I learned something about my husband when we were planning our trip to the 5k... and it disturbed me. He wanted the 4+-hour trip to start from home the day of the trip. I knew the idea of me waking up to leave at 3 a.m. and sleeping on and off in the car before my first 3-mile run was a bad one so I began looking for alternatives. But that wasn't what disturbed me.
Rashan was shook knowing cotton fields were in walking distance. |
You know what's funny, though? He asked me if one field had tobacco in it. Okay. I know I spent part of my childhood down here and my grandfather used to grow it but what do I look like being able to recognize tobacco in the field??? So funny. After we dropped our bags, we went to see my grandparents' old house but couldn't find it. I called my dad and he helped us out. Turns out it was right around the corner. It looks nothing like I remember it. I had been warned it wasn't in the condition it was when my grandparents were alive so I honestly expected much worse but it was still strange.
My grandparents' graves |
At this grave site, I didn't get emotional in part because I kind of remember them but also because I was on the phone with my dad. You know what he said, though? That he was honored that I was visiting his ancestors. Awwww. I also saw my great grandma's grave (grandma's mom). She was a landowner and business owner (a store called Rag Mop). I didn't even know she was buried there. We also saw the grave of my oldest uncle. He died the same year as my grandma and used to call me JamesEllen (which at the time I haaaaated) because he said I looked exactly like both of my parents. I thought of him on my wedding day because of that. My SIL met my mom and said, "You look just like your mom!" I said, "Wait til you see my dad." LOLOL! My dad walked in and she goes, "Whoa." LOLOLOL! So hilarious! I definitely look like my dad's entire side. That's cool but sometimes I wish I had some features readily identifiable as belonging to my mom's side. You can see I look like my mom when I'm with her but I don't really look anything like her side.
The giant headstones |
I had talked to my favorite aunt, currently the family historian on that side, who told me we have another family graveyard right next to South of the Border... on yet another dirt road. Rashan was so put out!! At this point it was quite hilarious! Can you please calm all the way down??? Please??? Merci! At this family graveyard, there were two family headstones taller than me (granted I'm only 5'1 but still). Can I get one of those when I kick the bucket?? I don't know nearly enough about this side of the family so clearly I have some work to do on this side. My aunt has traced back to 1865 and has agreed to pass it on to me. Whee!
Sombrero tower ride |
One thing my grandmother INSISTED when we visited her was that her children take her grandchildren to get ice cream. So you know I had to go get ice cream, right? Rashan was like, "But... you have to race tomorrow. You can't get ice cream." I listened to that about 7 minutes then I said, "Pleaaaaase can I get ice cream????" Why did I do that? Like he's my trainer and/or controls what I eat? I have no idea. LOL
WE GOT ICE CREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!! So exciting! :)
The ice cream parlor |
Coffee ice cream $1.95 |
South of the Border at night! |
We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant about 5 miles south and it was quite good. Then we headed back to my uncle's place. Y'all. That happy face Rashan had? Gone. He couldn't get comfortable. He couldn't sleep for more than 10 or 15 minutes. Um... what? He was making me nervous. I had to go in a room and leave him to get some sleep. Then I woke up at 2 and couldn't get back to sleep for hours. I told him he needs to know we will be going to the country again when we go to Mississippi to see my mom's side. He's not ready. And I'm not ready for his nervousness. -_- Pray for us.
9 comments:
The countriest I thought you were was Jackson, MS. I like your grandmother's area! (maybe cause it's the capital) Now Rowland?? That's a whole 'nother beast! Poor, Rah!
Jackson, MS is not country! LOL!
Reminds me of the time one of my brother's friends came to Pine Bluff from California for a visit. He couldn't sleep because of all the noise. What noise? Crickets and frogs.
I can't lie - Jackson is about as much country as I can tolerate. Fields, no lights, dirt roads? Pass!
It's great to get to an age where you can appreciate things that were boring to you as a kid. The world becomes so much more interesting and hospitable.
OMG that is hilarious! Po' huuuusban! The history lesson sounds awesome, I really wish I knew more about my family :-(
I'm kind of with Rashan. There is something about the deafening silence in the country that makes me a bit uneasy. I have a theory about that though... I blame the creators of horror films for having my mind thinking silence means that trouble is brewing.
I think it's so cool that you went to the grave sites of your grandparents. And, even cooler that your aunt is going to pass on all her historical research to you.
Poor Rashan...the Country is the not for the faint of heart...be patient with him, lol.
adei... you so didn't. you've been to Rose Hill w/me. That's way countrier than Rowland. Don't encourage him.
ng... lolol @ crickets & frogs! i have heard tale of city people talking about not being able to sleep in the quiet! hilarious! i guess going to those places growing up makes them more normal to me. i don't wanna live there but visiting is fine with me!
red... you're right! i never thought of it like that!
sha... lol. ask your family who knows the most family history. there's bound to be one person. if you can find some names and last names, that's a good jumping off point to learn more.
trish... LOL! deafening silence! i love that phrase! i also love that horror movies are to blame! around halloween, i re-remember to thank my mom for shielding us from horror movies as kids. they never scare me.
nsa... i looooove the historical side of life. idk what appeals to me about seeing the graves of my great-grandparents. maybe it's that that seems the closest i've ever been to them.
i promise i tried patience but when he snapped on me? i got indignant. and it ain't fixed yet...
South of the Border! When we used to live and DC and VA, we would drive down to GA for the holidays. we ALWAYS stopped at South of Border, regardless of the time, and spent at least an hour there. Best memories of my life.
LOL! I never knew everyone who took 95 through there knew about South of the Border until I was in college. I was so amazed!
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