Happy Birthday Mom!

Today would be my Mom’s 85^th birthday. She passed on fairly early; as a matter of fact I am now older than she was when she left us at the age of 55, just days after her birthday. She had been ill for so long it was almost a gift for her to finally be free from the pain which had become almost second nature. Her illness colors much of my childhood memories, but not my memories of who she was. If that doesn’t make sense I can’t explain it, so you’ll simply have to take me on faith.

You see, my Mom was sick; from the time I was 5 years old, until she died of the complications from pancreatic cancer 25 years later. I only knew her for about the first 5 years before she became ill. But I do have very warm recollections of those times; clouded in the haze of early childhood. 

I remember being young enough to have a "sink" bath; that is, being washed in the kitchen sink rather than the tub; so I must have been about 3 or 4 years old. I can remember her calling out to my brother and I from the 4th floor window of our apartment at 3619 Bedford Avenue at Kings Highway; even throwing down change wrapped in a paper towel for ice cream. I don't think anything can dislodge those memories from my mind.

I can also still recall her striped dress and her dresser drawer full of kerchiefs. I know that I have printed this here before, but indulge me as I remember her with these lyrics, written several years ago while thinking about her sitting at the piano; on the beach; or just sitting on the sofa reading a book. 

The photograph at the top was the inspiration for the lyrics and it is also the first family outing I remember, on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 1957. I had just turned 3 years old. In it I am discovering the mysteries associated with the clam shell.

I Can Never See You

I can still see you there,

standing by the door.

Wearing your red kechief and your coat.

And though I think I see your face

so clearly in my mind,

I know I'll never see you anymore.

I can still hear your voice

it's ringing in my head.

I can hear the words to every song.

And though I think I hear your voice,

So clearly in my mind,

I know I'll never hear it anymore.

Times a worthless master,

it will steal your heart away.

It robs you just a little at a time.

And suddenly you realize that

you've got nothing left,

she's taken all the things you once called "mine."

Late Fall in the Piedmont

North Carolina stretches from the shores of Cape Hatteras to Mount Mitchell in the Appalachian Mountains, which peaks at 6,684 feet. That’s quite a change from sea level! In between there is a flat, transitional area known as the Piedmont. That is where I live. It was once an area rich in farms, with barns such as these almost everywhere you turned. Of course, that has changed drastically, which is why we photograph the ones which are still standing, and in operation. This is Bost Grist Mill in Eastern Cabarrus County.

 

The early settlers came to the region by land and sea. In the Piedmont area there aren’t many ocean going vessels to be seen; that is unless you count this old “prairie schooner.” But without a team of oxen to take you over the deeply rutted roadways, and up the steep inclines of the mountains, let’s just say that you weren’t going too far in one day. About 20 miles per day on flat prairie land was top speed for this baby.

 

Eventually technology came to the area and brought new machinery with it. This is what I want for my next vehicle - a steam driven, energy efficient tractor. I would love to pull up next to somebody at the light while driving this baby! It even has a steam whistle in case someone doesn’t notice you.

And, finally, as you get further up in elevation, the ground of Central North Carolina boasts the first large scale gold find in the United States. We even had a U.S. Mint here during the 1800’s. Much of the gold came from Reed’s Gold Mine in Cabarrus County; which is where I live today.  We also boast the largest emeralds in the world, some of which have been dug up as recently as last year. As for me, the only thing of value I have picked up in the area  was a gold hoop earring which sold for $50 as scrap.

Late fall is a wonderful time for taking a drive and watching the seasons change right before your eyes; sometimes several times in one day! We have a joke here in North Carolina; we maintain that we have 4 seasons, just like everywhere else; Summer, winter, summer, winter. These beautiful days in between are just a mistake.