I'm goin' to Jackson...

So, today the Hubs and I loaded up and headed out for a Tennessee [an] Tiquing Trek. See what I did there. We set the GPS for Jackson TN, which it told us was either 72 or 75 miles away (we can't remember which). To be expected, I couldn't stop singing the famous song sung by Johnny Cash and June Carter along the way.  "I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around, Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson, Look out Jackson town,"   By the way, if you click on their names above, you will see the lyrics to the song, as well as the chords, so if you are multi-talented you can sing and play the song for yourself.  Jackson is the 8th largest city in Tennessee, was founded in 1821, and was named for Andrew Jackson. Interestingly, he was not yet President, but was being honored for his heroism in the War of 1812. One of my favorite sites in Jackson is the Casey Jones Village , which has a railroad Museum, Old Country Store Restaurant, gift shoppes, etc.   However, that was not our destination today.  Our first stop was Yarbro's Antique Mall on Carriage House Dr., which boasted that it is "Jackson's Oldest and Largest Antique Mall".  Antique stores make me wonder things, like how many little girls played with this old Vintage metal Dollhouse, and where are they now? Did their dreams cme true? 

What about the "Little Ladies" who conocted delicious imaginary meals on this miniature tin  stove as they dreamed of a home and family of their own some day? What was their favorite  dish to "create" on it ? 

And I wonder about this man.  What was his name?  Did He have a family?  What made him feel like suicide was the only option? How old was he when died? (In case you cant't read the tag very well, it says, "Self bust of Undertaker from Grenada, MS. Was the best around at body reconstruction. Became an alcoholic and killed himself." )

 

These old portraits always make me feel  a bit sad to think that there is no one left to remember these weary souls; to hang their picture on the wall and say, "there's My Mother", or "that's My Grandpa", or "look how pretty Auntie was". I wonder how long it will be after I've left this Earth that my pictures will become someone else's Vintage photos For Sale. 

The next stop on our Tennessee  [an] Tiquing Trek (I did it again) was Carriage House Antique market and Cafe, also on Carriage House Dr. (who'd have guessed?) Its sign announced "Junk at its Finest"! These old bicycles out front were interesting. 

Inside, I began to wonder things again, like what kind of day was it when this figure adorned a festive Wedding cake?  What were the couple's names? Where did they live? Was it a big Wedding? Were they happily married? and once again, Why doesn't anyone remember them, and put this treasured memento on their shelf for safe keeping?

I also wonder what our American culture was like in the days when signs like these were commonplace.  When this was the expected and accepted appearance, occupation, and lifestyle for so many of our friends and neighbors .

The trek continued, as we headed for Butler's Antique mall, our last stop in Jackson, on Hwy 70 E.  As we perused the shelves and cases, these boots caught my eye, and again I wonder--who wore them? Did they dance? Did they run? Where have they been? What have they seen? If only they could tell us what it was like the day that a cobbler sewed the last stitch and buttoned the last button, putting them on the display shelf of his shoppe, and smiling with satisfaction at a job well done. 

I am always intrigued by old antique books. The Hubs rarely stops to give them a nod, but I usually give them my attention when I can.  These caught my eye and made me begin to ask questions once again--Why doesn't He just listen the first time, and she won't have to repeat herself 1000 times? and why do the Boys get to have all the big adventures, while the girls sit about Pinkly, preparing for Prom? 

 

So, Jackson had lots of interesting things, but since I definitely seem to be a bit meandering in my musings tonite, and since the Hubs is already asleep after our Expedition today, I'll save the second half of our Tennessee [an] Tiquing Trek (you've got to be quick) for another day.  Be prepared for Part II--Henderson, TN.

P.S. They really love their churches in Jackson, TN 

P.P.S. What WAS this about?????

Stay tuned, and Peace out...

New Chicago

So, today I took a little trip to New Chicago, and I never even left Tennessee!!  Founded in 1901, New Chicago sits on the North side of Memphis.   According to the all knowing interweb, New Chicago has 362 homes built in 1939 or before.  It was in one of those that my favorite nonagenarian (person who is from 90 to 99 years old)  was sitting on her front porch, even though it was over 90 degrees in Memphis today. She reminisces about when she and her newlywed husband first moved into this very house, over 70 years ago. They tried to raise chickens, but as she says, "We didn't know what we were doing."  He's been gone for many years, and she has raised their children, nursed her beloved grandmother, and buried them all.  From her well maintained home, with the neatly trimmed yard and painted white trim, she looks across the street at the boarded up homes with the overgrown yards and remembers a neighborhood from days gone by... When she was growing up she tells me, there were only 2 High Schools for blacks in Memphis.  She attended one, and her Husband attended the rival school.  She once told me, "You've  heard of a Strong Black Woman?--That was me." Her Grandparents told her that back at the turn of the century black folks in the South were told that Chicago was the place to be--plentiful jobs, better living conditions, etc.  A group of people from down South headed out to make their way to Chicago, and this was as far as they could make it.  Thus they named it New Chicago. She eventually heads inside to eat her lunch before her daily phone call from a friend checking to make sure she's not sitting outside in the heat...    I can only imagine the glory days of New Chicago in 1901. In 2014,  many  homes are dilapidated, abandoned, and in disrepair.  Old Chicago still has  a City park, although today none of the neighborhood kids wanted to brave the heat it seemed.   The New Chicago grocery has seen better days.  Many of the homes in the neighborhood have been boarded up, and some have been torn down completely.  

I spotted one beautiful early 1900's home in need of just a little TLC to make it shine again. The old Cypress Creek Pumping Station still stands watch on the edge of the neighborhood. Built in the early 1940's, it has made sure that neighborhoods don't flood in times of heaviest rains. I wonder if the neighbors have thanked it recently. 

On My way back to My Midtown Mecca, I meandered past another Memphis iconic site, Plastic Products Record Plant, Hub of Rock and Roll.  At 1746 Chelsea, this site was dedicated in 2012 by the Shelby County Historical Commission. The marker boasts,  "by 1956 Plastic Products was pressing records round the clock for more than 49 labels nationwide".  I love the old Quonset huts, that take us back to the days of Big Bands and USO dances. They deserve to rest after so many years of use.   

Stay tuned and see where this Middle-aged Memphis Midtowner meanders to next. On the agenda so far for the weekend, Antique Trekking, and dinner with the Daughter. 

Peace Out...