Archive for Southern experiences
That hand painted script! “Independent” ventures sometimes carry a lot of questions, plenty of decision-making, and usually a healthy helping of unpredictability paired with second-guessing. But, it’s fun to relish the independence sometimes, and indulge in the serendipity of an unplanned road, even if it results in a few detours.
I have to say that I really enjoy traveling by myself. Not in large doses (because I just love having my children with me), but a few hours left to my own devices in the car with no strict ETA required can be good for the soul! Last year, I had the opportunity for a little solo road trip through central Alabama. I was meeting my son for a school event in Auburn, and I gave myself permission to take the long way…
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Last summer, we decided to make a trek into the Mississippi Delta for one of the road trips that have begun to signify our summertime experiences. We made a couple of stops along the way to explore, but our true destination was Indianola, in Sunflower County, the town B.B. King considered home. There, he returned to perform for his namesake festival each year and is now memorialized at the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center. We wanted to see and learn and experience this legendary Mississippi musician who was so loved by the world – there, where he had been raised. What we found was a world-class experience of music chronicling the part this iconic musician has played in it. Our visit to the B.B. King Museum did not disappoint, and looking back, I’m still enamored by its retelling of the man who’s tonic was the Blues.
Summer is road trip season, and we’ve been enjoying a few of our annual adventures through Mississippi and the backroads South! These uncharted and somewhat unplanned treks have become a favorite part of our family’s summer activities. Last week, my sweet Elisha even told me that the car trips have been some of the best activities of summer so far. And, what’s not to love, with enjoying games and movies in the car, exploring 2-lane highways, experiencing new scenery, and exploring, shopping and eating in out-of-the-way places? My children hardly even blink an eye now when I pull off to photograph something or take a detour just to see what’s there. For our first road trip this summer, we decided to drive over to Clarksdale, Mississippi to see what we could find at the crossroads of Hwy 61 and 49. I thought I’d share three of our favorite Clarksdale experiences and some of the sights in watercolor sketches and photos…
This year, we spent a long Easter weekend in Macon, Mississippi, where my parents live, and it was a nice opportunity for family time, rest, and enjoying holiday traditions. On Saturday morning, the kids slept late, and I had a hankering to get out of the house. So, I took some time to wander around town on my own. I have lots of memories of Saturdays in Macon. When I was a child, I spent weekends on the farm at Busy Bee, and often, on Saturdays, we would drive my grandmother into town for her 3-11 nursing shift at Noxubee General Hospital. When I was very young, before grandmother had a washer and dryer at the farm, those trips also involved taking laundry to the laundromat on Pearl Street to wash, and in later years, we would wander around the little shops downtown – “Mrs. Claire’s”, as I called the book store, TWL dollar store, Klaus’ dress shop. Sometimes we would pick up food at the Dairy Dream at one end of town or drive up to Burger Wheel at the other end.
Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of Small Pond Graphics. I sometimes fancy myself a frog kisser— a documentarian coaxing poignant moments from unexpected places. This blog has evolved from those moments.
The small Pond FIELD GUIDE is part diary, part sketchbook, and part wish list – an archive of ordinary wonders. For years, this space has housed my stories – creative ideas, vintage inspiration, our forays into curious places, and the simple artifacts of quiet of conscious living. Through watercolor, photography, and illustrated tales, these pages uncover the blessing of ordinary days and the wonder found in authentic places and pursuits.
I invite you to open the boxes.
Peek into the drawers.
Rustle through the pages.
I’m honored to have you here.
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