Remnants

I first saw the property we now live on, in early May 1974. I worked at a weekly newspaper and lived in the trailer. The wages I earned then along with what Jilda earned as a clerk in the dress shop put us just over the poverty level, but we dreamed of a place of our own.

I'd heard about a woman in Empire that wanted to sell an old farm along with a small amount of property.

The day was warm and when I stepped out of my old Plymouth Valiant, I got a whiff of wild honeysuckle. I parked up close to the mailbox and set out down the road toward the old home place and barn.

The hollow was painted with dogwood, wild hydrangeas, and redbud trees. I could hear water gurgling as it flowed over rocks. The oak, hickory, and poplar trees with low-hanging limbs transformed the red-rock drive into a lush green tunnel that seemed cooler than the air outside.

Time seemed to stand still as I walked down that path, absorbing every detail. I knew that moment that I wanted to spend my life in this place. I had no idea how, or when, but those things seemed irrelevant. I just knew.

As it turns out, Jilda loved the place as much as I did. So did her dad. We didn't have the money, but he did. I'd hoped he would lend us the money, but that didn't happen.....for several years.

The old place had been a rental for years and the folks who rented it treated the land badly. They were junk dealers and at one point, there were pieces of old cars everywhere.

Most of the big pieces had been hauled away before my father-in-law took ownership, but there were still hoods, doors, hubcaps and smaller pieces scattered around the property.

After Jilda and I had been married many years, her parents deeded the land to Jilda and me. He'd also bought the adjoining property and he gave that to Jilda's brother.

Through the years, we made many improvements, planting trees, shrubs, and flowers. We made improvements to the old house and barn. We also hauled off tons of junk left by the tenants.

But there were a few things I left intentionally. Leaning against a hickory tree is a side window from a car with an old headlight nearby. I left it there to remind me how far we've come.

Jilda's brother, two of his kids, his grandkids, and our friend Fred lunched with us today. Jilda outdid herself again. Afterward, we hid eggs for the grandkids. It was a fun day. I hope yours was as blessed.