My theme is Musical Memories: The Memories that music brings rushing back.
Benny is Pete's brother. And for 35 years, Benny's has been the place to party in Caneyhead. Most anyone who lives up this way will tell you that. Now, the musical background to Benny's parties varies from old rock, swamp, classic country and occasionally some new stuff thrown in by some youngins.
But more times than I can count, the background at Benny's has been CCR. That's Credence Clearwater Revival. And while they play, the washers clank on the boards, the voices shout "We skunked you!" "Next!"
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Other times the pool table was the place of action. "Eight ball in the side pocket." "Next!"
People driving up or folks calling it a night and leaving from dark thirty till 1, 2 or even later in the morning. Singles, couples. Families and children. Everyone waiting for the ribs and chicken on the stump to come off the grill. Or for the last of the fish to be fried. Or for a fresh batch of crawfish to be poured into the cooler. Benny could have made a fortune cooking for a living, but has always worked as a carpenter instead.
Other times, dominoes were the center point of the evening. Rousing games of forty-two or moon. Sometimes with bets, sometimes just for fun.
Children running and playing in the moonlight. Bodies gathered around the fire ring, warming and toasting. Sharing stories and swapping tales. Family. Lots and lots of family. Always the center point. Maybe, always the point of it all. More than the party.
Everyone was always welcome. Just don't start no trouble. Trouble was never appreciated nor abided by. Pack up, get out and head on down the road if that was your agenda.
Now days, not as many come. And that is well and good. As everyone has slowed down a little. Now there's more of just family. Connecting, re-connecting, visiting. Getting back to what it was about all along.
Have you ever played Louisiana style washers?
What's your favorite CCR song?
How does your family unwind and reconnect?
But more times than I can count, the background at Benny's has been CCR. That's Credence Clearwater Revival. And while they play, the washers clank on the boards, the voices shout "We skunked you!" "Next!"
Other times the pool table was the place of action. "Eight ball in the side pocket." "Next!"
People driving up or folks calling it a night and leaving from dark thirty till 1, 2 or even later in the morning. Singles, couples. Families and children. Everyone waiting for the ribs and chicken on the stump to come off the grill. Or for the last of the fish to be fried. Or for a fresh batch of crawfish to be poured into the cooler. Benny could have made a fortune cooking for a living, but has always worked as a carpenter instead.
Other times, dominoes were the center point of the evening. Rousing games of forty-two or moon. Sometimes with bets, sometimes just for fun.
Children running and playing in the moonlight. Bodies gathered around the fire ring, warming and toasting. Sharing stories and swapping tales. Family. Lots and lots of family. Always the center point. Maybe, always the point of it all. More than the party.
Everyone was always welcome. Just don't start no trouble. Trouble was never appreciated nor abided by. Pack up, get out and head on down the road if that was your agenda.
Now days, not as many come. And that is well and good. As everyone has slowed down a little. Now there's more of just family. Connecting, re-connecting, visiting. Getting back to what it was about all along.
Have you ever played Louisiana style washers?
What's your favorite CCR song?
How does your family unwind and reconnect?
