Situated somewhere a little east of the Mississippi River is a little town called Cleveland. My mama grew up here, met my daddy here, and my uncles live here. It’s also the home of my grandparents.
Mom and I headed that way on Thursday. We had lots of time to chat in the car as we passed field after field of soybeans, rice and corn.
It’s almost like time hasn’t touched these small delta towns. It’s beautiful-- in a desolate kind of way. And it reminds me simultaneously of how little --and how much-- times have changed in the last twenty years.
As a little girl, I played in the fresh picked cotton when Daddy worked at the gin. Cotton fields have gone the way of built in car phones as textiles are produced more economically overseas.
One thing that hasn’t changed? The mosquitoes. They are super sized and a bite like the devil. And they always find me. Always.
Mama and I {plus the tiny toddler} were able to sneak away for some shopping Friday. Who knew this small town had such cute stores? I’m bringing home lots of treasures... including a few for little Boo.
Saturday we attended Aunt B’s service at a little country church in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is home to our families annual homecoming {which we rarely go to} and the final resting place of most of my mama’s family.
The service was beautiful. The pastor perfectly captured B’s essence-- you could tell he really knew and loved her, too. We saw lots of family, and ate lots of food, then traveled back to Cleveland for some more fellowship.
Reese slept none, but that was pretty par for the course most of the trip. He slept great at night-- not so great during the day. Especially if we were in the car.
Monday we traveled down the highway to an even smaller town called Mound Bayou. Home to the always unbelievable Peter’s Pottery. The Wood’s brothers do phenomenal work using the rich Delta Clay. They are world famous for their pottery and I feel lucky to own two of their pieces.
Now I own two more. I call them investment pieces.
For lunch yesterday we indulged in a sampling of treats from the Airport Grocery. Umm, delish is about all I can say. Mama and I split hot tamales, onion rings, and the most amazing cheeseburger I’ve ever eaten. I would have licked the plate if the restaurant wasn’t so crowded. Reese had a grilled cheese. He had no complaints.
Even better than food and shopping was the time we spent with my grandparents. Papa had never met Reese, but it’s safe to say he fell in love. He and Reese hit it off. Papa even let him pick some tomatoes from the garden.
Notice the big boy backpack?
Saturday we attended Aunt B’s service at a little country church in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is home to our families annual homecoming {which we rarely go to} and the final resting place of most of my mama’s family.
The service was beautiful. The pastor perfectly captured B’s essence-- you could tell he really knew and loved her, too. We saw lots of family, and ate lots of food, then traveled back to Cleveland for some more fellowship.Reese slept none, but that was pretty par for the course most of the trip. He slept great at night-- not so great during the day. Especially if we were in the car.
Monday we traveled down the highway to an even smaller town called Mound Bayou. Home to the always unbelievable Peter’s Pottery. The Wood’s brothers do phenomenal work using the rich Delta Clay. They are world famous for their pottery and I feel lucky to own two of their pieces.
Now I own two more. I call them investment pieces.
For lunch yesterday we indulged in a sampling of treats from the Airport Grocery. Umm, delish is about all I can say. Mama and I split hot tamales, onion rings, and the most amazing cheeseburger I’ve ever eaten. I would have licked the plate if the restaurant wasn’t so crowded. Reese had a grilled cheese. He had no complaints.
Even better than food and shopping was the time we spent with my grandparents. Papa had never met Reese, but it’s safe to say he fell in love. He and Reese hit it off. Papa even let him pick some tomatoes from the garden.
This smile and those twinkling eyes will get ya every time!
Granny read book after book to our little nerd-- and introduced him to ice. Granny and Papa have an ice machine in the kitchen. Reese may need one now too.
It was a great trip and we were sad to leave, but all good things must end. We packed up the car and headed back home today.
Home to our Buck and Uncle J... until tomorrow when Buck returns us to our real home. This lady has really missed her man. And I’m pretty sure the youngest member of this posse has missed him too.
AND our house is now a different color. Evidently boredom led Lofton to productivity!
Home to our Buck and Uncle J... until tomorrow when Buck returns us to our real home. This lady has really missed her man. And I’m pretty sure the youngest member of this posse has missed him too.
AND our house is now a different color. Evidently boredom led Lofton to productivity!
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