Growing stuff

WE were in our twenties when we moved to Rutherfordton, NC. We had a neighbor  who had a nice garden. He kept it neat and the rows were perfect.  He was an OLD man probably in his sixties (smile).  WE talked often but I never asked him what was in the garden. I automatically figured, corn tomatoes, cabbage, beans and okra, the normal southern garden.

But one day I noticed a lot of color over there.  It peaked my interest so I walked over to see, I saw several rows of flowers.  I thought now that is neat,  Mr Nelon is growing Mrs Nelon some flowers as well as vegetables.  Before the week was out, I began to notice the whole garden, about 200' x 60' was flowers.  I was in my twenties, I had never seen a real flower garden, I was fascinated. 

I know a tulip, rose, pansy and carnation (if I smell the carnation), but many of the flowers I did not know. Mr. Nelon introduced me to them, but I soon forgot.

My fascination continued when I saw folks stopping by to purchase bouquets, I thought, "Well, I'll be danged, I thought only florists sold flowers." I learned he also sold to florists.  He loved those flowers and seemed to carefully cut them with love.  They were there all spring and summer. I never saw grass growing in the rows, it was a beauty to behold. He would give me one every once in awhile to take to Sherry.

My Nelon was a tall fellow, not skinny but well built. It seemed to be a contradiction to see the big man show so much love to flowers.

We  lived next door for a couple years then we moved. We were back by there a year of so ago, Mr. Nelon's house and garden are now gone, and a commercial auto shop is there, they deal with antique cars, I missed the house and garden, but thought it fitting someone was rebuilding history.

You don't meet a Mr. Nelon often, and I never again saw a flower garden except in pictures as I have inserted here.

Nite Shipslog

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 This Red 'B' Model is setting where Mr. Nelons lower rows were.