Over A Year Later

Goodness, it has been over a year since my last post. I am amazed at how each day flies, then turns into weeks, months, seasons and years wafting into memories like vapor from a tea kettle. I have noticed during my absence, that the little computer mice have changed the format to the point I was not sure of how to even get started, so I hope this works, as my time is very valuable these days.

I am working on the book on Brookberry Farm with a new vengeance. I have found it is more fun to just write from the heart, rather than from reality...and it is also a lot easier. I have beaten myself up repeatedly about not having it finished after all this time, and lo and behold, just when I'm about to fire myself, some new tidbit surfaces that I would not have had in the book had I already had it published. There's a new freedom in allowing God and myself to work in His time, since I figure He is the true Inspirer and Giver of all good and perfect gifts. (James 1:17)

I have been transcribing my last interview with Bowman Gray, IV, all afternoon, and am delighted to re-experience what was said. I am terrified I will not be able to portray these family members in a way that truly exhibits who they really are and their contribution to Winston Salem history. I work from my third-story overlooking one of the three ponds on the property. Our property and the surrounding areas were pastures for the cows not so long ago. We have a wonderful view from our breakfast room of a hill that I have called, "Cow Hill" these past few years. Sweet Bill, their owner, puts them out to pasture there for the summer and we just enjoy them from afar. I wasn't too crazy about our warm winter this past year, but Bill did keep the cows out there in that particular field since he didn't have to brave harsh cold or snow, and I am grateful for that.

Usually I am distracted by the geese playing in the water and pooping weed seeds at the water's edge as I write, but these past few days there is a new, louder distraction. Two of our beautiful oak trees were struck by lightening last March 16, Leah's birthday. We were sitting at the breakfast table overlooking the pond, when all of a sudden there was a bright light and loud pop, which sent us all running to the center of the house. We ran outside as soon as it was safe and saw where the lightening had hit one of our larger oaks, then traveled through the ground to the largest one in the yard. We waited the winter to see if the tree/trees were dead or not. Unfortunately, we found out this spring, they were dying a slow death. Alas, we are in the process of having them taken down.

The tree service people are true North Carolina crackers. They work hard, rest hard and fish hard. One of them brings his 10 year old son, who reminds me of Opie on "Andy of Mayberry," because he comes every day with a fishing rod and empty bucket in tow. He has caught a "mess" of fish these past 3 days, and has no problem putting the worms that he has procured himself, on the hook. He also does everything else required with fishing. I told him yesterday that I thought he should put more water in the bucket, because I thought the fish would die before they got home, and he told me that's the way they like them...dead before they get home. Who am I to change old tried and true habits?

His sister came today, and she seems to enjoy catching the turtles. She told me they had them all figured out. I asked in what way and she informed me that you put a stick towards their mouths and they open them to bite the stick, so you pull our your hook and grab them by the tail to turn them away. Makes sense to me, other than I will not touch one of them. (I figured I didn't need to inform her of my childhood knowledge of the dangers of a snapping turtle not letting go until it thunders. She seems to have surmounted that obstacle and proven my wise counsel as not an end in itself.)

I have much more to catch you up with all that has transpired this past year, but I don't want to test your eyes too much, so stay tuned.