Gumdrops of Bryant's Store

After a long day in the field, I found the treasure of my location: Bryant's Store. Refreshment inside the door, Mr. Bryant on deck. New Canton, VA home of Carter G. Woodson (google search is on point). Snuggled against a wooded thicket of brambles, the store gave me a glimpse of the Upside-Down and I liked it. The bottom shelf liquors were on the top shelf, old schoolers mingling and meandering, space was limitless and time was slower. We weren't there for the liquors. We needed hydration. Gatorades and then to the register. On the two step to the check out, rows and rows of gumdrops passed us by. We needed them. The time was late spring, the pollens were raising up in the air, the trucks were kicking up dust and warm dust at that. Stick to my sweaty face, dust. We got the drops and the G2's and slow rolled back to the vehicle. I can't help but to take in the New Canton, VA vibe. The history here, the struggles here. The gumdrops formed something sacred in my head, like they were communion wafers and centered my mindset to the humble causes of righteous folks. They had the extra sweetness. We asked where the gumdrops were from. Mrs. Bryant said, "Christmas." She gave us a bag for free.

With no rhyme or reason to these photos, I felt like the drops need protectors. All type of protectors. Open minded protectors. I visioned a temple on an Othello gameboard as the site of defense. All these characters are leaders in their own right. At a game time decision, they all combine forces and add protection to the gumdrops. Protection from blasphemous barbs. No egos are bigger than the mission. They learn to knuckle up, side by side, shoulder to shoulder. They don't have time to take to the interweb and spew divisive clownery. They see the game changing move. Accounting for the perspective of others.