Rocky Mount, NC: Stepheny Reflects On A Few Of Her Favorite Things

You would expect to hear Julie Andrews singing, These Are A Few of My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music, but Luther Vandross and his version are a favorite of mine. Click on this link – https://youtu.be/-P2kq-GrTNA

I hope there are times that deep within, you feel yourself smiling. You might not be able to name why. It happens when I think of those I love, my family, friends, or when a great granddaughter throws herself against me and says, “I love you, Grammy.” Maybe it is a thought of my parents or the tulip tree in bloom. I am certain that this kind of smile is the gift of gratitude that we feel for many things. I am blessed by having my favorite things around me, my books, a safe home and a garden. These are a few of my favorite things.

I used to think wisdom was something you have to take on board, like the cargo of a ship that is being loaded from the dock, but no, everyone has wisdom within. Learning how to access it is part of the journey. Wisdom leads to gratitude. Likewise, I used to think happiness and joy were the same thing, but no, happiness comes and goes, but joy is always with us because we believe. Jesus loves me this I know.

When I first arrived in Nashville, there were times I found myself thinking, where am I and what the ‘ell am I doing here? Part of that answer was a daughter, her husband, Father George, and two grandchildren. One of the best decisions ever made. After getting settled, the plants, shrubs and trees I brought with me replanted, I asked husband, Bob, to drive us downtown to see what that was all about.

A silent and vacant Main Street is what we found. I couldn’t get the scene out of my mind. In praying about it, I heard, “You’re a writer, you do something about it.” I have been ‘doing’ so ever since. The word possibilities is a favorite word of mine. I don’t see the commercial historic buildings in various states of disrepair, but marvel at what they once were and are becoming again. If you aren’t checking on the progress and enjoying the revitalization downtown, you are missing possibilities coming true. (This favorite Main Street facade on the right has been restored thanks to Andre Knight.)

When Ed Riley opened The Prime Smokehouse Restaurant, the word went out about great food, and a welcoming atmosphere. People started coming downtown along with those who lived in the area and a growing number of out of town folks that came to eat. The notion that you would be immediately mugged getting out of your car was nonsense to begin with. The Smokehouse stopped that! It became my favorite restaurant. Now moved to the Rocky Mount Mill, sitting on the outdoor patio watching the herons on the river and drinking my favorite Sweet Tea, the Prime Smokehouse ranks high in the Rocky Mount experience. Even without The Smokehouse, Main Street and area are fast becoming a restaurant destination creating more favorite places to eat.

I love salad and Barley and Burger have one of my favorites. They call it a ‘hamburger bowl’ but I get it with grilled chicken. I ask for it on a plate and add their famous ranch dressing. This is a salad! I can have lettuce out of a bag with carrot slivers at home. Also, you can’t go too long without one of their hamburgers. The Truffle Shuffle Burger with Caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese is my favorite.

Work on your list of Rocky Mount favorite things. Is everything perfect, of course not, but I choose to see all that is good happening everyday like watching my great granddaughter dance on stage at the Dunn Center. My favorite thing about the wonderful Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences is the restoration and repurposing of this building. My favorite venue for sports and events, and The Twin County Hall of Fame Banquet is The Event Center.

The Helen P. Gay Rocky Mount Historic Train Station is my favorite everything.

and

Having a stranger tell me that they read the blog.