I’m sitting in the living room on Sunday night finishing up this blog post. In the basement, a bass guitar is being played at a fairly enthusiastic volume. No mystery as to who is playing said bass–that would be my groovin’, string-thumpin’ hubby.
It makes me smile to hear it because four and a half decades ago, Steve and his brothers used to play in various bands, several of which practiced in the basement. Ken and Vernie would sit in their recliners in the den trying to watch TV while the walls of the house vibrated. And here I am–all these years later–with music still reverberating from the basement. Gotta love it!
almost two years ago, I’ve been going to a local pulmonologist. At our first appointment, he told me that he’d never had a patient with bronchiolitis obliterans and that he would need to consult with Dr. Lobo, the pulmonology specialist I’d been seeing before our move.
After the second visit with this pulmonologist and being reminded of just how little experience he had with my lung disease, it occurred to me that the best course of action would just be to return to Dr. Lobo–even though it’s a 4 1/2-hour round trip.
And so last Monday, I took off from work and put myself back into the capable hands of a specialist who is familiar with my history and is a specialist in my disease. It was a great feeling to walk back into his office and know I would be receiving the very highest level of care.
During the visit, he looked at several of my most recent pulmonary function tests and told me they showed that I was holding steady which is certainly good news. I’m still far below normal lung function but at least there hasn’t been any recent decline. I’ll be seeing him again in six months.
I chose to make it a whole lot longer.
My appointment was at 2:20 p.m., but I left the house at 6:30 a.m. I figured if I was getting a whole day off of work I was going to make the most of it so I spent the morning meandering the back roads on the way to Chapel Hill. Such a joy to my gypsy heart.
A guy at work had mentioned a small town on a river near Chapel Hill that sounded intriguing so I made a stop there. It’s called Saxapahaw and one of its main gathering places is this general store/restaurant/gas station.
Usually when gas stations and restaurants are in the same sentence, the culinary expectations are pretty low. But this was not an ordinary place.
I love that they carry produce from local farmers and families.
I was intrigued by the size of these spice containers. I wasn’t sure if people buy the whole thing or if someone comes and scoops some out for them. It would take me a long time to use up that much fenugreek seed. Whatever that is.
My favorite shot: viewing the store through the little space in the shelves.
Outside the front door is a framed magazine article about the store’s history. I stood and read every word of it, entranced not just by the story of the store, but also the skill of the writer.
Here is a copy for you to read if you’d like. If you love out of the way places and excellent writing, you’ll love it.
these two just celebrated their 13th anniversary. So appreciative of the way they love God, love each other, and love their kids.
And Grayson (on Nathan’s lap) just turned six!
as the pictures above and the photo below illustrate.
What a sweet sight to see Steve, Nathan, and Sarah sitting on the sofa in what is our current den–the same den that Ken and Vernie sat in while the bands practiced. Oh, the memories.
In just a couple of weeks, Sarah will be twenty-nine and Nathan will be thirty-five. And just think. Some of you have been reading this blog since they were seven and thirteen. I’m feeling a little old here, folks!
So many years have gone by; so many beloved people have left this world.
But the music and the memories play on.
What about you?
Have you ever used fenugreek seed?
Would you ever by that much spice at one time?
Was there ever any music (of any kind) practiced in your house? Either growing up or currently?
Do you enjoy rambling on back roads or do you prefer to get straight to your destination?
I’ve never even heard of fenugreek seed much less used it. And heavens no, I would not buy that much at once.
Happy anniversary to Nathan and Meagan! And happy 6th birthday to Grayson!! Lots of important events going on!
I’m glad to see that your lung function has remained stable. What a relief that must be.
There was lots of piano practice in our house as kids. I also played the accordion for a while so that was something else. Kind of a challenge to get the rhythm of it all down. Our daughter played the clarinet and our son played the drums and piano. Fortunately, he did all of his drum practice at school! Lol
LeeAnne,
I played accordion a little bit in the past. There don’t seem to be that many accordion players in the world so happy to know you are one–or have been one!
Sounds like your house was filled with music of all varieties; noisy yes, but such a joyful noise.
I’d love to try fenugreek based on the description of its flavor though I wouldn’t buy that large of a container for a taste test! I do buy that large in a couple of seasonings I used regularly though!
My brother played the flute and saxophone. He and his 2 friends set up in the basement with a drum set and a bass guitar and this little sister (elementary school) loved it! As a very young teen, I found pounding on the basement piano kept me out of a lot of trouble and the piano survived! 🙂 I even learned to read music and play a tiny bit.
I LOVE to ramble around at times!
Guerrina,
If you can learn music you can do more than play “a little bit!” I can only read very simple music so you are several steps beyond me.
I love the picture of you hanging out with your brother and friends and enjoying their music so much. Music is such a gift in so many ways.
I rarely comment, but I have been reading for that long. I love your stories and photos. I wish I lived closer to that store. I love places like that.
Becky,
How great to hear from a really long-time reader. Thank you so much for sticking with us for two decades. Amazing!
I have never heard of that spice; however, I might need to check it out as Dr. Google says it’s good for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol. I don’t think I would get that big of a jar though.
My younger brother started playing trombone in 6th grade. My parents’ neighbors at the time still remember hearing him practice. Our house didn’t have air conditioning so the windows were open late summer/early fall.
Happy anniversary to Nathan and Meagan.
Phyllis,
A neighborhood-wide concert by a 6th grade, beginning trombonist? I imagine that did make some memories! 🙂
Thanks for checking with Dr. Google and sharing that the spice is good for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol. Amazing the things we can learn!
Wow – hard to believe it has been 13 years for those 2 youngsters. I remember when they were going together and then got married. Time goes so quickly. That spice – that I can’t pronounce – have never heard or tried it. What kind of dish do you use it on? Have been grocery shopping at Walmart and they used to have the smaller sizes of herbs and spices and was very grateful because I don’t cook as much as I used to, so the larger ones can sit in the cupboard for quite some time.
Ah yes, music in our home. Have mentioned before that my dad was an entertainer and had a small combo. They would play in bars and sometimes come to our home to practice. After dad came to know the Lord, it was just him and he would bring out his guitar once in a while to play. Then he and mom years later would sing in churches – we girls would also sing.
Rambling – yes we have done that. If we have extra time – it’s like – let’s go this diection . We too enjoy places that have character and places you were at did have that – especially the “card” menu. Glad you could take a little time for meandering! So thankful to hear that you have stabilized even though not where you should be and that you were able to see your former doctor – who knows you in and out!!
Sharyn,
Totally agree about smaller jars of spices. Some we use a lot of (like garlic salt) and others, a small jar will do us for a looong time!
I love that you grew up with music in your home; that is such a beautiful gift for children to have. You sound like our family–our mom and dad singing in churches and my sisters and I also singing.
I’ve always said family harmony is the best.
Saxapawhaw general store. Putting it on my list. I’m going to go visit my folks and brother in CH soon, so thank you for the recommendation. 🙂
Brooke,
I hope you also have time to explore the town a little. I was running out of time so only made it into the store.
Enjoy your visit. 🙂
What wonderful memories fill that home! Happy Anniversary to Nathan and Megan. I have never used or heard of that spice. I wonder what it’s used in. I’ll have to look it up. Back road ramblings are such fun. We have found great eating and shopping on some back road travels through the years.
I pray your lungs continue to do well.
Lisa,
Back road travels. What a wonderfully evocative phrase. Just like you–I’m all about those trips.
Glad I’m not the only person who doesn’t know what the spice is! 🙂
I’ve never even heard of fenugreek seed. I’m thinking since some of the spice jars don’t look completely full, maybe they sell it in smaller quantities – I could never use that much in a reasonable amount of time. When I was growing up I would practice my flute upstairs in my room and my sister would practice her trumpet ( but not at the same time). I’m not adverse to taking “the scenic route” and that general store looks really interesting. I’m glad you’re back with your pulmonologist you’re comfortable with!!
Sue Ellen,
Yes, a flute and a trumpet practiced together may not sound all that great! Glad you both practiced–and practiced separately. 🙂
I’m thankful for my pulmonologist, too. Good to know I’m in experienced hands.
A drive to see a familiar specialist is certainly worth the drive.
I too have never used fenugreek seed. I does sound fairly familiar as I watch a lot of cooking shows. We buy big jars of spice at Sams club, but only ones we use a lot of and even then we sometimes toss it out after a year or two. Still cheaper than little jars even with throwing some out.
Only music was my brother practicing, sometimes, for high school band on his trumpet. My sister and I both briefly took piano lessons so the piano was sometimes played, but not a lot. When we cleared out my parents house someone said we would have to pay to have the piano removed as no one would want it. At the garage sale a young hispanic man with two young boys bought it for $15.00. He and the boys were so excited and the boys tried picking out songs rather than pounding on the keys. As the father said, “I know you can buy cheap keyboards, but I want my boys to have a piano” I was so thrilled to see their enthusiasm.
When time is not a factor, I do love backroads. I don’t stop often for photos, but love finding out of the way shops and food places. Always enjoy your backroad photos.
Patti,
I loved the story you told about the young man who bought the piano for his sons.
That man was exactly right–there is something much different playing a real piano than just a cheap keyboard. It’s a whole new world! I love to think about that little family enjoying your family’s piano.
I live about 10 minutes away from the Saxapahaw General Store… It is such a great place!!! There are concerts at the “ballroom” as well, and I have heard some great blues and jazz music while there!! The Haw River in the background is so pretty as well! I hope that your appointment went well… if you are ever on those back roads again to have an appointment, let me know.. I will buy you lunch if I am off work! 🙂
Tiffany,
I didn’t know you lived out in that wonderful area. I loved being there.
Glad to know the name of that river; I somehow missed seeing its name as I drove along.
Thanks for the lunch invite; that would sure be fun!