>> I'M WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY LIFE, OUR 12TH SEASON, 12 YEARS BRINGING THE RICHNESS OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND A WHOLE LOT MORE TO DO.

I HAVE SADIE WITH ME AND CHARLIE.

WE WILL SPAN ACROSS THE STATE FROM A PIONEER VILLAGE TO CALLOWAY COUNTY TO DO SOME SHEEP SHEARING.

FIRST SOMETHING RARE IN SHELBY COUNTY, A BROWN-EYE BYSON CAT WITH THE NATIVE AMERICANS BELIEVING IT HAS A SPIRITUAL MEANING.

IT IS SUCH IS A RARE OCCURRENCE, NO ONE IS QUITE SURE OF THE NUMBERS, ONE IN TEN MILLION OR A HUNDRED MILLION BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN OVER THE CENTURIES, THE LEGEND COMES TO LIFE, A BROWN-EYED WHITE BYSON CAT, BORN IN THE SPRING OF 2005 AMONG A HERD OF HUNDREDS AT THE BUFFALO CROSSING RANCH, SHE IS SNOW WHITE.

THE RANCH OWNER COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

>> SHE WAS BORN JUNE 3RD.

A CUSTOMER CAME IN AND SAID WE JUST HAD A BROWN AND WHITE BUFFALO, BUT THERE WAS A LITTLE BLOOD ON HER, THE COW HAD NOT CLEANED HER UP GOOD.

I WENT TO LOOK AT IT AND WAS SHOCKED, COULDN'T BELIEVE WE HAD A WHITE BUFFALO.

WE HAVE HAD THOUSANDS OF BUFFALO EACH OTHER, OVER 1350 HEAD AT ONE TIME.

>> A FORM OF ALBINISM, SAYS LORI DAVIDSON, BUT NOT A TRUE ALBINO.

>> YOU BASICALLY HAVE BEING BORN TOE-HEADED, LIKE A HUMAN.

AND MY BROTHER'S HAIR WAS BORN LIKE THAT, BUT NOW HAS THE COLOR OF HAIR AS MINE.

OVER TIME IT WILL TURN INTO A MORE BROWN COLOR LIKE THE ADULTS IN BISON, IT IS MORE TYPICAL IT WILL BECOME ADULT BROWN LIKE A REGULAR ANIMAL WOULD.

YOU DO OCCASIONALLY HAVE SOME THAT REMAIN THAT WAY.

IT IS A LITTLE DANGEROUS FOR THE ANIMAL IN THE WILD BECAUSE THEY STAND OUT TO PREDATORS AND IT IS EASY FOR A WOLF OR COYOTE TO SPOT THESE ANIMALS.

BUT IT IS POSSIBLE THEY COULD REMAIN WHITE.

>> FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, THE LAKOTA INDIANS BELIEVED THERE IS A SPIRITUAL MEANING TO THE BIRTH OF A WHITE BISON BELIEVING IT IS THE RUNNING SPIRIT AND WHEN SHE COMES, ALL NATIONS SHALL COME TOGETHER IN PEACE.

>> SHE COMES TO BRING HOPE, RENEW THE PEACE IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE, TO BRING BACK UNIT AND LOVE AND SHOW THE WAY OF LIFE, SOMETHING VERY TANGIBLE, SO REAL.

>> THEY ALL VENTURE TO BUFFALO CROSSING TO TAKE PART IN A SACRED NAMING CEREMONY.

SO IT IS NAMED "MEDICINE HEART" >> IT IS ABOUT WHEN THIS WOMAN RETURNS.

THEY ALSO SPOKE OF A TIME WHEN SHE WILL COME PERHAPS AS A YOUNG LADY AND PEOPLE WON'T RECOGNIZE HER WHEN SHE COMES.

WE JUST NEVER KNOW.

IT IS A GREAT MYSTERY TO US.

>> AND IF SHE DOES COME TO US FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD, THE MYSTERY DEEPENS.

A NEW MEXICO ARTIST FOUND HER WAY HERE AND STAYED FOR A MONTH TO PAINT, PAINTING THIS PICTURE OF A WHITE BUFFALO CALF, DONATING IT TO THE RANCH, SEVEN YEARS BEFORE "MEDICINE HEART" WAS BORN.

DID SHE HAVE A PREMONITION?

>> WHEN SHE PAINTED THE PICTURE, SHE GAVE IT TO US WITH THE INDIAN MAIDEN IN IT.

THE WHOLE THING IS KIND OF WEIRD THE WAY IT ALL HAPPENED.

>> BUFFALO CROSSING RANCH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

FOLKS CAN WATCH HERDS OF BISON GRAZING IN THE FIELDS, YOU CAN DINE IN THE RESTAURANT AND ENJOY EXOTIC ANIMALS FROM FARAWAY LANDS.

BUT ONE CREATURE STANDS OUT FROM ALL THE RANCH HAS TO OFFER, "MEDICINE HEART" >> WHENEVER SACRED THINGS ARE BROUGHT TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, I NEVER QUESTION WHY IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE SPIRITS HAVE HAD CENTURIES TO THINK ABOUT HOW IT SERVES A PURPOSE.

>> AND WHEN HER YEARS AT THE RANCH ARE LONG PAST, NATIVE PEOPLES WILL STILL SPEAK OF HER.

THE LEGEND OF "MEDICINE HEART" HAS BEGUN.

WE ARE COMING TO YOU FROM BOYD'S ORCHARD WHERE THERE ARE PLENTY OF PUMPKINS AND APPLE CIDER AND ALL KINDS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS.

THE NEXT FEATURE WE TRAVEL TO THE HILLS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY WHERE THEY HAVE MOVED 15 ORIGINAL LOG CABINS INTO DOWNTOWN SALLIERSVILLE CREATING A PIONEER VILLAGE THANKS TO TODD PRESTON.

ON THE DAY OF OUR VISIT A GROUP OF REENACTORS FROM THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ADDED TO THE LOOK OF THE AUTHENTIC VILLAGE FROM THE CHILDREN APPLYING LESSONS IN THE SCHOOL HOUSE TO THE SOUNDS OF IRON WORKING, THE ACTIVITIES OF A TIME GONE BY WERE ALL AROUND ME.

AND IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE I FOUND MYSELF IN THE COLORFUL CLOTHES OF A KENTUCKY PIONEER AND LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

I LOST MY POWDER HORN EAST OF THE VILLAGE WHILST HUNTING BEAR.

THE MUZZLE LOADERS PRIDE THEMSELVES ON HANDMADE PERIOD OUTFITS AND WHETHER IT IS THE GUNS OR KNIVES THEY CARRY OR IN THIS CASE THE WORKMANSHIP IN THE DESIGN AND CREATION OF POWDER HORNS, ALL EFFORTS GO TO FULLY RECREATING THE EXPERIENCE OF THE KENTUCKY RIFLEMEN FAMOUS ALONG THE FRONTIER FOR SHARPSHOOTING SKILLS.

AND THERE IS NO BETTER LOCATION FOR RECREATING THE PAST THAN THIS PIONEER VILLAGE, THE CULMINATION OF MANY YEARS OF HARD WORK BY TOD PRESTON.

>> I GUESS YOU COULD SAY I HAD A DREAM.

THIS COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE ANY PARTICULAR TOURIST ATTRACTION.

SO I DECIDED EARLY ON IF WE HAD ONE, IT HAD TO BE MANMADE.

THIS IS THE END RESULT OF THAT DREAM.

>> FOR 27 YEARS TOD HAS BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE OF THE COUNTY'S HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE COLLECTION AND DISPLAY OF ITS 15 LOG BUILDINGS WITH THE CONSIDERABLE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS LIKE THE MUZZLE-LOADERS THE CABINS WERE PAINSTAKINGLY MOVED TO THE SITE AND FILLED WITH THE POSSESSIONS AND PARAPHERNALIA OF TIMES GONE BY, HE GIVES TOURS EXPLAINING THE ORIGINAL LOCATIONSS AND PURPOSES OF THE HOMES, TELLING THE STORIES OF THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THEM.

EACH CABIN HELPS TO COMPLETE THE PICTURE OF WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE IN THE HILLS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY IN THE 18TH AND 19th CENTURIES.

>> THE GENERAL STORE AND POST OFFICE WAS NOT MAKING MONEY, SO THEY WOULD SELL DRYGOODS AS WELL AS GROCERIES.

>> MAKING THE PAST OF KENTUCKY COME ALIVE IN THESE LOG BUILDINGS FOR THE VISITORS TAKING THE TOUR WOULD BE A FULL-TIME JOB BUT TOD'S VOLUNTEER DUTIES HARDLY STOPS HERE.

>> TOD SOMEHOW TRAVELS FROM 1812 TO THIS MODERN BUILDING.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> SEE HERE IN OUR SHELVES, THERE ARE BOOKS OF GENEALOGY THAT THROUGH THE YEARS BACK TO THE LAST 27 YEARS WE HAVE PRINTED BOOKS OF A PIONEER FAMILY THAT CAME INTO EASTERN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE RECORDED 27 DIFFERENT FAMILIES, A FAMILY EACH YEAR.

AND WE PRINT A BOOK, AND OF COURSE, THE SALES OF THOSE BOOKS GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE THIS BUILDING FOR OUR ARCHIVE BUILDING, PLUS THE LAND THE PIONEER VILLAGE IS ERECTED ON.

>> WITH THE PRINTING OF EACH YEAR'S BOOKS, HEAVY ON PHOTOGRAPHS BECAUSE AS TODD SAYS THEY SELL BOOKS, LABOR'S DAY WEEKEND IS THE SETTING FOR THE FOUNDER'S DAY CELEBRATION DURING WHICH THE FAMILY OF THE YEAR IS HONORED.

THOUSANDS RETURN TO THE AREA THAT WAS ONCE THE HOME OF THEIR ANCESTORS, OR THEIR OWN.

AND SOUVENIRS ARE AVAILABLE TO MARK THE OCCASION.

>> I THINK THE CENTERPIECE OF OUR FOUNDER'S DAY CELEBRATION IS COUSINS MEETING COUSINS.

I DARE SAY WE'VE DONE MORE IN THIS AREA TO PROMOTE REUNIONS OF FAMILIES THAN ANY OTHER COUNTY AROUND US.

>> THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HAS OVER A THOUSAND MEMBERS, 40% OF WHOM LIVE WEST WITH OF THE MISSISSIPPI, TESTIMONY TO THE FACT THAT OUR ANCESTORS WERE ALWAYS MOVING WEST.

WITH ITS LARGE COLLECTION OF GENEALOGY RECORDS AND BOOKS AND CHARTS AND THE WILLINGNESS OF THE ALL-VOLUNTEER STAFF TO OFFER HELP, THE CENTER HOSTS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE U.S.

AND THE WORLD TO TRACE THE HISTORY OF THEIR FAMILIES.

>> TWO WEEKS AGO I HAD A COUPLE FROM NORWAY.

IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE FOLKS FROM FRANCE OR ENGLAND COMING THROUGH TO TRACE THEIR ANCESTORS.

HE WAS A REVOLUTION AIRY SOLDIER I THINK HE WAS KIND OF AN HERB DOCTOR, BUT THE LOCAL PEOPLE HAVE IT IN THEIR MIND HE WAS A WITCH.

>> AFTER READING THE MONDAYMENTS HONORING THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED AND DIED WHILE SHAPING THIS EASTERN CORNER OF OUR STATE I WAS READY FOR TODD TO GIVE ME THE OFFICIAL TOUR OF THE VILLAGE.

WE VISITED THE QUILTING CABIN BUILT IN 1822 FROM LOGS PROBABLY 100 YEARS OLD BEFORE THEY WERE CUT.

IN THE KANARD CABIN TODD TOLD ME THE INSPIRING STORY OF LUCY KINARD WHOSE RIGHT ARM WAS SAWED OFF AFTER A RIDING ACCIDENT AT EIGHT YEARS OLD, BUT SHE LED A LIFE FULL OF PURPOSE AND ADVENTURE EVEN BECOMING A PACK-HORSE LIBRARIAN.

AND WE SAW THE CABIN THAT MIGHT HAVE THE MOST MEANING TO TODD.

>> THIS ONE HAS A PERSONAL STORY THIS CABIN WAS BUILT BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR AND WAS USED AS A FIRST AID STATION DURING THE CIVIL WAR AS SOME UNION TROOPS WERE WOUNDED.

IN HERE ALL OF THE FURNITURE IS MY OWN FAMILY HEIRLOOMS.

THIS IS MY GRANDMOTHER'S SEWING MACHINE.

I DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE LOG CABIN OVER HERE WHERE MY MOTHER WAS BORN IN 1890.

MY WIFE PAINTED THAT.

SHE WAS VERY TALENTED, A GOOD ARTIST.

THAT IS ME AT 20 YEARS OLD.

>> YOU LOOK LIKE YOU COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE MOVIES.

>> I THOUGHT SHE WAS THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE SENIOR CLASS.

>> THERE IS PLENTY MORE TO SEE AT THE PIONEER VILLAGE.

YOU CAN EASILY SPEND THE DAY HERE.

WITH EACH STEP BRINGING YOU CLOSER TO OUR FOREFATHERSS WHOSE LIVES WERE SPENT IN RUGGED CABINS LIKE THESE.

WERE THERE ARE REENACTORS OR JUST YOUR IMAGINATION FILLING THE VILLAGE WITH CHARACTERS OF DAYS LONG GONE YOU FIND IT EASY TO JOURNEY BACK TO A TIME ALONG THE FRONTIER OF KENTUCKY WHEN THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE WAS TO KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY.

NEXT WE HEAD ACROSS THE STATE TO MURRAY AND CALLOWAY COUNTIES TO A LADY WHO HAS TAKEN UP THE TRADITION OF SHEEP-SHEARING AND WEAVING.

IT HAS BEEN A LONG WINTER.

FINALLY THE WARM BREEZES OF SPRING ARE BLOWING IN CALLOWAY COUNTY, TIME TO TAKE OFF THESE HEAVY COATS.

WHAT A RELIEF IT WILL BE.

THE PERSON DOING THE SHEARING OWNS THE SHEEP, TAMMY COCHRANE AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING THE PROCESS.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS?

>> I USED TO RAISE ANGORA GOATS, BUT MY LOVE WAS ALWAYS SHEEP SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

SO FROM THE GOATS I WENT TO SHETLAND SHEEP BECAUSE OF THE SOFT WOOL THEY GROW.

AND THEY ARE A SMALL ENOUGH BREED I COULD HANDLE THEM MYSELF WITHOUT A LOT OF HELP, AND THE FACT I ENJOYED SPINNING.

I COULD USE IT IN MY SPINNING AS WELL.

>> YOU SAID THAT WAS ALL GARBAGE BECAUSE IT IS MATTED?

>> IT IS WHERE SHE LAYS, ALL THE HIND QUARTERS I TEND TO THROW AWAY, THERE IS FECAL MATTER AND THINGS IN IT, VERY DIRTY.

SO THIS STUFF HERE ON TOP IS ALWAYS THE CLEANEST PART.

IT IS A LOT EASIER TO USE AND CLEAN AND SPIN WITH.

BUT THEY TEND TO GROW ABOUT AN 6 TO-INCH STAPLE.

YOU CAN SEE IT IS PRETTY LONG, EASY TO SPIN WITH BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT TO DRAW FROM.

>> TAMMY CAME HERE FROM GEORGIA BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING TOO CROWDED IN THE ATLANTA AREA, AND HER CAMERA-SHY HUSBAND HAS RELATIVES IN THESE PARTS.

SO THE COUPLE DECIDED MURRAY WAS THE PLACE TO RAISE THEIR SON AND THEIR SHEEP.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF LANOLIN THIS THERE.

YOU CAN SEE IT IN YOUR HANDS, A NICE QUALITY WOOL.

AND SHE'S LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT, HER TAIL IS JUST A WAGGIN.

>> SHE HAS NOT FELT THE BREEZE IN A LONG TIME.

>> EXACTLY.

WE ARE DONE.

>> TAMMY'S HOME IS ADORNED WITH THINGS SHE HAS MADE FROM HER FLOCK LIKE SHAWLS AND BLANKETS AND SCARVES AND MOMENTOS REFLECTING A BYGONE ERA.

>> I LIKE BEING ABLE TO SAY THAT THE THINGS I HAVE MADE HAVE COME FROM ANIMALS I HAVE RAISED.

I DEFINITELY HAVE A GREAT INTEREST IN THE FACT OF GOING BACK TO NATURE AND MAKING THINGS THAT COME FROM MY OWN ANIMALS.

I THINK IT IS A PRODUCT THAT IS HARD TO COME BY AND IT IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT DONE BY A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THERE IS NO POLYESTER, ALL 100% WOOL, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET, WHICH IS REALLY NICE.

IT IS BASICALLY BEING DRAWN THROUGH AN ORAFICE ONTO THE BOBBIN, THEN THE WHEEL IS SPINNING THE FIBER EITHER LOOSE OR TIGHT OR FAT OR THIN, AND WINDING IT ON THE BOBBIN AT THE SAME TIME.

SO AFTER YOU GET DONE SPINNING, THIS IS ONE PLY, AND AFTER THAT I CAN TAKE ANOTHER BOBBIN OF SINGLE-PLY AND PUT THE TWO TOGETHER TO MAKE TWO OR THREE-PLY YARN, WHAT I WANT TO HAVE.

>> WHAT DO YOU DO TO THE FIBER TO CLEAN IT UP BEFORE THIS PROCESS.

>> AFTER IT IS TAKEN OFF THE SHEEP, THERE IS A VARIETY OF OPTIONS.

YOU CAN EITHER CLEAN IT YOURSELF WHICH I CAN DO WITH DISH WASHING LIQUID OR SEND IT OFF TO THE PROCESSED AT PROCESSING FARMS AROUND THE UNITED STATES THAT PROCESS THE WOOL.

THEY WILL ACTUALLY RUN IT THROUGH A SYSTEM WHERE THEY WASH IT AND IT GOES THROUGH A MACHINE WHERE IT IS CARTED AND THEN OUT ANOTHER MACHINE, PUT INTO ROVING.

I AM SPINNING WITH ROVING.

THE DYING PART IS SIMPLE, YOU PUT A POT ON THE STOVE, ADD YOUR DYES TO IT, TAKE IT OUT, LET IT DRY.

AFTER THAT, YOU CAN SPIN IT OR DO WHAT YOU WANT.

FOR SOME REASON, ONCE YOU SHEAR ONE, I ALWAYS TRY TO SHEAR MORE THAN ONE.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY IT IS BUT THEY DO SEEM TO GANG UP ON THE SHORN ONE PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY SMELL DIFFERENT, LOOK DIFFERENT, >> SUDDENLY >> YES, SUDDENLY, AND THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THE ANIMAL AND THEY TREAT IT AS AN INTRUDER.

AND THEY ARE ABUSED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES.

>> BUT NOT TOO BADLY?

>> NO, JUST PUSHED AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

THEY LEARN THEIR PLACE IN THE HERD.

>> BUT SHE FEELS A LOT BETTER THAN THE REST.

>> AS YOU SAW, SHE WAS WAGGING HER TAIL, QUITE HAPPY.

I THINK SHE FEELS HAPPY TO BE MAKED OF ALL THAT WOOL IN THIS HEAT.

>> WE ARE OUT OF TIME FOR THIS NEW EDITION OF "KENTUCKY LIFE" THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.