Look who pulled into our drive Thursday afternoon!

September 24, 2021 - Friday morning

40 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

"They're here! Hurry!," I yelled as Sargie came running up the basement steps. We could hardly wait to greet our friends from Mississippi.

How good it was to hug Miss Jody and Mississippi Brother Garry. Driving from a campground in the Janesville, WI, area, yesterday, both were as happy to see us as we were them. It had been a long two-and-a-half day drive from southern Mississippi.

Turning back the clock to Thursday morning, I knew the gardening season would be coming to an end soon. It's nearly the end of September and we've been living on borrowed time. A quick look at the thermometer confirmed the growing season was, indeed, over. 

Garry and Jody were anxious to get the blood flowing through their limbs after such a long ride. We spent much of the day in the bright sunshine. The temperatures had warmed into the low 60's and it was too nice to not be outside.

Gathering for pictures by the pond, I told Garry his hat was casting a shadow on his face. Taller than everyone, his body was doing the same to Miss Jody. The boy moved to the other side and turned his cap backwards. We now call him Homey Garry.

Miss Jody, Sargie, and Garry

Down in the hood on Pentoga Road

The rest of the day was spent talking and catching up on life. Garry brought several pieces of wood to turn, including one of my favorite's, pecan. The folks gave us a beautiful decorative pumpkin and a gorgeous bird house that was made in Mississippi.

Miss Jody also gave Sargie a book of homes that have been remodeled by HGTV's Home Town stars, Ben and Erin. It's filled with interviews of people from Laurel, recipes, homes, and stories, featured on Hometown, as well as other goodies. You might remember that we talked with Ben and Erin, as well as Mallory, on our last trip to Laurel a year ago.

Jody said they tried to find Ben and Erin to sign the book, but were unable to track them down.

And finally, Miss Jody handed me a huge paper grocery sack filled with raw peanuts, one of my favorite southern food groups (along with sweet potato pie, mud bugs, catfish, hush puppies, and other goodies too numerous to mention). From those we'll make boiled peanuts, something Sargie and I absolutely love. Problem is, once you start eating boiled peanuts, pronounced "BULLED peanuts," you can't quit.

I built this season's first fire in the wood stove last night. It wasn't large, just enough to take the chill out of the air. From the deep south, I'm fearful that our guests' blood isn't nearly as thick as our own.

I'm not certain what's on today's agenda. Much like Pavlov's dogs, I saw Garry frothing at the mouth yesterday after he saw the lathe in the shop.  With no shortage of wood to choose from, I have a feeling we'll see him fashioning a bowl or five today. 

The girls? Well, it's hard telling with those two, but I doubt there'll be too much grass growing under their feet.

It's time to strap on a headlamp and go for a very early morning walk. Daylight won't come for another hour. I'd like to be back before anyone is up for the day.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Miss Jody with Curt the Pumpkin