Harris Estate - Southern Hospitality

Harris Estate - Southern Hospitality 

When you hear the words southern hospitality, what do you think about?  Kind country folks?  Southern cuisine?  It is a stereotypical term used to describe residents of the Southern portion of the United States as affectionate, charming, and welcoming to visitors.

In Oakdale, Texas, where our story takes place, we receive a true glimpse that embraces the epitome of southern hospitality.  Long time locals, Phil and Ethel Myers, run the quaint local motel in the small town of Oakdale.  Their pride shows with the white paint and bright yellow accents.  Flower boxes filled with fresh wildflowers adorn each room and the love they put into the place can be felt by all who visit.  The toiletries are scented with fresh cherry blossoms and plush yellow bath towels are asking to be embraced after a cool shower.
Leah Murphy, their guest, felt their kindness first hand.  After touring the Harris Estate, she placed her bundle of dirty clothes and shoes inside of a plastic laundry bag for when she returned home.  Unbeknownst to her, when she returned to her room the following afternoon, her clothes were clean and hanging up in the closet. In addition, her now clean shoes sat on the floor below. No extra charges were issued, no questions asked, just a kindness for their guest.

One poem that sticks in my mind and reminds me of the Oakdale Motel.

The South...

Our tea is sweet
Words are long
Days are warm
And faith is strong

Harris Estate - Southern Cooking

Harris Estate - Southern Cooking

In Oakdale, Texas where our story takes place, Pete and Ruby Barnes have a cafe called Ruby's, that specializes in Southern home-style cooking.  You can see the place in your mind, as one of those joints that had dozens and dozens of pictures with semi-famous people posing with Ruby and Pete. Old country and western singers with their signatures scrawled at the bottom. All of them saying things like “Ruby’s got the best southern fried chicken,” or “Eat the pork ribs – best in the south”. In-between the black and white photos would be license plates from various states and old rusty farm tools hanging from hooks.

Glancing over the seasoned menu, one would see barbecued pork ribs, fried chicken, coleslaw, biscuits with honey or fresh baked cornbread.  Our characters decide to dine on Ruby's specialty of chicken and dumplin's.  You can just picture those plump dumplin's and thick pieces of chicken steaming in front of you getting ready to warm your soul.

Then wash it down with an ice cold Shiner Bock, Lone Star, Dr. Pepper or sweet tea.  Then again there is always whiskey or tequila...