China and Singing Trees | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Please join me in welcoming Author Michele Rhem, who presents us with her poignant memoirs of the Rabbit Patch, where her diaries weave tales of a simpler, expressive life lost to many, but gathered together in her most familiar environs - the Rabbit Patch.

    The sky is brightening as I write this. The "early service" was especially quiet this morning. A mockingbird sang a solo. It was the only sound in the countryside. Christopher Robin sat quietly, almost reverently, beside me, while the little bird sang. Light fell gentle, like a wafting feather, on the rabbit patch. Last night, there was a pink circle around the moon, I remembered. It is going to rain today.

    Yesterday, I painted another closet. It made such a difference in the guest room, that I couldn't resist doing the same for the linen closet. I continue to accumulate things to donate. I took two boxes yesterday to a near by church. It is quite easy to share, when you don't need or really want something. In fact, I am happy to be rid of the most things, I have given away. How easy to be a "cheerful giver" in my circumstances. I was cleaning out the kitchen cabinets, when I came upon my "dessert china" It is in a beautiful floral pattern, suitable for an autumn occasion. I came upon it in a thrift store years ago. I did not purchase the set off, but instead admired it for months, The store owner noticed and gave me the history of "dessert china." It seems, in the fifties, women were apt to have a notion to make a cake or pie. Friends were invited to gather for coffee and dessert. An Article in " Good Housekeeping" confirmed this. I fell in love with the idea. I bought the set, then and there. This all happened about ten years ago. I have probably used it a half-a-dozen times. There it sat, occupying an entire cabinet. Still, I bartered with myself about whether to keep it or not. (I have a weakness for books . . and china.) I thought of something a dear friend told me, once. She said "Think that sometimes, we are meant to enjoy something for a while, and then to pass that opportunity, on to someone else." I took comfort in that truth, and so I mustered the courage to wrap the china carefully, for someone else. It dawned on me, that maybe this was really, the first item, I had "given". It felt quite different, than donating the extra blender. Right there, in the humble abode of the rabbit patch kitchen, I learned something of great value.

    In the afternoon, a kind neighbor came by with fresh okra and other vegetables. She came with best wishes for my progress. She did not want any credit for her generosity-but she is the one who grows beautiful flowers.

    It was raining today, shortly after the "early service"-just as the moon said it would. I decided to get my many spices in proper order. Since I love to cook, I have large quantities of spices stored in mason jars with pretty labels . . .of course this task led to the cabinet beside it , where teas and coffees are stored.

    I am hoping today, the washing machine, delivered yesterday will get hooked up. I never let my laundry pile up. There are now three heaps of it! It disheartens me to see it-so I just don't look at it. I do not glance to the left of the back door, either, as that is where the two broken machines are sitting in the yard. ..and right by a yellow rose bush and a patch of elegant ginger lilies.

    It is just past noon now, and still the rain falls steadily. Ever so often thunder is heard in the distance. It is a friendly sound, without a bit of malice. Whenever, there is a day such as this, I remember my grandmama saying "I love you like rain".

    In the Afternoon

    By four o'clock, I had eliminated the need of five cabinets in the kitchen- and a pot of soup was simmering for supper. By four -thirty, I had also washed a load of clothes. Oh how sweet the event of every cycle, was to me. Maybe, "the third time is a charm" after all. My next goal, is to get the two sitting in the yard, off the property.

    The soup was especially good. I think the fresh okra, from the lady who grows beautiful flowers, flavored it nicely and paired well with the fresh corn, another main ingredient. Even a pot of soup reflects the season.

    I went out tonight, to a very dark territory. The light left in the same manner it came . . . without fanfare. I love when light changes, no matter in what fashion. I felt I was standing in a jungle as the frogs and crickets were carrying on so. The night choir was in perfect rhythm . It seemed like the trees were singing. How many members of this choir are there, I wondered. It was quite mesmerizing, standing there in total darkness with the steady beat filling the air-I expected to go in to a trance at any minute. I said good night , just in case and went in. I had clothes to wash clothes, after all.

    Dear Diary, I am glad that greatness can show up anywhere. I am glad for the lesson about giving , shown to me, in the rabbit patch kitchen. I am glad for kind neighbors. I am glad for rain . . . and I am glad for nights when it seems like the trees are singing.