Folks, here we go again. Yup, more stories about when I had that General Store. There was an older fella that came by on a regular bases. I had known him all my life. Sat in class with his son in elementary and high school. I secretly called him Mr. Twenty Questions, if a person stopped at the store he didn’t know, he would start, “what is your name, boy?” Then, “where do you live, boy? “Then, “who is your daddy, boy?” And, on and on with the questions. Yet, not really 20! However, we knew who the person was and a lot of his history, before he left. I groaned inside, wondering if that person would ever stop at my store again in the future.
Folks, here we go again. Yup, more stories about when I had that General Store. There was an older fella that came by on a regular bases. I had known him all my life. Sat in class with his son in elementary and high school. I secretly called him Mr. Twenty Questions, if a person stopped at the store he didn’t know, he would start, “what is your name, boy?” Then, “where do you live, boy? “Then, “who is your daddy, boy?” And, on and on with the questions. Yet, not really 20! However, we knew who the person was and a lot of his history, before he left. I groaned inside, wondering if that person would ever stop at my store again in the future.
Then, I must tell you about a dear old fella named Bill. He was the Barber. He had a little barber shop directly behind the store. I wish I knew how many years he cut hair. I do know he cut my mother’s hair when she was a young teen, way back when women were getting their long hair cut into a bob. And, all goes around comes around, as it is a popular cut again. We had helped some when he lost his dear wife, Bessie. Bessie was one of the two cooks that was at the school for several years. It was not unusual, in her better days, to send us a Sweet Potato Pie to the store by Bill. Wish I had one right now!
Anyway, Bill walked into the store one day and told me he was quitting. I was sad to hear that and I knew many others would be, too. He charged one dollar, which was an increase. In days gone by, his price was a quarter. Then, he said, “I’m going to give your kids the Barber Shop.” There was no family. He said, “My burial is all paid for. So, I do ask you all to sing a little song and say a little prayer and put me there by Bessie.” Soon after, Husband and Bill went to the county seat to put that little property over in our name. We never told Bill, there was a problem and after we hired a lawyer to clear it up, we more than paid for the Barber Shop. In the building was three hair cutting stations. There was three small cabinets and over them was three big framed mirrors. Today, those are scattered about throughout our family. Needless to say, they are cherished and enjoyed. The building has long been gone. Yet, the memories will always be there for many of us.
Just washed my sheets and do I ever agree with this. The people who make fitted sheets need to sit down with the people who make mattresses and get on the same page. Making the bed shouldn’t be like putting a swimming cap over a fridge.
Woohoo!
