“Don’t hit that deer, Andra!”
“I SEE IT, DAD!!!!!!”
“Golly Molly, Andra. You’re gonna kill us all. I hope this restaurant is worth all this trouble.”
We wandered into the Gibbes Store in Learned, Mississippi in search of the best steaks around. After clocking 90 miles in six days, I. Am. Always. Famished.
Dad started his Roy Variety Show before his gigantic butt hit the seat.
“Looks like you like antiques, huh?”
The female owner of the place asked us where we were from. I was too busy shoveling salad with comeback dressing into my mouth to answer, but that never matters with Roy The Talking Machine.
“South Carolina!”
The lady took a step closer. “Do you know a town called Denmark?”
I stopped chewing. Dad said, “I know it!”
“Have you been in that three story antique store there?”
I whirled on her. “You know Caroline????”
Her eyes got wide. “She’s my only cousin.”
“She’s my friend Alice’s godmother!!!” I shrieked. “Alice was with me until this morning.”
“I know her parents!”
And so it goes. In a tiny dot in Mississippi, next to the Natchez Trace, we came upon someone who was practically family.
65 Comments
That is amazing. The world really is a small place. Especially in the South.
Now tell me about this antique store. We go through Denmark at least a couple of times a year, but I have never seen this place. Sounds like somewhere I need to go.
It’s in the old phone company building there. An awesome building, right on the main drag.
It truly is a small world
Isn’t it?
It’s such a small world, isn’t it?
This was almost freaky, though.
It is a wonderful feeling to connect like that!
Made us feel right at home.
That is so cool, Andra. I would like to know if your steak was as awesome as your connection to the restaurant owner.
The steak was AMAZING. Everything was so good.
I’m in agreement with Carnell. It is a small place — the South –. We went to see a potential client the other day and Bill marveled as I played 20 questions with the fella, until we could figure out some connections.
I have been inspired by Andra’s daily Tumblr images. New poem / homage to Andra. http://cherylsmithem.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/fireball-whiskey-kinda-night/
The world can be pretty small, but The South is downright tiny.
Now that is cool.
I only wish Alice had stayed an extra day.
Reblogged this on The Quotidian Hudson and commented:
The continuing adventures of The Accidental Cootchie Mama on the Natchez Trace
Robert, thanks so much for your continued shares. You’re determined to win the trip, aren’t you?
Well, Two things. I figure you and your book are worth promoting and hell yeah, why shouldn’t I win!
That’s so cool!!! So glad you’re meeting good people on this walk.
I met a Mississippi state senator there, too. I’d walked through his entire district. He told some really cool stories about the place.
Looks like only two degrees of separation. Great story.
I’m only two degrees from Kevin Bacon……….but that’s another story.
Love to hear it sometime
I think I told the story to Patrick below.
I read it. (had to hunt) Does that mean your film and Kevin’s film spent the same time in the same camera being recorded by the same lens? This could be a really good fiction thriller.
I am so loving this story!
One of my favorites so far.
And it always happens at times and in places you’d least expect; thirty-plus years ago, strolling down Main Street USA at Disney World and a male voice hallooed my hubby’s name from at least a “block” away — someone he’d grown up with in tiny Butler, IN and hadn’t seen for a gazillion years! What are the odds? 🙂 We are all SO connected — too bad the world as a whole can’t see it that way.
So happy that your trek apparently is bringing bonuses your way! I love it!
I love stories like this, Karen.
Dad started his Roy Variety Show ….This was hilarious Andra and you are lucky to have him in your life. My dad annoyed me too, never quiet, but now I miss him.
I just get annoyed when Dad doesn’t sense that the people are ready for him to move on. He’s not very aware of those signals.
Thats why he has you my dear. Be safe! Also before I forget how are your boots holding up?
The crowning in the road is wreaking havoc on my pinky toes. I got some open-toed sandals today, so we’ll see how that does tomorrow.
I was wondering as I liked the boot suggestion you made. I have the same issue PLUS. Thanks and loving watching your journey!
Where did Alice go?
She could only stay a week. She went back home.
Holy Moley do you ever look like Roy! (If Roy were a super cute gal, that is) Seriously, the resemblance is amazing! I’m assuming, because you arrived at dinner together, that he did his wingman job and did not leave you stranded by the side of the road? 🙂 Yay Roy!
I’m totally going to look like a bulldog when I’m 80. I have my mom’s eyes, though.
Dad followed me in the car all day. Given his penchant for going places and talking people’s heads off, I was glad to have him out there with me both days.
That is too sweet! Love Roy!
Crazy how kinfolk just pop up everywhere.
Does that happen in Michigan, too?
I have been halfway around the world and run into people I know.
I’m sure that by the end of you trip you will see Kevin Bacon on the trail. BTW…I was having lunch with a friend at church and mentioned Chance to him. It so happens that we attend the same church but go to different services, but his wife Kimberly helps lead worship several times a month.
I just told John I am two degrees from Kevin Bacon. I once filmed a short, and the camera crew’s next stop was a Kevin Bacon movie.
Wow! So you just might see Kevin Bacon on your journey. With my name, I always get comments about the actor from Dallas. I once met one of his cousins who happened to work at the Lab….she said he was a jerk. I have signed autographs over the years for people I have met who are “Big Fans”. Feel free to “drop my name” as one of your followers.
And here I was thinking thanks to the title and opening scene you were recasting Blue Velvet with you as Frank Booth (“Who wants to go for a joyride?”) and Roy as Dorothy Valens (Why? Well because of his nude scenes you’ve talked about and him getting upset with your driving).
But, nooo… we get this instead and it’s actually a MUCH better story.
And since no one has posted the obvious, here you go (well, it’s a variation of the obvious, but it counts):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jiaU0xbOKs
I actually sang that song in my head when this happened. 🙂
Amazing! Moments like this make your trip even sweeter!
Definitely worth a visit if you decide to travel the Trace. You’re close enough to do it.
It’s a small world. It sounds like she and Roy had plenty to talk about. I’ll bet it kept him entertained long enough for you to actually eat. How were the steaks?
Mine was exceptional.
So, how were the steaks at Gibbes Store?
Randy, my steak was perfect. Exactly like I ordered it, the way medium rare should be. Dad had grilled tilapia, and he carried on about how good it was with every bite. I think it was also the best comeback dressing I’ve had so far. A really great experience.
I seem to recall Merry discussing how small a world could be.
In this case, he was certainly right.
I remember hearing the song “With My Redneck, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer” at Shaw AFB in Sumter a lifetime ago. Small world, indeed.
Dad requested it of the live entertainment. The singer of that song was from Mississippi.
I love it when things like that happen – it makes the world feel a tad bit smaller.
That’s remarkable! It really can be a very small world. I hope you really enjoyed that steak!
So cool…..and just a bit frightening. I can still only see this sort of America as being a bit “duelling banjoes”….
Nice to run in to family along the way! Love the name of the town. It’s perfect! Looks like a great place, too. My family is so big and extended that I believe that I am a 2nd cousin away from every single person in the USA.
Lovely story (just getting my two cents in since I’m late to the party ;))
I was thinking about you during my workout the other day, and calculated that you’re burning AT LEAST 1,500 calories a day just from walking. (Probably more!)
You so much more than deserve to eat everything delicious on this journey.
Amazing! I would have lost my damn mind between the hunger and shock of being in the midst of a totally small world moment. There would have been squeals and near tears, for sure.
that is so wild, and the world is so incredibly small!
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