I can remember the dog days of August, back when I was a kid. I didn't have any friends that lived close to me, so most of my hot, miserable days were spent playing by myself. I say hot, miserable, but they really weren't. Hot, maybe, but in no way could they be called miserable. I was too busy in my own little world, be it playing in the World Series, pitching for the New York Yankees, or leading a platoon of make believe soldiers into battle in WWII, or traipsing the countryside with my faithful companion, Elvis.
Oh, the peace and tranquillity of those days! I believe that if I could bottle and give away the serenity, the fun, the quietness of those days, this world would be a much better place!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Cotton
I have had more trouble gathering my thoughts on the word cotton than on any word of the week so far. This has caused some research on the topic that has, by its sheer numbers, boggled the mind. 14 million acres of cotton are grown in the United States. Cotton is grown in 17 states from Virginia to California. Cotton creates 340,000 jobs, and generates 60 billion dollars worth of business in the U.S., which is more than any other crop.
In the early sixties, when I can first remember the gin in the bottom, on Washington street, cotton had the nickname white gold. When I read that one five hundred pound bale of cotton could produce 325 pairs of denim jeans, that name became very real.
Jean and I heard that 600 acres of cotton were being grown in the McKenzie portion of Henry County, so that was a good road trip for us Saturday. We saw many, many fields full of cotton, in the blooming stage. Come mid October, we will pick the perfect day to take the perfect picture of the perfect cotton patch. We absolutely cannot wait! We are glad we live in the land of cotton!
In the early sixties, when I can first remember the gin in the bottom, on Washington street, cotton had the nickname white gold. When I read that one five hundred pound bale of cotton could produce 325 pairs of denim jeans, that name became very real.
Jean and I heard that 600 acres of cotton were being grown in the McKenzie portion of Henry County, so that was a good road trip for us Saturday. We saw many, many fields full of cotton, in the blooming stage. Come mid October, we will pick the perfect day to take the perfect picture of the perfect cotton patch. We absolutely cannot wait! We are glad we live in the land of cotton!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Fair
Often, the word fair means equal treatment, but this week in Henry County, fair means livestock show and sales, country ham auctions, beauty reviews, mouth watering dinners, an exciting midway, enticing commercial exhibits, photography and flower contests, demolition derbies, huge money giveaways, awesome music, and the county’s best canners, bakers and quilters -- all at one big event!
Growing up, my sister and I never missed the Henry County Fair. We loved looking at all of the vegetables, the flowers and plants, the canned goods and the Commercial Building booths. Our favorite was always the PI booth where, before the digital age, you could buy black and white photos from the PI files for a dime. Prowling through those pictures, most of which had been in the paper, provided hours of entertainment for lovers of photography and local history.
It seems that most of the pictures we bought were of older folks doing, well, things that older folks do. My favorite is of a gentleman who was probably in his seventies. He’s wearing overalls and holding two beautiful cantaloupes. You can tell from the background that the photo was shot at the PI office. I always envisioned his wife saying, “Honey, these are the biggest, prettiest cantaloupes you’ve ever raised. Let’s ride up town and let them take your picture at the newspaper office.”
The PI booth with boxes of old black and white glossies may be long gone, but there are still lots of great images to enjoy at the photo booth in the Enoch Building. Just like on Snap It! on MyParisMagazine.com, a great variety of photos turn up in the fair’s photo competition. Although none can be purchased for a dime, it’s fun to see what fellow Henry Countians are photographing. Who knows, there may be a picture of an older gentleman in overalls with the biggest, prettiest cantaloupes he’s ever raised.
Growing up, my sister and I never missed the Henry County Fair. We loved looking at all of the vegetables, the flowers and plants, the canned goods and the Commercial Building booths. Our favorite was always the PI booth where, before the digital age, you could buy black and white photos from the PI files for a dime. Prowling through those pictures, most of which had been in the paper, provided hours of entertainment for lovers of photography and local history.
It seems that most of the pictures we bought were of older folks doing, well, things that older folks do. My favorite is of a gentleman who was probably in his seventies. He’s wearing overalls and holding two beautiful cantaloupes. You can tell from the background that the photo was shot at the PI office. I always envisioned his wife saying, “Honey, these are the biggest, prettiest cantaloupes you’ve ever raised. Let’s ride up town and let them take your picture at the newspaper office.”
The PI booth with boxes of old black and white glossies may be long gone, but there are still lots of great images to enjoy at the photo booth in the Enoch Building. Just like on Snap It! on MyParisMagazine.com, a great variety of photos turn up in the fair’s photo competition. Although none can be purchased for a dime, it’s fun to see what fellow Henry Countians are photographing. Who knows, there may be a picture of an older gentleman in overalls with the biggest, prettiest cantaloupes he’s ever raised.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
'Skeeters
I can sure remember having lots of trouble with 'skeeters, while camping, when I was a kid. We would spray on the Off mosquito repellent......but it sure wouldn't seem to help. As a matter of fact, I often wondered if it wasn't sending out the message 'pick me, pick me!' When I got older and more into backpacking, I found a repellent called Cutters that really did the job. Just a drop or two, and the 'skeeters would stay away for hours.
Playing Babe Ruth baseball, was bad until the mosquito truck would come by. Then we would trade the awful bite of a mosquito, for the awful smell of the fogging truck! Maybe I just have not noticed, or maybe the trucks have been deemed environmentally unfriendly, but I haven't seen any in a long while.
The burning repellent offered by the Sky Vue drive in theater was a necessity. The theater was built just north and west of Town Creek, in true bottom land. A quarter sticks in my mind as the cost of the repellent. It came in a foil pouch, was green, and in a spiral shape. You would set it on its stand and light one end, and it was a real deterrent to the 'skeeters who wanted you for their supper!
You know.......the older I get.......the more comfortable my Lazy Boy recliner becomes.......the more I stay in a 72 degree, controlled environment.......the less 'skeeters seem to bother me! I think we will keep it that way.
Playing Babe Ruth baseball, was bad until the mosquito truck would come by. Then we would trade the awful bite of a mosquito, for the awful smell of the fogging truck! Maybe I just have not noticed, or maybe the trucks have been deemed environmentally unfriendly, but I haven't seen any in a long while.
The burning repellent offered by the Sky Vue drive in theater was a necessity. The theater was built just north and west of Town Creek, in true bottom land. A quarter sticks in my mind as the cost of the repellent. It came in a foil pouch, was green, and in a spiral shape. You would set it on its stand and light one end, and it was a real deterrent to the 'skeeters who wanted you for their supper!
You know.......the older I get.......the more comfortable my Lazy Boy recliner becomes.......the more I stay in a 72 degree, controlled environment.......the less 'skeeters seem to bother me! I think we will keep it that way.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Cooking
This week's word is near and dear to my heart, or maybe I should say near and dear to my stomach. I enjoy eating a well prepared, well cooked meal. I do like to eat out, but my wife is such a good cook, that come meal time, my feet can usually be found under my own table. The cooking that my wife does can be labeled country cooking, and with fresh fruits and vegetables coming in, the fare has been absolutely scrumptious.
This time of year, many people, Jean included, make a meal out of just vegetables. I like the four or five vegetables, also, but I have to have meat, bread, and dessert. Serve these vegetables along with some oven fried pork chops, home made yeast rolls, and some pound cake with fresh strawberries, and whipping cream, and by golly, you have yourself a feast!
I keep telling Jean that I will trim down and lose some weight. I know I sure need to. I also know that this is not the time of year to even consider such foolishness.
Bon Appetit !!
This time of year, many people, Jean included, make a meal out of just vegetables. I like the four or five vegetables, also, but I have to have meat, bread, and dessert. Serve these vegetables along with some oven fried pork chops, home made yeast rolls, and some pound cake with fresh strawberries, and whipping cream, and by golly, you have yourself a feast!
I keep telling Jean that I will trim down and lose some weight. I know I sure need to. I also know that this is not the time of year to even consider such foolishness.
Bon Appetit !!
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