Smoke Signals and other news
June brings back memories of childhood summer days. My mind wanders back to days spent at my grandparent's house. Of course, there were the vegetable gardens both with a large variety of vegetables at their house and at my parent's house. There were watermelon and cantaloupe patches, acres planted in peas, a small orchard with a pear tree, a peach tree, an apple tree, fig trees and grape vines. There were wild blackberries, plums, and muscadines. Many hours were spent growing, gathering, and preserving vegetables and fruits for use during the winter. Meals and snacks consisted of fresh vegetables and fruits.
In addition, my grandmother grew flowers, especially daylilies and iris, for sale to the public. This, along with her making clothes for the public, was how she supported herself and her family. As a child, I spent hours in the presence of my grandparents as both of my parents worked long hours. My grandmother collected seeds from the lilies and planted them in her seedling beds in one of her two flower gardens that were separate from her front yard of fence- to-fence flowers of every kind. When the seedlings were big enough, they were transplanted into neat rows to mature into plants that could be sold locally or shipped anywhere in the country. One of my jobs was to wrap strips of newspaper around the tender young plants as they were planted to prevent cut worms from enjoying a snack. I also helped “The Day Lily Queen” as she was known pack plants for shipment.
Looking back, it was quite a process done without cell phones, computers, or internet. Locals all knew her and frequently dropped by to select flowers they wanted for their homes. My grandmother's flowers were long ago cut down as no one was able to care for them any longer. The yard where my parents lived still has a large variety of daylilies and iris that came from her yard. I believe that many of the daylilies and iris blooming in the Byhalia area today are descended from the plants she sold or gave to families years ago. I recently discovered some at a Byhalia home that we were able to establish originated from her garden. Others were ordered through mail order mostly through a magazine I remember being named Daylily Journal. She placed ads in this or similar magazines and received orders through the mail. She, in turn, dug up, packaged, and shipped the requested flowers. I remember sitting with my grandfather under the shade tree by the road waiting for the mailman who would weigh the packages and collect the correct fees for shipment. She often received letters complimenting the good condition the plants were in when they arrived.
I could write chapters about those early days as most of you could. It is sad to think that when we pass away, these treasured memories will be gone as they belong to us and no one else unless we write them down. I sometimes wonder about memories my parents and grandparents had. Did we listen when they tried to tell us those glimpses into days gone by? My brother and I know a few of those stories, but they will be gone when we are.
I would love to report your news. Call or text me at 901 246-8843, message me on Facebook at Clair Wagg, or email me at jchwagg@gmail.com.