As the old song says, “Carry me back to Old Virginny”. Little by little, this state seems to be capturing my heart. Maybe it’s because my ancestors, the Ruckers, settled here in the late 1600’s. You’ve heard of Ruckersville? That’s my family. My branch emigrated to the ragged corner of the Pacific Northwest many long years ago.
And do I miss New Hampshire, with its towering oaks and flaming hills? Yes, and yet…
Last week, on a dazzling blue day, we decided on a whim to meander down to Madison. “October’s bright blue weather” only lasts so long, as the poet reminds us. Highway 15 South was worth the trip. Folds of emerald fields rose and fell in between the stands of endless golden trees that lined the roadside. We were catching the peak of autumn for sure.
On we proceeded toward our destination. Rumor had it that we might find a cushion for our new outdoor bench at “Plow and Hearth”. Just the store’s name alone made me want to visit. Sure enough, we found the perfect cushion, with the help of Jane, who shared that she is one of five Janes in her family. Traditional, but confusing.
We were getting hungry by then so asked Jane about lunch spots and were steered toward “Pig and Steak”, a local BBQ place that did not disappoint. We walked out with substantially more than we were able to consume, to be enjoyed later when we had room for it. Superb BBQ. Then I wandered into a little antique shop where I picked up a couple of treasures, a delicately flowered teacup for my daughter and a Christmas fire bucket for the coming season. And got a synopsis of the antique business from Jerry, a veteran antiquer. He loves the adventure, the gamble of it. Never thought of it that way before.
Happily subsumed in late afternoon light, we raved all the way home. We will tuck this memory away for the dark and rainy days that will surely come.