“I want you to feel what I felt. I want you to know why story-truth is truer sometimes than happening-truth.” ~ Tim O'Brien, The Things They Carried

 
Growing up as the only child of itinerant popcorn farmers in Western Kentucky, I developed an early appreciation for the tasseled, mysterious maize. I remember the first birthday party I was invited to as a kid. We sang happy birthday and cut the cake (with ice cream). I was confused and a bit embarrassed, so I asked the parent, “Excuse me, Peaches. Where is the popcorn?” You see, in our house the Kernel was king. 

We still grow and harvest popcorn on the land deeded to my great grandfather’s great great granddad and his five brothers in 1824. Most of the grains are carted off, sold, and stored in the Jiffy Pop silos up at Carbondale. We keep the best for ourselves. Hand shucked on a Root-Heath No. 5 “Never Fail”, the Kentucky Kernel is sure to pop you right in the mouth. 

 
Now you may be asking yourself, Matte, what the heck is a Whirley Pop? I dare say it will become as dear to you as your own blessed children. The brainchild of Indiana farmer and amateur inventor, Mike Williams, Whirley Pop was patented in 1980. Use it. Love it. Welcome to the land of popped corn. 

 
What am I bidding on? 12 oz. bag of Kentucky Kernel popcorn. Whirley Popcorn maker. Amish popcorn salt.