Down the road a piece...

As all the children head back to school, the days get shorter and leaves start to fall,

we all start to reflect on the year so far and look ahead to the holidays that will mark the beginning of a new year!

This time of year brings back memories of my dear grandmother.  She has been gone now for 10 years but not a day goes by that I dont think of her.

She was as country and hillbilly as they come yet somehow seemed to fit in wherever she went.

This time of year was always "cannin time".   Crops were becoming ripe so fast, it was a mad rush to get everything "put up" before it would start " a blinkin" and "rurn".

She had many friends all over the Augusta area.   Somehow just the friend would call her and ask her if she wanted some of the bumper crop of pears, figs, apples, 'taters", "maters" or whatever crop they were over run with.   She would call and ask me to go with her to help.

"Down the road a piece" or "just up the creek" was her answer when asked where we were going.

I never really knew just how far "down the road a piece" or how long it took to get "just up the creek".  Honestly, I never asked.

She always knew just where to go and how to get there. 

Without fail, while visiting the friend to collect the goods, grandma would chat and be oh so friendly and sometime during the conversation the other person would say...."I am SO glad you called"   (rofl)

SHE was the one calling NOT them!  Everytime this happened, I could hardly contain myself! SHE wanted the goods!  SHE knew how to get them!  SHE wasnt afraid to go after them!  

My grandmother knew that if she made sure to call just at the right time and give that person something they NEEDED and WANTED, friendship & companionship,  they would willingly give her what she wanted.  Sometimes they even begged her to take the bumper crop so it wouldnt spoil.

What a riot!  

I do miss her a lot but I never forget how much I learned from her!  What skill she possessed!

Know WHAT you want.

Know HOW to get it.

DO NOT be afraid to GO AFTER IT!

All the while making the giver feel special for giving it to you!!

I think we can ALL learn from Grandma!   Ponder that as you go "Down the Road a Piece".

M