|
This postcard-worthy
gem was discovered recently by Gerald
“Icebreaker” Massey on a recent run from Shreveport, Louisiana
to Ft. Griffin, Texas.
The Jot ‘um Down Store could easily pass for a movie location – and
with the crowd control problem out of the picture – it may yet become
the set on some future project. Tender Lions or Second-hand Mercies.
Now that Robert Duval has announced his retirement, he may want to
come to his favorite state, just to sit on the porch here and whittle
Mesquite clothespins.
The fairy-tale emporium has all of the once-mandatory accessories
(newspaper rack, ice bin, Coke machine and elevated but un-level porch).
The only thing missing is a hound under the porch – or a cat blocking
the door. But the presence of a root / storm shelter nearly makes
up for animal absence. |
 |
Gerald
entered the store and found Vera Owens, proprietress, sitting beside
the register facing the door – ready to fire up the grill at a moment’s
notice. After taking a few interior shots to see if it’s utilitarian
charm matched the exterior (it did), Gerald asked Vera a few questions.
Unfortunately, the digital recorder didn’t work and Gerald was forced
to call Ms. Owens after he returned home for a telephone interview,
asking many of the questions twice. Therefore, we thank Vera twice
for her patience and for sharing the story of the Jot ‘um Down Store
with our readers.
The Interview
› |
 |
The
Interview
Vera Owens,
store owner, widow and mother of three daughters.
(Mr. Owens passed away three years ago in November of 2007.)
GM: Where were you born?
Ms. Owens: Clyde Texas, but I lived in California for 26-years
and worked there in a Borax plant. (Clyde is 21 miles north of Oplin.)
GM: How did you come to own the Jot ‘um Down Store?
Ms. Owens: “My husband delivered water here and the previous
owner asked him if he wanted to buy it. We hemmed and hawed but bought
it in 1983 or 84.”
GM: What sort of traffic do you get here?
Ms. Owens: “Don’t get very much business.”
GM: Do you have a special recipe for your hamburgers?
Ms. Owens: “No, I toast the buns and I use lettuce and tomato,
onions and pickles, salt and pepper.”
GM: Any other recipies?
Ms. Owens: “Yes, but I don’t tell nobody.”
GM: What’s the nicest thing anyone ever said about your cooking?
Ms. Owens: “That it was the best hamburger they ever ate.”
GM: How did you meet your husband and where did you go on your
honeymoon?
Ms. Owens: “I met him on a frog hunt. We didn’t go on a honeymoon.
They didn’t have honeymoons back when we were married.”
GM: Where would you live if you didn’t live in Texas?
Ms. Owens: “Probably Washington State.”
GM: What do you keep in the storm cellar outside?
Ms. Owens: “Nothing now, but we used to keep carrots and peaches
in case we had a storm.”
GM: Do you have a particular memory of a Texas trip?
Ms. Owens: “We once went to Salt Lake City, Utah. We got stuck
out there on the Great Salt Lake flats. We didn’t know what those
potholes were, but we soon found out. We sat there a little bit and
we sank. We liked to have never got out of there.”
GM: Do you have any advice for people in their 20s?
Ms. Owens: “Live your lives the fullest, enjoy yourselves,
go to church, and give your heart and life to God.” |
 |
Storm Cellar
(left of photo)
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, June 2010 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
