THE “WISH LIST”!!!
IT’S NEARIN’ UPON CHRISTMAS
IN FLAT ROCK…

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.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
AFC COOPERATIVE FARMING NEWS READERS
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!
REMEMBER YOUR HERITAGE!!!
ALWAYS, THINK GOOD MEMORIES!!!

Joe Potter is a former vocational agriculture teacher, FFA advisor and retired county agent (Colbert County).