“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow,” said Audrey Hepburn.  After a year of anxiety and uncertainty, it is a reassuring exercise to be out in the plot again with the weeds, the compost, the loamy loam, and the optimism.  The coldest May on record has some gardeners running behind their routine schedule.  Others, who never rush to get things in, are generally as successful as the early birds.  The first ripe tomato in Champion is on its way one of these days.  The quest may again be canning jar lids.


Bud and Wilma Hutchison

It was a lovely surprise to see Wilma Hutchison at the Vanzant Jam on Thursday.  She was in fine voice and knows all the old songs.  Most likely she will be at Champion on Wednesday to welcome the trail riders when they come in from the adventure called Bud’s Spring Trail Ride.  Bud passed away three years ago, but his friends have kept his spring and fall trail rides going.  They doubtlessly share good memories of him as they amble along.  From The Champion News on May 23, 2016:  “It was reported that Bud Hutchison gave a short but brisk bronc-riding exhibition and managed to stay on top the whole time.”  It would be nice to hear more about that escapade.

Lena’s younger brother returned to the Bright Side for a little fun on Wednesday.  He declined the chocolate cupcakes saying he was on a diet.  Other than his weight, he had not much changed since early last winter—still full of it — “it” being yarns, popular opinions, observations and clever quips.  One of these days Bob and Ethel might make an appearance and perhaps Don and Reba will show.  They will be a welcome sight.


2019 Denlow Reunion

The 35th annual Denlow/Fairview School Reunion is coming up on Saturday the 30th.  There will be about a dozen or so students of those schools and several dozen of their kinfolks and friends in attendance.  “They’ll sing of the old and they’ll sing of the new.  They’ll sing of the changes in years.  I can’t tell a lie.  Last night we had pie for the first time in twenty-four years.”  That may not be one of their songs, but there will be some music and definitely a lot of fine reminiscing.  Some of those memories will harken up old farmer advice like making fences horse high, pig-tight and bull strong.  There will be admonitions to still keep skunks, bankers and lawyers at a distance and to plow around stumps.  Hula hoops will be strictly banned this year as the spectacle from several years ago is yet too vivid in our collective memory.

A gentleman is said to be someone who can play the accordion but does not.  The General is, therefore, a genuine Gentleman.  Lynnette Cantrell says, “It is a fact that one of the only activities that activates, stimulates, and uses the entire brain is music.”  Lynette plays a wonderful mandolin and encourages music everywhere she can.  In a letter to Alan Lomax in 1940, Woody Guthrie said, “Music is some kind of electricity that makes a radio out of a man and the dial is in his head and he just sings accordingly to how he’s feeling.  The best stuff you can sing about is what you saw and, if you look hard enough, you can see plenty to sing about.”  The Gypsy has plenty to sing about.  She is lucky for numerous reasons.  One reason is Buddy the Wonder-dog.  Last week she had taken plants in against a sudden cold snap, when Buddy snapped to a black snake that had hitched a ride inside.  Between them, they ushered the reptile out and summarily dispatched it.  The Gypsy will warns plant lovers to take care in your beautiful flowering pursuits.  Pursue beauty and music at www.championnews.us or in person down on the wide, wild, wooly banks of Old Fox Creek in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!


Ivy-leaf Geraniums
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