Olivia Fowler

On The Way

By Olivia Fowler

I nearly ran down a turkey gobbler on my way to church. He was pretty big and was crossing Roanoke Church Road when I came around the bend. I barely missed him. I haven’t seen a live turkey up that close in a long time. Not since the days of Mr. Jones, Grandmama’s prize turkey who strutted around her yard and terrorized all the grandchildren.

Mr. Jones was more vicious and aggressive than a pit bull and would attack any child under four feet tall. We wouldn’t venture out if we spotted him outside. Unfortunately, there were times when he was in the area and we couldn’t see him from the front porch.

Olivia Fowler

On The Way

By Olivia Fowler

Running water and electricity are now so taken for granted that if either isn’t working the modern world comes to a halt.

Some years back we experienced a power outage during a summer electrical storm and were told it would probably be the next day before electricity was restored. I was startled to get a phone call from a neighbor who was in a panic because she was in the dark.

“What should I do?” she asked.

Olivia Fowler

On The Way

By Olivia Fowler

We had out-of-town guests during spring break, former college classmates of our daughter who are now married to each other. We always enjoy seeing them. They’re the perfect houseguests, especially during a crisis, as they pitch right in and help with whatever happens to be going on at the time.

This time no one was drafted to haul hay, plow, repair the fence or dip the dogs.

However, they were forced into service at the hen house.

Nicole Daughhetee

Life As I Know It

by Nicole Daughhetee

No doubt that in a few months’ time I will most likely be complaining about the sweltering oppressiveness of the heat, but right now I am absolutely delighted that spring appears to be unfolding right before my eyes.

As much as I anticipate the possibility of winter snowfall and enjoy bundling up in a coat, it is also a great feeling to be able to hang my coat up in the closet to hibernate during the warmer months of the year.

In much the same way we wouldn’t be able to fathom unfettered happiness without knowing sadness, the pride of success without the agony of failure, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate all the beauty bursting forth in spring without the slow starkness of the winter months.

Olivia Fowler

On The Way

By Olivia Fowler

Recently we were surprised to see someone shopping in the grocery store wearing flannel pajamas. They were also wearing socks with flip flops. It was apparent, after asking Google if pajamas are now daytime attire, that we’ve been out of the fashion loop.

People appear to be wearing pajamas to school and to shop across the nation.

Most people we’ve seen wearing pajamas out in public are in their teens, and so far, flannel or fleece pajamas are the PJs of choice.

Ben Robinson

All About Ben

By Ben Robinson

April is finally here, and as usual it took its time getting here.

I always feel a little relieved when we are past the first three months of the year. One reason is because of family history. A few years ago I started visiting local cemeteries to put together my family history. I found many interesting things, but most interesting was that the date of death on each gravesite was pretty much in January, February or March of the year.

Ben Robinson

All About Ben

By Ben Robinson

I’m reading five paperback books right now.

Depending on your opinion, that either makes me rather smart or, well, the opposite of rather smart.

My brother Thom reads books one at a time, finishing one before he even begins another. I, on the other hand, have always rotated my reading.

This goes back to my college days. One semester I took 21 hours of classes, or seven different classes. That’s considered ambitious, as most people consider 18 to be a full load. Honestly, I only took 21 for one semester, and it was my fault.

Olivia Fowler

On The Way

By Olivia Fowler

There’s a section of old pasture in Rice’s Creek community that puts on a show every spring without fail. Jonquils, drifting down from the yard of the house on the hill, show their beautiful faces in dozens of natural bouquets.

They’ve bloomed every spring in the 41 springs we’ve lived on Fowler Farm, and no matter what else is going on, I slow down when driving past just to take in the view.

The people who planted the bulbs aren’t around anymore, but the flowers pay tribute to them each year. I imagine someone long ago digging into the rich earth and planting a few bulbs in a flower bed near the house.

Nicole Daughhetee

Life As I know It

By Nicole Daughhetee

On Saturday night I went to see SWU’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. I had seen the musical in high school, but I freely admit that I didn’t completely “get it” the first time around. Amazing what maturity, college and graduate school can do to alter the depth to which one thinks about certain things.

I thoroughly enjoyed the production and thought the students at SWU did a fantastic job with their rendition of Superstar (especially considering a group of them were battling a virus through the entire production).

Ben Robinson

All About Ben

By Ben Robinson

One of the duties I have taken on lately is taking my nephew Kevin to work.

It’s either that or let him drive my car to work, and my insurance agency has told me that I don’t want to do that. Of course, they are charging me for two vehicles I no longer have, so I’d better be careful or I’ll be paying insurance for everybody in Pickens County.

But while I’m between jobs — which is a situation that has lasted longer than I ever thought possible — I have the extra time. And I have to admit, it’s nice to have an excuse to see people.

Kevin works at — let’s see, we don’t want to give anybody free advertising — OK… a restaurant in Easley we’ll call “Snapplebees.”

He usually goes in late afternoons, then gets off around midnight.