The Truth About Tres | 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 "early service", this morning was as peaceful as any I have ever attended. I strolled leisurely around the "rabbit patch" as light was increasing, in the company of my dog, "Cash" and my cat "Christopher Robin". A "cat bird" squawked at Christopher Robin, as we walked. Barn swallows were feeding their young-and rabbits scurried about. The morning air was cool and so fragrant with the smell of new blossoms. For a while, there was not a sign of another human and I thought if I sat, I would surely go into a trance, under such peaceful conditions.

    I will not go into all of the details of yesterday, but I had a fire going by seven a.m.-and I was already dirty. I came in at six thirty pm to take a shower. It was a long but very productive day. I will say, that it will not hurt my feelings one bit, if there is not a single barn on the next rabbit patch.

    Every day, the weatherman predicts rain, but not a drop fell on the rabbit patch yesterday. Today, is expected to be much like yesterday, so I will take up where I left off, when "the spirit moves within me". The next two days, torrential rains are moving in and so those are the days for housekeeping-and cooking. How delightful, that thought is.

    It was mid morning, before I went out to face the last barn. Certainly, I would be finished by noon or shortly after, I thought. . . but in no time I was once again filthy and so I thought to tackle the outside fireplace. It is a primitive hearth tucked away in a little private nook. There is a picnic table, that is so heavy . . . it goes with rabbit patch, when it does sell. When it snows, we make a fire. It is also nice in Autumn, to sit by. It was awful today but I left it tidy- but burdened, with scratches and bites from head to toe. There was really only one more dreaded task left and it seemed foolish not to to get it done, as I was so dirty, after all . . . so I shoveled rock. A bee sting completed my day-right as I threw the last shovel full. I came in at six pm. Cash got a bath as he was with me from the barn to the woods. He managed to find places to dig and wallow in, as I worked. Cash is loyal and made sure a rabbit didn't get me this day! Christopher Robin watched Cash get his bath-and I must say, with an air of arrogance. He had no clue that he was next. That changed his tune.

    Now, tomorrow is Memorial Day, so schools are closed. We are having a noon meal, and all of the children will be there. It is no small feat to gather five grown up children and I am looking forward to it immensely. We will celebrate Tres' birthday, which was Saturday. "Regular readers" are aware that I am apt to brag about Tres. He is a wonderful and noble young man, very polite, intelligent, handsome and a devoted son-and that is the truth about Tres. Lyla adores him, quite naturally.

    Memorial Day has always been a bit complicated for me. On one hand, I am full of joy, for my son and his life, and on the other hand, I think of the mothers of fallen soldiers through the ages. War is such a tragedy and the mere thought of it stirs fear in my heart. Oh, that all nations would seek peace- fervently and with great zeal, as if their life depended on it, for really and truly . . . it does.