Monday, September 26, 2011

A Little Ramblin' A Little About Me




I missed my family reunion Saturday. I was sick and suffering from a swelled up head and sore throat but in truth I really wasn't motivated to go. As relatives pass away the numbers get smaller and it's kind of sad to go when so many are missing.

I remember even just 6 or 7 years ago it seemed the place was packed. Ever heard of Pendergrass Georgia? Talmo? Well that's where I go every year of my life for Christmas, the family reunion and various other events. Pendergrass is known for having the world's largest flea market. Literally it is huge and takes hours and hours to walk through. The treasures you can find there are amazing. I bought a leather recliner last year for an awesome price and it's still reclining.

My family who live there are very near to Athens the home of the Georgia Bulldogs. Yippee. Obviously I am not shaking my pom poms for this team. (Yikes I better hide I could be killed for saying this). Actually I am an Alabama fan because my parents loved them. They so hated the Bulldogs because our North Georgia family were consumed with the team and that pushed them right into the arms of legendary coach Bear Bryant and his Alabama boys. So that's where my loyalty remains. Love them and love that they haven't lost a game this season!

I've spent many years traveling the roads from here to there and believe it or not even after 500 trips I didn't learn to drive flawlessly to Pendergrass until I got my GPS a few years ago. I know it's sad but a sense of direction and short term memory are 2 qualities I have never possessed. For example, today just so I could remember to pick up soap and dry cleaning I wrote it on a large sticker and stuck it to my purse before I left this morning. Tell me I'm not alone in this please!

Anyway back to the subject. Traveling there for years my brother, parents and I always had a good time. We listened to the old, old country music, I'm talkin' Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, George Jones,  Loretta Lynn. Remember I was a small, small child at this time so don't age me by the music. But I will say I still have a great love for country gold.

We slept on the back ledge of the car and no seat belts! The car was filled with smoke and we played games until sibling fighting began. When that happened we were made to sit on our hands and keep our mouths shut the rest of the way.

North Georgia and the people who live in Pendergrass, and Talmo have given me a lifetime of memories that I will carry in my heart the rest of my life. Talking about those times causes to me think I'll keep on making those memories for years to come. Bittersweet memories are good too.

The picture above is Hurricane Shoals, the place several of our family reunions have been held. It's a beautiful place with lots of history.