There it is (above): the old Jackson homestead. That's where it used to stand, anyway. The house pictured belonged to my great-aunt Isa at one time - the last Jackson to live on this property, which was in the family from before the Civil War until the 1980s.

The now-defunct town grocery in "downtown" Emelle, where the only operating concern is a U.S. Post Office. The store, incidentally, was once owned and operated by the Stegall family, friends of the Jacksons.

Abandoned shack outside Emelle - a typical sight.

Wisteria everywhere.

This was interesting - a handmade manifesto of sorts - nailed to a tree on the road between Emelle and Sumterville.
Click on it (and on any image on this blog) to enlarge - it's worth reading.

Meridian: Another great city that is heading toward ghost town status, at least its downtown business district. There's so much gorgeous architecture and, of course, signage, in Meridian. We loved it.
Meridian.

This "cafe" is actually a funky antique store. Lovers of vintage McCoy pottery, be alert. We'd hoped to eat at Weidmann's, a famous Meridian diner, but it's now open only for dinner.
The friendly proprietor of the antique store directed us instead to the completely nondescript Jean's Restaurant down the block.
What a find.

Dessert first, then: Lemon icebox pie. Incredible. And only $1.75/slice.

Another Meat + ? meal.
Above: Broiled catfish, turnip greens, mac & cheese, field peas (aka blackeyed peas), cornbread, and rolls.

We finally found our fabled chicken and dumplings (above). Plus coleslaw, potato salad, and lima beans. And of course, iced tea.
It. was. amazing.

We arrived at the home of our cousin, Jannelle, and her husband George, who showed us the most wonderful hospitality. They also shared these old photos with us.
Above, my grandfather's brother, John R. Jackson, in his wedding photo with bride Beda Lee (ca. 1930). Aren't they cute?

Above, John R. (the bigger boy) and his brother, my grandfather, Jabe Cook Jackson (ca. 1910).

We visited the cattle ranch of our cousins The Parkers. A beautiful spread.

Mooner and I at the Parkers' place, where we had (what else?) a fantastic steak dinner.

Downtown Hattiesburg - or what used to be downtown in "Hub City." Beautiful old buildings abound.

Hattiesburg. This building had trees growing up through the middle of it.