I decided to take a little bike ride from Blackbottom to downtown Prestonsburg this morning. The sky is blue with a stray fluffy white cloud here and there. As I was leaving Blackbottom I saw my Aunt Jean Burke on her porch, straightening out her flag that was flapping in the breeze. I saw many American flags on my ride this morning. Passing Prestonsburg High School it seemed tired to me as the school year is drawing to a close. A sign hung on the gym doors, announcing which girls made the 2014-2015 cheerleading squad. A new season of possibilities! Riding up Arnold Avenue home owners were sprucing up their yards before the heat of the day rises. I saw Dr. Keith Leslie in his driveway and it looked like they had family members visiting, a full nest! As I passed the old West Prestonsburg Bridge and I let myself think of all the history that span has been silent witness to. Iconic houses on Arnold caught my eye; Mrs. Haywoods beautiful old moss covered house is beautiful and Ive always loved the Absher spanish style home. Crossing traffic at the Bert Combs Bridge can sometimes be a challenge, but this morning traffic is light. There is a work crew at First Commonwealth Bank, working on the flowers and shrubs. I remember faintly the Garfield House that historically stood there. A lone runner passes me going in the other direction. I pass Garland Godseys beautiful home with its well manicured lawn as well as the now empty Latta house. It looks like renovations on the Library are close to being completed and I need to go in and photograph it. Theyve added two boxes out front for return of books and videos. Progress in a small town! All the stores are closed this Memorial Day, so Court Street is quiet except for pigeons and a dog barking in an apartment somewhere. The EBay store has some very unusual items in the windows and someone is renovating the old Peggy Lou shop. I wonder what that will be? Lulus Boutique has some cool things in their window and Daffodils owned by Kindra Horne Baker always has the latest! I window shopped as well at Linda Ritchie Ritchies Hallmark and Lad N Lassie owned by Cheryl Godsey Leslie and Little Rascals owned by Vicki Pack. The kids love going in the kids stores and playing with the trains. Heading up the small incline of Court Street I stop to look at Shawn Coles store Blackcat Framing and his cool photography and I look at how quiet Panache is, the beauty shop owned by Ashleigh Dotson. As I approach Irene Cole Baptist Church I hear a friendly good morning from Jen Lafferty-Kopecky as she is welcoming students into her zumba class. The Town Branch Bridge stands silently in the corner of town providing passage across the Big Sandy. Kirby, Seth Hydens dog, is waiting for something exciting to happen on Front Street. Apparently I am not it, for he slowly walks over to the light pole and pees. Turning left at First Methodist I love to look at the big stained glass windows and I notice JimandMary Carter beautiful house decorated with the red, white and blue. Crossing the 4 lane again, easily, I cant help but notice how loud the birds are singing. Maybe because there is no traffic yet and people are sleeping in. I do smell fresh bacon on Arnold Ave and wonder which house it is coming from. As I pass PHS again, I stop and notice the Memorial Garden beside the cafeteria. There are memorials to classmates and friends gone way too soon. The roses in front of the high school are in full bloom and I can smell honey suckle from the riverbank. My ride is drawing to a close, my home is near. But in my heart, all of Prestonsburg is home. And it is always near.
Posted on: Mon, 26 May 2014 14:33:01 +0000
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