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!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
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 !!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Obsolescent
The different mediums the music business use seem to become obsolescent faster than in any other industry. From 78 rpm records, to 45 rpm records, to 33 rpm records, to reel to reel tape machines, to 8 track tapes, to cassette tapes, and now, CD's, change is obviously a way of life. The only one of those I am too young to remember is 78 rpm records.
Two types of businesses that I frequented often have become practically obsolescent. The drive in movie theater, and the drive in restaurant. Many, many times I have gotten a burger and fries from the Dairy Kreme, which later became Johnny's Drive In. On a hot summer day, I used to get a frozen Milky Way and a mug of Root Beer from the K & N Drive In. Back in the day, life just didn't get no better! I cannot even guess at the number of times I went to the Sky-Vue Drive In theater. I saw many, many movies there, and ate many, many, bags of popcorn!
I love it when things become obsolete five years after they are the rage...muscle cars, for example. Forty years later, they are making a strong comeback. The new Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, and Charger look pretty neat back on the road. I hate it when key components, that I grew up with, are deemed obsolescent. I learned to drive in 1970. The high beam-low beam dimmer switch was mounted in the floorboard, where it was an easy reach for a foot that had nothing else to do. My first vehicle with the dimmer switch on the blinker lever was a 1988 Ford Bronco. It took a couple of years for my left hand to realize it had a new job, and for my foot to realize its job was taken away.
I read an article just last week that said Crocs were on their way out. Six short years after those shoes were the hit of the party, now they have become obsolescent. They have gone the way of Super Bell Bottom Levis, and Nehru Jackets.
Two items that I used a lot of, in my youth, were merthiolate, and mercurochrome. Now, for first aid, you either use neo-sporin, or poly-sporin. As I think about it, many first aid items, many facets of treatment, and many surgical procedures have become obsolescent.
A lot of things I have used, and a lot of places I have been, are now obsolescent. The good thing is, in most cases, they have been replaced with “new and improved.”
Two types of businesses that I frequented often have become practically obsolescent. The drive in movie theater, and the drive in restaurant. Many, many times I have gotten a burger and fries from the Dairy Kreme, which later became Johnny's Drive In. On a hot summer day, I used to get a frozen Milky Way and a mug of Root Beer from the K & N Drive In. Back in the day, life just didn't get no better! I cannot even guess at the number of times I went to the Sky-Vue Drive In theater. I saw many, many movies there, and ate many, many, bags of popcorn!
I love it when things become obsolete five years after they are the rage...muscle cars, for example. Forty years later, they are making a strong comeback. The new Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, and Charger look pretty neat back on the road. I hate it when key components, that I grew up with, are deemed obsolescent. I learned to drive in 1970. The high beam-low beam dimmer switch was mounted in the floorboard, where it was an easy reach for a foot that had nothing else to do. My first vehicle with the dimmer switch on the blinker lever was a 1988 Ford Bronco. It took a couple of years for my left hand to realize it had a new job, and for my foot to realize its job was taken away.
I read an article just last week that said Crocs were on their way out. Six short years after those shoes were the hit of the party, now they have become obsolescent. They have gone the way of Super Bell Bottom Levis, and Nehru Jackets.
Two items that I used a lot of, in my youth, were merthiolate, and mercurochrome. Now, for first aid, you either use neo-sporin, or poly-sporin. As I think about it, many first aid items, many facets of treatment, and many surgical procedures have become obsolescent.
A lot of things I have used, and a lot of places I have been, are now obsolescent. The good thing is, in most cases, they have been replaced with “new and improved.”
Monday, July 20, 2009
Electricity
This week's word is something we all take for granted. Our forefathers went to bed at dark, had no air conditioning, heated and cooked with a wood stove, and did not have an electric garage door to let their horse and buggy in.
Growing up with luxuries at my fingertips, I do not appreciate what the old timers went through, as I should. I am fifty-three years old and have always been able to reach in the freezer and get an ice cube, made with electricity. I think I was 8 when we got air conditioning. How wonderful it is to sleep cool, make coffee in the mornings, microwave our dinner, heat our bath water, all because of electricity!
Just think of the jobs we have today because of electricity. From the building and operating of powerhouses, to the linemen who string new lines and repair and replace old ones, to the utility companies, to the electricians in the field, who wire everything from homes to airports, to office buildings, to baseball stadiums, to the suppliers of electrical equipment.
I am proud to make my living as an electrician. If I ever get to the point where I take electricity for granted, then it will “get” me. I think being electrocuted would be a lousy way to go. Respect for what current can do to you is a must. Also a must is keeping your mind on the task at hand.
It is amazing to me that something unseen can bring so much goodness to our lives. Thomas Edison deserves our hearty thank you, and I bet even he would be in awe of how electricity has changed our lives.
Growing up with luxuries at my fingertips, I do not appreciate what the old timers went through, as I should. I am fifty-three years old and have always been able to reach in the freezer and get an ice cube, made with electricity. I think I was 8 when we got air conditioning. How wonderful it is to sleep cool, make coffee in the mornings, microwave our dinner, heat our bath water, all because of electricity!
Just think of the jobs we have today because of electricity. From the building and operating of powerhouses, to the linemen who string new lines and repair and replace old ones, to the utility companies, to the electricians in the field, who wire everything from homes to airports, to office buildings, to baseball stadiums, to the suppliers of electrical equipment.
I am proud to make my living as an electrician. If I ever get to the point where I take electricity for granted, then it will “get” me. I think being electrocuted would be a lousy way to go. Respect for what current can do to you is a must. Also a must is keeping your mind on the task at hand.
It is amazing to me that something unseen can bring so much goodness to our lives. Thomas Edison deserves our hearty thank you, and I bet even he would be in awe of how electricity has changed our lives.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Skiing
With this year's Fun Run about to happen, my thoughts have drifted to water skiing. I really cannot think of any one activity, well, recreational activity, that has brought more pleasure to me than water skiing.
I bought a run-about in 1977, and a whole new world opened up for me. Smooth water was now what I was in search of. Often, across the river was the only place to find slick water, so that is where we would head. Sometimes, the last hour of daylight, things would quieten down and the lake would get really still. Those were the moments that my buddies and I were in search of.
That little Mark Twain, with me at the helm, pulled an incredible feat one day. We pulled seven slalom skiers up and around the lake! Talk about exciting...other boats stopped and watched. When the guys and gals got back in the boat, everyone was talking nonstop. No one had ever been involved in anything like that, so we were all excited.
I have not owned a boat in over twenty-five years, but I have good memories of the times I had on Kentucky Lake. I bet the Chamber of Commerce's Fun Run will be a blast. I wish I was going to be in town next weekend.
I bought a run-about in 1977, and a whole new world opened up for me. Smooth water was now what I was in search of. Often, across the river was the only place to find slick water, so that is where we would head. Sometimes, the last hour of daylight, things would quieten down and the lake would get really still. Those were the moments that my buddies and I were in search of.
That little Mark Twain, with me at the helm, pulled an incredible feat one day. We pulled seven slalom skiers up and around the lake! Talk about exciting...other boats stopped and watched. When the guys and gals got back in the boat, everyone was talking nonstop. No one had ever been involved in anything like that, so we were all excited.
I have not owned a boat in over twenty-five years, but I have good memories of the times I had on Kentucky Lake. I bet the Chamber of Commerce's Fun Run will be a blast. I wish I was going to be in town next weekend.
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