Home Sweet Home

            Grandmother Ida Louise Craine (nee Vincent) had taught her granddaughter to take notes even regarding directions to the places they visited.  “That’s so these places won’t be lost in the future.  Now, go ahead and read me what you have so far, sugar.”

            “When you’re leaving Gray, go straight over the railroad tracks on Highway 22 toward Milledgeville.  You’ll pass

Morton Road

on the left, and Pine Ridge Church and Cemetery on the right. Some people call it Mt. Zion Cemetery.  Keep on going until the signs start saying to slow down.”

            The little girl shifted a bit, trying to remember another sign she’d seen.  “Oh, yeah.  There’s also a sign that says Haddock Unincorporated. Grandma, what exactly does unincorporated mean?”

            “Well, I think it means that Haddock does not have a city government, and of course, no one can be hanged there.”

             Fully accepting her grandmother’s explanation, the child continued. Then when you get to the crossroads, you’ll see Cousin John Haddock’s store on the right corner and a gas station on the left. Turn left onto that road.  Turn again at the second road on the right onto

Haddock Drive

.”

            That was as far as she had written as they pulled into the gas station for a co-cola and a pack of salted peanuts.  Dropping peanuts into a cold coke, then drinking the nuts and coke together was a real treat.  Funny how different the coke made the nuts taste.

            Uncle Pearson’s heavy car turned easily onto

Haddock Drive

, cruising quietly.  Grandma Louise smiled and waved to an elderly woman rocking on a porch.  The little girl liked how her grandma seemed to know everyone around here.

            Slowly they drove past the newer houses and farms, then weaving through groves of huge trees on both sides of the road.  “Whose house is that, Grandma?”

            “That’s a Haddock house, too.  It’s real pretty how it sits at the edge of the pecan grove, don’t you think?”

            “It’s beautiful, Grandma.”

            “Just a little ways on down the road and around a curve, then we’ll be there.”

            Two big rocks alerted the grandmother to the upcoming driveway.  Suddenly, there were two more distinct granite outcroppings with a few trees at the end of the drive just off the main road.  Grandma was practically holding her breath now.  She was so excited!  The big car pulled barely into the driveway and stopped.

            “See, child, at the top of that long driveway!  See it sitting cradled by those huge old trees?  That’s where Maggie, Ammie, Pearson and I were all born.  That’s where some of Grandma Bluford’s grandchildren lived, at least us Vincent ones!”

            The little girl could make out a house of notable size amongst the trees.  The porch seemed to go around at least three sides.  However, the chain across the drive meant they would have to be contented with gazing from afar, but they were fine with that.  Grandma was home.