Hot, dry weather gets the garden, the pig and the daddy rabbit

Tag : pig house


I was off to MCV Hospital last week to run the test. My daughter,Gail, took me. I can’t tell you how nice everyone was. That isone busy place, I get lost in the building, much less the town. Ispent two days there, but I will receive the results in a few days.I’m mighty slow but still getting about.

Good news, the 1958 class reunion, 50-year reunion, will take placeSept. 27. The committee is working out the details. I will let youhear more from me later. I can’t wait. There are about 10 ofus left, but what a time we are going to have, a night to remember.

I’m still on cloud nine from my visit of the three NorthCarolina angels. Vickie Hedgecock brought her mom, Mae, and heraunt, Ruby, to the museum to visit and we had a blast. There wassome hugging and kissing going on. Those girls are three angels.They brought more turtles for my turtle collection in the museum,one turtle that lights up. We had a time on that old front porch ofOlgers store. They are from Trinity, N.C. I’ve got to go therebefore I die. Yes, girls, you made my day and I love all three ofyou the same.

Food news for Mr. and Mrs. Jason Purdie, a 10 pound 13 ounce boy,who came home last Friday, Hunter Andrew Purdie. All is well,mother and baby are fine and daddy so proud he is about to burst. Iwish them nothing but happiness in the days ahead,

July 4th went by quietly. I was at the museum most of the day.Friends stopped in, it brought back many memories of the years goneby, the big stews, the big barbecues and cheeseburgers. My uncle,Odell Olgers, loved the 4th of July and believe it or not he wasburied on the 4th of July, 1978. I think of Bud Rainey, BillyLeonard, Bob Moody and the big 4th of July stews for many years.The big watermelons were cut, lemonade was made from James SpringBranch. It’s all gone now, all but memories. My Uncle Odelldied 30 years ago this July 4th. Time marches son and Olgers storewas closed that July 4th for the first time in history, unless ofcourse July 4th fell on a Sunday and we were closed anyway. On July4, 1976, we celebrated 200 years at our church, an all-day event.I’ve got pictures of that glorious day. I was dressed as aConfederate soldier in a wool suit and I like to have cooked, but Imade it.

Congratulations to Paul and Virginia Smith,married 50 years, 50years of bliss. It was love at first sight. They have fivewonderful children and grandchildren galore, andgreat-grandchildren, too. I can only wish them 50 years more. Therewill be a celebration, I will let you in on it later.

My old pal Larry Holt was out last week with his pictures of theAppomattox River and the canals. Larry is a Midway High School ladand one of the best. Larry took me out to lunch at Eley’sBarbecue and it was delicious. I sure enjoyed the day with Larry.Both of us are history bugs and when we get together there’ssome talking going on. Of course, we talked so much of our MidwayHigh School years.

Last week at 8:30 a.m. I had a bus full of tourists, mostly fromHarrisonburg, the greatest folks you ever saw, and did we hit itoff. They toured Fork Inn and the museum, where I entertained themroyally. Many thanks to Chris Caulkins, who was leading the tour ofLee’s Retreat. It’s folks like this who make life worthliving. Chris is one super great guy. I admit at one time he was aYankee, but thank the Lord he has seen the light and given up hisYankee ways. He is 100 percent Southern now and proud of it.

Thanks to Kenny Westmoreland, who brought me a 4-pound pike lastMonday. What a fish! I cooked that rascal, baked in oven with Shakeand Bake, and it was delicious. Hot pike, corn bread, freshtomatoes and fried spring onions. Everyone knows I love pike andthey keep me well supplied.

Thanks to Kenny Grannotti for the delicious beef liver he broughtme last week. It couldn’t have been any better. Kenny and I goa long way back to the good old Olgers store days. Kenny was awfulfond of my mother’s cooking and she always looked out for him.Kenny lost both his parents this year. They were great folks and Iwent to their family reunions every October for many years. It willbe a sad reunion this year with Mama and Daddy gone. That’slife, I’ve been there. What do we do but pick up the piecesand go one. Remember what Scarlet O’Hara said in the greatmovie, “Gone With the Wind:” “Tomorrow is anotherday.”

Another new baby in Sutherland and I have held her already. Asmayor, I must hold the baby when she arrives home from thehospital; a 7-pound girl, Catherine Louise Bartle. She is onebeautiful baby, and mother, Berry Bartle is doing great. I wishthem nothing but happiness in the days ahead.

Last Sunday, I was at Corinth Methodist Church at Ford to teach theadult Bible class. I sure enjoyed going there. They are wonderful,dedicated folks and I love them dearly. There are not many of them,but they all are powerful in their faith and that’s whatcounts.

Thanks to Bob Davis for the big tub of dill pickles. They aredelicious. I love them on my hamburgers. That Bob Davis is one fineSouthern gentleman and I enjoy his visits to the museum so much.

Did I ever have one great visit to the museum last week, abeautiful girl, Teresa Hughes, daughter of my dear friend SammyBarker. Sammy was one of those Midways boys, too. Teresa and I surehad a grand time. She left here with great knowledge and a lot oflaughs. We sure want her to return soon. She is working on herfamily tree and has done a remarkable job. Yes, Teresa, you madeour day.

Our preacher at Ocran, the Rev. Gene Tatum, is back with us foranother year, 16 years where at Ocran, more years than any preacherhas ever stayed. Gene we love you. Gene will retire next June andwe all wish him the very best. He is one in a million.

It’s been a sad week out here, too. I guess it was the heat, Ireally don’t know. My pig died and my daddy rabbit, Midnight,died, too. I am deeply saddened by the loss, but I’ve beenalong that road before. I got another daddy rabbit Thursday and themama rabbits are well happy with the new daddy rabbit,“Playboy,” I named him. He is beautiful, solid gray witha white spot in his head. I had Midnight for 2 1/2 years and I willsurely miss him.

Thanks to David Woodard and Sean Winters for the beautiful load offirewood scraps from their job. Just right for my woodstove thiswinter, but I’m sure not building any fires now. You two boysare always thinking about me. I promise you both a good home cookedmeal next week.

Happy birthday to Lacey Marie Aug. 12. She is one beautiful younglady, daughter of my good friend David Woodard. Lacy, may you haveone wonderful birthday.

And happy birthday to Lacey’s grandfather, Charles BellWoodard, who will hit the big 8-0 on Aug. 12 also. Lacey, you andGrandpa can celebrate together.

Happy birthday to Francois Harmon, who will be 83 in a few days. Heis my second dad and a pillar in our church here at Ocran.Francois, we love you, you are the greatest.

Happy birthday to Tommy Peters Jr., my old sidekick from the J.T.Morriss years. Tommy will be 32 in a few days, born in 1976. He ismarried now with two sons and a beautiful wife. Tommy, come on byto see me and I will fix your favorite meal, barbecued rabbit andcandied yams with banana pudding and ice tea with real ice. Thatboy has eat many a meal at my house over the years and I am sopleased his entire family came to Ocran here at Sutherland.

Happy birthday to Catherine Williams. In a few days she will be 80years old. She has been my neighbor and good friend for many years.I couldn’t do without her. Catherine, may you have the finestbirthday ever. There were 13 in her family, only three left now.Catherine was next to the baby. She was daughter of the AustinTucker.

I want to give you a report on my good friend Gerald Purdie, who isin the hospital at the moment. He is one sick man and he is in ourprayers to hurry back home. We sure miss him on the porch at Olgersstore. Gerald was 84 in April. We tell all the tourists he is thelast surviving Confederate veteran and they run for their cameras.He has given us many a laugh and, believe me, he loves that Olgersstore front porch where he has been for over 50 years. Hurry home,Gerald, your chair is still waiting for you.

Sorry to hear of the death of Jack Atkins. I’ve known Jack formany years. He must be around 65 years old. My sympathy goes out toall his family. Jack has gone home.

I want to say a special hello to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Martin ofColonial Heights, dear friends of mine. Gilbert’s wife, Gerry,was raised here in Sutherland, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. JohnSowder, dear friends of mine also. Come out to see us, we sure missyou both.

My mother, Gertrude Baxter Olgers, if she was living would be 98 onAug. 10, born in 1910, on Harrison Street in Petersburg. I stillmiss her. She passed on Aug. 5, 1993, at 83 years old. I stilldream about her and remember her in so many ways. My Mama was notone in a million, but one in a billion. Thank God for the 52 yearsI had her.

I’m going to bed. I just had a turkey sandwich for supper andtwo big cookies and a big glass of milk. It’s around 90degrees now at 7 o’clock. Pray for rain, we sure need it, aheavy dew would help.