Ordinary Life

  When we visited The Way Down Yonder , Chuck and I talked of myriad things, of Jeeps and horses; of cabbages and kings.  One of thoses kings is Uncle Wayne As the story went, once upon a time, Uncle Wayne stopped on the edge of Chuck's property asking to  take a closer look at the horses.  " Of course, of course - you can look at my horse !" and their friendship took root right away.  Uncle Wayne said eventually he planned to get some horses like Chuck's.  He did!  In fact, in time, he bought the very same three horses and took them to his home, a three story beauty, built by the craftsmanship of Wayne's own hands.  Chuck told me about a lonesome stretch of months when Uncle Wayne was out of town, and more importantly of the happy day he returned. It meant something to Chuck that Uncle Wayne stopped by to say hello before he had even stopped by his own home.  I recognized Wayne from previous stories on other visits we've made.  There ar...

  Last weekend   A few weekends back , we meandered way down yonder to the Satilla River swamplands for Aunt Nell's 90th birthday celebration in the old pecan grove.  I took up residence at the best Air B&B in town - well, technically on the outskirts of town : my cousin Chuck's Place.  Now, technically, Chuck is my second cousin, but he is also the veritable Fun Uncle  if ever an uncle was fun.  Amenities at Chuck's Place include a good cup of Folgers each morning, a crazy little lap dog to stay entertained, and the best chats with a kindred spirit that stretch well beyond twilight.  You might spot a variety of critters, pick blueberries, ride a four wheeler or cool off in the swimming’ hole - so long as you don't mind love nibbles from the fish .  We pulled into the driveway a minute shy of midnight to find Chuck and my other cousin Dillon wrapping up a backroads session in Chuck's Wrangler.  Country roads can take you home or for ...

We gathered in a south Georgia pecan grove to celebrate 90 years of Aunt Nell.  Some of us walked out back doors conveniently located on the "family land" while others drove several hours south to celebrate Nell's latest circle 'round the sun... by sitting in the sun. :)  That's the deep south way. There were also some pockets of A/C  ~ which we were all doubly grateful for.  Born in 1934 , Aunt Nell is older than World War 2. She missed Bonnie and Clyde by a month and a half but got to be here for the Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020. Life is funny.  Aunt Nell has nurtured a nest full of children, her own and many others besides.  My mom and her siblings, Nell's nieces and nephews, looked forward to summers of respite from their own home,  where peace was hard won.  I've only had one argument with Aunt Nell in my whole life - and that was over who could pay the dinner bill. It was her birthday but she was adamant I let her have the check.  Aunt...