I took Friday off from work and declared it a Me Day, meaning I could do whatever I felt like doing. That meant taking country drives and going to a particular store I’d wanted to visit for a while.
The store is called Davis General Store. This link has some fascinating info including the fact that the current building was constructed in 1908. It’s pretty cool to know that those wonderfully squeaky floorboards were walked on by people who were alive at the same time as Abraham Lincoln who died in 1865.
I loved everything about the store, especially the smell. It smelled like old. Not anything old in particular, just evocatively and wonderfully old.
Here are a few photos from my thirty minutes of happy meandering. Click on any photo to view full-size.
I had on Friday was a hair appointment at 5 pm. Since I arrived at the salon a little early, I took a short walk while I waited.
Just a few hundred yards from the salon was this amazing place which I’ve driven by before but never noticed. I love the lampposts along the driveway and the little bridge over the creek.
Just as I was headed into my appointment, I saw the way the light was hitting this church and had to grab a photo of that, too.
Steve was extra busy. He helped out with some yard work at church, worked on the deck steps with Noah, helped Nathan work on his van, practiced music Saturday for church, and then played bass with the worship team Sunday morning.
Steve had ripped out the rickety, old stairs on the deck earlier last week.
When Noah came over, Steve put him to work digging holes, helping mix and pour the concrete, and assisting with carrying all the heavy wood around. Noah was in absolute heaven; he loves working with his hands and he really loves getting to work with his grandpa.
I especially like this photo; Noah is putting his whole heart into this job.
I loved that these two guys got to hang out a little bit on Saturday. Nathan keeps a busy schedule so having time with just his dad is extra special. The two of them were working on the brakes on Nathan’s van and managed to have some fun in the process.
for a son and a grandson who come and hang out at our house. I’m thankful for an old store, country roads, and sunshine on a steeple. I’m thankful for crisp fall air, a Carolina blue sky, and in an often disquieting world, the beautiful and blessed peace of simple moments and simple days.
What about you?
What did you do this weekend?
Do you like wandering through old stores?
When you were growing up, were there particular things a parent or grandparent took time to teach you?
These photos of your outings are so beautiful! My husband has said many times that IF we ever left Texas (NEVER going to happen 😂) we’d move to North Carolina. He has been there many times for work and loves it. He took me once and I fell in love also. It’s so gorgeous! I love that you got to have a ME DAY followed by a relaxing weekend!
Lizz,
We have loved North Carolina for a long time, mostly because it’s home but also because it does have so much natural beauty. I’m glad you and your husband have gotten to experience a little bit of it.
I’ve been to TX, and it has such beautiful places, too. Thankful there is beauty everywhere around us!
I just love me time!! My hubby went deer hunting this weekend so that was a perfect me time slot to spend with my daughter and granddaughter. We shopped and went to lunch. We had such a great day!
I love that Steve is passing those skills on to Noah. He will always remember working with his grandpa too. They are creating such great memories!
Lee Anne,
How fun to get girl time; such a perfect time to share laughter and make happy memories.
I am definitely thankful Nathan’s family lives close enough to us know so that Steve and Noah can work on those projects together. Happy times for them both.
I just love that Steve is passing on wonderful skills to Nathan and Noah. What a gift! I love your meandering. That looks like a cute little store. I love out-of-the-way stores like that. Sometimes we just need a day and I’m glad you enjoyed yours.
Lisa,
Meandering is the best therapy there is!
I told the proprietor of that store that I’d rather shop with him than at a super Walmart an ol’ day!
What a great team those two are – for Nathan and Steve or Steve and Noah! Great memories to cherish! Love old stores. I lived in Detroit Lakes, MN for a couple of years and there was a store that had those types of floors – I think it was called Blandings – at my age and trying to remember 55 – 60 years ago gets a little harder. So when I go into other stores that have those squeaky floors it brings back great memories. It did close about 10 years ago, so will have to check out more stores. Although in Branson near Branson Landings there is a 5 and 10 store that is priceless to walk through. To see items that you saw as a kid (course the prices did not stay the same (like Evening in Paris – not 15 cents but $4.99.) Just a fun place to go and browse even if you don’t need anything. Oh, and great pictures as usual!
Sharyn.
Just hearing the name “5 and 10 store” brings back memories. So nice a few of those still exist and carry interesting, older items. Those stores make browsing extra fun.
Yes, I’m glad to see Steve being able to pass on some skills to Nathan and Noah. His dad did the same for him.
I worked a couple of basketball games Saturday then spent the rest of the weekend hibernating, trying to get rid of the “crud” (nasal drainage, cough) and while it’s still hanging around, I’m moving in the right direction. As always, your pictures are wonderful. So glad you were able to have a “me” day!
Sue Ellen,
Hibernating is a wonderful word, just curling up and letting the world pass you by. Of course, when you don’t feel well it’s not quite as fun. I hope you’re feeling better every day.
Basketball games are fun places to spend time. When you say you “work” them, what do you do?
I’m in charge of staffing basketball & volleyball games on our high school campus, except for officials. That includes scanning tickets (since COVID all sales are online only), having someone to run the clock, someone to keep the score-book and someone to man the lobby to direct people to the restrooms and make sure people aren’t “wandering” where they shouldn’t. I do this for 2 gyms if we have Freshman, JV and Varsity all playing. I usually scan tickets, but can fill in on clock for volleyball, or the score book for freshmen basketball. It’s a fun way to make a little extra money, since I get paid to attend the games.
Sue Ellen,
I’m impressed that you know enough about basketball to fill all those roles! Sounds like they wouldn’t be able to even have a game without you overseeing all the many tasks.
How fun that you have found a side gig that you enjoy. You go!
I just want to say that people all over the world are paying big bucks at salons to try and get the shade of platinum blonde hair Noah has! The Kardashians would be so jealous!
Melissa,
Ha. That is so true. Steve calls Madison’s hair, “Highlights by God.” And Noah’s blonde is definitely worthy of a little envy, too.
The light on the church is stunning. Glad you got a day to meander.
I had a craft sale Saturday, and on Sunday a potluck at church, then a afternoon of starting a quilt for our soon to come 4th great grandchild.
I love old stores and understand that old smell. That store is a gem.
The only grandma I knew taught me about her garden, but I don’t have her green thumb. My dad taught me to love woodworking and tinkering in the garage.
Patti,
Craft. Potluck. Church. Quilt. Great grandchild.
Do you realize how many happy words were in those two sentences alone? 🙂
I think it’s great when a dad teaches a daughter garage stuff. You’re blessed!
I think you mean 1809… I did a double take on Abe being here in 1909! That sounds fun to me too, looking around a building that old!
It is so wonderful Noah did a big job with Steve! I know he will remember it and it will be a highlight on his way to becoming a young man–doing important work just like a grown -up!
So good you two have input into your grown kids and grands lives- doing daily life with love, makes the world go round.
Ruth
Ruth,
Now you have me counting on my fingers to see exactly what I meant.
Abraham Lincoln died in 1865 so it is conceivable that people born a decade before he died would still be alive in 1905. Does that make any more sense or is my lack of math skills tripping me up? 🙂
Ok. I see what you mean now.. I thought you meant Abe walked in the store. Thanks for clearing it up.
Ruth
This post warmed my heart – old country stores are some of my favorite places. There’s such a feeling of comfort meandering about the crooked aisles and as you said, the creaking of the floorboards. The only shop I might like more is a used book store!
Gordon,
What we need is a really old bookstore with creaking wooden floors. Best of both worlds!