Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Discovery Place...Chesterfield County South Carolina


Mac and I have this new social life these days.  Our closest alliances now seem to be with our Doctors. I discovered that he had not seen his Primary Care Doc (Dr Ken Moyd) in several months.  Well, he had been sort of busy trying to stay alive with the help of Drs Grainger and Eddleson...and a good job of it they did.  So I made the appointment and off we went today.  I had put the address in the TomTom to see which was the shortest way to Society Hill.  It took us a way we had never been before.  When we got on #1 we went through Patrick.  Patrick doesn't get much attention as towns go, but its a lovely rather bucolic little town.  Just after we had turned onto the highway I saw a sign that read "Brown Cemetery".  (I think our county may have more family cemeteries than most.)  I recalled when we were children that on at least 4 Saturdays a summer my grandparents received a visit from Uncle Led Brown.  He walked and hitchhiked from Patrick to Chesterfield on 145 to Mammy and Daddy Dwight's.  I can see him walking up the dirt drive off highway 145, dressed in an old timey (even for that time period) suit, crisp white shirt with a campaign type hat clamped on his head.  You know I was nearly grown before I realized that Uncle Led was Uncle Ed ...it was that hat.  I identified him as if the hat were a lid or in our vernacular a led...so, Uncle Led. 

my grandparents...Daddy Dwight and Mammy
It didn't seem that anyone was particularly glad to see the old man, but he was always glad to see the entire family.  He would sit with a hot cup of coffee, pouring it from his cup into his saucer and sip at it gingerly, as though it might get away from him if he wasn't careful.  He would talk about a lot of nothing, just visiting and enjoying the fellowship, as he called it.  He would rave on about Mammy's biscuits (one of which he held in his bony old fingers, occasionally dipping it into the coffee left in the cup.)  He would  ask if mayhap she had fried any of Dwight's sausage for breakfast, and mayhap there was any left of that flavorful meat we were treated to on a Saturday.  He would sit soulful eyed, that old war hat rocking on his knee, giving Mammy the look.  You know the look...most old dogs perfect it by the age of 7.   Sighing deeply, she would look in the oven to see if there were any left over bits and pieces.and sure enough there would be cold scrambled egg and that sausage attributed to Daddy Dwight and it went just so well with that angel pillow of a biscuit.  That old man wasn't much to look at, but he had a way of getting things done to his advantage.  So today when we were traveling down to Society Hill via the sweet little town of Patrick, Uncle Led was once more on my mind.  I know where the Brown Family Cemetery is now.  I think one day soon I'll go look him up.  I wish I could offer him a cup of coffee and a biscuit.  Maybe I will just have a cup and a bite in his honor.  Cheers Uncle Led.  I always loved you.

32 comments:

Vee said...

Are you ever told that you look like your grandmother? Because I see the resemblance quite clearly.

Another wonderful memory shared...you have a way of making me feel mighty sorry for an old man who wasn't quite welcome and you make me want to know more.

Always wonderful to find you writing here!

Finding Pam said...

A beautiful memory. My grandmother used to feed strangers on her steps. Biscuits and coffee.

Donna said...

Love your stories sweet friend...I think a lot of us had an "Uncle Led" in our family...
hughugs

Hilary said...

What a wonderful memory and tribute to Uncle Led. I love that you misheard his name like that for so many years. You have a way of telling tales which make me feel like I was part of the time and place.

Maggie May said...

Your stories make one feel absorbed because you are good at story telling.
Places associated with childhood do tend to nudge the memory, I find.
Maggie x

Nuts in May

Denise said...

Hello girl! It has been a long time since I was here........ trying to get my mojo back and get back to the blog... Love your story.. sweet memories of days gone by... I have been going through old pictures for a while and it is so bitter sweet!

Sending Oklahoma hugs!

Judy said...

You have me smiling here...about your new social life, your Uncle Led whose name was actually ED, and 'the look'.

My hubby and I are trying to figure out how you have a choice of treated or untreated water. Are there double pipes running throughout your entire community...and everyone can choose which one to hook up to. No choices here!

Brian Miller said...

uncle led actually sounds like a pretty cool character....we had a family cemetary in the back yard growing up...though i knew few that were buried there.....

Jeni said...

I too love to read your posts, especially those in which you share memories of your family and stories about so many of them.

The food, sitting in the oven, reminded me of when my Mom, grandparents and I would drive down to Pittsburgh area to visit my Mom's oldest brother and his family. Enroute, we would always stop in Indiana, PA to visit with my Grandpa's baby sister and to this day, the thing I remember the most about Aunt Elin was how she could pull item after item out of her refrigerator, heat up those that had to be served warm and within 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, tops, she would have a huge spread of hot and cold foods -all leftovers, but really tasty ones at that - on the table and then she would transform in a waitress extraordinaire, as she would circle the table, tapping each one seated on the shoulder and urging everyone to "Eat, Eat!" (Like anyone had to be pushed to do that at her feasts!)

Sally said...

I always enjoy your memories. We didn't have an Uncle Led but we had an Aunt Ruth that your story reminds me of.

xoxo

Carver said...

You are a wonderful storyteller.

SandyCarlson said...

What a great story. Times really have changed. It's nice to slow down and read your blog!

Lee said...

Aren't moments like that, where you learn something about your family and bring up old memories, special? I agree! You're a great story teller!

Love,
Lee

ancient one said...

Loved this story of Uncle Led as I have loved all the stories you tell of your family!

Anonymous said...

Hi dear Sandi, I have just spent quite some time reading back through your posts. I am so happy Mac is doing well. I hope you take care of yourself because I know how you were scared to death. I have experienced the rescue squad and scares this winter too with my own sweet husband of 44 years. He had his first infusion this morning and says he hasn't felt this good in months. Hallelujah! Be good to yourself. That's what the dr. told me. It's harder on the caregiver then the sick one I think. I was so tickled to have you drop by for a visit. xo

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Tabor said...

What a nice POTW. I wonder if children I know will look back on times with me and find me somewhat idiosyncratic?

Brian Miller said...

woot. great job on the potw! smiles....

June said...

Oh boy! What a mood you've set . . . with the coffee in the saucer . . . and the old-dog-eye look.
And weren't women beautiful . . . just lovely? in the days before makeup everywhere all the time?

Well, well done!

Kerry said...

What a cool way you have of telling a story. I began worrying about the fate of Mac, but ended smiling at Uncle Led.:)

Brian Miller said...

congrats on your pOTW as well...
smiles.

Anonymous said...

You have a wonderful way of telling a story so as you feel as though you are sitting right there along with everyone else. A beautiful memory of your Uncle. Congrats on POTW! Thank you for stopping by my place and saying hello! So nice to meet you!

Sally said...

Congratulations on the post of the week. You're surely deserving as you tell the BEST stories. xoxo

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Friko said...

A lovely piece about ‘an old dog’.

I wonder, will somebody in the future remember colourful characters in delightful little tales like yours or are there just no colourful characters left nowadays?

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