A short trip to Mississippi (Jackson, Vicksburg: mattress, house, college)

[Delta Planter]

I left Texas on 6/28/8 heading for Cleveland, MS, initially. The 450 mile trip took three days. Break-down just outside Kilgore, couldn't get repaired till after lunch on Monday. Bummer. On to Jackson, instead, for I missed out on a get-together I'd arranged in Tunica. One night on a futon, and on up to Cleveland for a couple of days. Family, friends, the usual routine. Cleveland, being my hometown, has hardly changed at all, still a small, sleepy college town. Had a couple of "Keen Freeze" hamburgers at the airport my last day there, then down to Eagle Lake, just north of Vicksburg for the Fourth celebration.

Back to Jackson to help my nephew and his family preparing to put their house on the blocks, they're moving to Albany, NY, toward the end of July. He was recruited by General Electric to take over the tax law efforts in the Southeast US. Lots of frustrations going on, but some pretty good quality time spent with all of them.

I lived my first 23+ years in Mississippi, and my last 17+ in Texas, and while I do love my home state of Mississippi, it sure did feel good to cross into Texas on I-20 yesterday. Strange, isn't it?

And I'm finally coming to the realization that I'm getting too old to make these forays, these long 8-hour driving trips, even in comfy cars. Chiropractor this morning for a hitch in my back. Bummer. But the temps are up and the humidity is down, quite the opposite of the Mississippi Delta in the humidity department. THAT I do not miss one iota.

[Sam I Am]

Gosh, DP, we were in the same area at the same time!

I still LOVE Mississippi, love the delta, love Cleveland...my husband doesn't quite understand my love affair with the Mississippi delta; I guess it's one of those things that no one is just apathetic about.

In a lot of ways I felt like I'd gone home...Delta State girl here...yep, if I weren't in Arkansas, I'd surely be in Mississippi...

[Delta Planter]

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

Gosh, DP, we were in the same area at the same time!

I still LOVE Mississippi, love the delta, love Cleveland...my husband doesn't quite understand my love affair with the Mississippi delta; I guess it's one of those things that no one is just apathetic about.

In a lot of ways I felt like I'd gone home...Delta State girl here...yep, if I weren't in Arkansas, I'd surely be in Mississippi...

Wow, how about that! If only I'd'a known, I'd'a bought you a cup of coffee. When were you at DSU?

The Mississippi Delta is a special place. I'd say it's rare that an outsider can ever fully appreciate it, although I can see by your writing you do have a firm grasp on it. I graduated <gulp!> in 1970, FWIW. I'll have to send you an essay I wrote about it quite some time back, via PM.

[Sam I Am]

Delta State - 1973 - went in at 16 years old and spent 3 wonderful years there! There is something so special about Cleveland, and DSU - grabbed my heart from the first minute and has never let go. The quadrangle - spent a lot of time playing frisbee there...spent a lot of time at The Mattress (remember the bar??? too young and no one cared).

You have to be a part of the Delta to love it; it doesn't appeal to just anyone...but if you have a little romance in your soul and some Mississippi mud on your shoes, you know - there's no place like it.

[Delta Planter]

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

Delta State - 1973 - went in at 16 years old and spent 3 wonderful years there! There is something so special about Cleveland, and DSU - grabbed my heart from the first minute and has never let go. The quadrangle - spent a lot of time playing frisbee there...spent a lot of time at The Mattress (remember the bar??? too young and no one cared).

You have to be a part of the Delta to love it; it doesn't appeal to just anyone...but if you have a little romance in your soul and some Mississippi mud on your shoes, you know - there's no place like it.

Funny, I never made it to the Mattress Factory. But I was yakking with a fellow in Jackson a couple days ago, Mike Morrison of Morrison Brothers Music, and he told me who ran that joint. I'd'a never thunked it. You just a young'un, aincha? I was on the last leg of my first hitch in the Navy when you began DSU. Wow!

How does the line in Dixie go, "Old times there are not forgotten?" Yep, it's a grabber, for anyone, for any race who venture through with an open heart and mind, and a sense of melodrama.