Johnny Bullard

“Did I mention my first sight of the African coast? Something struck in me, in my soul, Celie, like a large bell, and I just vibrated. Corrine and Samuel felt the same. And we kneeled down right on deck and gave thanks to God for letting us see the land for which our mothers and fathers cried — and lived and died — to see again.

— Alice Walker, “The Color Purple”

Two friends and I took a walk on a scenic trail not far from the banks of the Suwannee River.

One of the friends is an old friend, and the other one is a new friend, my friend’s niece, now retired, living in south Florida.

The sun was brightly shining; a light breeze, mosquitoes and bugs were, for that brief time, not companions, not there to interrupt our leisure. We stopped to listen to the songs of birds, and to just enjoy one of those “Chamber of Commerce” Days some folks pay big money to enjoy here in the Sunshine State.

My friends asked me questions about what I knew about the area, as we were walking. I told them, as best I could, without talking too much. Often times I have to stop and think and always consider those to whom I am speaking and remember a conversation involves participation from everyone; it’s not a monologue with brief interruptions.

We stopped and rested for a little while, sitting on a nice bench and drank some bottled water. We talked a little more, and they asked me more questions about the area; again, I tried to be entertaining and, yet, remember, they were guests, and I wanted them remember the beauty, God’s wonder and beauty, and, so I directed a lot of my remarks to that. Telling my friend’s niece about the beauty of the wild azaleas in the area during the spring time. I told her about the Ogeechee Tupelo Trees that grow along the Suwannee River, and about the gall berry bushes, and the fact that honey bees make marvelous honey from the flowers of the Tupelo trees and the gall berry bushes. We talked about mayhaws, and I told them about my memories of making trips with my paternal grandmother and her sister, my paternal great aunt, now over 50 years ago to gather mayhaws and how we gathered them, taking big sheets and seining them off the top of the ponds and sloughs where they had fallen. Knowing I was going to talk about this, I even brought one precious jar of mayhaw jelly to allow my friend’s niece to try. She’s addicted now; absolutely loved it. What’s not to love?

My friend’s niece worked for many years for an international company; and traveled all over the world. She regaled us with some great stories about unusual foods she had eaten and some places she lived. I was thoroughly entertained.

As our walk continued, the beauty of the day, the glory of our natural surroundings, well, I was kind of like the description Alice Walker who wrote “The Color Purple” gave of Miss Celie’s sister, Nettie, and her time in Africa; seeing all the various natural wonders of the places she visited, and I shall never forget this piece of writing, as Nettie looked out upon the beauty of what was in front of her she said “And I just vibrated.” I am going to take some liberties with Alice Walker’s text and state that sometimes one’s experience is so special: “Your soul vibrates.” I understand that feeling. It doesn’t happen every day, because it’s special, very special. Some folks never feel it, because, well, a lot of folks, me included a lot of the time, concentrate upon the immediate. You have to reach deep down and feel something deep down to ever know how wonderful it is to have the soul “vibrate.”

Back to the walk my friends and I were taking on a trail not far from the Suwannee River and not far from “The Woodpecker Route north of White Springs.”

Soon, my friends and I stopped for a snack; love snack time. We ate some good juicy grapes, and being genuinely health conscious, some potted meat on soda crackers, that’s saltines to those of you who don’t know what a soda cracker is, and we were blessed to eat some good homemade bread and butter pickles with the potted meat, and for dessert, a piece of homemade pound cake, all washed down with some more bottled water.

My friend’s niece continued with her stories about her travels and places she lived, and, my friend, who has struggled some with some health issues over the past few years, and who says very little finally said, and in the kindest most ladylike way to her niece:

“Honey your stories are so interesting. Thank you for telling us. You are so sweet and thoughtful, and I have really enjoyed today AND can there be anything better than a day spent with loved ones and friends and all this sunshine, looking at the Suwannee River, and look at those cardinals over there, so pretty? The Lord smiled on us didn’t He?”

Right here at home. Didn’t travel far; Didn’t spend a lot of money, but what a good time. We’ve had a wonderful day, haven’t we? I just reached across the table and squeezed my friend’s hand. There was no need to say anything. Our souls were vibrating.

Get out and enjoy the beauty of our home here “Around the Banks of the Suwannee.” Find your joy and your happiness. If some of it doesn’t cause you soul to vibrate, make an appointment to see a good physician, you may have a “thumping gizzard” and not a heart.

From the Eight Mile Still on the Woodpecker Route north of White Springs, wishing you a day filled with joy, peace, and, above all, lots of love and laughter.