessee. Beautiful family
Hi everyone. I´m watching this documentary from the other side of the earth, from Denmark. We live a totally different life. I really enjoyed this, and wish the best for the family. I dont understand all the hatefull coments though... why? I see no evil in theese people. In our part of the world, we spend far to little time with our family... Guess we could all learn a thing or two from eachother. ❤️
thank you from america
You are so right Mads!! People who make hateful comments do so because of some kind of envy. These people are the richest in the world because they have a love that keeps them strong and together. Ignore the nasty comments, they are just nasty people.
Thank you for your comment. These are good people and there are many like them in small towns in America.
Loved watching this whole family,amazing beautiful ,❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for not judging all Americans by the outpouring of hateful remarks by some : ) I wish we were more like you as a country. When i was in college 20 years ago i did lots of research papers noting how the US could benefit from policies similar to yours. Mothers in Denmark, according to Danish law, if I'm correct, have roughly 50 weeks of Parental leave at full pay...here in the US only 3 states even offer ANY maternity leave, and its by choice if they do so, not the law!! The US is not a real family friendly place to be born. The US goes to great length to hide the benefits other countries give to its population.
Check out this site...www.oresunddirekt.se/in-english/in-english/family-parenting-in-denmark/parental-leave-when-you-work-in-denmark
scroll a bit and we see "This information is For EU citizens Only" omg. Do you have an extra room,? lol
Everyone kept coming back home because they knew there would be a place for them. I love that.
It must be so nice to feel that way. My parents were upper class and I never felt this kind of love, acceptance and security.
True! I live in southeastern Ky and I’ve always said, no matter how bad the outside world gets, I want my five babies to know that they always have a home to come back to where they know they are safe and loved.
@@nancypayne9347 me too, exactly the same thing...
That's called failure...
@@nancypayne9347 Wow, 😔 I hope in adulthood you were able to create the love, acceptance and security you needed and deserved. Sometimes older folks and friends become our family.
Further proof that with every strong and successful family is a strong and caring woman.
Iree is an incredible woman. A true queen
why do you consider the family successful? the writer says government assists all family members?
Success means different things to different people. They are part of a family that would do anything for anyone, they support each other and do what they can with what they have. The amount of education they have will only take them so far. They live a simple life, if they are ok with that then they are as successful as they need to be.
this family does. These days women aren't women. These people don't have a pot to piss in BUT the women are still there being really women. The average woman would have been left long ago. These men are lucky.....
Amen
Im screaming and begging for more documentaries like this you have no idea how desperately our future will need them ❤ i wish more would have been made this detailed authentic and wholesome from "back in the day" 😔
My grandmother used to catch rain in barrels and would boil it to take a bath in and to cook with. Sulfur water is no joke. She lived that way up until 1993 when she passed away. This reminds me so much of my family growin up in Northeast Tennessee. I now own their farm and the barrels are still there sittin in the same spot. Precious memories.
My only livin grandmother is almost 98 if the lord lets her live born in 1923 unaka NC but lives in southeast TN where im from grown up and still live im not on my farm anymore it got stole from me and my sister 25 acres three houses bought n paid for by my papa white after ww2 for a thousand dollars he wanted me my sister to have it for us an our kids but it didnt work out that way long story but anyway i miss my farm down next to the foot o the mountain n right at the mouth of the hollow i live with people on top of me an all sides i hate it but its what i gotta do for now anyway...i could be happy where these folks live i like Kentucky pretty well i been several places in the state... put me out in the woods and i'll be fine i dont wanna be spittin distance from my neighbor...i'll have me some solar panels and a good generator one o these days then im gonna dissapear!
Why are so many children missing in Tennessee?
@tn whiskey: would be great to see pics of the homepage on Instagram.
My husband and I STILL catch rain water. We've got a 200 gallon tank. It's almost full. We water our garden with it instead of well water. It's so much better for the plants. Lord have mercy we grow enough food to can for the winter and STILL give half of it away.
@@gtshivashiru9601 that Summer Wells case has me in a tizzy. I still think her mother killed her.
Anyone who has a new appreciation for their lives after watching this and seeing the quality of life yet the heart and soul? Family values? Anyone with that new found appreciation of their lives please thumbs up. 👍 this family is incredible. Humanity at its core. Love conquers all.
I hope the family was able to get a Go Fund Me Page or something by now. God bless them.
@@Secret4u2hear Seriously?
@@Secret4u2hear really? They just needed to get off there ass and work. That old lady talked about teaching them to work, but she's the only one you seen in the garden. My granny would have been out there but her kids and grandkids did the heavy work. I live in this area, you can find a job and in the 90s when this was filmed the coal industry was begging for people.
@@urmommabear5monthsago I was thinking the same thing; "seriously".
Including the wife beaters, druggies that have been in jail, & alcoholics. Those types often wont change their poverty status.
Those quilts! Utterly beautiful.
Real craftsmanship
Every time I watch this (as 1 of my comfort movies, it's alot) I'm more proud of Samantha. She put them babies first and saw it through.
She handled that with so much maturity… smart girl and amazing mother!! God bless her ❤
Amen ♥
Absolutely cause she made me cry
Watching her tears I went through the same thing I had to move on like her
She didn't deserve any of that treatment
I feel that "alone in the wilderness" with Dick Proenneke that comfort feeling. Off track but, Bob Ross was my teenager "calm comforting" through a terrible childhood too. Hope this is okay to put here
ua-cam.com/play/PLX_9Qrw9O4KmTFVPexbTFS3tcTUiYEuBm.html
During my teens and early 20's, I ignored and almost shunned my Appalachian roots, seeing it as backward and unsophisticated. As I've aged and come to my senses, I've taken interest in my heritage and fallen in Love with it. I now have the greatest respect for my centuries old Appalachian heritage and would not trade it for the world.
Ian Moone I am from Mississippi and I knew people like the Bowlings. Some of the best people on the planet. Always willing to give what they couldn’t afford to give. At least the majority of them anyway...
@@pureblood_straight_pride1853 It is hard to find people like that anymore, and even harder to be like that. I live in a small town in SW Virginia, near where I was raised, and I would Love to be a good neighbor to my neighbors and be close with my family, but truthfully, I don't trust a single one of my neighbors, and most of my family is fractured by petty feuds and the die off of all the elders that kept order. It is a sad reality that this way of life, the mindset, is quickly becoming extinct, and giving way to something I simply don't want to be a part of.
Ian Moone I hear ya. My family is the same way. I ended up moving to Texas... It’s just my husband, son and I... We are planning on buying some land... Would love to find others that were like us to make a community. Everyone pitches in and grows the food, security etc. Not that hippy crap either lol.. This world is in a bad place and the good people need to come together and stand with each other. I don’t trust very many people and every day that is tested..
@@ianmoone4331 Your people sound like my people :( my condolences.
@@pureblood_straight_pride1853 Amen.
What a wonderful woman Iree is. I have the utmost respect for her. Also, the quilts she made are absolutely beautiful.
Iree, feeding her mother… oh my heart.
Thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. So so many touching moments. These are some of the most solid people.
I LOVE THIS,,, I WATCH IT AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH ,,IT TOUCHES ME TO MY CORE,,, IM A KENTUCKIAN ,,,♥️
Solid is a good word...
What languages in the front of your mother
Iree taking sweet loving care of her mother.
All living off welfare yet vote for Republicans who hate the poor and want to gut welfare benefits. Typical ignorant americans.
My grandma made quilts like those I have one on my bed right now and it's beautiful
My grandmother made beautiful Quilts
My cousin was a electric line worker and went to southeastern Kentucky to help reestablish electric service there. He loved the way of life and people there so much that he moved there. He met a lady there and married her. It's been over 20 years ago and he still lives there.
Wow cool
That's awesome.
@ThirdeyeStrike either your reading comprehension is very low (probable) or you're commenting on why your own eyes are so freaking beady (also probable).
@ThirdeyeStrike based on your profile pic %100 inbred, first cousin at least..
I grew up in a holler in WV just like this. I can’t even express how much I wish I could turn back time and live those moments again. I ran far away as soon as I turned 17 because I thought getting out of there was so much better. I went to Florida, then Texas and lived there for many years. We just moved to Kentucky, only about an hour or so away from where this family lives and I can tell all of you right now, there is no better way of life than how this family lives. Simple. Wholesome. Family is everything and you take nothing for granted and appreciate even the smallest things.
If that is you're true profile pic you are a truly beautiful woman I'm sure inside as well 💗
Nothing to do down south that’s why the drug’s play such a big role. Excuse me I meant to say the poor place’s down south we aren’t talking Miami and Atlanta or places like that we’re talking those tiny specks on the map lol. Take care everyone ✌️
When 12 yr. olds are getting pregnant and women are being beat, there's no medical help, no police help, no education - there's not much hope. I wouldn't exactly call it wholesome.
@@lovealllife748 Of course.
@@WarrenSummerlin there is plenty to do ..it’s called work and taking care of your family.
Even though this was an HBO documentary and not a television series, the entire family should've been paid a large sum of money because it took over a year to film this movie, "American Hollow." They should've been paid as much money as those Swamp People and those Duck Dynasty brothers.
I heard they got paid more in catering an parking vouchers than anyone in the history of documentarys.
How do you know they didn’t?
Same thing happened with the White family of WV. The family was duped.
Swamp People and DD, that's not "real" it's entertainment. It's incredibly unethical for documentarians to have to pay their subjects. They did a great job of highlighting the struggles of the Bowlings and families like theirs so we can make changes that benefit everyone.
Dog Hamby - You’re An Ass Hole!!.
Much respect, admiration and BLESSINGS to Iree and her family ...From a KIWI from NEW ZEALAND 🌅🌊🌲..
I didnt want this documentary to end...I felt part of The Family ..Thankyou 🙌🙏💕
My daddy left Richmond Virginia made a beautiful life for us & my Momma however he drove back & fourth almost every weekend to help his family especially his Mother He always listen to take me home country road. I spend many summers there & absolutely adore these people .God Bless each one of them
I don’t see any comments about Iree’s sister. She absolutely broke my heart seeing her like that. Shes such a sweet person who deserves love
Amen
Broke my heart...so sad...and the daughter with the abusive guy is in a horrible situation too.
I couldn't understand what happened? "Mulberry tree, shook a rock, they never did take her to the doctor."
Exactly- not to mention a clean & neat home.
@@AliValentine143 A rock fell out of the Mulberry tree and hit her on the head..
Those quilts are absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I would buy one or two in a minute. She has great talent.
Cathy Nelson I would have loved to buy some of them
Cathy Nelson they were. Puts my tee shirt quilt to shame
I gasped when i seen them! Beautiful
Ayla Moon I did too ~
@Megan Whomever try again. Just squares, all one size. Pay attention to your seam allowance and make sure your seams match on the corners. Press the seams so they lay opposite where they meet.
Watch Quilt In A Day with Eleanor Burns, or Sewing With Nancy from Nancy Zieman.
I’d pay money to see a follow up to this!!! Best documentary ever made!
@anonymous That's a different documentary about the white family in west virginia is not follow up to this one.
@@jv-ee7ks true the other polly has cancer if im not wrong....
Good documentary! My daddy is one of 21 from poor valley Rogersville Tn
@@mycountrysass7726 wow 21?!!
@@westofthewicky2960 yes...ikr!
I was born and raised in Barbourville kentucky. I'm currently living in York Pennsylvania. I love kentucky and my hometown. I never forget where I come from. My town and state is always in my heart.
Small world, I'm in Barbourville now. Born and bred, strong family values and hard working generations ❤❤
I'm in Schuylkill County in the coal region in Pennsylvania
Iree talking about her husband and how he was always good to her, took care of her, didn’t abuse her. Then the kids start talking about their childhood and the truth comes out that Daddy was a drunk. Iree thought he was a good husband because she grew up with an abusive father so as long as he didn’t beat her, she could overlook the drunkenness.
And the not taking care of his many children and living off a woman.
@@holly5077 Thays not what he was doing!! He was a drunk yes, but they all got a check so Bass had his own money!! Iree says he helps do the work, whether he was drunk or not while doing so I'm not sure.. I dont agree with how Bass was an alcoholic and not helping the way he should have bit I assure you he wasnt " living off a woman" ... I do not think a woman such as Iree would allow it to happen to that extent!!
Sadly so many Appalachian mountain women lived that way of life including many in my family in earlier years. Seems like it was a way of life. Like they where stuck with a house full of kids and nowhere to go but stay and hope for the best. Iree is from a dying breed that no longer exist. Raise 12 kids, laundry by hand, 3 full meals every day, sold quilts to get a little money all while living in an abusive relationship. I live,born and raised in the Mts. I've heard so many stories just like this one. I guess the abuse just made them stronger. Then now you see 2 kids enjoying life doing everything together. Iree reminds me so much of my grandma. Never had time for a paying job, pulls out $500 for the bond when neither kid has $25.
@@johnwyatt8057 that’s how most of us southern mothers are.. do without to help out our own because whether they’re grown or not, we think we brought them into this world so we should help them when the world is on their shoulders.. she knew he was innocent and honestly he should have sued.. 17 days seems like 17 years in jail time I’m sure
I actually thought that was one of Iree's siblings, and that he was talking about their father. She mentioned that her dad was abusive. But maybe I was confused. I did struggle a little to keep track of everyone & how each person was related.
This was special. I don't know how I found it, but what an impact. Sending up prayers on the behalf of these families.
At 14:50, how many people would take care of their mama like this beautiful woman has? Brings tears to my eyes.
Those women are real strong, pity that some good people always land a sucker.
@Ami Riegel God has Angels on earth, He was probably testing you for a very high position in the next life, you make me feel humble, love and hugs, be blessed.
My mamaw rice ....sadly passed away a week before this premiered on hbo in nov 99....they dedicated it to her which was really nice Rip mamaw!
@@SuperBenette It's because they have to have people around them to constantly take if they are to give, right?
metaphysicalgraffiti n
My familys from NC and i would have loved to grow up like this. Im so tired of this 4k bullet train of a world. Places like that are always steady and homely. Thats real happiness. True family love that talks to each other with no censors. Love it. Great video!
I am a New Zealander & drove through the States, coast to coast & back again. I loved travelling through Kentucky & Tennesse, The terrain reminded me of home in NZ. I stayed on a riverboat in Tennessee & met characters I will never forget. I loved the people in those tiny towns. Thank you so much for making this, what a magical experience getting to share this beautiful woman's life. What a Gem. I was very fortunate to be able to experience the lifestyles of very wealthy people across the States but the ones that stole my heart were all poor folk, my American Mum (she felt like it) was a poor old woman in Terre Haute IN who I will love & miss until the day I die. Please make a follow-up. The US has a poverty level that I had never seen before & these people's stories are all part of the Quilt that is America. Thank you! What a Pleasure.
Thank you. From Tennessee
Hard out!! Reminds me of village lifestyle in the Islands!! No money but food food food and incredibly happy!!! God is a big difference!! Love love love Clint!!!
Thank you from Kentucky!
We call it terrible haute
What towns you go through In Tennessee? A Tennessean wondering if you came my way .
I didn't want this to end ,what sticks with me is the love this family had for each other .
we all end, its sad but they had a good story
The women that got beaten by hecktr the stick didn't realize that ln her husband's mind he was not beaten her hecktr was and told him to do it he had a split personality mental illness at all it's I don't this could ever be professional help even by the Dr she didn't know how to escape it so sad
Loved by all who knew him such a wonderful person loved Jesus with all his being and relayed up on Jesus for his very existence love from me to all the lamb family so precious thanks
I wish they would've made more documentaries like this. It's so well filmed and interesting.
Holy shit they are 68 and look 90
Those Kennedy’s are smart and interesting!
If you like this, watch The wild and wonderful whites of west virginia
I thought the same thing..
The Darlene Chronicles was pretty interesting. It was a series of documentaries like this one about a family in poverty.
I probably come back and watch this at least twice a year. Just love Iree and her love of her family. Such a precious enduring soul.
Same here!! I've watched it many times!! It's just so sad to know that a lot of them have passed or moved away!! 😔 ❤😢
Iree reminds me of my AUnt Cile. She wold say "Yuns" for you all:) Enjoyed this. Clint should join the army, only 3/4 through, maybe he does:)
"I got seven brothers but still yet, I wanna keep 'em all, I ain't got none to spare."
That’s such an achingly sweet thing to have heard. It stopped me in my tracks. I had to pause the video for a moment.
He is probably my favorite, besides Iree, of course.... 😍
Now it’s hit me; this sounds like something out of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, from ‘Cross Creek.’
“ . . . They ain’t no screens to the house and the skeeters like to eat us alive. And I cain’t keep the antses outen Tim’s breakfast.”
Heartbreak. Beautiful heartbreak. It’ll make you cry, it will.
Great comment!! "Family"
The way he cries on his moms shoulder at the end just made me bawl. What a good mama. No matter how old kids get they will forever be our babies.
Amen mama
That was probably the only girl around that's why he was crying cause he wanted to fuck her and she broke his heart
One of the things I dread the most is watching my son & daughter have their heartbroken. It’s one of the few things I know I can’t fix, only be there with and for them.
My mom was like that. No matter how old I was she was there to comfort me. I miss her so much.
I would love to have an update on where he is now in life.
Ms Iree passed in 2010 bless her heart ❤ Rest in Love because you gave so much of it ❤ ♥ 💗 💕 💜
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
THAT'S SAD
She’s with the angels. Lovely lady.
Rest In Peace until you rise again with Jesus Ms Iree... only elect in Heaven with Jesus atm. Come on learn to read the Bible proper.
What people don't understand is these folks are more happy than 90 percent of people on this earth true family and love ❤️ miss old 🇺🇸 God bless
@tonyh4966 God bless brother
@cag19549 yeah I watched the same thing you did and still stand behind what I said God bless friend
Dude none of them was happy. The old woman said she was depressed and stressed out all the time. The only reason they stay is bc they don’t have money to leave not bc they love each other. lol.
There was a certain community that got thrown out in progress. Now people suffer differently, eben if they habe more Money but no community. But i would not want to go back either. Or change Place with them, poverty, exploited labor, so mich Trauma going around, repeating in each generation. I grew up with some of the themes in the docu, although much lese poverty and not in the US but europe.
@siiiriously3226 I'm glad you understand what I meant unlike some others families today don't stick together like that they turn on each other it's truly a thing of the past they didn't have the biggest house or the most money but they stuck together and depend on each other families always have problems the prefect life doesn't exist
That was great. I wish there was a part 2. I love Iree. You can see in her eyes what a great person she is. Much respect to her. And that scene with the chickens was badass!
There is a short update on here somewhere . Paula had cancer and some of them had passed away. I don't remember the heading.
They have a FB page and let us know who has passed away
What is the facebook page
@@alejandramendez8419it’s in the description of the video
Iree was a jewel
That girl on the piano has some serious pipes. Damn, she’s singing!
This is the comment I came looking for. I have cousins that can sing like that
Really she's SANGING
I clicked this with no idea what it was and ended up watching the whole thing.
Me too ! haha , interesting insight to a world far away from me.
Me too
Same lmao
you want a cookie
@@spencercaudill5096 uhhh no. Sorry I made you read such pointless words. 🤦♀️
Before today you never could've convinced me that I'd someday watch a documentary about somebody else's family and bloodline and make me feel a mix of nostalgia for the old days before my family fell apart so to say, or to actually be a part of their family... There was so much warmth and love it makes me wonder how everyone is doing these days
There’s an update on some of them in the upper comment section.
This is my second time watching this and im sure ill be watching this again. I love the honesty of this family. I would love to know the outcome of this family.
@@justriley8095 who are you?
Probably all still stuck there.
All I know at the moment from looking at findagrave.com (I am still in the middle of watching this video) is that Iree's mother Oma Rice passed away the same year this video was made (1999).
Bascum "Bass" Bowling passed away a few years later in 2003.
Iree Bowling passed away back in 2010.
Two of Iree and Bass' 13 children are now deceased as well. Pierce passed away in 2005, and Barbara passed away fairly recently in 2018.
@@sydneyweston3819 awe that's so sad
@John Brier Yes a caring person would be interested in how they’d all are today. Prayerfully they’re all doing well.
This family proves just once again, that the backbone of the family is the woman
Shannon Okoronkwo women are sacred and should be treated as such!
As a father and husband, I live and breath for my family. Every second. Truth is, if it weren't for my wife, I wouldn't be half the father I am to my children. The women set the standard. Men just try to live up to it the best they can. I don't know if any men ever rise to the same level as the woman.
Look at that woman, 68 years young an if she had a make over she wouldn't look a day over 25. This is what living should be. GOD bless them and theirs.
Why is it that just because a family isn't a family without a mother women feel the need to imply that they're superior? A family disintegrates without a father too, or have you never heard of a strip club?
Behind every great man is a great women.
When clint was comforted by her mother. Man that was the sweetest thing on earth.
I have always loved this documentary. Even from 1999 nothing has changed. Good organic people. Took care of each other. Such valid people.
Wish there was an update ❤this show !
There is! It's on UA-cam somewhere.
That would be awesome. I wonder where everyone is now 2020
where is it!! lol
That's the worst. Watching your child suffer because some silly bitch wants to play games.
Cali Bean we all went through it
Iree was such a remarkable woman! She worked harder than anyone else I saw in this documentary & she loved all of her family so unconditionally. My ex mother in law lives about an hour away from this family & grew up similarly. She and her sisters also grew up quilting & continue to do so, and from watching them hand sew them - you just cannot imagine what goes into them. Iree's quilts were absolutely beautiful!
O ok no
This is probably the most down to earth well put together documentaries I've ever seen. I feel like part of the family after watching.
Yes exactly.
Im from Alabama, I can relate to living just like this. God has blessed us with love, and happiness, good health bc we have to work hard, I had rather have love n family than fame n money. I really mean that‼️
It's just the way life is
@@barbaragentry1188I'm 15 years old and my little brother is 8 years old and we live in Kentucky in the mountains and last night I was driving me and my little brother down the mountain to the little store to get some ice cream and people were looking at us when we were walking out of the store and getting into this old little truck because both of us were barefooted and I was wearing a crop top and my little brother was shirtless and wearing his swimming shorts and I remember when I was driving down the mountain this huge truck was driving really close behind us and I was screaming that I couldn't see anything because the lights were blinding me and I was driving really fast around the curves and my little brother was screaming sissy slow down because he was scared that we were going to drive over the edge of the cliff and flip over and both of us will die
I like Rorry's work. Love the one she made about her mom. And now this. ❤❤❤ & 🙏🙏🙏🙏
i'm from a different part of KY, but i think this documentary did a great job of showing what life is mostly like around here. i love Appalachia so much, i'm very deeply rooted to this place and it is just fantastic. the scenery is beautiful, the people are usually good people. and the culture is real unique, i just love it
This is exactly how I was raised and thank god everyday that I was ! Made me the man I am today. Appalachia pumpin through these veins 🤘🏻
Mountainmetalhead 1 if I would’ve talked to my mother half of how Clint talks to his my ol man would’ve knocked me through the wall.
The lady on the piano at church had an awesome voice.
I know had me dancing...💃
Yes and I love the soundtrack too.
Yeah i was feelin' her .........til she started doin' the Holy Spirit Shuffle 🤣😂🤣
Ms Iree reminds me so much of my great grandmother from Harlen County Ky. ❤ wish I could've met Ms Iree and learned how to make those beautiful quilts, and sit on the porch and talked awhile with her.
One of my favorite documentaries hands down 😢❤