Wednesday, July 25, 2012

When Truth Meets Fiction: Part I

I have had multiple lifestyle changing fantasies over the years,

about what I would like to try in my lifetime,

and they are as real to me today

as they were the first time they were hatched.


Fantasy #1:

A la Dave Robicheaux, in my favorite James Lee Burke novels,

I would live on a bayou in Southern Louisiana,

where I had a bait shop, and I operated it as efficiently as another Burke literary character,

Batiste.


Each morning I would hose down the dock, ice down the Dr. Peppers (in bottles),

and sweep out the store with whatever red oiled sawdust mixture my Grandmother Mills used at her store

on highway 77 in Ricardo, Texas.


Just like Grandmother Mills, if you hollered “Laura” from outside the store,

I’d answer

“Yoo Hoo.”


There would be jars of Lance peanut products on the counter,

and if you frequented my store often,  you could pour a packet of peanuts in your Dr. Pepper-

or R.C. Cola, wait for the fizz to settle, and we’d visit.



In my fantasy, I am more of a listener than talker,

so you would

really get a big bang for your Dr. Pepper buck.

***

Later:  Fantasy #2.

11 comments:

Pura Vida said...

I would come visit for sure and when I left I'd say "toodleloo"

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

That is a great fantasy!

What a fun place it would be to visit!

Deanna

pam said...

Reminds me of my Aunt Nettie's store on Hiway 88 outside Raymondville in a very different time.

A Kitchen Witch said...

I have the first in the Dave Robichaux series on hold at my local library. I fellow blogger posted about the most recent "Creole Belle" and I was intrigued so I'm starting at the beginning, AND good heavens! Who knows about Ricardo, TX?! I live on the North side of C. C. and Ricardo is just "down the road." : )

Sonny G said...

I'd love to visit your store and I can "talk up a blue breeze" so you'd have lots to listen too.:-)

NanaDiana said...

Oh- I love your fantasy. I have dreams like that, too. How perfect...oh..to have a dream like that come true...and there is NOTHING like peanuts in a bottle of RC Cola! xo Diana

Shabby Brocante, Karen said...

Love it! Boy, that brought back memories of my dad. He always walk our property, looking over his trees and plants, with an old glass bottle of coke and would add a bag peanuts into it. I didn't know anyone else did that ;)

Karen said...

Awesome!! Can't wait for Fantasy #2!!
Karen
Ladybug Creek

Pam @ Frippery said...

Oh Laura, I love James Lee Burke and Dave. Just discovered the series this year and I can't wait to read them all. What a wonderful fantasy.

trash talk said...

L.B.,
I'd live in a shotgun house just down the road a piece from your store and walk barefoot every day to see you and holler "Hidy, Hidy!" back at your "Yoo Hoo". I'd pull a co'cola outta the icy cooler and for once in my life, I'd hush and just listento to the swish of the dust mop.
You know if I'm quiet...that IS a fantasy come true for a lotta folks.
Now you've got me running to another kinda store to get this book!
Anthony
P.S. Whatever was the recipe for that sawdust mixture...law it worked like magic! I can smell it in my mind...along with peanuts straight outta the little package.

Deb said...

a bait shop would be so cool...a iced cold bottle drink is always awesome..

 

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