So I’m standing in the grocery check-out line exactly one week ago today. The cashier’s grumpy. The bagger’s grumpy. I’m not exactly crabby, but truthfully, I am in a big hurry. The elderly bright red-haired customer ahead of me? She’s not grumpy, not a bit. Cheerful, she’s actually quite cheerful. She’s also in no hurry. Neither are the cashier or bagger sorting groceries, both lamenting the latest weather event of the afternoon. Snow. Yup.
S-N-O-W. Here it is the end of April, snow falling from a cold, gray sky. Brrrr…
South of the Mason Dixon by allie taylor
Says the little red-haired lady to the cashier:
“You know what’s going on, don’t you?”
The cashier, she’s puzzled, shakes her head.
The little old lady continues, feigned shock. “What? You haven’t heard the news?”
She leans in, whispers: “Even the forecasters don’t know this yet…”
The cashier and bagger are riveted, slowly shaking their heads. And me? Nosy me. My bionic ear stretches in a mile, because I don’t want to miss the punch line either.
That little red-haired lady, she leans in close, glances back over hunched shoulders, insuring only the intended ears hear what she whispers next.
“Tsk, tsk. I can’t believe you haven’t heard,” she chides.
“Mother Nature,” dramatic pause, “is in the throes of menopause.”
Wish you could’ve been there, seen the faces. The gleeful, tiny red-haired old lady. She’s funny. And she knows it. And they know it. And nosy me, I know it. (Now you do too. Giggle.)
I’d just discovered the snow about an hour earlier. It was a little chilly around here, windy too. From inside, I’d heard the echo of the chainsaw’s roar. Our neighbors across the way had a tree crew over, felling a tree. I ventured out, my big boys shooting hoops on the street, white stuff swirling. Naive me thought it was sawdust, wood chips flying. Nope. Nada nada.
Snow. Yup, April snow showers bring May flowers. (Is that how it goes?) And why am I not surprised? It snowed here once on May 6th. Yeah, May 6th. At least now the erratic weather patterns we’ve been experiencing make sense, thanks to that funny little red-haired lady!
We lived South of the Mason Dixon for many years, and March and April are such pretty months there. Somehow I always expect it’ll be pretty here too. But we just aren’t quite there yet. April in New Hampshire generally means mud. The tiny green tree leaves are just now sprouting. It’s mid-May that’s so pretty around here. (If it doesn’t snow, that is.)
And when at long last spring finally makes her appearance, it’s absolutely gorgeous in New England. I can’t wait.
Just a few weeks ago, Jon and I made our way South of the Mason Dixon to Atlanta on Easter weekend. We were delighted to be included in the wedding festivities of the youngest daughter of dear friends. Friends and family at home kindly took our boys in so we could get away. Dear as he is, it’s no small task having Hudson as a visitor. Trust me. It’s like having Curious George over. Curious George on steroids. (Hudson’s Guardian Angel.) There’s really no more precious gift to give the family of a special needs child than time away to recharge and relax. So grateful.
We flew out on a Thursday afternoon, Jon’s birthday. The first thing we noticed upon landing was green! Yeah, green leaves on trees. Green grass. And just a hint of humidity in the air. That and blooming flowers. Such a treat after an interminable New England winter.
Friends met us at the airport, whisked us out for an impromptu birthday dinner at Rick Erwin’s Nantucket Seafood in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. If you haven’t been to Greenville in a while, boy are you in for a treat. What a gorgeous upscale downtown it has become.
Here I am, caught at my trade….photographing the extensive climate controlled wine cellar inside.
And what I saw through that lense…
I think I was an hour into that lovely salmon dinner before I finally started to relax. Inhale, exhale. Repeat.
OK, maybe it was the cocktail. Either way, what a gift!
The rest of the weekend was spent in quick staccato visits with friends along our way to Atlanta, at the rehearsal, wedding and reception.
Twilight view through the window from Nikolai’s Roof Restaurant, top floor of the Atlanta Hilton.
So proud of this gorgeous bride we’ve known since age three, and her dashing groom.
Sunday morning church at Covenant was short and sweet. And then a quick Easter dinner with old friends on our return trip to the airport. Seems there’s only time for hello and goodbye hugs on these infrequent visits back to South Carolina, our second home. And many of you we didn’t get to see at all, our loss.
Love and miss you, dear friends. So thankful it’s never goodbye. Just until we meet again, the next time we’re South of the Mason Dixon. (Or you could always venture north!)
Until then,
XO
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Linda Jenkins says
Allie, I did laugh at the little red-haired lady’s shared secret. In fact, I am still smiling. As for South Carolina–I have been suggesting a trip there for months. I just need to motivate Jack. I would love to see Charleston! Jack has been in the South, and keeps telling me how beautiful it is. I think I will forward this blog to him for a bit of motivation. Rick Erwin’s sounds divine. And the only part of Atlanta I have seen is the airport during a layover on my way to visit my son in Vegas. Parts of my bucket list that I need to get working on. Thanks for the virtual tour.
Allie says
Thanks for laughing with me Linda. I really do hope you and Jack get to visit the south soon. Charleston is beautiful, especially in springtime. So much history and incredible architecture. Be sure to do a horse drawn carriage tour, you’ll love it. I’d love to go back again. XO
Susie Mandel says
Mother Nature in menopause…hilarious!! Loved that story, and I think it’s even funnier when there are people that don’t get the humor. I start laughing harder, and then I get the dirty looks. 😉
Jac and I missed you and Jon in Atlanta by only two weeks! Oh well, we are still hoping to get to New England one day soon. And what a gorgeous couple the bride and groom make. I can’t believe the little girls we knew are all grown up now. Greenville HAS become a beautiful downtown…so glad you and Jon were able to get away together. Allie, you look fabulous, by the way.
Allie says
She really did crack me up Susie. One funny lady. And I can’t imagine anyone giving you dirty looks. (Well maybe. Giggle.)Too funny. Sorry we missed you in Atlanta but so glad you and Jac got away to celebrate your anniversary. Thrilled you got to see/hear Diana Krall.(And thanks for the compliment…blush…)
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
Mother Nature went through menopause a number of years ago here in Oregon. We were still getting snow on the mountain (rarely get snow on the valley floor) and very chilly weather in the valley in June. Everyone changed the name of June to Juneuary. It wasn’t fun.
I’m so glad you got a grown up trip in . You deserve it.
Carina Spring says
This post made me smile. So glad I’ve found your blog.
Allie says
Many thanks Carina, I was so glad to find yours also!
Aunt Pinkie says
What fun to have that lovely trip – and to get to see at least some of your dear SC friends. That’s the way I feel when I get to visit Virginia – just wish Bob were with me. But I miss my friends of 55 years in Virginia! And your scrumptious dinner out looks fabulous!
Allie says
Thanks Aunt Pinkie, I know just how you feel about your Virginia friends. And you lived there so much longer than we did in South Carolina. I hope you can get there for a visit again very soon. XO
Cindy Howard says
So glad you visited CPC & I got a hug! I love your writing style sweet sister. P.S. The maple glazed ribs were a big hit at the Howard Homestead last week:)
Allie says
Cindy, it was so good to see you too, even if only for a brief moment. So hard to have to say hello and goodbye in the same breath. Thanks for your kind words and I am SO HAPPY to hear you tried the maple ribs and liked them. I like that they’re so easy to make but taste so fabulous!
Karla @SmallTownRambler says
Ha! The little red-haired lady…too funny! Glad you got to visit where the weather is a little warmer. I have family in Greenville, SC. Looks like you had a wonderful time!!
Allie says
Yeah, that little red haired lady was a scream Karla. I didn’t know you have family in Greenville, do you ever get down to visit? Downtown is so lovely now…
Karla @SmallTownRambler says
Sounds like she was! I have not visited Greenville (shamefully)…my Aunt usually comes up to visit because my Grandmother is here in Va. I’d love to sometime. My cousin Eli is a photographer in Greenville. Sorry if I sound nosey, but I have been wondering since I read this…did you get to visit Eric and his family while you were there? I remembered that he lived nearby…
Allie says
Hey Karla, let’s just call it curiosity. 🙂 Yes, we were thrilled to see Eric and his boys at church on Easter, though we really missed seeing Carrie and their baby, home sick. We were so disappointed to miss them. If you do get to visit Greenville you’ll find it a charming small city that is totally renovated since we used to live there. (We moved back to New England in 2004.) It has gone through a real transformation. You’d especially love River Falls, a gorgeous park downtown with waterfalls, lovely paths, an amazing suspension bridge and picnic areas. It’s just gorgeous, especially in spring.
Laura Cook says
OXOXOXOX!