Dirt Roads: Nikki Pelezo

Read Nikki’s posts – Dirt Roads

Nikki Pelezo is a writer of short stories, collector of junk, an all around do-gooder and proud to be an East Texan. She has been married to Charlie for 32 years and has two daughters and a granddaughter all living in the Seattle area.  Nikki has been going to a creative writing class for six years.

“My husband has admonished me that if I would pay closer attention, I would graduate,” Nikki said.

Nikki resides in the Ewell community of Upshur County.

“Gilmer is my town; it has a Walmart and a Brookshire’s Grocery store and it can’t get

better than that.”

Nikki has joined MYETX.com and looks forward to sharing her work and East Texas escapades with readers from the Pineywoods and beyond. Nikki has a witty sense of humor and will tickle you as she takes you along with her on the Dirt Roads of Northeast Texas!

DIRT ROADS OF NORTHEAST TEXAS

By Nikki Pelezo

There is something about an oil top or dirt road that is canopied with oaks, pignut and hickory trees, it’s like driving into a cool tunnel and the roads take you on awesome adventures. Old home places dot these dirt roads, you can see crepe myrtles, heirloom roses and lilies peeking out to grab that little ray of sunshine.

The homes have long gone, but the barns still bare witness to good old heart pine posts and beams.

For some of us who are junkers, finding a yard sale on one of these dirt roads is like finding a gold nugget under a boulder. Last May I came across a yard sale that was not advertised. The homeowner decided that morning, over his cup of coffee, that today was the day to rid himself of the detritus that had piled up for 75 years.

I screeched my brakes, dusts and leaves flying and honked my horn preparing the homeowners that they had hooked a sucker. The lady of the house casually walked down her steps and I was chomping at the bit. Old aprons, tatted trimmed napkins and vintage tablecloths were speaking to me. Her and I dickered and my pile was getting larger as was her pocketbook.

I spied off on the edge of their garden an old plow that would look like a million dollars in my yard. I asked about the plow and she said “I’ll get Ten Gallon and see if he wants to be shed of that old thing.” She called his name and out walked Mr. East Texas himself. Cowboy boots, jeans, old cotton work shirt and a red bandana tied around his neck.

I introduced myself and asked about the plow. He looked me over, looked at my Kia SUV and said “You can’t afforded that old plow.” I looked him in the eye and was ready to make my case when I realized that indeed I could not afford his plow. I had not earned the right to lay claim to his worldly possessions. All he had to show for his 80 years of life were his land, livestock and his farm equipment. These were all earmarked for his children’s children.

Mrs. East Texas, on the other hand, was willing and able to shed her life of her vintage possessions. I came away with two boxes of linens and she had enough money to lease a limo and a driver to drive her to Shreveport to see her newly born great-granddaughter. A win/win situation.