EARLFEST

Now this post needs a little context- My family has its roots deep in 4 hole swamp right outside Holly Hill, SC (south of the metropolis of Orangeburg). My great grandfather had a little piece of land that he divided among his many children. My dad was fortunate enough to spend his childhood on that land- in the woods and became as one old friend has said "the deer-huntin'est man I eva' did see!"



This year marked my Dad's 50th hunting season- now to some this might be of no consequence- but David Jackson's life largely played out in those woods and the friends and family he's enjoyed these last 50 years- His granddaddy, Earl Jackson, or "Pappy" is not only his namesake but was the most influential person in his life- who taught my dad to love the land.....

My childhood also is marked to by trips to the country to visit my Grandmama and watching for the hunters to come home- later on in life my Dad put both my brother and me on bucks (though Ben has seen many more and much bigger!) This past weekend we celebrated my Dad and those who have shared in his last 50 years with a fantastic party, EARLFEST, at my parent's place in the woods-

my beautiful sister-in-love, Elizabeth, received a mandolin for her birthday- we had fun playing and singing old bluegrass songs waiting for the festivities to begin

E and Hunt and their grandbabies

a dear old family friend, Chad Carson, built a bench for my dad with the grands' handprints and birthdates...here they are finding their hands...

Mr. Carson, Rusty Carson, and the woodworker and BB-Q man Chad Carson

Wiz with her beautiful and delicious cakes!

Anna Dargan practicing with the deer horn

the highlight of the night was when the men all gathered around the fire and retold stories from decades past of missed deer, victories and loved ones who were missed that evening. Celia is still asking why "DJ was in the truck in nothing but his underwear and toenails painted..."

We had a great time celebrating Hunt. A huge thanks to Ben for organizing Earlfest- hopefully this will become a yearly tradition.....