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| J. Montrell-Stark Photography – Cottonwood Corner |
Once upon a time there was a race track on the corner. Only a mile from our home, the weekend racing noises filtered into our bedroom window making sleep difficult. Daddy and Arthur Bullion took me with them one muggy summer night. Seeing cars crash and smash was thrilling.
Across the street, an outdoor auction house hummed. People came from near and far to buy and sell junk. Buying and selling junk made folks hungry, so we peddled homemade chocolate cupcakes to raise money for the Halloween carnival. We always sold out.
One magical week a year, the Ferris wheel and bright carnival lights were visible across the field. We watched and waited and pleaded, listening to muffled laughter and music late after suppertime. At last we went. Momma puked as soon as the Tilt a Whirl stopped whirling.
We each have one of these places, a wide spot in the road unnoticed by most, a place vibrant only in our memories.
When the whistle blows, factory workers drive past, thankful another shift has ended. Farmers haul grain to the river without a glance to the rubble where the grocery story stood—the grocery store where Daddy sent me off driving, alone, to buy cartons of Camel, before I was old enough to have a license.
Wrong on so many levels…but oh so right.
Although there’s nothing much to look at now, the weary sign marking the empty spot is a historical marker to me.
talya
“This is what happened when one left one’s home – pieces of oneself scattered all over the world, no one place ever completely satisfied, always a nostalgia for the place left behind.” ― Tatjana Soli, The Lotus Eaters
Musical Pairing:
Hometown Glory, Adele
The Old Store was owned by my Papaw Cook. Papaw built that store on his land there and its still in our Family. The race’s were a Saturday night treat for us when Daddy would splurge & go. I also rememer Daddy & Roy sitting on the roof of Roy’s house (which was just below the store) watching the races.That’s funny about you buying cig’s at such a young age.
Everything is all gone now at Cottonwood Corner. Back to Farm Land it is.
I didn’t know your family owned that land. Interesting!
Yes, where the station once was that Pee Wee McCarn run for years and the old store . Its on the North side of 140. Eighty acres or so. My sister farms it.
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sad but nice post.
Thanks Sandra. I didn’t really mean for it to be sad:((
Thanks again for the awesome ride down memory lane, and the song you chose was very appropriate. I passed that “Cottonwood Corner” sign in the picture so many times I hardly remember noticing it, but it’s good to see it again as it brings back a boat-load of memories.
Thanks Tim!
Not really sad but sentimental and nostalgic. I don’t generally enjoy recalling my youth, but there were good times.
Enjoyed the post
Thanks Patrick:)
Although I’ve lived in Memphis longer than anywhere else, my writing tends to bring me back to my childhood home of St. Louis.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
I love the sentiment behind this post and keep coming back to it. I’d like to use it in the upcoming issue of The Woven Tale Press: http://woventalepress.com
Please email me your approval at [email protected] referencing this Url.
Sandra
I really, really, really, really …. want that sign! Used to be a liquor store there too! Just a landmark – and Daddy usually sent me on a liquor run on 77 almost to Manila. Dad would call ahead and say what he wanted… he sent me… a minor… to pick it up! LOL those were the good ole days!
Robin you can’t steal that sign! It’s our historical marker.
Robin, I remember that liquor store. They also used to sell guns there lol. Can you imagine that being legal nowadays? It probably wasn’t legal then either hahaha. Just as yourself, I want that sign! I won’t tell Tayla if you won’t! (Just kidding, sorry Tayla)!
Oh how I remember Cottonwood Corner … the auction house, the Rock-O-Plane and Tilt-A-Whirl at the annual fair, the old store, and let’s not forget those amazing Cottonwood trees! My mom, dad, sisters and I spent many hours at the old auction house on warm Saturday afternoons and I was always in a trance watching the auctioneer and wondering how on earth he moved his mouth so fast. Aweeee, the sentimental sweet memories of Cottonwood Corner are forever in-grained in my mind and soul. Now I think I’ll visit Robin and steal her “Cottonwood Corner” sign 😀
Well then, you will certainly enjoy my book:)) Teaser.