Staff Writer Sometime between 7:00 a. m. and noon, I set out on my “routine Forney drive” to do vital errands, think about important subjects, listen to “2nd Date Update,” find caffeine for physical/mental energy, see interesting/beautiful scenes, and talk to folks who matter! I am in various “moods” when I exit the tree-lined drive in Lone Elm’s area, but seldom does any below-good mood remain through the entire trip of one to three hours.
If I take the “F-88,” I have no radio and must talk to self or sing out-loud with no accompaniment and windows open at least partially, but if in the “Cruzer,” I can leave windows closed and use A. C. without inflicting my vocals upon others!
Yesterday, the price of gas was $2.92. Today, it is $3.29–wish I had filled the tank yesterday!
First stop is “7–11” about two miles from our home on Old Military Trail, named for the historic area, used by marching military personnel. The “lone elm tree” was a marker for troops. I see a horse and cows on Windy Lane. At “11–7” as my Granddaughter Ella early on endearingly called the place when very young, Diet Coke (great carbonation) beckons me in as I pass the register, where two nicest ladies in the area greet me and help with the “app.”
Moving on, I take FM 548 out to Pecan Lane (now greatly improved) to see what house is being constr ucted/renovated. Where Pecan intersects with Bois d’Arc/Fm 740 I marvel at the giant water tower and hope to one day go into the lower storage area!
After a right onto “740” I travel on and look over Elementary and Middle Schools, remembering when they were built. I was one of the first High School students to take the jaunt to dine at the Elementary’s then only District cafeteria and one of the first to teach in the new High School, which became Jr. High.
Immediately past the Elementary turn left onto Shands Street, just a dirt road when I was a youngster, and look at houses, especially one on the left about halfway towards the “no outlet” area, where we played pool in Melvin’s (Tookie Tucker) garage. A little past on the left is where Homer Eudy’s family had a pomegranate tree from which I ate my first taste of that deliciousness, when daughter, Darlene, sold them to make money for the Band Parents.
Retreating to Bois d’Arc, I head to the Post Office (construction), where I talk baseball with Larry and joke with my former student, Jeanette, excellent FHS basketballer!
Almost forgot, earlier I take a quick detour off Bois d’Arc onto College Street (Fm 741) and then down Lowrance to the back drive of “RICKY T” to pick up organic firewood, swap lies, and talk FORNEY HISTORY.
Walk (or drive) around Rick’s front yard that wife Nancy lovingly tends and go to historic Center Street to check on the long-empty house, once occupied by Coach and Mitzi Strain, late 60s/early 70s.
Then down Church Street to Bois d’Arc to gaze at beautiful stained-glass windows, “old Presbyterian Church” building.
Back down Bois d’Arc to Main Street, glance sideways to see Grandpa Ewell Smith’s house on the way, harass Kendall and Denise at Spellman Museum, check out new exhibits.
Follow Main Street’s curve to historic Trinity Street; see grand old houses, such as the “Marlowe Home” (another past “pool” stop), and the “Blackburn Home,” once occupied by my 1st Teacher, Juanita Blackburn.
Trinity back to Bois d’Arc, left to the signal, left…..
….. quick to the Messenger on Broad Street to finalize a story with Jeff, greet Darrell, and tease Misty, former English scholar and now good “copy proofreader.”
Drive on to Pinson Road (right at signal) and left into Brookshire’s parking lot, under a catalpa tree if lucky. Besides groceries, it is “given” that I “joke” with Mia and Roderick (Forney graduates), let Terry show me best produce, last visit Rose’s register to see if she remembers my loyalty number.
Over the “bridge” and two stops are the CEFCO station and the “overpass 7–11” if I have finished my drink/failed to stop earlier! A young lady (Tonya), seems to be a “jack of all trades,” scurries about “7–11,” happiest and most congenial woman in the world. She, and cashiers at CEFCO, always have smiles and patience.
Down Pinson, a quick 2nd left onto Bowie Street, and pass what (once) was considered a “new & upscale” area of local housing down the first intersecting streets to the left (Downing & Royal).
Bowie intersects Lover’s Lane; take a right and look left to see some of the “still primitive” area of Forney–bobcats, coyotes, skunks, possums, snakes, and places to fish. I dream one day Mr. Yandell calls and asks me if I want a good deal on treed spot(s) where his Dad, Mr. Lon Yandell, gave my family permission to fish and explore.
Farther down “Lover’s,” take a right onto Estate Lane, one earlier area of Forney with larger estatesized lots/houses. John and Sandra Brown (chuckwagon fame) live here. I drive this area north most days and take a left onto Fm 740 (intersection) and left back onto “Lover’s.” Housing addition to the right has several streets, named after the Yandells. I drive the first road to the right to see if Garner’s “new steps” are holding up and if Walter and Lisa (faithful subscribers/history buffs) are mowing the yard.
When the road ends, I take two rights and back onto Fm 740, headed towards Criswell Elementary, named after my 2nd Grade Teacher and mother of Boy Scouts, Jim and Sam, “big kids” in the Troop when I was beginning!
Stay on “740” a mile or three to FM 548 and quickly blend into “Aldi” to buy avocados and hummus and greet the checker, who knows prices without the answer brochure!
Next, back onto “548” and short drive to SONIC, which has $1.00 large drinks before 10:00 a. m. (sometimes 1st stop of the morning!) I order from my car, because I like to see “car-hops” (Zeke is one of the best.) (some on skates) come out, all friendly and hard-working and youngsters, who will become successes in the world! When I “drive-thru,” Reychel knows Viv and me by sight or vehicles and chats cheerfully!
From Sonic, stop at Kroger, use monthly coupons, see which produce entices most (cherries recently, bananas, melons) then check out with Julie or Christie; make sure Kevin is the “package man”–can’t be outdone for efficiency/ friendliness and always reminding me to “come back soon.”
Last, not least, I stop at City Bank to see Phyllis, Jennifer, and staff to make sure they are taking care of my millions! Three vivacious tellers know I collect certain coins and dollars and sometimes save one or three for me, humoring me when I tarry to visit!
Finally, take FM Rd 1641 home past Stewarts’ Automotive (two honest jokesters) to check progress of the new Jr. High and Methodist Community Center across from Water of Life Lutheran Church, where I visit if I see J. D. or John “fixing” things!
The last three or so miles home, I take “1641” to Woodbridge, see if the creek has water, foul are still thriving in the shed/ yard before the curve, and if a house has sold.
East to Helms Trail (no apostrophe), right at Windy Lane for the final mile, right onto Old Military Trail at first entrance to see if Laurie’s palm tree lives and if Chuck is having luck eliminating crawdads in his wife’s yard.
Arrive at “center of curve” home to yard with “1,000 trees,” as Chris’s Mom often teasingly called our homestead– IN A GOOD MOOD; JUST ASK MY WIFE!
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.