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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer December 15, 2003 - - No. 18 |
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The corner grocery store! It is the one place in town that everyone ends up frequenting at one time or another. You just don't stop in for even the most trivial purchase without seeing at least one neighbor or acquaintance. And that usually means a bit of a chat, even if you think your time is extremely limited on that particular day.
Sometimes you even have to wait your turn. Like the day you saw Frank and just wanted to say hello. But, the trouble was, someone else already had him cornered over there by the free coffee and cookies basket. There was a time when you only saw his wife in for groceries and other odds and ends. That was when the family was tending to 100 milk cows on there farm up there on the county line.
Well, Frank and his son Mark sure liked their work all right and the farm too. But, both men knew that at some point along the way it would be time for a change. There are some guys that just know better than to think that they want to be out there trying to get another 100 pounds of milk out of ol' Bessie and her sisters when the end of the line comes.
Frank walks a little easier now. You see him out and off the farm a lot more too. The kids have all "growed up" and moved on, along with the dairy herd. The barns are quiet now. There is still plenty of work to keep a man and his wife as busy as they want to be. Only difference is; now there is time for traveling, sleeping in once in a while, hanging out with the grandkids and catching up with folks at the corner grocery store. |
