Thursday's Story: Hey Y'all! Watch This!!

I live in a small community and our houses are close together. Sooner or later something I'm doing is going to get on a neighbor's nerves. And someone is going to get on mine.
   

Bynum Front Porch's Sunshine Library     
      Leave one. Take one. Any bench will do.

Then I turn on the tv to escape... wrong. 

   

Then I go on Facebook to surf.... nope. Can't hide there either. 

   

Then there is YET ANOTHER ZOOM MEETING.
   
And then the INtERnEtS is down. DOWN. 
Down. 
Down. 
D-O-W-N down. down. down.
   
Have you ever felt like the whole world, us included, needs to take a deep breath? Pretend to be at the beach for a week? Wait. We can't. We have on masks. And. There was that hurricane....
   
We are living in paradise and the World's angst even seems to have made it here ... Here. Even to our precious Bynum.

   

Isn't it time for one of us idiots to say, "Hey yall. Watch this. Let's get out 2-3 water hoses and make that giant bank above the turbine building into a mudside!!! Are the FIRE ANTS gone?" Yes. I definitely think it is time for some shenanigans. 

   
I have found when I am feeling bad - out of whack - worried.... if I do something good for someone else. No matter how small. It makes me feel better.
   
And when someone does something outrageous. Unexpected. It makes us laugh. When we laugh we breathe deeply. Ah.
   
We need a parade.
   
Stargazing on the bridge with our chairs ten feet apart. 

   

A water balloon fight at the ballfield.
   
Chalk art on the streets... All the streets.
   
A giant weed whacking party in my yard???
   
I know. Let's put the speakers on the porch. Crank up the stereo with that Donna Summer CD we all have. Still. AND DANCE IN THE STREETS.
   

"Hey y'all. Watch this!!" Most brilliant words. Ever. Spoken.

All my love. Cindy

@cynthiaraxter

facebook

cynthiaraxter@gmail.com

Thursday's Story: Haw River Rescue

A story I told for my birthday! Help me celebrate this year by watching and enjoying!

I hope all are well. Love, Cindy

http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter 
@cynthiaraxter 
http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com 

Thursday's Story: Ree and Christmas

Thursday's Story
   

I was in the stores today. They were pulling out Christmas "stuff" - Santa-shaped platters and sparkly baubles... potholders that light up and play Rudolf.... So much will end up - if not in the landfill - in the thrift shop come January.

It made me think about 'Ree - Marie Whitmire - the little wiry, sweet, tough and funny red-haired mountain lady that took care of me and my sisters and brother when we were growing up.

She never looked a day older that 14. There was always a look of joy on her face - in seeing the sun shine, the chickens set, the beds made - babies well fed.

After I went to college I'd come home to the mountains for Christmas and first thing, I'd go see 'Ree. When I asked her what she wanted me to get her for Christmas, likely as not she would say, "Your moma is getting me a chicken so I can make a pot of chicken and dumplings. I don't need a thing!"

I finally learned to stop asking. I'd bring her Arnold Coconut Macaroons and a scarf I'd knitted or a quilted vest - something warm. She lived in a cabin on the top of "Blue Ridge" - one of the world's beautiful spots - and the wind always blows there. And she loved coconut.

I can smell the wood smoke and flannel now. She cooked on a wood cook stove.... She'd give me a bowl of pintos and corn bread and hand me a big spoon - I think the size of the spoon was a point of pride.

After supper we'd listen to Country and Western records with her son Charles. Between Loretta Lynn and Conway and Bill Monroe her husband Stein would be telling stories. He knew everything and everybody.

And 'Ree was always piecing a quilt - pulling small colorful scraps of fabric from a black Hefty bag taller than her, stitching by hand. Me and my sisters all sewed back then. There was an never ending supply of scraps... 'Ree sewed them into quilts one stitch after another.

Now as I spread a quilt on the bed I recognize a skirt I made, a niece's jumper, my sister's Easter dress... tiny stitches... I have two quilts from 'Ree and two from Aunt Myrtle - they are my prized possessions.

Today. As I looked at the Christmas Kleenex and Christmas Oreos and Christmas bell-shaped-Jello molds... I knew I didn't need any of that to have a happy Christmas.

I'd love a bowl of pintos. A big spoon to eat them with. The smell of woodsmoke, flannel and hot cornbread. Chet Atkins on the stereo. Stein telling stories. Ree piecing a quilt... .

I hope your Christmas is everything you want it to be - and coconut macaroons.

Goodnight, Cindy

http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Twitter: @cynthiaraxter

Further adventures: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

Bynum Front Porch Storytelling

Click and SHARE!

Come join us for Moon Pies, RC Colas and stories! 6:30pm - 9pm on second Saturdays in Bynum. At the historic Bynum General Store, 950 Bynum Rd. Pittsboro, NC.

May 13 lineup: Bynum storyteller Cynthia Raxter, Gretchen McNeely, Russell Davis, The Monti winner Sam Pearsall, +ReVonda Crow-Storyteller and emcee Mark Brady! Food. Fun. Friends. Fabulous!

Check out the Facebook Event  or follow me on Twitter @CynthiaRaxter to keep up with the goings on!  

See you real soon! Love, Cindy

http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Twitter: @cynthiaraxter

Further adventures: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

Mom's Banana Pudding

Cooking from scratch doesn't take much longer.
Just a bit more attention.  

"The best cooks always have the most people hovering - helping - and hoping to stick a thumb through the aluminum foil." - Cynthia Raxter

Mom's Banana Pudding

4 tablespoons corn starch

1 cup sugar

generous pinch of salt

4 large eggs, separated (you'll need whites later for meringue)

3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 box vanilla wafers

5-6 bananas, medium ripe

Lemon juice

4 egg whites (reserved from above)

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (or lemon juice)

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine cornstarch, sugar & salt in a large glass bowl. Add egg yolks one at a time & beat well after each. Slowly stir in milk. Cook in microwave at 30% power, stirring every 2 minutes, until ingredients are thickened and smooth. Remove from microwave and stir in vanilla.

To layer the banana pudding, begin by placing vanilla wafers on the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish. (Another 3-quart casserole dish will work too - as long as it's oven-proof.) Slice bananas and place on top of the wafers. Pour one-third of custard over all. Repeat layering process until all wafers, bananas, and custard have been used. End with a final layer of wafers standing up around the edges for decorative purposes.

For the Meringue: Wipe out a large mixing bowl and the mixer's beaters with lemon juice (to remove any traces of oil). Preheat the oven to 425.

If these walls could talk!
   

Bynum Front Porch Storytelling

6:30 - 9pm October 8  

950 Bynum Road Pittsboro, NC

Whip egg whites with the electric mixer set at high speed for 1-2 minutes - the whites will be foamy. Add cream of tartar. Add sugar one tablespoon at a time and beat on high after each addition. (You want the sugar to melt and be absorbed before you add the next spoonful.) The meringue will get fluffier and fluffier. Once all the sugar has been added continue beating - but stop the mixer every minute or so and lift the beaters out of the bowl a little. When the tips of the meringue don't fall over it's ready. Fold in the vanilla.

Spread the meringue over the pudding, making sure to seal to the edges of the dish. Brown it in the oven for about 5 minutes. Take it out when the tips are brown. Watch it carefully - as Momma says, "It will burn in a wink of an eye!!!"

Leave on the counter for about an hour to cool, then chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours. 

See you soon! Love, Cindy

     

http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Twitter: @cynthiaraxter

Further adventures: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

Bynum Front Porch Storytelling

Treat yourself to an evening of storytelling at the historic Bynum General Store - Saturday May 14 - 6:30-9pm!

Tellers are Roger Manus, Garry Lipson, Judith Valerie and Henry Vogel. Bear Creek humorist Candice Knotts hosts! 

North Carolina’s best storytellers! True life stories, folk tales, traditional stories from many lands! Be ready to laugh, cry and laugh some more. The event is family friendly – “the stories most enjoyed by those 8 and above.”

Henry Vogel

We pass the hat. 20% goes to the Bynum Front Porch – the non-profit benevolent organization which manages the general store as a community center, runs a Friday night music series in the summer, and provides two $1000 scholarships to Chatham County seniors every year. (Friday night Music starts May 6!) 

Candice Knotts

Bynum is a former cotton mill village turned artist community beside the Haw River, 10 miles South of Chapel Hill. Bynum General Store's address is 950 Bynum Road, Pittsboro NC 27312. 

For more information about storytelling call 919-444-9535, email CynthiaRaxter@gmail.com or follow me!

If these walls could talk!

Bynum Front Porch Storytelling

May 14 ~ 6:30-9pm 

950 Bynum Road Pittsboro, NC

http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Twitter: @cynthiaraxter

Further adventures: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

Bynum Front Porch Storytelling

A new Bynum Front Porch series! A monthly storytelling show at the Bynum General Store! Family friendly - most enjoyed by those 8 and above! 

May's storytellers: Judith Valerie, Garry Lipson, Henry Vogel and Roger Manus

- hosted by Bear Creek humorist, Candice Knotts!

Lemonade and cookies at 6:30 - the stories start at 7pm! 

We'll be passing the hat for donations. 20% of proceeds go to the Bynum Front Porch organization!

For more information contact me: 919-444-9535 or email 
     CynthiaRaxter@Gmail.Com 

The Facebook Event for May is:         https://www.facebook.com/events/176442042740267/

Hope you can come! Love! Cindy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Twitter: @cynthiaraxter

Listen: http://www.soundcloud.com/cynthia-raxter

Further adventures: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

Euphony

Bynum General Store Storytelling

One of the great storytellers of Bynum passed away a week and 2 days before the first official Bynum General Store Storytelling show.

I say "first official" ... Storytelling has been going on there years and years. There was always a ring of fellas sitting in a circle of chairs in the middle of the store, a little over to the left. There are still worn out spots on the floor from their boots. If you needed to know anything - how to fix a faucet or when to plant corn or how to make chicken cracker stew - they knew it. They swapped lies, fish tales, half-truths and shared stories.

Photo by Virginia Wallace

Roy Hatley frequently said to me, "You and Louise Omoto Kessel call yourselves storytellers. They just call me a liar!" Then he'd throw back his head and laugh.

As I left, his eyes would crinkle up in a big grin. "Girl! I'm so glad you got to see me!"

He was a big burly fellow. Loud. Didn't couch his words. Like all the fellas in Bynum, you knew where you stood the minute you walked in the door. He had scared me a little bit when I first met him. Until I saw the twinkle in his eye - he was all heart.

Just inside the Bynum General Store is a slice of a big log - the end grain marred by a thousand knife cuts - a chopping block a hundred years old. Saturday night during the storytelling show, a hunk of hoop cheese and a box of saltine crackers were there. The red waxed cheddar met folks as they walked in the door - on purpose.

"The Mayor" Roy Hatley
in a Cyde Jones' mural

Many a day the fellas (and whoever else dropped by) would buy a thick slice of orange cheese and a sleeve of saltines and that would be their lunch.

Louise Kessel, Storyteller

Photo by Dave Minnich

You'd go to check the mail about 1 o'clock... Two artists, the postmaster, Roy, Jack Wheeler, Prate, Billy Joe, Dub, the UPS man, the preacher and a meter reader would be eating saltine crackers whole, rared back in their chairs listening - and one of them would be spinning a yarn. Whoever didn't have their mouth full of crackers would be denying or agreeing. Those that did were swigging their Pepsi down quick to get a word in edgewise....

As we told stories Saturday night, I felt the whisper, “If these walls could talk.” It was like someone had bumped me. And goosebumps. Reflexively i looked a little over to the left .... I could almost hear Roy's laughter and see his eyes crinkle up in a big grin, "Girl! I'm so glad you got to see me!" All I could do was smile. Louise Omoto Kessel - the storyteller - was on stage. Yes Roy. So glad.

Photo by Dave Minnich

  See you soon! 

  Love, Cindy

  cynthiaraxter@gmail.com

  919-444-9535

  @cynthiaraxter

   www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

A new Bynum Front Porch series starts TONIGHT! A monthly storytelling show at the Bynum General Store! Family friendly - most enjoyed by those 8 and above! 

Hot cider and cookies at 6:30 - the stories start at 7pm! 

We'll be passing the hat. Thank you in advance for contributing if you can! 20% of proceeds will go to the http://BynumFrontPorch.org/ scholarship fund!

For more information contact me: 919-444-9535 or email 
     CynthiaRaxter@Gmail.Com 

The Facebook Event is:         https://www.facebook.com/events/204322053255564

See the Facebook event for bios! Here are photos of tonight's Storytellers and host: 

Casey Nees

Cynthia Raxter

Virginia Wallace

Candice Knotts

Gretchen Bass

Mark Riddle

   

Hope you can come! Love! Cindy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Twitter: @cynthiaraxter

Listen: http://www.soundcloud.com/cynthia-raxter

Further adventures: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

The Joyful Jewel's Storytelling Festival

Come join us! 

The Joyful Jewel's first Storytelling Festival is Friday night in lovely downtown Pittsboro! The theme is "New Beginnings." Come early for refreshments - the stories start at 7pm. The Joyful Jewel is just up from the Courthouse Circle at 44-A Hillsboro Street! From the program:
   

Judith Valerie is a poet, writer and storyteller. Judith is a member of the NC Storytelling Guild. “Finding Love at the Ashram” - Judith’s story shares how she left her former life to be true to her inner calling. http://www.judithvalerieyoga.com

Beverly Miller - her grace and delightful demeanor are certain to entertain the audience. In her story “Opening Doors,” while in Maui, Beverly learned to trust the YES! she heard within herself.

Suz Robinson grew up in the land of dragons, fairies and leprechauns in the caves of the Hocking Hills in southeastern Ohio and the mountains of West Virginia. She was often Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone or Joan of Arc! Years later, she wove these memories into stories. Today she writes stories about the magic found within Chatham County: Clyde Jones’ critters, the Haw River and the sprites of Shakori Hills. She is glad to once more be roaming in a land of dragons, fairies and leprechauns!! Suz is also our emcee for the evening! 

Roger Manus father and grandfathers were avid storytellers. Roger was an avid listener! As a young father Roger’s preschool son’s recurring request was, “Daddy, tell me a story!” Roger’s stories are autobiographical in nature and true. He has used storytelling in his legal advocacy work. Last year, at a conference in Seattle, Roger shared his technique of having clinical law students tell stories to enhance their legal practice skills. In “Breaking out of the Mental Hospital” Roger takes an unexpected journey to become an adoptive father.

Ken Corsbie originally from Guyana, was a dramatist, radio producer/ announcer, journalist, actor and television humorist in the Caribbean. He immigrated to the United States twenty years ago. He has performed throughout Canada and the United States in theaters, cafes, festivals, universities and libraries. He is the recipient of ten awards. In “White Picket Fences” Ken shares his lifelong dream of owning a home with a white picket fence. http://www.kcorsbie.com 

Cynthia Raxter is a writer and storyteller. She lives in a century old house in Bynum, NC with a bevy of strays. (Her heart is as wide as the Haw River next to her home!) She grew up in Western North Carolina on a dairy farm with six brothers and sisters - and many aunts, uncles and cousins! Today she entertains children and adults alike with a mesmerizing style and endearing stories of her childhood and life adventures. Cynthia is a member of Eyes Up Here, an organization for women comedians in North Carolina; as well as the NC Storytelling Guild. In “Shell Lessons” Cynthia introduces a new story about day at the beach she realized three important lessons - wet sand running through her fingers sifting shells out the surf. http://www.cynthiaraxterblogspot.com

Thanks Suzanne for that wonderful write-up! Call me if you need directions! 919-444-9535.
    

Hope to see you Friday! Love - Cindy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Twitter: @cynthiaraxter

Listen: http://www.soundcloud.com/cynthia-raxter

Further adventures: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

The Small Street B&B Cafe

My friend Rebekkah and I went to a favorite lunch spot a few Fridays ago! Small Street B&B Cafe. In Pittsboro, "The Small" is at the corner of East Street and (conveniently) Small Street - it's a block from the Chatham County Courthouse (with its new copper roof!).

 The Small B&B Cafe has a varying farm-to-fork menu. Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are a "regular" on the blackboard. There is a kaleidoscope of homemade syrups to go with: strawberry, raspberry, peach, blueberry ... This finery is usually consumed with pure butter and, if you wish a side of local farm sausage or bacon. Subtle and luscious and rich - but practical too! If I eat just carbs for breakfast I'm famished in 2 hours. The ricotta adds enough protein to get me to lunch gracefully... especially with a few slices of  Fiddlehead Farm Sausage!

There is always a soup and a great salad on the menu. On our Friday it was a spinach salad with almonds, cranberries and feta cheese - and a wonderful warm citrus dressing I just loved! There is always a few entrees and a stew. The daily menu is posted on their Facebook page every morning. A recent entry: 

Small B&B Cafe October 17 

Good morning! Us again. Big ole farm scramble today now that we've made it through the hotcakes sale of yesterday. I would request that Brendan and Leslie make a point of joining us today with their love of huge plates of veggies. Got ya totally covered. Tons of stuff from the market scrambled with Goat Lady Dairy farm cheese and served with smashed potatoes and meat (if you choose). For lunch we're finishing off the chicken tacos (damn, those are good) and backing it up with fried baloney sandwiches. Local baloney, homemade pickles and mayo served on wood fired baked rolls. Seriously, folks......seriously. Got curried pork soup for lunch along with a Hungariany (is that a word?) tomato/pepper/paprika stew served with sour cream. Salad is mixed greens with a roasted beet/buttermilk dressing and toasted walnuts and still working on the pastry case. Some Mexican chocolate cake left, but not much, so I'll ponder that one.

A local, farm-made, fried baloney sandwich? I wonder what good baloney tastes like?

Almost always the blackboard menu lists egg or chicken and/or tuna salad sandwiches There is a sliced chicken breast sandwich too - my choice on Friday! This chicken breast was NOT a previously frozen, rubbery, salty, preformed mess! This chicken was wandering around the garden last week - clucking happily. I could tell. I chose sourdough bread with fresh greens and a honey, bumpy mustard - the mustard alone was good enough to eat on a spoon!

The Chicken Sandwich on Sourdough, with 

Almond Cranberry Feta Spinach Salad and Warm Citrus Dressing

Yes! Eggs are on the menu too! Omelets. Quiche. Sunny side up. Scrambled. The eggs are from farm-happy chickens too! There is oatmeal and granola. Bagels. Muffins. English muffins... toast and homemade jams. Breakfast with all the trimmings. There IS a 6 foot wide banner outside proclaiming "Brunch!" <--- it="" p="" s="" true="">
But what Small B&B is really famous for - beyond the lemon ricotta pancakes - is dessert. CAKE. Tortes. Pies. Cheesecake. Bread puddings. Puddings. Remember the first time you ate Tiramisu? Or tasted trifle? Or picked up your spoon and cracked the caramel shell of a creme brulee? Small B&B desserts that are that kind of good. Every day there is something new - unique - stellar.

There are a few things I think are missing. Mostly because my weird-foodness! I can't eat eggs, peppers, shellfish.... At Small I end up eating the chicken sandwich a lot. It is very good. But I crave a big creamy bowl of chicken and dumplings. Navy beans and ham. Black beans and sour cream with a hunk of corn bread. Maybe I am just not visiting on the right days!

The other thing I 'm lukewarm about is "Smashed potatoes" - in place of home fries or hash browns. Red new potatoes, boiled, smashed once with a potato masher and then fried. I don't know why I can't bring myself to love them!

So... if all this isn't enough to drive you crazy until you can drive to Pittsboro, there is the setting itself: A former Methodist parsonage and a lovely garden full of whimsical folk art leads the way to the door. (Yes - "whimsical folk art" is redundant!) There is a book house on the deck rail - bring a book/take a book. There is a small dining room seating about 30 people inside - with sofas, easy chairs and odd dining chairs from the thrift shop - with more whimsical folk art dotting the walls. If it's warm enough to sit on the patio two cats may wander by. You can eat breakfast and read the paper until 2:00pm and drink coffee and eat homemade jam on toast.... Isn't this the way life is suppose to be?

Luna the cat

There is also the local scene. Great people watching: local authors and musicians and vintage shop owners, the founder of Piedmont Bio-fuels, the inventor of Slow Money... and just the plain everyday Pittsboro folks. Dedicated. Earnest. Practical. Known to change the world. Quiet. Intelligent. Gracious. 

So. As soon as you can. Go eat a late breakfast and savor every bite... of food and of life. The Small Street B&B Cafe is open Wednesday - Saturday 7.30am - 2pm. Sunday 9am - 2pm

I'll see you there!