A Busy Summer

Schools are opening. . .The weather has cooled. . .Feels like Fall is on it's way. . .For us, it has been a VERY busy Summer. . .and we're not finished, yet. . .Thought you might like to see just a few of our projects. . .Our biggest project was the Little Chapel in the Field. . .The exterior is done. . .and I'll be posting photos of that work soon. . .

We're taking a slightly different direction with our Farmstead for the coming years. . .I will be sharing that with you soon. . .As in all things of Life, if you want to continue growing, changes often happen. . .It's a good thing. . .

Another Person's Trash Adds Color to the Tenant Houses

If you travel some of these back roads and see a white GMC pulled to the side and two people in the fields chasing discarded tires, just honk the horn and drive on by. . .We haven't lost our minds. . .We're not having truck problems. . .We're simply helping the local ecology and carrying on a Delta tradition. . .Old Tires. . .Spray Paint. . .Instant flower beds. . .What fun. . .

Originally, I wanted to make a border with the tires but we didn't find enough discards on our several trips out. . .Then one day I found a name brand spray paint for 1.50 a can and came straight home with it, painted those tires. and stacked them up. . .Still have to fill them with some dirt and flowers. . .That's later. . .I have another project that will bring even more color to the houses. . .Won't be long before I reveal it. . .

I painted more than the tires, though. . .Once I got started, I couldn't quit. . .benches. . .bins. . .rusted buckets. . .The only thing that stopped me was. . .I ran out of paint !!!!!

Certainly not Chic Decor. . .is it? . .but, it's exactly right for the old shotgun houses in the Historic District. . .Brings back some good memories for me. . .of the Turners. . .Cowboy. . .Cora. . .others I knew along the road. . .

So. . .in the future, if you see us on the roadside picking up tires, give us a honk and a wave. . .We'll be 'at it' again. . .

A Daunting Task: Inventory, Repair, and a New Look for the Smith Grocery Museum

One of my very favorite places to hang out and reminisce on a regular basis is our almost 100 year old grocery museum. . .It's hard to believe that the building is that old. . .Built in 1919 by my grandfather Earl Magers, the store was located on Second Street in Dell. Over the years, it was rented by several store owners. Granddaddy owned it until ca. 1956, when he deeded it over to my Mom, my brother, and myself. I have such fond memories of the C A Smith Grocery Store from my growing up years that when we moved the building to Duncan Farmstead, no other name for it was right. I was able to use an old photograph to get the sign as much like the original as possible. 

While the exterior of the building resembles C. A.'s store, the interior does not. We were so blessed to have had so many donations from local people that we wanted to incorporate them into a typical company store. Thanks to Marguerite Brownlee and Marcia Partin, we have wonderful store fixtures and glass displays from the Brownlee Store and one of the early Dell Post Offices down to the postal directory. I cannot thank them enough for allowing us to save this part of Dell history. One of the displays dates back to 1903 and was first used in an early Dell establishment.

To fill those displays, in the beginning, I relied on family items and my collections. . .Now, almost ten years later, we have had numerous donations from friends in the Dell area, as well as others who live further away but knew of our project. We are grateful for each and every donation and have assured the donors that these items will continue on here at the historic district in the future. 

Which brings me to the daunting task at hand. It's time to put things in order and inventory each and every item. While listing our inventory, we are also changing the items within the store to better display all the generous donations and less of the family possessions. . .and to reflect the early 20th century time period. 

When we begin to 'restock' the shelves, our plans are to restore the donated items to their original appearance, as much as possible.. Repair, paint, and polish is in the work ahead of us. But first comes the weeding out of personal collections and family items for an estate sale and the inventory of all that will stay with the Historic District. . .Yes, a daunting task. . .but a definite step forward in protecting our local heritage.

We have a LOT of work ahead of us. . .

and we have several changes to make. . .

but I'm excited about the project, 

 knowing it will all come together. . .one day. . .

Sneak Peek: The HISTORY IN POSTCARDS SERIES Coming Soon!

PICKING COTTON--EARLY 20TH CENTURY

It's February and I have no idea where the last two months have gone. . .

but I do know it's 'high time' I get back to BLOGGING!!!!

But. . .it IS Winter. . .which means indoor projects. 

This is one I've been working on for some time. . .with the dozens of POST CARDS that are connected to COTTON. . .I'll be sharing them with you soon. . .and the COTTON STORIES that go with them. . .

AN EARLY COTTON PRESS--VERY PRIMITIVE

It will be coming your way SOON. . .so BOOKMARK this site. . .

I'll be back with much to tell. . .

 

 

Our Sharecroppers Are Decorating for Christmas

 

Are your Christmas gifts wrapped and ready?

Have you put up your tree?

Our SHARECROPPERS are beginning to decorate their SHOTGUN HOUSES. . .

and MS. HER CROW is headed their way with a load of cypress, cedar and pine trees. . .

cut from the banks of the PEMISCOT BAYOU (Dell Ditch). . .

They don't have a lot of money to spend on STORE-BOUGHT decorations. . .

so they make-do with what they have. . .or what can be found. . .

I think Cowboy has done the most decorating, so far. . .

We won't ask whose pants those are. . .

They look large enough for Santa, don't they? But, they're the right Christmas colors. . .

Cowboy's neighbors. . . the Turners. . . 

are waiting for the Christmas trees to arrive before finishing with their decorations. . .

but  they have started with. . .

a WREATH at the door. . .

and one for their prize laying hen, Harriet. . .

 Won't be long until our Sharecroppers will be ready for SANTA. . .

He'll be visiting CHRISTMAS EVE. . .at MIDNIGHT

He stops at the DUNCAN FARMSTEAD every Christmas Eve. . .

to visit with the animals. . .and to rest a little. . .

John and I spied him one Christmas. . .

Read about it at:

 A CHRISTMAS STORY FROM THE FARM

Young or Old. . .Rich or Poor. . .Make-do or Store-bought. . .

We all look forward to another Christmas together with family and friends. . .

on our little DELTA FARM.

**************

We are also featured in the HOLIDAY ISSUE OF DELTA CROSSROADS. . .

with my Granddaddy's Christmas Letter from 1938. . .

and other stories about Christmases Past with our family.

Just CLICK HERE 

and turn to pages 31-36.

 HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY !!!!

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT THE FARM