Memories on the Road Back Home

All's quiet on the homefront tonight. We are a family of just three as both girls are spending the week at Granny's house, three hours away. We miss them already, and it hasn't even been one day yet!

We packed the car early this morning (girls have so much stuff!), and I drove the old familiar road back to my hometown of South Boston. I've often said if I had a dollar for every time I've driven from Lynchburg to South Boston, and vice-versa, I'd definitely be rich! Growing up not having a mall in our town, we often would drive the hour to Lynchburg to shop, so this route has been well traveled.

Route 501 is still the same two-lane road it was back then, often full of slow-moving logging trucks that always make the trip seem longer when we find ourselves eternally stuck behind one. Fields of tobacco can be seen along this stretch of roadway waiting for the farmers to harvest the leaves. I enjoy seeing all the familiar scenery and the houses and farms that seem to always look the same.

Remember those white pottery geese folks used to put in their yards? We had them when I was growing up with petunias planted in their backs. This particular portion of 501 boasts many houses that still proudly display them.

Something else that caught my eye today--those purchased carports for folks who don't have a garage built onto their house. I know I saw at least 50 of those metal sheds out in folks' yards from Lynchburg to Rustburg to Brookneal to Halifax. I had never noticed so many before today.

And I usually look for a small Baptist church tucked back in the trees when I pass by Brookneal. We used to drive there on Sunday afternoons to hear Bro. Lester Roloff preach and the Honeybee Quartet from his Girls' Home sing. It's a special memory in my growing up years, and I can still remember him singing one of his all-time favorites, "Deeper Than the Stain Has Gone."

Today was an interesting traveling day with many memories thrown in. The rest of this week will be interesting as well--Hannah left me several post-it notes full of gardening instructions--what and when to pick the veggies, when to water, and how to can her salsa. Looks like she'll keep me plenty busy while she's gone! I think I'm going to be glad when the girls return!

~Deb

Comments

[Tammy]

Have a good week!!

Metal carports-haven't thought of those in ages!!

[lisa]

I love that she left you instructions. lol Your family is just extraordinary. :)

I went to Camp Hat Creek in Brookneal. It's so pretty there.

[mrs.b4493]

Wow, you got to hear Lester Roloff in person!? I've only heard him on tape.

[Rachel]

Hey Deb! I too was privileged to hear Bro. Roloff in person when I was a teen. I remember a girls group from the home singing that night, though I'm not sure which group it was. What a man of God Bro Roloff was! We have a few of his preaching tapes (which in-clude the girls singing) as well as a couple of cd's of him singing.

[Cindi]

Deb, are the girls going to be back by Labor Day? We are coming up to the lake and I wanted to see if you all would like to meet us there.

[Deb]

Tammy, thanks, I'll try not to work too hard in the garden, but today is picking and canning day!

Lisa, I don't think I've ever heard of Camp Hat Creek in Brookneal.

Mrs. B, Yes, many times we were privileged to be a part of a service Bro. Roloff was in...always a joy to hear the girls sing.

Rachel, thanks for writing! I'm glad you were able to hear him in person. Not a lot of people will know who I'm talking about. I have some very old cds that are probably dry-rotted by now of him and the girls singing. I'd love to re-record them.

Cindi, I emailed you. :)

[Pam's Pantry]

How ironic...two ladies from SoBo meeting in cyberspace!? (That's my hometown, too!) It certainly is a small world. I'm glad I followed the links to your blog! It's always fun reading someone else's view of your hometown, even if they're from the same place. :)