Home Sweet Home Town
The best part about my new job is that I get to come home each month for a week at a time. It gives me the chance to spend more quality time with my parents, my co-worker/framily and connect with my Home Town even more. It helps to get back into the swing of things when I’m home. In some ways, it feels like I never left! Then at the end of the week, I drive three hours back to Birmingham to work remotely. It’s really the best of both worlds.
Here’s some fun things that happened this past week:
I had the privilege of meeting well-known ESPN writer and author of Pappyland, Wright Thompson. He is a phenomenal writer and I admire the way he transports the reader into his experience. Try reading the first chapter of Pappyland here, and you’ll see what I mean. Before the Ben’s Book Club event, I asked for his advice on how to be a better writer. He told me, “The first commandment is Thou Shalt Never Be Boring.” The funny thing is that he couldn’t be boring if he tried.
2. I interviewed Miss Dot about the famous Pound Cake recipe, as seen on HGTV Home Town. She was such a delight, and man, does she love the Lord. She kept saying “To God be the glory for everything!” Amen, Miss Dot.
3. I went house browsing. I saw this precious house for sale on 7th avenue in Downtown Laurel and I just had to see it in person. The white walls, the wood floors. Everything about it was so beautiful. I have been imagining how I would stage every room in my head.
If I had my way, I’d tear down that screen porch, give it brand new new landscaping, paint the door pink, hang a porch swing and call it a day. It has so much potential! I’m excited to see what someone will do with it!
In between interviews and errands, I drove around Laurel trying to gather inspiration for future stories. I visited my dream home that sits on the corner of 6th. I call it the Secret Garden house. I’ve always wanted to see what it looks like on the inside. Maybe one day!
I even found some homes that I’ve never seen before. There’s so many treasures just tucked away in those Oak-lined avenues. I have no idea about the interior condition of the houses, but just imagine what they would look like on the outside with a fresh coat of paint! Can you imagine sitting on this front porch on a cool fall afternoon?
4. I got to visit Adam Trest’s art studio. I’ve known Adam for what seems like forever. His dear mother, Mrs. Cyndi Trest, was my third grade teacher. I was never great in math and science, but she made me feel confident in those two subjects. I specifically remember she taught me multiplication and division with the game “DONUT.” I was the DONUT champion. If you were a winner, she’d tell Adam to bring snow cones to class and that’s when I met him for the first time.
He’s been a friend and mentor for me the last few years. He’s a full-time artist and beloved local in Laurel. I always love catching up with him and seeing his current projects.
A few weeks ago, I was really struggling with my own work. I feel like I’m in a bit of a painting rut when it comes to subject and method. Something just isn’t clicking. He told me that he’s been there and to just keep developing my style. It took him close to twenty years and experimenting with a lot of different styles to get where he is now. I was really encouraged by that considering how spectacular his pieces are.
As I looked at his work, I just knew that I was going to tell my future kids about this one day. You just know that he’s going to be famous one day and that he’s going to make a huge difference in the world. Honestly, no one deserves it more.
5. I’ve been so much more inspired lately.I think it’s because I get to live in both worlds, the two places I call home — Birmingham and Laurel. I’m surrounded by all the people I cherish most. I get to bask in simple things like the new umbrellas in the Mercantile yard. A pretty, summer window display. Summer DeLoach, my long-time best friend and former LMCo. employee, coming back for the day to run the customer service line. I’m so excited to see her more often.
What a goober.
6. I am actually the worst at creating prints on time and keeping to my one print a day goal. I created three, floral prints that I’m really proud of. I’m working on more now so keep an eye out.
'Callie' is named after a good friend who brings the perfect balance of class and whimsy to every gathering. This floral painting is rich with jewel tone greens, saturated blues and toasty neutrals against a black background.
This is printed on #100 matte paper. Each print is signed and numbered.