Yahoo - I leave for Kentucky in just 13 days! I'm taking a night flight from Seattle to North Carolina and then to Lexington. For nine heavenly days I get to drive by Cracker Barrel (there's no such thing here) and get hot and sweaty and have one bad hair day after another and sit on my folk's front porch and stock up on grits which I've been out of for some time.
I have all these wonderful plans and would even love to climb the Pinnacle but last time I went in the heat of summer with Reba Fothergill of Berea, Ky. we got lost (wonder what Daniel Boone would think of that?)! And Reba, being one very gracious southern lady, turned to me on that sweltering trail and told me that if she had to get lost she couldn't imagine being lost with anyone she liked better. I'll always love her for that. By the way, we forgot to take water along and might have even been hiking in high heels for all that I remember!
The good thing is that the airlines have curtailed your luggage limit so I can't stuff my suitcase and bring it back to Washington. I have a terrible hankering for Cracker Barrel giftshops - every item on the shelves practically jumps up and shouts at me to buy it for family and friends (and myself). So there's no doing any of that this time.
I do need to visit the Log House in Berea and get a dogwood bracelet. Last time there I purchased a little dogwood ring like the one I had as a little girl which I lost long ago.
While I'm gone the boys are going to camp for the first time and Randy will be working, as usual. The first of the garden will be coming in about then so when I get back I have to start canning. And getting ready for school. And editing that 2nd book again. But for 9 days I won't have to think of those things and just be with family.
In the 18th-century there were two sayings about Kentucky, one of which is still heard today:
Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place.
What's all the buzzel about Kaintuck?
I hope and pray you have the best 9 days ever by yourself and you do anything and everything you want, including just NOTHING! Sitting on the porch and visiting with your Mom, and taking it easy for a change will be a welcome relief I'm sure. I know the boys and Randy will manage just fine. I see you must have a lay-over in NC and wish I could just pick you up at the airport and you stay here, ha! I hope you have a smooth and fun trip! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteIf I wasn't rolling into Charlotte at 5am and flying out an hour later I sure would love to see you! Hopefully next year!!! Laura
I'll see what I can do to arrange for nice weather, but given that this is Kentucky and it will be August.... :)
ReplyDeleteGin, who lives three blocks from the Log House
Gin,
ReplyDeleteI'm so thrilled to have a Berea reader! Wow! And don't you fret about the weather - I like it hot! By the way, do you like to climb the Pinnacle? Just kidding! Since you are my first Berea commenter, and if you like historical fiction, I would be so happy to send you a book once it is released next summer. I know that's a long ways away but it would be a privilege. Thanks for stopping by and hope to hear from you again!
Laura
Yes, I do hike the Pinnacles several times each year. Love Anglin Falls, too, especially for the wild flowers in the spring. I don't have any pictures of the Pinnacles up on my website, but there are some from an Anglin Falls hike at http://www.ginpetty.com/archives/2006/o_e/05_anglin.htm
ReplyDeleteAnd I wish you the best with your book. Next summer will be here before you know it. :)
Hi again Gin,
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever been to Anglin Falls but it sounds beautiful. I am going to go to your site right now and take a look! Thanks for providing the link!
Laura
Hope you have a fun time in Kentucky. I know you'll think it's good to be "home" for a few days, but then you'll be ready to go back to the home you've made with your boys out west. My husband attended Berea College for a couple of years and we went back there to Boone Tavern for our anniversary last year. He's got good memories of Berea even if he did have to hitchhike home on the weekends to see some girl. ;) Hope you have good front porch sitting weather. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann,
ReplyDeleteThat's neat about your link to Berea. I think half my family attended Berea College. So did I for a short-term winter study. Interestingly enough, it was on Kentucky authors!
P.S. I bet I know who that girl was he kept leaving to see!:)
Laura
Not sure exactly when you'll be here, but you might check out the Second Friday Night readings at the Berea Arts Council - http://www.bereaartscouncil.org/events/2008_event_schedule.htm
ReplyDeleteGin,
ReplyDeleteYou are a font of information - I will certainly check this out. I really like your site and that of your husband. Need to spend some time perusing those archives. Blogs are so interesting though I am so new at this (as you can probably tell).
Thanks!
What is it about Kentucky? It's funny how the older I've gotten the more Kentucky has taken hold of my mind and heart. It's more than just childhood memories--and truth be told, I think it's the "idea" of Kentucky and the Kentucky of the "past" that has the biggest hold on me. Not the Kentucky of today but the Kentucky of yesterday. Kentucky is home even though it hasn't been for the last 30 years.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same. I'm all for blooming where you're planted but sometimes that's easier said than done. As I sat shivering on my new deck today in the rain, I thought fondly of home again. And it sure wasn't here.
ReplyDelete