My buddy Danny and I were on the road early this morning. We had an appointment to shoot Facebook and Cable TV ads with a company in the northern part of the state.
We practiced our script on the drive up. When we drove through a small community called Nectar (such a sweet name for a community) Danny spotted a produce stand with mountains of sweet potatoes out front. Apparently, he and his wife love sweet potatoes as much as we do.
It took about an hour in the green room to get all the pieces video'd. Afterward, we headed back south.
We'd also passed a sign that said there was a historic covered bridge a short distance down a side road.
I decided to have a look at the bridge. You don't see these every day. The brief side trip was worth the time. It was a beautiful, well-preserved bridge constructed of wood and metal. It was built in 1927. We snapped several pictures and then headed back to the main road.
As we drove, we watched for the roadside stand. We saw it ahead and I hit the blinker to turn in. That wasn't necessary because I think we were the only car for miles on the two-lane.
The old gentleman minding the stand greeted us as we walked in. A giant chicken fan over on the side of the tin-roof shed kept the air moving. It was hot in the sun but the stand was like an Oasis.
I walked around and looked as Danny gathered the things he wanted to buy. I noticed a sign by the exit that said: Put your produce in a bag and put your money in the cashbox. They still sold produce on the honor system when the owners were away from the stand.
Danny bought a basket of sweet potatoes, Vidalia Onions, and a basket of vine-ripe tomatoes.
Standing there in this produce stand in the middle of nowhere was something I needed at this moment in my life. Things seem crazy right now. Politics, the weather, and world news are enough to make a sane person crazy. But here in the "real world" people are growing pumpkins, potatoes, and tomatoes in their gardens. And they are willing to share their abundance with the people passing by on the honor system.
As we stepped back into the college SUV and pulled out of the parking lot, I thought to myself, "This is America."
We practiced our script on the drive up. When we drove through a small community called Nectar (such a sweet name for a community) Danny spotted a produce stand with mountains of sweet potatoes out front. Apparently, he and his wife love sweet potatoes as much as we do.
It took about an hour in the green room to get all the pieces video'd. Afterward, we headed back south.
We'd also passed a sign that said there was a historic covered bridge a short distance down a side road. I decided to have a look at the bridge. You don't see these every day. The brief side trip was worth the time. It was a beautiful, well-preserved bridge constructed of wood and metal. It was built in 1927. We snapped several pictures and then headed back to the main road.
As we drove, we watched for the roadside stand. We saw it ahead and I hit the blinker to turn in. That wasn't necessary because I think we were the only car for miles on the two-lane.
The old gentleman minding the stand greeted us as we walked in. A giant chicken fan over on the side of the tin-roof shed kept the air moving. It was hot in the sun but the stand was like an Oasis.I walked around and looked as Danny gathered the things he wanted to buy. I noticed a sign by the exit that said: Put your produce in a bag and put your money in the cashbox. They still sold produce on the honor system when the owners were away from the stand.
Danny bought a basket of sweet potatoes, Vidalia Onions, and a basket of vine-ripe tomatoes.
Standing there in this produce stand in the middle of nowhere was something I needed at this moment in my life. Things seem crazy right now. Politics, the weather, and world news are enough to make a sane person crazy. But here in the "real world" people are growing pumpkins, potatoes, and tomatoes in their gardens. And they are willing to share their abundance with the people passing by on the honor system.
As we stepped back into the college SUV and pulled out of the parking lot, I thought to myself, "This is America."
We need to see and touch and share the real life of our countries. Thanks Rick.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Of course this on hit it out of the park. Good one! Yes, that is America!
ReplyDeleteMy grandsons fish regularly at a local lake. The owner charges $5 to fish and he sells bait, snacks and sodas. He is seldom there, instead you just put money in a box. Not only does everyone seem to pay, no one steals from the box.
ReplyDeleteI love the old covered bridges and love the cow bell. You are right that knowing places like this exist makes one realize how much good there still is. I saw this near where I live recently and in Quebec when we were there in July
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a covered bridge.
ReplyDeleteThe honour system is still used here in Australia in rural areas. And, to the best of my knowledge is it very rarely abused. Which is lovely.
This reminds me of when I was in Prince Edward Island, our neighbour province, there were honour roadside stands selling PEI potatoes and people put money in the box. It gives a good feeling to know there are still people trusting other people and there are still honest people around.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Wish we could all get back to that place. Love the post!
ReplyDeleteLisa
How great to know that not everything is chaos in our world. There is peace and plenty in our world. Every day life brings lots of blessings and I think we forget sometimes, these are the important things in life.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I was looking forward to when I decided to move back home was the roadside stands. I have not seen one in 6 years. Once in a while I see someone selling eggs or produce from the back of a pickup. It has been a disappointment for me.
ReplyDeleteI wish this America was prevalent everywhere.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, Rick. I love it.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I like the image this post brought to mind
ReplyDeleteI love produce stands but I've never seen one on the honor system!!
ReplyDelete