Did ya ever have one of those moments when the past unexpectedly overwhelmed you? I had one yesterday. I was on my way to Magnolia Therapy for an appointment and found myself stopping next to the building that for 50+ years (and most of my life) housed Van Landingham Lumber Company. Then I looked to my left up the street and saw the building that now houses the Starkville Korean Church, followed by a look ahead to where Boardtown Trading Post now resides and in my mind I was instantly back in 1970 in my dad's old Ford F150 pickup with the ladder rack in the back and the 8-track in the dash blaring out Hank Williams or Charly Pride. We were leaving from Van Landingham's after loading up with shingles for a roofing job my dad was doing. The SKC was once again Starkville Wholesale Grocery and my neighbor's (Jessie James) dad (named Frank) was working there. The Boardtown Trading Post was once again East Mississippi Lumber Company and the building next to it had the revolving barber pole and Emmett's Barber Shop where my grandfather used to take me for a haircut. Pulling up to the light on Main Street - across where the Cadence Bank is now was the old Sinclair Gas Station with the sign featuring the green dinosaur logo and to the left was the Giant Grocery where my grandparents shopped and I made a regular stop during the summer months after a day of hiring out to mow lawns. I got to be a regular there as it was the only place in town that sold new comics (a whole 12 cents/each). Since I knew how much money I had, I would selct a stack of 10 to 15 to purchase and then read some others for a half hour or so. The manager always gave me at least that long since he knew I was a repeat paying customer and not just a dawdling teenager. Afterwards I - - *HONK*, I was ripped back to the present by the big SUV behind me that could not appreciate my "wool-gathering". Gave my Mini Cooper the gas and sped across the decades to my appointment.
Everyone have a great day!
*P.S. - It was great to spend a few moments with you again Dad!*
That was neat Dad! Thanks!
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