I have always thought of my Blue Ridge Mountain home as my own private Garden of Eden!
I could stand on top of the Hootey Knob, directly in the middle of my playground and point out the exact spot where the first robin of the springtime would build her nest.
I could take you to the briar patch where the first young rabbit of the season would be born and I could show you where the first violets would rise and bid farewell to the last drifts of melting snow at winter’s end.
I knew where the first wild strawberries could be found, on the sunny side of a hill in Tomahawk Hollow and where to find the first ripe June apple of the season. I knew where to find the first mess of branch lettuce in the springtime.
I knew the best fishing streams for trout and the best bait or lure to catch them. I knew where to find the best roots and herbs and how to dry and cure them for market.
I could point to every wild grape arbor where pheasants roosted at night and every hollow tree where hoot owls slept during the day.
In the wintertime I knew where the largest snowdrifts would form and in the springtime which would be the last to melt.
I could take you to each of the many springs, the source of many small rills that grew into a large branch known as Horse Creek that flowed by our home on its long journey to the sea.
I thank God for parents who had the love, the trust and understanding to allow me to make these discoveries for myself!
When I die and go to heaven,
I know exactly where I’ll be.
And when Saint Peter shakes my hand,
God will have smiled on me.
For just inside those Pearly Gates,
You can sometimes get a peek,
Is a sign that points the way to go
To get up on Horse Creek!
I’ll check into a brand new house
Beneath an old pine tree.
I’ll do it slow and easy like
For I have a whole eternity.
Everything will be furnished there;
I won’t need to find a job
While dwelling in the shadow
Of that old big Hootey Knob!
Sometimes I’ll go trout fishing
Way back on Gentry’s Creek
Where native trout do abound
And grow so fat and sleek.
I’ll come back by the Burnt School House
And maybe rest a spell
Or saunter down the old Big Laurel,
You just can’t ever tell!
A trip back on the Catface
To hunt for gin sing root.
Or a mess of cool branch lettuce
And some other loot, to boot!
Then I’ll eat my lunch on the Listening Rock.
A wedge of cheddar cheese,
Some soda pop and crackers
With sardines, if you please!
Then I’ll cut a keen birch pole,
Take some line and hook and lead,
Sit down on the old creek bank
And fish for horny head!
Then on some real hot summer day,
I’ll cut a bigger pole.
Dam up the creek below the house
And make a swimming hole!
I just may build me a shanty
Back in the woods, somewhere.
I’ll stay out there forever;
Well, at least I’ll stay a year!
I might build a wooden wagon;
I’ll have myself a ball,
With blackgum wheels and real oak wood
With steering wheel and all!
I know I’ll make a scoop board
From curly maple wood
And take a ride to Glory Land;
I just know I could!
Now, what am I thinking about,
To take a trip somewhere?
I cant go to Glory Land
For I’m already there!
I’ll go back on the Whinnlin Ridge,
On the north side of the hill.
There’s a great big huckleberry patch
Where I will eat my fill.
I’ll stop back by the Old Pine Springs
And have myself a drink,
Stretch and watch those fluffy clouds
Skate by on that big rink!
I may roll up my breeches legs
And hunt crawdads for awhile.
Then watch those yellow ducklings
Follow mama, single file!
Then I’ll find a hummingbird
With a fine, long, pointed beak,
She’ll hover there, above the flower
Then take off like a streak!
I may even find a doodle bug
Somewhere in the sand,
Struggling hard to move a stone
And I just may give him a hand.
I might build me a highway
In the bank beside the road
And construct a bridge for a toy truck
That will hold a great big load!
I may outsmart a turkey hen
And find that old bird’s nest.
I’ll ride a sapling to the ground
And then I’ll take a rest.
I’ll go out to the garden
And with some salt that I will bring,
I’ll pick a big red ripe tomato
And eat the whole darned thing!
Now, I will do a lot of things
And I’ll have a lot of fun.
This place is here forever
And I feel I’ve just begun
To explore all the possibilities
That anyone might seek.
So, when you get to those Pearly Gates
Just come on up Horse Creek!
The welcome mat is always out
And if you can’t find your way,
We’ll send a detailed road map
And mail it out today!
"Tis a very simple passage,
Meant to comfort and relieve
And everyone can go there
When we, through faith, believe!
