Shootin' the Breeze
This piece was originally published in the December 2019 - March 2020 issue of our journal, Vol. 5, Issue 3: Pioneers.
You can find them at the corner of Westwood and Summar, really anytime of day—the group of men of various ages, sometimes a few women or children mixed in. They gather around in a circle in white, resin chairs, discussing sports, the daily goings on in the news, or updates on their kids and grandkids. (That’s at least what I imagine; they could be talking about nuclear physics or the Kardashians, what do I know?) These gentlemen seem to be the epitome of “community”—you know, the kind of community that Andy and Aunt Bea and Opie had on their front porch on a lazy Sunday afternoon: a breeze blowing and Andy strumming on his guitar and softly humming a gospel tune as they discuss who wore what to church that morning or who was going steady with whom. The occasional passersby waves “hey” as he strolls past on the sidewalk, in no hurry to get anywhere. That’s what I’m reminded of each time I pass this house on Westwood.
Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, that’s what we did. That’s all there was to do. Pre-Internet, cable TV, or video games, we played outside until the street lights came on or our moms called us in to eat. After dinner, we would sit outside on the porch with our parents—sometimes our grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins stopping over to join us—and we sat, talked, and laughed while the grownups drank a beer and smoked their after-dinner cigarettes. Sometimes we kids would lie in the grass and look up at the sky if it was still light out and take turns yelling out what each cloud resembled in our own childlike interpretations. If it was a dark, clear night, we’d count the stars to see who could reach the highest number. Those were the days. Slow. Simple.
Fast forward to 2019–no time to sit outside and shoot the breeze, rushing home from work to get to a meeting, to a soccer/baseball/basketball/dance/football/gymnastics practice or game, to our second job, to [insert your own activity here]. Life these days is a stress-filled sprint to make it to the finish line of each Friday afternoon—at least mine certainly is. Of course, that doesn’t mean that after the work week is over that rest will come. Oh, no, friend. The weekends are an amalgamation of catching up with the laundry and house cleaning and grocery shopping that were neglected Monday through Friday as we rushed to and fro to make all of the weekday stuff happen. We have become a society of worn and weary souls who do not take time to really rest—a society who no longer gathers in our own yards to just be.
These guys on Westwood have perfected the art of being. I had the privilege of meeting Jerry and his wife Bridget, who have lived there since 2006 after moving here from Savannah, GA, and they are as friendly and approachable as I had imagined them to be all these years. Jerry’s brother, Charles, lives within walking distance with their elderly mother whom they care for. They spoke proudly of their young grandchild who often toddles around under the tree while they sit and watch.
“We love this area,” Jerry told me. “It’s close to our friends and my mother’s house and to the hospital.”
We chatted about our kids and grandkids, sports our families play or have played in the past, and just generally shot the breeze for a while. It was a lovely visit. It is clear that this close-knit family makes it a priority to sit out here and spend time with each other. Almost on cue, a car drove by, honked, and waved, and the brothers waved back. Obviously I am not the only one who appreciates this sight as I drive down Westwood and see this family gather and represent the lost art of simplicity and community.
I challenge you with this: turn off the TV, abandon the housework for a bit, put your phone face-down on the kitchen table, and go sit outside and wave at the people who pass by. Get to know your neighbors and your community. Let’s bring back a little bit of Mayberry.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Chris Rowland moved to Jackson in her teen years, has lived and raised four children here, and now works for Union University in the College of Arts & Sciences. She lives in the LANA area and is excited to watch the progress and improvements in Jackson, especially the downtown area.
Header image by Chris Rowland.
