Let me declare, right now, that this may be one of the loveliest autumns, the south has ever seen. Still, the golden and crimson leaves cling to the woodland trees and the neat rows of the Bradford pear, that are in a good many yards -are just spectacular. Daybreak has been brilliant and the trees are lit up with the morning shine. There has been frosts most every day which only adds to the fanfare of morning. . . and the smell of wood smoke hangs in the crisp air.
I always remember “Pop” in months like November. Pop was my mamas’ dad. When, I was a child, Pop “ruled the roost”. He was a prideful man and looking back, I think, a bit vain. In the spring and summer, the farm was a busy place. Every task was important and we were taught to work as if our life depended on it . . .for in some way, it really did. I learned early on to avoid Pop, if he was fixing a tractor or a set of plows, for he was apt to go to hollering at any given moment. Anyone in the vicinity of the scene was at risk of being blamed for a lost bolt or a smashed finger or a lost wrench – well whatever calamity arose. By suppertime, Pop was over his grudges and all was well. But in the autumn, when the crops were harvested and the smoke house was stocked and the pantry was full of canned vegetables, Pop wasn’t nearly as cross.
I remember early mornings, when the frost was spread thick, Pop would be tending a small fire in “the lot” or inspecting the hooves of a pony. The lot was a fenced in area behind the farmhouse. A pasture was on two sides of it. Goats, a herd of ponies and a horse and for a while a mule were in the pasture. There was also a pig parlor. Sometimes Pop would be in his tool shelter taking inventory of his tools or sharpening things with blades. Pop was always in the lot doing something, but in the autumn, Pop was not so prone to cussing. In the fall, Pop was happy long before supper.
Work has been extra busy and this is the normal business for this time of the year. There have been all sorts of community service projects. Pies were delivered to the elderly, canned goods were delivered to a food pantry, baby blankets to a hospital, large baskets of household goods were given to some more seniors and we are not finished yet. It was a short work week – for Thanksgiving is tomorrow!
I started cooking last night for our gathering. I cooked enough collards to feed Atlanta! . . .and the fine city can also have biscuits! I use the biscuits to make stuffing, so they were put in the refrigerator , minus a few, that were eaten hot-and with butter. On Thursday morning, I will haul my wares to Mama and Daddys’ where My sisters and I will join forces to make this Thanksgiving another beautiful memory.
After school on Wednesday, Christian and I took up housekeeping . . .again. Tres comes home tonight and that was all the motivation that we needed. On Friday, we head to Elizabeth City for an encore of the holiday.
On the eve of Thanksgiving, I went to sleep with a smile on my face, for Tres was home – and the house was tidy -and the kitchen counter was laden with an abundance of dishes.
Thanksgiving dawned clear and bright. Mama was cooking the turkey, so there wasn’t a bit of rush about the morning. Christian had taken the day off-, and so he, Tres and I had a light breakfast and coffee. I always say that conversations with Tres are never dull. Hence we talked about the role of molecules in medical research, the future of the rabbitpatch and other things.
Finally, I can share with all of you, some good tidings . . .Against the odds, Tres is moving to Elizabeth City!! I have often bragged shamelessly about Tres’ intellect- and for the record it is all true. To further his career, Tres decided to pursue another degree – some sort of science, chemical and math something. This complicated business of education is not offered everywhere and there were several universities that he looked into. Jenny did some research and found out the the university in Elizabeth City, offered a very comparable course of study . To make a long story short, Will and Jenny were of tremendous help . . .and so were Lyla and Brynn. If you think that I am thrilled, you would be “spot on” . Wilmington, was too far from the rabbitpatch to suit me, after all. It took every thing in me not to try to persuade Tres in a direction. . .but do not think for a moment that when all was said and done . . . I was happier than any lark ever dared to be.
The Thanksgiving gathering was delightful. The leaves rained down in an autumn brisk breeze while I listened to my niece, Hayleys’ dreams and later we talked about the genealogy of our family, for Hayley and I share this interest. Delores made a chocolate cake, which I thought was good . . .twice. Connie did more than her fair share in the kitchen and still managed to catch up with all of our current affairs. Brant and Sydney came just past the twilight hour and so that was my special and very grand finale, to the holiday.
P.S . . and most especially . . that baby contest concludes in two days and Ryan has a fighting chance, it seems to win. Without further ado, . . .I am asking for votes again, like any good “Honeybee’ should. We have two days and you can vote once a day.
http://www.thecutekid.com/photo-contests/20191114/toddler-photo-gallery-1573788025
Voted! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving…thankful for you and your writing.
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oh thank you!!
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Wonderful your holidays were so grand. This time the link you provided clicked through, and I cast my vote for that darling baby. After all…
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you were right about the typo- and thank you!!
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My pleasure!
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Vote! Yes in deed..several times. He just has to win.
Our gathering time was a success and my sister and I managed to get through the whole thing without anything falling apart. We are dead tired but sometimes that is a good thing.My leg is better but not right and the crazy outside car left his mark on my hand …don’t try to remove a cat when there is a dog around.I’ll send you a picture of Mother, my sister and myself soon …maybe some others.
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My dear friend-You are in my prayers-I am glad your gathering went well. The next one will be even better. Cats can really do some damage. I wish you healing with your hand and your leg. I would love to see pictures of your mother. I know you miss her and your dad. xo Michele PS thank you for voting for Ryan-we will find out in a few weeks what the results were.
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I forgot to send the picture. My mother is still with us (96) .
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So adorable! I just voted!
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thank you!!
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☘️
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A lovely post. Thanksgiving with lovely Fall colors adorning the trees is always more enjoyable and beautiful.
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It was a lovely Thanksgiving. Thank you.
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Even if we don’t celebrate thanksgiving in Europe….I say I’m thankful for your writing that always warm my hearth.🦃
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This is such a sweet comment-thank you so much. love Michele
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Lovely post, Michele. I was surprised at the leaves still in color and hanging on the trees when we went to Virginia for Thanksgiving. Loved reading all your news.
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The leaves hung on a long while, but December came in with wind-and they are gone now.. Virginia is a lovely state. I hope you had a wonderful holiday-and thank you Jennie for your consistent support. love Michele
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Perhaps because nothing lasts forever, that’s what makes nature and her beauty so sweet. Virginia is a lovely state, and now we are back home to Massachusetts and two feet of snow. It is very pretty. Thank you, Michele. My best to you this Christmas season.
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I bet the snow is lovely. Thank you for your thoughts and I do agree that the changing of the seasons do provoke all sorts of thoughts. I hope your holidays are beautiful.
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The snow is so pretty. It is a wonderland. No wonder Robert Frost wrote his famous poem! Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family, Michele.
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Frosts’ “Stopping by woods . . .” one of my favorites Merry Christmas to you dear Jennie
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Mine, too!
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Michele, as I read this post my heart just warmed and I felt so cozy. What a lovely lovely post! Good for Tres furthering his education …. you truly do need to be proud of him and bragging about him. I’m so happy for you that your Thanksgiving found you with a smile on your face. Family I know means everything to you, as it should. Bless you for this post. I can smell the waft of smoke and hear the crunch of fallen leaves ……
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Thank you dear AmyRose-Autumn was a lovely time-and the gatherings were wonderful! love Michele
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A belated happy Thanksgiving. Great news all round.
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🌺
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Happy Thanksgiving, a few days late! And I’m so happy Tres will be nearby…that is wonderful news.
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