Coal Miner talks about life after Coal | A Conversation with Richard Dale
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2023
- Join Storytellers of Appalachia for an interesting conversation with former coal miner Richard Dale Powers. He discusses life in the mines, and life after coal.
Love hearing from you in the comments! Any coal miners here?
Lots of experiential wisdom comes through Dale’s recounting of his life story; he possesses a real gift of storytelling!
I found Dale's life and history fascinating. Sounds like a man of many hats, skills and trades. Glad his family instilled in him a great work etchic. There is nothing like the good ole days. So many great life lessons to take us through life. My dad was a cole miner. Surely not a job for the faint of heart. We may have gained much and lost much but we are still blessed. Thank God!!! Keep the storytellers coming!!!
Wish I could've met your dad! It takes a strong soul to go in the mines, to scratch a living out of the earth.
Dale is a smart cookie, with a ton of interesting and invaluable life lessons. Knowing when something is over and being able to move on and let it go and how you may not have the perfect tool for the job, but you have something you can make it work with are good examples of just SOME of the many treasures he seems to understand. Wise man!
Very fine videography, lighting and sound on Mr. Dale, just as if we're sitting right across listening to his tales.
This is another fascinating video conversation! As I watched and listened to Richard Dale, I kept thinking about all the dislocated workers I've met who sorely needed the wisdom and adaptability of this intriguing man. It's said that the average American changes careers seven times in his/her lifetime - not jobs, but careers. Somt of the traits that helped him adapt and be successful throughout life are those that I've come to appreciate about Appalachians - good work ethic, ingenuity, the ability to learn from experiences and gain in confidence from them, a belief that one can and will succeed no matter what ("sisu", as the Finnish people call it), perseverance, looking at reality and dealing with it honestly and head on, and standing up for what one believes. Being flexible and adaptable are key to handling adversity. Wonderful video!
Just spent this past weekend using your videos as a guide through these glorious hills, hollers, hollows & backwoods of VA, KY & WV. What an incredibly humbling experience as a native Virginian from Herndon up north myself. I recommend everyone take the time to try to learn about these brave pioneers. Looking forward to getting back down there. Your videos are awesome. Cheers.
Thanks so much for the feedback, glad you've been able to do some exploration yourself!
I love this episode! My Maw Maw lived in Richlands and my great Aunts lived in Cedar Bluff I have many great memories of going to see Maw Maw in Richlands. She worked at the little ice cream shack in town. This guy is the same age as my parents. My Mama has great stories of growing up here, Abbs Valley, Horsepen, and Grundy. I love these stories. I need to ask Mom if she knows him. Dad was from Boissevain coal camp and they both went to Pocahontas High. Dad born in 1950. Mom in 1951. My great grandmother Amie Wyatt Nipper worked at that boarding house he's taking about. MawMaw worked there, too in the 1940s and she kept house for people. Great stories
This man has a PhD in life experience, with honors. A brilliant mind that no college education could instill. His family trained him up right and gave him priceless lessons. What memories he has, and more innate wisdom and leadership skills than most all of those who are in positions of power and authority. Really enjoyed this.
Josh, an additional benefit of having watched all your videos is that by now I'm familiar with most of the towns mentioned. That's makes it all the more interesting. If I ever get to that part of the country I'll know right where I am.
Take care and thanks as always. 🥰
He's very much cut from the cloth that is Appalachia, and really what is at the heart of being an American. Know you're welcome any time you make it this way! 😊
Thank you for your kind words
Drink enough beer...and food will taste good. Gonna have to try that on some people's cooking. Hahaha😂
🤣😂