Tuesdays often find me driving down the very first driveway I ever drove on. The one at Blackberry Flats. Home. Once again life and laughter and love fills the house and the yard and the spot beneath the Scotch Pine--and all up its branches as the children climb and play, hardly able to be seen… Continue reading Leroy’s “New” Plant
Tag: Blackberry Flats
A Grateful Heart
Whoo, y'all. Today has been a busy one. And I wish my poor Mama were here so very much right now. Besides the obvious reasons, there's this. I'd set her down, bring her a glass of tea, whatever book she's reading, and-- I'd rub her feet. And back. And shoulders. All those years she put… Continue reading A Grateful Heart
just need the zipcode for Heaven
Dear Mama, Well, we are just about done. The house at Blackberry Flats is almost all cleared out, Mama. I know you've probably been shaking your head, wondering what was taking me so long to get it in gear. I can't say, really, except that it was just too much to think about. To get… Continue reading just need the zipcode for Heaven
Something in the Water
I have a very clear memory of my Daddy, in his jeans and his blue chambray shirt that Mama made him, standing at my Granny's sink near the door to the back porch. He has one of her small red solo cups of water in his hands. He is standing, staring out the back window… Continue reading Something in the Water
and the two became one–how the journey began
December 17. The day my parents married in 1967, forty-six years ago. It all started with a guy named Cheshire, who was good friends with Mama and Daddy individually, introducing the two of them while they were in college at Valdosta State. He had already let Mama read some of the things Daddy had written. … Continue reading and the two became one–how the journey began
My Daddy and His Way of Preaching
I have a memory of my Daddy that I've thought back on so often that the corners of the memory are wearing thin like the pages of my favorite books. It is as comforting as the blanket I carried and then slept with for years and years (and still sleeps in the back corner of my… Continue reading My Daddy and His Way of Preaching
The Journey Home
It's funny what folks call home, isn't it? I live here at "Buckingham Bottom" as Daddy named it, but I will always call Blackberry Flats home. Our Princess considers Japan home when she talks about it sometimes because she was born there. Just as my sweet little neighbor friend is happy in his new place in… Continue reading The Journey Home
Don’t Leave Anyone Out
These last few days of summer have been filled with some of the best things in life, but some of the best fun has been playing and having adventures with cousins. As can happen when you mix children from a few families, you often have to remind the group, as Mama always told us when we… Continue reading Don’t Leave Anyone Out
Piddlin’ and Putterin’ Around
It's been one of those weekends. I only had a couple of things on the "agenda," leaving a lot of room in the margins for getting together with my sister Mess Cat and her family. Or not. Whatever. Free time. That has become a precious commodity around here. So it was a nice surprise. Several… Continue reading Piddlin’ and Putterin’ Around
I Hear Voices
One day over a year ago, we were up at the day shelter with our friends, wrapping up a meal. Only a few folks remained, and we were hanging around visiting. One of our friends, whom we love dearly, but who can be a bit eccentric at times was talking, and then he said, "I… Continue reading I Hear Voices
I Might Need A Nap 