It is somewhat ironic that I spent the 4th of July in the hospital exactly 50 years apart. Once by choice and once not so much. I am sure that you are deducing that I've had a health set-back which is one of the reasons this space has been blank for nearly three weeks; I'm hopefully on the mend and I can now concentrate on catching up. If all goes according to my plan, I will be writing a bunch over the next week or two because, it has been our good fortune to celebrate our son, go blueberry picking for the first time ever, go to an 89th birthday party, I photographed a wonderful group of people and more. That is to say let's get this show on the road! And now!
Backing up several weeks, D'Anna asked if we would like to go to a place to pick blueberries, followed by a neat farm. I asked Bruce and he thought it sounded good so we drove to their house and hopped in David's truck as he drove us to Franklin to parts we've never seen before.
Seriously, when visiting a mountain town mostly tourists see their cute little downtowns and that is about it. For sure, it is easy to miss the locals if you don't know what you are doing and David and D'Anna clearly do!
Like other places we have seen, this u-pick is on the honor system. Marking in buckets is just what it sounds like, holes drilled on either side of a standard household bucket. You actually carry a small little basket to the bushes, which surprised me by being tall. When done, you dump them in the larger bucket and you put your cash in a tray with everyone elses. Wild!
David, pictured below was our chauffeur and tour guide. He loves taking people places and he loves driving, so it's a win-win for everyone.
And here is his sweet wife amongst the blueberries
To tell you the truth, it was nothing like I expected. The berries were lovely, came off easily, and added up pretty quickly. I wonder if it gets messier as the season progresses?
And while it was very sunny, it was not broiling hot. Those temperatures would come the following week! For the time being, we were comfy and cool and on to our next destination.
Which was this!!
Here the variety of goods was plentiful, including fresh flowers from the fields, peaches on the trees, grapes growing and all manner of vegetables and fruits in the fields. This place was off any beaten path we had ever been on, that's for sure!
Bruce and David went into the farm store to eat boiled peanuts and soak in the atmosphere while the ladies went out into the orchard,
marveling at the good number of fruit on the trees.
Grapes are grown for wine, of sorts, as you will soon see.
Although our good fortune has allowed us to have this crazy adventure which began three years ago, seeing this sort of scene still thrills me to no end.
Those last two rows are a second planting of sunflowers; apparently the first did not go well. Speaking of which, my two sunflower plants are puny, but they have given me pleasure. :) Speaking of sunflowers, Freddy told me yesterday at church that his should be ready for a visit and some cuttings this Friday!! Woo hoo!!
The dahlias were huge, varied, and beautiful!
After roaming around, we too, went to the farm shop where we had a funny experience, involving corn. Apparently, Mr. Mitchell is renowned for his delicious corn and he was happy to prove it by shucking an ear and handing it to me to eat. Say what?
By golly, I did and he was absolutely right--delicious even without cooking or butter! Handing it around, we all were in agreement.
What's more, the peaches were incredible, as were the tomatoes.
And then it was time to head to the back room behind closed doors where we had a little tasting of Mr. Mitchell's fruit wine in flavors you cannot imagine.
You know me, I always need to know more so I asked plenty of questions. The most important answer is that although he is 82, he feels good, stating if he were't farming he would be dead. Maybe that is what keeps Cousin Hilary going, still planting lots of vegetables and I imagine he's at least 95 now?
I looked up the blog post from our visit and he was 82 in 2015! Folks if you have a little extra time, that post is a winner!
Back to Mr. Mitchell, he sells about twenty five different fruit wines, all grown, with the exception of pineapple and guava, on his property. It was a fantastic visit and hopefully we can return another time, especially with David behind the wheel as he drove us the back way over the mountain to their home.
For you all reading this, you expect to see pretty decent photos and usually I deliver. That said, to me, they are all important and my babies now that my human ones are long grown and gone. My memory of events is not great, but one thing I almost always remember is the photo that got away from me and on this little journey one such opportunity vanished in the blink of an eye. One minute I spot an interesting barn in a well-treed setting with a deer in the front and the next minute said deer runs for those trees in the other direction. Yikes!! It would have been so good! David has gotten used to me asking to stop and he did his best but that deer was faster!
Boo hoo! Otherwise, a perfect day in the mountains.
As was Thursday when we were at Soul Table. Inviting Jessie, our new friendly neighbor to Soul Table proved to be a gift to not only me, because she cared enough to check it out, but to one of our guests who she sat right down with, sharing a good chat.
She was treated to Wayne who returned to his vehicle for his guitar because he was moved to sing to folks.
For sure, he was singing with gusto.
I decided to invite Jessie to attend Eddie's birthday party with us and of course she made herself right at home. I knew sweet Julie would not mind and neither did the children who took to her like nobodies business.
She is crazy easy to talk to and seemingly loves everyone she meets. Our hearts were full celebrating Eddie who fell after the wedding, scaring everyone, but he's back in business now, albeit bruised and using a cane.
It won't surprise you that Jessie had actually already met Julie and Harry at the Chophouse where people tend to be friendly, not only the staff, but the patrons too. Plus it is but a block or so from our homes so a convenient stop. Anyway, when Harry offered a tour of their pottery studio we jumped at the opportunity. Harry showed us the kiln and this thing which has a big purpose that I have forgotten. Somehow space technology is part of it.
Here's more...
She was delighted because she had been on the lookout for some local mugs for their new home and Harry did not disappoint.
Whether or not there will be a party for Harry's upcoming 80th birthday, I'm not aware of, but it won't surprise me in the least. What does surprise me is how spry, talented and all around amazing guy Harry is. You may just recall that he put on a huge pickleball tournament and two weddings this summer! As well he tends a huge garden.
Is that the common thread? Tending to living things? Who knows, but it seems as if it can't hurt.
Perhaps you are wondering why I am recounting these weeks old events and the simple answer is because it pleases me to write about the places and people we meet and as we have learned this last week, it can be useful.
As in my hospital visit. Sounds pretty benign, but trust me, it was not. That said, with the help of my blog I was able to find when last it happened to me, and the similarities are striking. February of 2105 it was. Which is why I am going back in time a bit before returning to the present. I mean, some really awesome things have happened so let's keep focusing on that!
Here's a sneak peek of my next post, something that I hope will interest you.
Between the kindness of strangers and the kindness of friends, I am one lucky gal!!
your friend,
Gail
p..s. Look for me in a few days time.
