The Laughing Wolf

A Relaxing Sunday

Today is a quiet day, where myself and others are taking time to recharge. Yesterday was spent cutting firewood, or at least getting a start on it. That oak tree I mentioned a while back is going to provide a fair bit of wood for a fireplace or two. My cousin, Mr. C., and I made the start of a dent in it yesterday.

We got up early and went up to the mountains to work on it. Between our two chainsaws, we had a very large load in a small amount of time. Between the upper part of the tree and some of the other trees it brought down, I think we have at least 3-5 loads to go before we get to the main trunk. Fifty some odd feet of main trunk.

There were other plans for today, but Mr. C was feeling down in the back, and my outer thighs and left ankle were not happy, so when the decision was made for Mr. C., Ms. C., and myself not to get together and do those things, I did not argue too much. Today is being spent instead in doing some reading and in some fond memories.

We stopped yesterday at the Old Sautee Store in Northeast Georgia for lunch on our way back to Atlanta. The lunch was good and it was nice to prowl the store a bit. All of which have brought back some good memories of some wonderful people: the Frieds.

These people took the Old Sautee Store and made something of it - to the point of opening two or three other shops around the state - where they sold goods from their native Norway. It was a frequent stop in my youth, and I found adventure in going through the old country store museum portion (the risque stereopticon was a favorite of my youth), lots of nice things in the real store, and an occupation of sorts as a barker out front. I learned how to do the “Wampus” and the Frieds let me do it as I had the time.

In the course of these visits, I got to know them a bit. They were determined to do good in life, on many levels. This meant not only succeeding in business, but in doing right by others and encouraging the same. They would not knowingly sell anything not up to snuff, and took pains to be sure they did not do so unknowingly. They actually talked to, not at, their customers and employees, and listened as well.

When I was selected to go to the Boy Scout World Jamboree in Norway, one of the first things I did was go and ask them to tell me more about Norway and whatever they could about the area. They not only told me a good bit about Norway and Lillehamer, they also sent letters to friends telling them I was coming and providing me introductions for most of the trip. No hesitation at all, just an immediate determination to help out a 15-year-old that they knew somewhat.

The new owners of the Old Sautee Store seem nice, and I do like what they have done with the place overall. Yet, it is not the same nor should it be. I think that no matter what ever happens to the store, it will always bring back great memories of two wonderful people and a special place in my life.

LW