I was in town visiting this weekend. I feel badly that I didn't visit more often when Aunt Emma was alive but I just never seemed to find the time. Her house on the lake sold right quickly, & I was sad to see it go. She did love that house she inherited from her paw, Oscar Brand. The city house was where she lived so long with my uncle, Wilbur Watson.
I stayed in the Mayberry Motel. John Masters was busy planning the next musicale. He didn't come right out and say it, but I suspect Rafe Hollister's moonshinin' again b/c John was looking for a good singer to take his place. He's thinking Gomer, but he has to hold tryouts just to be fair. Barney's got that throat spray Mrs. Poultice recommends so I reckon he's gonna audition again. After breakfast in the hotel restaurant--3 pancakes, link sausages, and coffee I went for a walk downtown. I ran into Lydia and caught up on the news. She offered to take me to that out of the way art market in Mt. Pilot. Trust me, they didn't have anything I'd buy. I did find a record store and bought Hippy Harrison's latest. When we got back into town we ran into Aunt Bee and Ms. Clara & you could have knocked me over with a feather when Clara Edwards showed a keen interest in that album. I never knew she liked rockabilly music, until she showed me the liner notes. Her brother plays piano in the band. I offered to sell it to her for what I'd paid but she said she'd get one next time she was in Mt. Pilot. When Floyd heard I'd come in on the New Orleans bus he just had to show me the courthouse. I was happy to oblige because I wanted Andy & Barney to know how much Aunt Emma loved them. She appreciated how they looked out for her. Barney seemed esp. touched when I told him how sometimes she jaywalked on purpose just for an excuse to say hello to him. Once outside Little Leon offered me a bite of his Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich but I declined, opting instead to go to the drug store for the businessman's special of a hollowed out tomato with avocado and raisins. Even tho Fred Walker retired, the new owner, Mr. Crawford, is still doing things the way I remembered. Howard Sprague sat at the other end of the counter having lunch with his mother. They looked quite involved so I left them alone. For dessert I had a cruller from Boysinger's Bakery. I saw old Jud and Chester Jones "that two-faced cheatin' liar" playing checkers down near the courthouse building. Looked like Jud was winning. I went by Weaver's but even on sale his prices were a bit more than I could spend on vacation. Laura lee had some great items on sale at the dime store and I bought a couple post cards to send to the folks back home. Then to Pearson's Sweet Shop for some lemon drops. Mama surely does love those as did Aunt Emma. I see they movie house is showing that new Glenn Ford picture. I hear it's a good one. I saw lots of signs in business windows--Pike or Stoner for mayor. Most had a sign for each candidate in their window and all had signs promoting Andy Taylor for Sheriff. He'd surely get my vote if I lived in Mayberry. Oh yes, the big news, ya know Olive, down at the diner? the widow raising 4 young 'uns? Heard that her oldest won a full scholarship to that nursing school over to Chapel Hill. Isn't that great? Juanita & Flora are heading up the fund to raise money for incidentals. Scholarship doesn't cover dorm fees, clothes, books, etc. Tonight's special at the diner is Chicken Croquettes so I think I'll head to Morelli's for the pounded steak. Laura Lee & Lydia plan to join me for a girls night out or maybe we'll go for Chinese if Lydia can't have Italian. It'll have to be an early night, tho as I have to get back home. Mayberry surely is a nice little town & the folks are so friendly, too. Y'all stop by when you're in the area. Marie _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://wbmutbb.com/mailman/listinfo/wbmutbb_wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
