The Apple of My Eye--BIG RED

What's a Big Red? . .He's my pride and joy. . .an old friend. . .turned 31 years old this year. . .considered an antique but still full of zoom and spirit. . .Has traveled the country and every nook and cranny in Arkansas. . .Always ready for a junkin' spree. . .Always ready for a good time but loves to work, too. . .

Meet Big Red. . .A 1983 Chevrolet Silverado. . .Isn't he a beauty? . .John was so sweet to us one day recently. . .gave Big Red a bath. . .He'd been in the barn all winter and part of the summer. . .Instead of red, he was more of a dusty, grayish burgundy. . .Birds had nested above him. . .Owls had taught their babies to fly around him. . .Winter winds blew dirt and leaves and snow and ice all over him. . .He was more than ready to get clean. . .and boy, did he shine. . .You can almost see his 'chest' puffed up with pride, can't you?

There are many reasons I love this truck, besides the obvious beauty of him. . .He was my Daddy's--bought new in '83. . .but he wasn't red then. . .He was a beautiful metallic silver with burgundy details. . .and he had a matching camper shell on the back. . .Daddy loved this truck. . .Mom hated it. . .So much so that she made Daddy park Big Red (I guess he'd be Big Silver at that time?) in the back lot of their home, hoping no one would see it. . .Didn't bother Daddy. . .He and that truck were a team. . .They hauled wood. . .pulled trailers. . .carried antiques for a certain daughter. . .even moved a cypress pump house 195 miles. . .Together they traveled to the Ozarks quite often. . .exploring every little back road they could find. . .They took photographs all along the way. . .Daddy always said Big Red had a knack for finding great photographic possibilities. . .When Big Red began to show some rust on the hood, no problem. . .Daddy bought several cans of 97 cent Walmart spray paint and fixed it. . .When the latch on the glove box broke, Daddy rigged up a latch to hold it shut from the outside. . .As the white-wall tires wore out, Daddy replaced them one by one with black. . .looking a little strange. . .but neither Big Red nor Daddy cared. . .They were on an adventure. . .Yep, adventure was their thing. . .And they had many. . .

Then the day came when this Farmer decided that the Farmer's Daughter (me) needed Big Red for her own adventure. . .A new business brought me the need for a truck. . .I designed and made little girl clothes and the doll clothes to match. . .Deliveries to boutiques, craft shows, and wholesale markets called for a truck or van. . .I'd been looking for a good used truck with a camper shell where I lived when one day Daddy showed up with his pride and joy. . .I was speechless when he handed me the keys, saying he didn't know the history behind the vehicles I was looking at. . .but. . .he knew Big Red would get me where I wanted to go and back. . .He was right. . .Big Red had to learn new things to brake for. . .No more photographic opportunities or wood to haul. . .Nope. . .It was antiques and craft shows. . .yard sales and estate sales. . .Big Red learned to enjoy them as much as I did. . .never failing to start when I was ready to go. . .It was during this time that his name stuck. . .I got him a new but cheap paint job--in 'Candy Apple Red'. . .Honest. . .That was the name of the paint they used. . . .Oh, and I bought him not one, but two sets of 'fuzzy dice'. . .

Big Red and I carried on a love affair for almost nine years. . .Then the day came when I had to make a hard decision. . .I was moving to Virginia to work and I couldn't take Big Red with me. . .My plan was to find a place to store him but something better came along. . .My cousin Magers wanted to buy Big Red and restore him. . .I decided Big Red would be much happier staying in the family. . .So, I sold him to Magers with the stipulation that if he ever sold him, I got first chance. . .And, so I said 'Good-bye to my Baby' and scooted off to Virginia for yet another adventure. . .This time alone.

In the meantime, Magers set to work. . .and turned Big Red into the beauty he is today. . .

How did I get him back? . .How did Big Red come full circle? . .Another life change. . .a sudden and unexpected one this time. . .I returned home to care for Daddy after Mom passed away. . .While here, John fell in love with the farmstead and I saw with him the actual possibility of my life-long dream for the farm just might come true. . .We began work on it in 2005. . .About the same time, my sweetie of a cousin emailed and asked if I'd like to have Big Red back. . .because. . .'every farm needs an old truck'. . .Bless his heart. . .He was my hero that day. . .The 'fuzzy dice' came out of storage. . .and Big Red returned Home. . .

And. . .every time I climb into the driver's seat, I feel hugged. . .by three of my favorite men. .

Daddy. . .Magers. . .and Big Red himself.

 

LIFE IS GOOD. . .

 



Lilies and Rabbits

If there's two things we have an abundance of at the farm, it's lilies and rabbits. . .They're EVERYWHERE. . .I'd love to share some lilies with someone. . .and rabbits. . .literally. . .This Spring and Summer has been a wet one. . .Everything is multiplying. . .the grass. . .the weeds. . .the wild flowers in our open field. . .and the day lilies--an overabundance this year. . .They are the one flower that grows well in the Delta. . .no matter what the weather. . .or who's growing them. . . .green thumb or not.

 

 

Mom had beds of yellow day lilies, orange day lilies, double day lilies, tiger lilies, surprise lilies. . .Well, you know where they wound up. . .Right here at the farm. . .We had enough lilies to put at the corn crib, at the garden house, in the front flower beds and at the barn. . . .After eight years of growing and multiplying--and a rainy year--it's time to thin them out. . . .I don't dare ask John to plant more in another area. . .I think the usually mild-mannered man might turn hostile. . .He likes lilies. . .but 'how many lilies does one farm need?'. . .He has a point.

 

How I wish I could send each one of you a bunch or two. . .along with maybe a few wild rabbits. . .

They're everywhere, too. . .until I grab a camera. . .They play right up to me when I'm sitting on the porch but let me grab my camera and they are nowhere in sight. . . I counted eight outside the kitchen window at dusk last night. . .Every year John swears he's gonna have rabbit stew in the winter but when it comes right down to it,  he's too much of a softie. . .

 

I've been sitting here on the porch. . .rocking away. . .gazing at the lilies and wondering what to do with them. . .thinking about the rabbits and how many we have this year. . .Lilies and Rabbits. . .Is there a connection here? . . .(grin). . .Do you think they're kin somehow? . .(double grin). . .

 

LIFE IS GOOD. . . .

 



Sharing the Delta Story in Song

Some people record history with words. . . .some with photographs. . . .some with music. . . .

Johnny Cash wrote many songs from his own Delta memories. . . .So, too, writes another Mississippi County native son. . . .Joe Chipman. . . .His newest album CD ARKANSA IN ME-KEEPING IT DELTA is on sale now. . . .and look who's on the cover with him. . . .

 

Cover Photo by Dwight Booth--L to R: Joe Chipman, Bob Rothfus, Jeff Knowlton, John Holt, Dru Duncan and Dale Blaylock at the C. A. Smith Grocery located at the Widner-Magers Farm Historic District.

 Yep, that's our store. . . .It was an unusually warm January day when these photos were taken. . . .The sun was shining and there were no clouds in the sky. . . .So the guys put on their best overalls and Sunday-go-to-meeting shirts, grabbed their musical instruments, and headed our way. . . .Now, you can't get such talented musicians together without a pickin' and singin' session. . . .I'm afraid John and I weren't as talented, but they did come up with some instruments for us to play. . . .John played a washboard--I played a whiskey jug. . . .

That was such a fun day. . . .All the musicians are super gentlemen. . . .
You'll never meet a nicer bunch of people. . . .or more talented. . . .

Speaking of which, I thought you might like to learn a little more
about the song writer--the one who made it happen. . . .the talent behind it all. . . .
 





Bio by Revis Blaylock

ARKANSAS IN ME-KEEPING IT DELTA is Joe's second CD. . . .and already in demand. . . .In fact, KASU radio, 91.9 FM is currently featuring a few of Joe's songs on their Arkansas Roots program. . . .The program airs each day at noon, Monday through Friday.

 

Not only does Joe have stories to tell in song, he also has a deep passion for collecting Delta history and loves sharing it. . . .It's always a thrill when he stops by just for a chat. . . .I've learned so much from him that has helped us with the farm history. . . .and to top it off, Joe has also donated many items to our museum. . . .Just an all around nice guy. . . .a true born-in-the-Delta Southern gentleman.

 

 

 ARKANSAS IN ME and TAMING MISSISSIPPI COUNTY are sold at:

 

 OUR OLD COUNTRY STORE. . . .

 

Hop on over there for information about both CDs and a list of the songs. . . .

But first, how about a sneak preview? 

 

From the Album: Taming Mississippi County

Narrative and lyrics by Joe Chipman

Vocal by Jeff Knowles

 

 

Gearing Up For Fall

The weather these last two days has been perfect. . . .cool. . . .dry. . . .feels like FALL. . . .so unusual for us in July. . . .I know it won't last, so we're soaking up every bit of it that we can. . . .John has finished the porch. . . .You'll get to see it soon. . . .I've gotten my not-so-green-thumb working--potting plants for now and later. . . .And, in John's spare time (chuckle), he's making birdhouse to sell this FALL. . . .when tours begin. . . .I love the Popeye ones and may just keep this one for myself. . . .

 

 

Looks like we will be open for scheduled tours starting the last of September. . . .The dates haven't been firmly set, yet. . . .but probably around September 22, M-W-F time slots for groups. . . .I'll tell you more about it soon. . . .If you have a group who would like to visit, email us and we'll put you on the list. . . .We already have several signed up, so don't wait until the last minute. . . .Even those who visited before might want to come again. . . .We've restocked the Smith Grocery Museum and have some surprises there. . . .vignettes will be set up around the farm, and the log house is coming along. . . .We'll have our rag rug looms for sale and other special items. . . .as well as some antiques. . . .I'm hoping to have a few baked items for sell, too. . . .Such as Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies. . . .and Grape Nuts Bread. . . .Fun for everyone!

 



Time to get back to work. . . .Just wanted to pop in and say "HI" while I rested a little. . . .This afternoon I'm tackling the front flower garden. . . .We've had so much rain that the weeds are taking over. . . .Not my favorite job. . . .but it should be a lot more pleasant with the cool weather. . . .Maybe I can talk John into helping? . . .grin. . . .LIFE IS GOOD. . . .

Just a Footnote: Joe Chipman's newest album ARKANSAS IN ME--KEEPING IT DELTA is now available at OUR OLD COUNTRY STORE. I'll also be posting more about it on this blog soon. . . .It's a great album. . . .and our Smith Grocery is on the cover. . . .Til next time. . . .

Long May She Wave

On this special day. . .Let's all

Pause a moment and remember the principles this nation was founded upon. . .

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. . .

But above all:

ONE NATION, UNDER GOD



To Everyone. . .

Have a Wonderful and Safe Fourth of July Weekend. . .

and May God Bless America