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Slim’s
old victrola was playing "Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town" when
I walked through the old double front doors of The Flat Rock General
Store. It was a cool, crisp, cloudy Monday afternoon moving toward the
late evening. At first lookin’, there appeared to be a heavy bunch of
regulars plus a few other community and area Flat Rock folk swappin’
warmth with the old potbellied heater in the rear of The Store.
Ms.
Ida and the Widow Cora were discussin’ the peculiars concernin’
Christmas of ought seven and how blazin’ quick it had come on followin’
Christmas of ought six. Estelle and Willerdean were both droppin’ hints
towards "Truth" and Farlow in regards to present requests from
their two special "Santas." Slim pointed toward the rear wall of
The Store and noted the white butcher paper, there in red marker ink was
the words "WISH LIST."
Most
near all The Store regulars and several other community and area Flat Rock
folk had added their own personal requests. There was a full mixture
including…
A
full-white Christmas was listed several times, a new rifle, all types of
electronics, a new car, world peace, pond fillin’ rain, companionship,
good health, a nice twelve-point buck, rabbit fur coat, on and on…there
was a heavy list, too long to pencil down completely.
Course
there was some all in fun request also like…Slim: a new Mossy Oak camo
Store recliner, Harley Hood: a day job, a new preacher for the Baptist
Church, Auburn a new coach, Alabama a new quarterback and for neither team
to have to play L.S.U. in ought eight.
Essex
walked in at this point with Slim a plate full of supper vittles, that
included…skillet cornbread, turnip greens, candied sweet potatoes,
pan-fried steak and sawmill gravy. About this time almost everybody
gathered inside The Store begin to head out toward home to their own
supper vittles and just maybe a good Monday football game.
Ms.
Ida offered up the final "WISH LIST" for Christmas of ought
seven for The Flat Rock General Store and all The Store regulars…time
with family, simple blessings all year long, a happy new year and always
honor the true meaning of Christmas all year long. |
