CLAY AND WATTLES

Girlfriends, 40 Years Later

Amy and I went to Cindy's "hoe-down" shower - a grand cookout on the Whitfield Place - lots of family, food, friends, fun, comfort. It started at 6:00 P.M. Saturday and was a fairly cool evening after a major thunderstorm and rain enroute. By the time Amy and I got to Mama's, ate a snack, changed clothes and visited with her for a bit, it was time to go to Bren's. People were already gathering at 5:40-ish, so we were just right.

Charlotte was there and Amy took this picture of me, her and Bren. I need to find our old pictures together - I do remember one memorable outing to Coleman Park in search of the waterfall - us girls with dresses on! (1967-68) - no shorts, capris, even jeans or culottes. This was probably on a Sunday afternoon anyway, and we most likely still had on church clothes! Charlotte bought the Nettie Hale home across from the funeral home and across from Bren's old home, where her Mama and Daddy still live. They knew each other in 5th grade and of course never dreamed they would grow up to be related. Charlotte is Bren's husband's first cousin. We're planning a bunkin' party. We will probably need naps in the afternoon before we can stay up till 11:00 P.M.! Like Scarlet O'Hara and all the "belles of the ball" we will have to rest our dainty selves before the party begins!

We did fine, the three of us, and the ones older and younger ones, too - because who wouldn't with the southern night wrapping its arms around you, soothing you with sounds of dogs barking, goats bleating, tree frogs croaking, crickets chirping, and people calling out to each other in love and friendship?