Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Rambling Along Waterfalls in Greenville

by Violet Rebecca Jones



View of the falls.


Who doesn't love a waterfall? And when one is in the middle of a southern city, it is even more special. Greenville, SC is one such city. I love rambling the streets of this city. There is always something to do, experience, or simply to observe. Revitalized a few years ago from a deteriorating city that no one wanted to visit, it is now a place where tourists stroll the streets, locals go for lunch or dinner out, shop, live, and work. It is a place to relax, to enjoy nature, and to always have the luxury of coffee shops,  theater, concerts, art galleries, unique shops, and street performers within a short walking distance. Each time I go, I feel as if I have experienced a vacation.


Street musician gathers a crowd
(click any photo to enlarge)
On this particular day, there was a festival taking place, but there is usually a crowd in the downtown area even when there isn't a festival going on. There are often street musicians, and there are weekly concerts at the outdoor amphitheater. Although this concert was free, some of them have an admission fee to sit in the amphitheater. However, since the concerts are outdoors, you really can enjoy the music from any nearby area.It is easily heard while sitting on a bench near the children's splash fountains on the other side of the river.

During the summer months, the nearby Governor's School for the Arts present free, outdoor "Shakespeare in the Park" performances at another, smaller outdoor amphitheater near the falls.

Outdoor concert

These ducks have found
a cool place to hang out.

Cleveland Park, which adjoins the falls, is a lush,
wooded park that stretches outside the perimeters
of the downtown area, and any sunny afternoon                  
will find it packed with locals enjoying the outdoors.
However, there have been reports of muggings
taking place in this area and along Falls Park in
the evening hours. The city has put in effect a curfew
for underage patrons and increased police patrols,
but I am still a little wary to go there at night.          
                


One of the gentler scenes along the Reedy River

Children's Splash Fountain with Art Galleries Alongside


The art galleries along the river are amazing, and provide hours of aesthetic browsing. There is nothing quite like having original art in one's home to give it a sense of personality, and many of the artists sell their works at an affordable price. Even if you don't buy, it is still relaxing to stroll from gallery to gallery.




View from walkway over the Reedy River





                 

I have always wanted to walk on stilts.

Walkway leading to the
outdoor concert amphitheater.

Suspension bridge...
(I know this is not a good picture, but it is the only one of the bridge that "took" before my camera died

 For more  pictures of Greenville, SC , including the suspension bridge, which I was unable to photograph properly, go to: http://www.visitgreenvillesc.com/

Copyright 2014  Violet Rebecca Jones

Monday, April 28, 2014

Dining at Paw's

by Violet Rebecca Jones

As you may have figured out by now, I like to look for inexpensive things to do, places to go, and restaurants that serve a good meal for a reasonable price. I have found that the restaurants that look the most forlorn and unattractive often serve the best food. If I see a place that has a lot of cars in the parking lot, I figure there must be a reason, so I am willing to try it out. I saw just such a place,Paw's Diner, on my way back from physical therapy for my injured knee and decided it would be as good a place as any to have lunch.

Located between Seneca and Clemson, South Carolina, the outside of the restaurant looks like an old store, or possibly a roadside tavern, but the parking lot was so full I had to drive around twice waiting for someone to leave just to find a place to park. When I got inside, there were no available tables. I had to wait until someone left and the waitress cleared away the dishes before I could sit down.  There were a few tables and chairs, but most of the seating was in the form of hard, wooden booths like one would find in old, fast food burger places. There was one tall table with bar chairs where a few people tried to sit, but all of them left it as soon as another table opened up. They said it felt like the table was going to turn over. Most of clientele were blue collar working men who obviously only had a short time for lunch; however, there was a table of medical office workers, a few business women in suits, several elderly couples, and a mother and daughter duo. Most appeared to be regulars since the waitress asked the mother and daughter  if they would mind if she waited on a table of men first since they had to be back at work in a few minutes.

The menu was simply a few typed pages that listed the day's special and standard fare such as burgers and sandwiches. Most of the patrons ordered from the daily special menu, as I did.  I had the chicken livers ( I happen to love chicken livers for some strange reason), fried squash, greens, and potato salad, along with a mix of cornbread and rolls.  Since it was one of the items on the daily special menu, it did not take long for it to be served. At $6.25, it was one of the most reasonably meals I have found. One could get a meat and one vegetable for $5.00. The food was good although I found the chicken livers and squash to be somewhat greasy. They should have been drained on paper to absorb some of the oil before serving, but with the huge crowd, time might have been a factor. The greens were delicious. The potato salad was average, or possibly slightly above average, but needed a few extra flavorings or additions to rank it at number one.  The food was served hot, the utensils were clean, and even though there was a large crowd, the service was fast, the place was kept clean, and the waitresses were extremely friendly.

Paw's Diner is a good place for locals to eat a southern style meal, especially for lunch when time is short.  I think the restaurant is open at night as well, but I am not sure if the menu changes.  While you would probably not choose to go there for an important date night, it is a good place to stop on your way somewhere. I will probably stop again sometime.


The parking lot had thinned out somewhat by the time I left.
(click picture to enlarge)

Just simple, homestyle southern food.

Apparently they sell bags of ice as well as food. 

Copyright 2014 Violet Rebecca Jones

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Fields of Gold

by Violet Rebecca Jones

While driving  the other day, I passed field after field of beautiful yellow flowers. I had no idea what these flowers were because the stems simply looked like weeds. When I stopped, there was an unusual scent in the air. I am not sure if the scent came from the flowers, or from something else, but I have never smelled it before. It was not exactly a "pleasant" scent (certainly not what I would want on a patio), but neither was it exactly "unpleasant". It was simply different in a strange sort of way.

When I reached my destination, I asked if anyone knew what the fields of flowers were, and was told they were Canola plants. Apparently, the blooms become a seed which is then harvested to make Canola Oil. I had no idea! Now each time I buy a bottle of Canola Oil, I will think of these fields of gold.  PS: You can tell I am a country girl when I get excited learning about a new field crop!

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Rambling to Fort Mill and Baxter Village

by Violet Rebecca Jones



Front and Back of Historical Marker
Giving Background of Fort Mill, SC
    ( Click any photo to enlarge)




Small Town Charm

Chapter 3 of my visit to my friend in Rock Hill, SC takes me on a little excursion to Fort Mill, SC. Fort Mill is a small town  bordering Mecklenburg County, NC ( home of Charlotte).  Fort Mill, the home of Springs Industries, maker of home textiles, was founded in the late 1700's and is named for a grist mill and an early Catawba Indian Fort in the area.  There is a  quaintness about the town that for some reason has always appealed to me. I am not sure what it is, but I have always loved its friendly, small town charm.

Baxter Village

The town of Fort Mill has changed in many ways over the years, yet still remains the same in so many others. It has an excellent recreation center, a beautiful greenway owned by Springs Industries, and now has a wonderful little village that has been built on its outskirts called Baxter Village.  I did not know about Baxter Village until my friend suggested we go there for dinner. Baxter Village was not built when I lived in that area in the late 1990's, but I wish it had been. It is a charming village where homeowners can walk to restaurants, shops, etc. without ever leaving their neighborhood. While this may seem common for someone who has grown up in a city such as New York, for example, it is something that has gone by the wayside in the South over the years. We are used to driving everywhere for everything.



View of Baxter Village
The Fish Market Restaurant in Baxter Village

Wonderful Dining

My friend and I ate a wonderful seafood restaurant aptly named Fish Market, and I want to thank her again for treating me.  I had the Mountain Trout while my friend had the John Dory. I had never heard of John Dory, and neither had my friend. The waitress said it is a fish found in the waters of the English Channel, so that may explain why we had never heard of it.  My friend said it was delicious. I know my trout certainly was.


The Caboose Greeting Visitors

The Town of Fort Mill

The original town of Fort Mill itself has not changed much in the years since I lived in the area, except for the roads and new traffic patterns that confused me and caused me to get lost. The downtown remains much the same as I remember it. There are several antique shops that have been there for many years, and it was a comfort to see them still thriving. The old caboose that greets visitors to the town was a welcome site, as was the little  park that beckons one to enter, find a swing, and just "sit a while". It was good to visit this unique little town, and to see the green, green grass of "home" once again.




Time Stands Still at the Gateway to the Town of Fort Mil
Outdoor Dining Venue in Baxter Village


Just find a swing and enjoy the view of Fort Mill


View of Main Street, Fort Mill


Monuments in Park , Fort Mill


Copyright 2014 Violet Rebecca Jones  


Downtown Gazebo in Fort Mill









Friday, April 25, 2014

Max, the Wonder Dog

by Violet Rebecca Jones

After my little drama on the way to visit my friend in Rock Hill, SC ( see post "Rambling to Rock Hill....") , I actually ended up having a wonderful visit with my friend. Max, her little poodle was happy to see me, and even posed for pictures. He is such a ham. Max is a story unto himself. This little guy watches TV. No kidding, he really does. Whenever he sees certain newscasters, or TV programs, he sits at attention while they speak. When they leave, he leaves. He always keeps an ear to what is happening, and will ever so often go to the TV and stand up with his paws on the screen. He is a very well-informed dog. However, the most unusual thing is what he does when an animal, any animal or fowl, comes on the screen. He begins barking hysterically and tries to chase them across the screen. While I was there, a program showed a herd of kangaroos running across the outback of Australia. I thought Max would have a stroke. He barked nonstop until they left the screen, and looked worn out from his efforts to "protect" us from these galloping invaders.

Max is also a very neat dog. He always arranges his bed covers before lying down, and makes sure that all his toys are in the exact place he wants them before settling in for the night. My friend says that he spreads out his blanket in front of the sofa each day while she is at work, and that one day he even turned on the TV using the remote. Unfortunately, he could only get the sound on, so when she came home, she thought she had intruders because she could hear voices in the house. Max...you bad boy!





Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Warm Days and Sidewalk Art

by Violet Rebecca Jones

There is nothing quite as delightfully unexpected as encountering a work of beautiful art on the sidewalk while going for a stroll.  There is something about happening upon something when we least expect it that increases the epiphany of the experience. Sidewalk art is like that, and then some. When something is there for only a short time, and we are lucky enough to have come upon it while it is still there in all its glory, somehow its value is increased, our appreciation is revved up, and we realize how lucky we are.

To think that someone would devote so much time, energy, and skill to something that will only last until the next rain is astonishing. While we appreciate the old masters whose work endures in the ceilings of old churches, we stop, we photograph, we oohhh and aahhh over that which we know for certain will soon disappear.

While strolling through the beautiful downtown of +Greenville, SC, I stumbled across just such a masterpiece. I was in awe. The colors were beautiful, and I could only look in amazement as the artist put the finishing touches on the masterpiece in the blazing, hot southern summer sun.  He was bent over on his knees on the hard, blistering hot concrete, chalk dust covering his entire body, and so engrossed was he in his work that he did not even look up as passersby stopped to admire his work.

If we would all devote as much time and effort into our work as this young man, simply with the desire to do our best, think of what a wonderful place this world would be.

  

Monday, April 21, 2014

Rambling to Rock Hill, SC With Senior Maniacs

by Violet Rebecca Jones

Back to My Old Stomping Grounds

I visited a dear friend a few days ago, and the experience was good in so many ways. She now lives in +Rock Hill, SC close to where I used to live, and the home of +Winthrop University where attended graduate school . It was a long drive for me, but each mile brought both surprises and memories. Surprises  because so much has changed. It has been several years since I visited the area, and the new housing developments, shopping centers, arenas, and highway construction made everything look different from when I was last there. All the old landmarks were gone, and I kept getting confused. While not actually lost, I did take a few wrong turns and had to backtrack several times.  But hey, rambling is in my blood! However, this time, those little wrong turns ended up being rather scary.

Maniac Seniors

As I was entering the Rock Hill area, I took one of these wrong turns and ended up on an access road to +Lake Wylie. When I saw the sign saying "pavement ends", I knew I was in the wrong place, and apparently at the wrong time as well. I tried to turn around, but a car came from the direction of the lake on the dirt road. There was an elderly man in the passenger seat, and the car was driven by a woman with bleached blond hair. They blocked my entry onto the road, and although I had no desire to travel on that "road", actually more like a trail, they must have thought I did because they would not provide me enough room to even turn around. After finally maneuvering my car so that I could turn and backtrack, the couple pulled out very fast and got in front of me. They moved at approximately 25 miles per hour, and they were in the middle of the road straddling the yellow line. The only time they moved over to the right was when they met an oncoming car. I was already running late to my friend's house who was waiting for me so we could go out to dinner. Every time I tried to pass this strange couple, they would again move to the center and block me. Finally I saw an opening when they miraculously  moved somewhat to the right. I speeded up and went around. Yes, I went fast because I really wanted to get around these people. Well, I am not sure if me passing them incited road rage, or if they were already enraged, but I was now in for the chase of my life. They suddenly  speeded up, too. They never left my bumper! I began to get a little worried about this pursuit of me, so I speeded up, yet again. At one point, I was actually going 70 miles per hour, but this couple never left me. They had gone from the "pokey old folks" to "greased lightening". 

Not only that, but when I reached the end of the highway and had to turn left, they pulled alongside me and began blowing their horn, beating on the side of their car, and the bleached blond got out of her car yelling and shaking something at me. I didn't dare look at them, but my friend was on the phone with me at this point...wanting to know where I was....and she could hear the woman blowing the horn, yelling, etc. They again followed me when I turned. However, I tricked them....you can't outwit a Southern Girl! I allowed them to get into the far right lane in heavy traffic while I quickly shifted to the far left turn lane and turned down a side lane until I knew they were far gone. Only then did I dare go to my friend's place, and believe me when I said I looked in my side- and rear-view mirrors as much as I did at the road in front of me. I am not ashamed to say I was a little unnerved by this experience. Later when a family member asked me if the woman could possibly have been waving a gun, I became even more unnerved. That possibility had actually never occurred to me. My friend in Rock Hill gave me a possible reason why this couple could have been agitated. Apparently there have been some reports of people growing Marijuana on these trails and back roads leading to the lake, and pot is not legal in South Carolina. I was driving a black car, so maybe they thought I was an authority ( you know, the "Men in Black" mentality).  Either way, I will be very careful whenever I am in that area again, and I will watch out for the "maniac seniors".

Friday, April 18, 2014

Caught Going Over Fifty in a Thirty-five Zone: The Trauma of Aging

by Violet R. Jones

Since beginning this blog, I have noticed something that I guess I was aware of on a very subconscious level, but had somehow suppressed from my waking knowledge, perhaps because it was too traumatic for me to contemplate. The simple fact is that I am getting older, and the world is getting younger.  I have spent most of my life in the high school classroom (not as a lifelong student, but in front of the room trying to impart knowledge).  I was surrounded every day by youthful inexperience, a vitality sometimes coupled with impulsive bad decisions, but always with a sense of knowing there was more out there to experience and learn. I enjoyed seeing students experience things for the first time, learn  things that older people take for granted, and explore the world around them.   I never really saw myself aging because I was surrounded by youth, and I felt as if I was a part of it. I also felt that students learned from my experience and it never occurred to me that experience is not a valuable commodity.

It is only now when I am no longer in the place I loved most with a piece of chalk ( or dry erase marker/SmartBoard pen) in my hand , and  I am alone by myself to think, to reflect, and to somehow reinvent myself, that I realize the world is being run by a new generation. Yes, it is a generation that I helped to teach, and for the most part , I am proud of them. However, I am not yet even 60, so it is hard for me to separate myself into the category of the aged, but I am getting there.

Why did this revelation come to me only after I started blogging? Well, I really wanted to get an idea of what others were saying on their blogs, both because I didn't want to duplicate it, but also because I didn't want to seem like a "ninny" who is posting about how many fleas were on my dog today...not that I own a dog, but you get the picture.  What I found is that the majority of blogs, not all mind you, but the majority, are by young people in the twenty to thirty-five age bracket.  It is depressing. I am not sure if this anomaly  is because this is the age group that grew up with computers, and they simply know of no other way to communicate, if the older humans out there don't know much about computers and learned other ways of communicating, or if the young generation is all that is left.

It sort of makes me feel like I am in one of those old black and white movies where only one person ( or perhaps two or three) has survived a disaster and is trying to get along in the world where no one like them is left.  It is downright depressing.  I don't feel old, and while I may look old, it isn't my cover that defines the quality of my content, to paraphrase an old standby that "you can't judge a book by its cover".   I know, there I go again with "old" stuff, but it's true.

Why does our society discard anyone who is no longer able to "leap tall buildings with a single bound", or who has more wrinkles than a raisin? Doesn't our society value experience anymore?  I know of several people who have lost their jobs due to their experience. It seems that it is cheaper to hire a newly graduated young person who has to learn how to do the job than it is to hire, or even to keep on the payroll, someone who has been doing the job for a long time and knows how to do things without asking, but must be paid accordingly.

I don't mean to sound bitter. I understand that youth attracts youth, that fresh is associated with better, and old often means that something is beyond its prime. However, humans are not left-over produce, day-old bread, or outdated milk that needs to be discarded. It takes a lifetime to learn what life is about, to understand that all things repeat themselves in one form or another, and to develop a sense of perspective about what is important. These are things that I was always taught were valuable assets.  When I first began my working career, I don't think things were this way. I could be wrong, but it seemed there was the sense that experience was something to be aimed for. I remember not being hired for a position because I "didn't" have enough experience. When did this change? It must have been late in the night while I was sleeping, or while I was grading papers.

I am not asking for the world to change. I understand that the older generations have always given way to the new, but it just seems that we are moving that timeline back year by year.  Where does it stop? I saw a TV program  the other day about a girl who started dating when she was eight years old, and now at  the age of sixteen feels that she is an adult. What I want to know is when will she be considered a senior citizen?

We should not judge people by their age, their looks, the color of their skin, their personal beliefs, or by their socio-economic status. Really, we should not judge people at all. If someone wants to be productive on into their so-called "golden years", then why does society not allow them to do so?

Perhaps the answer lies within the older community itself. If we simply stand back and say, "Oh, I can't do that, I'm too old", or " You can't teach an old dog new tricks", then we are sacrificing at least one-quarter of our lives to be pushed to the back burner. I say we need to unite, heat up the stove, and start cooking!

* I would welcome your thoughts and comments on this topic.

Copyright 2014 Violet Rebecca Jones

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Rambling Into the Past on Lake Summit at Tuxedo

by Violet Rebecca Jones




The entrance to the small lakeside community of Tuxedo.

Just north of Traveler's Rest, SC and near Flat Rock, NC there is a small hidden gem that many people don't know exists. I didn't know it myself until I just happened to look in that direction and noticed a slice of blue water while diving to Flat Rock, NC.  It is the small community of Tuxedo that surrounds a beautiful., relatively small lake, Lake Summit.  


Looking over the lake from the railing along the shore.


The lake is accessed by a narrow, winding road that gave me a few scary moments as I rounded a curve and knew that if another car were meeting me, we would never be able to pass one another. Since I was closest to the lake, I figured I would be the unlucky one. My fears were probably unfounded as it was obvious that people do travel on this road. There were many small lake houses along the shore and more substantial homes built on the hillsides. 


These piers made me wish I had a fishing rod and reel.

This setting reminded me of a time gone by when life was simple and a summer spent at the lake was  truly a time to  relax, swim, and fish from the deck of one's cottage. The lake houses along the shore were actually built into the water on stilts, and their decks extended out into the lake. Most of them had boathouses built beneath the cottages themselves giving the entire area  a nostalgic atmosphere that made one imagine girls in skirted swimsuits and men in knickers. 


One of the larger lake houses.


Many of the cottages were old, but most had been remodeled and refurbished to bring them up-to-date and provide the comforts of modern living. However, they still retained that quaint, cozy feel that made me want to go in, sit down, and enjoy the sound of the water lapping at the pilings below.
View of the smaller lake cottages that are built above boat houses.

Later, I researched this area and found that there was once a +Zirconia mine in the area in the very early years of the twentieth century. Zirconia was used in the manufacture of incandescent light bulbs, and I was fascinated to learn that +Thomas Edison spent time in the area because of the mineral resources.  http://www.historichendersonville.org/history_flat_rock.htm


Beautiful view of Lake Summit

The lake is a beautiful place to get away from the hustle of world around us. Even the brief drive around the lake gave me a sense of calm that made me want to stay.  Perhaps I will save my money and rent one of those little cottages someday. 


Beautiful view of the lake and the mountains beyond.



text and pictures copyright 2014 Violet Rebecca Jones


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Frozen Flowers and Other Things

by Violet Rebecca Jones

I am so glad I caught these pretty flowers on camera a few days ago. The weatherman is calling for a freeze tonight, and I know they will be ruined. It seems so sad that such beauty will be destroyed so quickly, just a few days after blooming.

Sometimes our lives are like these flowers. We work hard to produce something, to nourish something, only to have it taken from us quickly, before we have had time to reap the joys of its existence. Whether it is a job, a friendship, a marriage, or even a loved one in death, we must remember that we should try to relish the joy it brought us while we had it in our grasp. Like the beauty of the flowers, all things come to an end, sometimes too soon, but inevitable nevertheless.

Copyright 2014 Violet Rebecca Jones






Sunday, April 13, 2014

Lazy Southern Girl

by Violet Rebecca Jones

I have spent the entire day doing absolutely nothing except surfing the net, reading, and listening to the TV in the background. I know that is a terrible thing to admit, especially since I was brought up to think that a lazy Southern girl is the worst kind. My grandmother did not believe anyone should sit still for more than a half hour, and would definitely find something for you to do if she caught you not being productive. Sorry, Grandma, but today I have been that lazy Southern girl.

I suppose I could give some valid excuses. I had some painful medical procedures done a couple of days ago, I didn't sleep well last night, I am tired, etc.  I don't think Grandma would accept any of them, so I have to somehow redeem myself by analyzing my activities to see if anything worthwhile has come out of them.

First of all, surfing the net can be just for enjoyment, but it can also be educational and even a financially productive activity. Lets look at the financial aspect first. I found some terrific coupons that I intend to use this very week, and I will probably save at least five dollars by doing so. Not a lot of money, but five dollars is something, right? It doesn't matter that I probably would not buy these products if not for the coupons. The idea is that I will save money. Remember, I am trying to redeem myself here. 

Second, I learned that there is a very nice lake I had not heard of, and an outdoor sportsman center I had also not heard of, within a fifty-mile radius of where I live. I also learned that a newspaper in +Abbeville, SC was shut down following the +Civil War during the occupation by Union Troops because of the editor's anti-union sentiments.  http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn93067670/1865-08-10/ed-1/seq-1/#   Now, I will probably never visit the outdoor sportsman's center because it is mainly for horse owners, and I don't own a horse. I may visit the lake, but I probably won't because it requires a hike-in over rough terrain to reach it, and I have a very bad knee. I am not sure how the knowledge that a newspaper was shut down after the Civil War because they exercised their right to free speech is going to serve me now, 150 years later, but it is interesting to know, and it does help me understand a lot of the tension that must have been present in the South following the Civil War. So, educationally, my lazy day has taught me something, if not a lot.

Third, I really did have a very painful medical procedure this past week. However, I know my grandma would not have accepted this excuse.  She was tough, and birthed six children without the benefit of any pain meds, worked a multi-acre garden with only a hoe while dealing with severe scoliosis of the spine, and survived extreme poverty without ever giving up. I guess I must think of something else to redeem myself. 

Now, it is Sunday, and in the Bible Belt of the South, Sunday is a day of rest. My grandma would accept this excuse for me being lazy today since she would not even allow me to sew or knit on Sunday as I was growing up. In her eyes it was work, maybe because as she was growing up, both of these were necessities for living. So, Grandma, I have rested today rather then just being lazy.

Now, wonder what she would think of me writing for my blog on Sunday????

Copyright 2014 Violet Rebecca Jones

Friday, April 11, 2014

OJ's Diner: A Hidden Gem in the Upstate Of South Carolina

by Violet Rebecca Jones

Whenever I am rambling in the South, I keep my eyes open for good places to grab a bite to eat, and since my budget is a little on the low side, a cheap and good place to eat is even better. It seems that the best places are usually little hole-in-the-wall places that few people have heard of but are worthy of a spot on the +Food Network Channel.

Today, I found one of those  places where I least expected it. On my way back from a doctor's visit, I began to get a little hungry, but I didn't have much cash and didn't want to resort to a fast-food burger and fries . Suddenly, there is a sign for O.J's Diner. The parking lot was full ( always a good sign), so I stopped, and warily went in. The place looked nice, so I figured it must be expensive. Lo and behold, the sign said,  "Meat and Two with drink for $6.99". Can't beat that, and for those over 55, there was even a 10% discount! "Well", I thought, " I will try this. Even if the food isn't great, at least I can afford it."

Boy, was I in for a surprise.  The restaurant is set up cafeteria style with a server bringing drinks to the table, so all the food is visible. I like that.  Seeing the actual food is always better than looking at a picture on a menu and trying to determine if it will be good.  I chose the Baby Back Ribs, Broccoli Casserole, Okra and Tomatoes, with a corn muffin and ice tea. The ribs were heavenly. Braised in a delicious homemade barbecue sauce, the meat literally fell from the bone.  The Broccoli Casserole was a broccoli and rice combination that was blended perfectly, and the tomatoes/okra dish was perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of salt...not too much.  I seldom eat that much for lunch, and this felt like a evening dinner out, but it was wonderful. 

O.J's Diner is only open Monday-Friday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but it almost worth taking a day off from work to try it out. Dinner is certainly an option even for those who work, and I can't imagine it not being as good as lunch. 

O.J's Diner is located on Highway 123, Calhoun Memorial Highway, in Easley, SC.




Copyright 2014 Violet Rebecca Jones

A Little Slice of Paradise on Clemson's Campus

by Violet Rebecca Jones

One of the places that I have started rambling to on those days when I need to be alone, quiet, and think is the beach on the lake near +Clemson University.  There are actually several lakes nearby, and most of them have beaches that are open to the  public. However, there is something about this beach that makes it special. I am not sure if it is the fact that it is on a university campus, and therefore, is infused with a sense of youth and vitality, or if it is simply because it is in a pretty location that is easily accessible. Either way, it is a place where one can be both alone and with others at the same time.

I have never been there when no one was around. There is usually something going on, whether it is a rowing class getting underway or simply a group of students lying in the sun or playing a game of Frisbee.  Yet, they never intrude on one's privacy. Perhaps it is because I am considered old by them since I am  past 40 by a few years, well, more than a few years. However, I really think it might simply be that they are inclined to mind their own business since I don't bother them, which is a good philosophy as far as I am concerned.

I kind of like being able to observe without discussion, contemplate without commentary, and simply to rest without explaining why I am not being productive. There are picnic benches and tables where I sometimes sit, but often I simply pull out the folding chair I keep in the trunk of my car, set it up in a nice spot, and watch the sailboats pass by. I can actually feel my muscles uncoil, and my eyes relax as I watch them glide smoothly over the water. I wonder about the thoughts of the sailors and rowers as they maneuver their crafts through the cool water, and whether or not they contemplate who I am and why I am watching them. The water of this lake is very deep, and there is tinge of fear when I see a sailboat tip far to one side. There have been many drownings in this lake over the years, and I don't want to be a witness to one.

Sometimes I take a book with me, but most of the time when I do, I end up not reading it. It seems like such a waste of God's beautiful creation to bury my eyes in a book that can be cozily read while I am curled up in my soft bed at night. It is almost as if I am a dying person voraciously trying to capture every sight and sound that I possibly can before they are seized from me forever.

Sometimes there are geese that fly in for a few hours of rest on their journey, and sometimes I take some stale bread to feed them, but usually I don't. I just watch them, listen to their honking conversations with one another and think about all the places they have seen. It must be wonderful to simply fly away to a new landscape whenever one desires, without worrying about luggage, tickets, or body searches.

This is my little area of paradise, my retreat, my little plot of escape, and even when I cannot go there, I can shut my eyes and recapture its peace and the sense of being far away where worries and cares do not exist.

 For a glimpse of this area, click on the following link:  https://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/campus-recreation/cubeach/events.html


Copyright 2014 Violet Rebecca Jones

Monday, April 7, 2014

Hunting and Fishing Wonderland Comes to the City

by Violet Rebecca Jones

In the South, we sometimes get excited about mundane things that other parts of the country take for granted.  Take  this week,for example.  The local TV news programs have been broadcasting live pictures of the grand opening of +Cabella's new store, and actually devoting huge segments of air time to the interior and all its features.

They  showed pictures of the interior like it was +Disney's latest theme park. Well, wouldn't you know, I had to see this place. I got "sucked" in like all the rest. The only difference is that I waited until the record-breaking crowds slowed down, and one could actually find a parking place. There apparently were close to thirty-five hundred people there on opening day!  I waited two days, and the crowds had definitely dwindled to only a thousand, or so, people.

I have to admit that I didn't tour the entire store. My leg was hurting ( an old injury and surgery), so I looked at part of it and then found myself a nice wooden bench, and then a nice leather chair by the fireplace ( yes, there was a fire even though it was 83 degrees outside) to sit in while friends continued their perusal of this wonderland for hunting and fishing enthusiasts.  Unfortunately, they said I missed the best part--the cafe and fudge-making shops! Oh well, I definitely did not need any more food and certainly not any fudge! However, I did smell the wonderful aroma of the fudge which filled the entire store. It was heavenly.

I did enjoy the aquarium, but the stuffed animals were a little sad. I kept thinking how much they had probably enjoyed roaming free in the wild. However, one mounted wild boar looked really vicious, so I didn't feel all that sorry for him.  On the strange side, one  deer had a very weird antler with one "prong" that curled backwards only on one side. Puzzling...!

There was an indoor archery range which people were lined up to use, and it brought to mind +Hunger Games or Daryl on TV's +The Walking Dead. I would have liked to try it out, but the line was far too long.

They did have a nice camping section which I liked. I used to love camping when I was younger, and the tents and equipment brought back pleasant memories. They even had a  campfire burning. I could almost taste the S'mores.

Children really loved this place. From climbing onto all the four-wheelers, to having their picture taken with the suited mascots of animals, to the trout-fishing tank and the child size archery range, they were excited about it all. When one little guy caught a trout in the children's fishing pond, the entire crowd cheered. His smile was a mile wide.

One woman came in wearing a beaded evening gown. I guess she saw me looking at her ( I know, you are not supposed to stare, but who could help it?) . She came over to me and explained that they were in a wedding earlier in the day. Another wanted me to watch for her elderly husband who had left her purse in a shopping cart while he went to the restroom. She wanted me to tell him she found her purse, and had checked out...I hope he made it home okay. Actually, I hope she really was his wife!  He looked a little worried when he saw the purse was gone.

I guess today's "rambling" was a little unusual, but  it was better than watching reruns on TV.

Copyright 2014 Violet Rebecca Jones

This mounted wild boar was very scary looking.


Notice the strange antler hanging down. Even so, he looks sad; like he wants to be free.




The indoor waterfall was refreshing to just stand beside and watch. 

Bear, Beaver, and Fox


Children loved this trout fishing pond. 


I enjoyed the aquarium of native wild fish. 


Cabin in the hills

And guess who this is....

So many fishing rods