Tales from Pentoga

March 7, 2020 - Saturday morning
38 degrees/clear skies/calm winds
Meador Road /Laurel, MS

Miss Jody, Sargie, Garry, Erin, Ben, and me

There's no real reason why I need to write a lot today as pictures tell a thousand words, or in this case, a million or two.

For those who watch HGTV's, Home Town, we did indeed have the opportunity to hob nob a bit with Erin and Ben yesterday, watch part of an interview they were videoing, and was able to talk with Erin's best buddy, Malory, for a bit.

Miss Jody spotted the interview, so we parked. I walked ahead while the others were getting out of the car. Ben spotted me, gave a big smile, and waved. It made this old Alaska/UP boy feel pretty special.

The interview was being conducted right on the main street in front of God and everyone. There was no security, no walls, nothing other than a small fence, to separate the cast and crew of Home Town from the general public, not that there were that many people around.

Ben has just purchased a new Air Stream trailer and I believe he was more interested in playing with that than anything having to do with television. As one of the production crew said, he's just a big kid.

Ben was fiddling around with that when Sargie walked past. He turned to Sargie and said, "If you want to take some pictures, I'll be right along."

Meanwhile, Erin was up at the interview site and mentioned she wished Ben would hurry up as they had another commitment in five minutes. Meanwhile, she stood and talked with people while waiting for her husband to come ambling up the street.

I'm so happy to say that the kind, sweet, young, people that you see on the program is an accurate portrayal. Ben seemed almost anxious to talk with anyone who wanted to have a conversation and it was he who suggested we take pictures. Erin is more reserved, but those who know her say she is quite shy in real life.

Both were absolute sweethearts and they helped to make certain we felt a part of their lives.

We bade all farewell and made our way to Ben's shop and the Scotsman General Store. It's exactly like you see on television. Once again, it's laid out so a person can get up close and personal.

Yeah, that would be the Pennington's who live on the other side of the tracks.

Sargie and I, both, wondered who took this picture of us was while on our last vacation to the tropics.

We made our way from the general store and shop to their Mercantile Exchange. Standing around and looking at the goodies, the front door opened and who walked through? It was Malorie, Erin's best buddy, who is also featured at the end of every program.

Poor Mal is very pregnant, but was happy to have lengthy conversations with anyone who happened by. She and Garry talked at length about an antique map on the wall and the changing of counties over the years.

It was two locals just talking local talk.

Malorie was very happy to have her picture taken with any and all and gave me a big hug when we were finished.

Just like Ben and Erin, she was a sweetheart, a real, genuine, person.

The four of us spent no small amount of time in the antique store where Erin and Malorie go to add a little "something special" in each of their remodeled homes.

The rest of the day was spent driving around Laurel. Jody knew all the houses that had been remodeled, so we got to see all of them and of course, take pictures.

We also drove past Ben and Erin's house. I thought Garry was going to drive into Ben's Suburban while we were looking.

Needless to say, we had a wonderful day on Friday in Laurel and were able to witness real southern hospitality. Thanks to Erin, Ben, and Malorie, for sharing their time with their admirers, also to Garry and Jody for serving as such great tour guides.

Back home, James wanted to know if Aunt Sargie, Uncle Tom, and Grandma, wanted to go for a ride in his new (to him) Jeep.

Heck yeah! How many seventeen year old boys would go out of their way to share his time with three old people?

Full of southern manners, James (real name Nolan) always replies with "Yes sir, No Ma'am," and will do well in his life after high school. He's a real southern gentleman.

Some of our Yankee students could take a few lessons.

Garry spent a while in the shop late in the afternoon working on the large burl. I've been asking a million questions and taking lessons from the master. No doubt, we'll continue later today.