May 11, 2025: The Country Way

As a kid, it felt like visiting Disney World.

My grandparents lived in the countryside of Gibsonville, NC, where tractors rolled past open fields and the sky stretched wide. Long rows of crops created the perfect hide-and-seek playground.

And out there in the sticks is where I mastered two forgotten arts: snapping green “string” beans and shucking corn.

For the beans, a pop signaled a clean break, stripping away the stringy bits before storing in mason jars. Meanwhile, the corn husks hid golden treasures beneath layers of silk. We worked on the screened porch, swapping stories between snaps and tugs. A southern tradition.

Fast forward to today when we celebrated Mother’s Day out in the boonies at Indian Fields Tavern. This restored farmhouse, flanked by cornfields and century-old farmland, features a unique restaurant.

Next door at their brewery, we ordered food from a repurposed shipping container. Beside us stood grain silos, along with barrels and rusted farm equipment, while a musician played on a stage.

With my daughters and son-in-law by my side, we toasted the day and honored the special lady in our presence. This time, the only “snapping” came from our phones, capturing lots of photos.

Happy Mother’s Day, Jess. Country looks good on you.