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Finding Rocky Mount, NC

July 9, 2015 By Danielle Hatfield Leave a Comment

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Rocky Mount NC on a map of the USA

Image courtesy of epodunk.com (Click here for the profile on Rocky Mount, NC)

I read a fantastic piece by Robert Draper for GQ Magazine​ on Rocky Mount, North Carolina​ this morning. I hate that it took me 5 years to finally come across it.

Having never lived there myself, I happened across this NC city by chance over a month ago while looking at North Carolina real estate.

I fell in love with the pristine condition of a home that had been lived in by the same family since 1948. The hardwood floors and private master suite, that was once a den, were only a few things that drew me in to virtually living there for the better part of a week. As I scrolled through the gallery of photos, I would imagine the paint and furniture I would choose for each room. I imagined the first party we’d throw there with martinis and bourbon clinking in glasses to the scratch and hiss of our old record player. The thick southern summers and sunny spring mornings. I could almost smell the gorgonzola stuffed mushroom caps baking in the oven. I seriously fell in love with this house.

After sharing the listing with my husband and Mother-in-Law, I eventually would snap out of the daydream phase and get down to earth, literally, use Google maps. I took a virtual tour of the neighborhood and all of these questions started filling my head. Where would we shop? Where is the nearest park? How far away are we from downtown? What does downtown Rocky Mount look like? Is it a safe city? What is the biggest employer? Do they have any annual community events? What’s the art scene like? Music! Do they have festivals?

Sadly, in my quest to find our more about this city, I learned the heart breaking reality. They were in trouble. The articles and statistics I discovered getting to know this city, that I had already virtually moved in to, was startling.

I am so grateful I came across this article by Robert this morning. It made me cry. It gave names to the poverty ravaged, once proud city, I saw on Google maps. It gave a timeline to the slow, decay so many of our cities are experiencing.

I still wonder and hope that a determined populace could reverse this sad decline, not just in Rocky Mount, but in any city. If we could be the change. I wondered if we could help Rocky Mount and find ways to revitalize the hope and be the change that was promised years ago for a few votes.

Those heartbreaking statistics on Rocky Mount I shared with my husband and my MIL? I’ll look at them a little differently now that I know some of the names of the women who sent the Rocky Mount crime rate double NC average and a little more than double the national average. (http://www.usa.com/rocky-mount-nc-crime-and-crime-rate.htm) I’ll think about their children and families left behind. I’ll wonder what we could have done to change it.

Our cities are rotting from the inside out and all I can think of is how the money spent on corporate wars and political campaigns could have helped prevent it. What can we do to save our cities? How much longer will corporate profit come before the welfare of the people? What are we doing to help educate and build skills in our community? How can citizens heal their city when it is devastated by drugs, crime and poverty? How many more times will some one casually say “People disappear all the time.” before it happens to one of their family members and they actually give a shit?

It looks like Rocky Mount is still stirring up questions for me… and yes, I still want that house.

 

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About Danielle Hatfield

Owner/Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm - DIYs, recipes and sharing my 2 cents on social media

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I love to share recipes, DIYs, and my two cents on social media.

I am also proud to be the Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm where I have worked with my partner and husband Brandon Pierce since 2009.

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I love #DIYs, #recipes, and sharing my 2 cents on social media.

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I’ve cut and counted 429 4” fabric squares fro I’ve cut and counted 429 4” fabric squares from  #scrapfabric we bought a few years ago.

Fabric for my #handsewn projects is among my favorite #thriftstorefinds. ❤️

These squares will eventually become a snuggly #quilt for our single occupancy media room that was once a walk-in closet. 

It’s helpful having a small room to relax in and read or watch TV. This colorful fabric will be a warm reminder of the fun treasures @thebrandonpierce and I find when we go #thrifting. 

If #CottageLife has taught me anything, it’s to look at every square foot of space in a new way and I love how we are embracing #smallspaceliving. 

This #handsewing project may take a while - my goal is to have it finished by the fall so I can settle in with my knitting, a good movie or documentary and hot cup of coffee. 

.
#handsewing #handsew #cottagestyle #quiltingismytherapy #sewersgonnasew #sewingismytherapy #sewingproject #handsewnwithlove #thriftedhome #thriftstorefinds
A thoughtful gift from a former neighbor in Greenb A thoughtful gift from a former neighbor in Greenboro! 

She knows I love DIYs and shared a box full of @bertie_county_peanuts bags. 

I look forward to using these in a future DIY that will remind me of our sweet friendship. 🥜❤️

So far my top DIY contenders are: 

- stitch bags together and use them to reupholster a bench and other #burlapdecor 

- use bags as #upcycled shelf liner in our open kitchen cabinets 

- stitch #burlapbags together and make a couple of bolster pillows

🤔 What else could I make with a #burlapbag? Any suggestions are appreciated!
Inspired to paint today thanks to a photo by the i Inspired to paint today thanks to a photo by the incredibly talented Chef @wishartchris of @OldNorthStateWinery in #DowntownMountAiry. 

My #WatercolorPractice of this #DeliciousDessert is from his #ChefsTable and is ~ Grand Marnier-Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse with  Strawberry Soup and Vanilla Tuile. 

This #WatercolorPainting is still a #WorkInProgress and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. (Thank you for sharing your amazing creations Chris!) 

If you plan to #VisitNC be sure to put #OldNorthStateWinery on the top of your ‘must eat’ list. You won’t be disappointed.
The #hyacinth I transplanted last fall are bloomin The #hyacinth I transplanted last fall are blooming! 😍

It’s been slow going but our little #cottagegarden is coming together and I couldn’t be happier. ❤️

Today I’m looking around the old bee yard for more white #hyacinths to transplant before the rain sets in and our new bees arrive.

Each time I see these flowers I chuckle at the thought of #HyacinthBucket of #KeepingUpAppearances answering the phone... 😂 

“Helloooo the Bouquet residence, Lady of the house speaking.”
Excited to finish this piece thanks to my new @gel Excited to finish this piece thanks to my new @gellyrollph pens @thebrandonpierce ordered for me! 🙌🏻 

What began as a #watercolorpractice is now  officially #mixedmediaart.

This is a study inspired by an illustration by American illustrator #JamesMontgomeryFlagg (June 18, 1877 – May 27, 1960) better known for his ‘I Want You’ Uncle Sam recruitment illustration. 

This is still a #workinprogress and I’m glad I waited for my #gellyrollpens to arrive! They allow me to bring detail to my #watercolorpainting and I’m already making my wishlist of colors I don’t yet have. 

Every time I see this hanging in our kitchen it makes me want to throw on one of my vintage aprons and bake an apple pie. 🥧

I am constantly inspired by artists who came before me. Studying their work helps me to better learn techniques like shading, consistent color mixing and most importantly knowing when to stop. ❤️

#watercolorpainting #dailyart #artstagram #inthekitchen #vintagekitchen 
#ilovegellyrollph #diyart #inspiredby #americanillustrator #mixedmediaart #gelpenart  #watercolorart #watercolorartist #practicemakesprogress #vintageillustration #vintageillustrations
My pockets aren’t deep enough for my disappointm My pockets aren’t deep enough for my disappointment in my new @Dickies. 

When you buy a pair of bibs you *expect* to have pockets that can fit your whole hand. 

My most recent #handsewing project was adding REAL pockets to my Dickies. 

Thankfully my #fabricstash offered up enough to turn my 4” deep pockets to nearly 9” pockets that are actually functional. 🙌🏻

It’s no secret that #womenspockets are a joke.  Is it too much to ask for #pocketequality? 

#alterations #ithaspockets #pocketsewing #handsewn #womenspocketsareuseless #handsew #sewingismytherapy #dickies #womenspocketssuck #pocketsize
A #watercolor in progress inspired by a photo by @ A #watercolor in progress inspired by a photo by @bfullerfoto. 

I researched and found a mint 1959 #Dodge Custom Royal Lancer  hard top for color reference. 

It’s been fun working on this #watercolorpractice - I’m learning more and more about shadows and layering color.  The metal and reflective surfaces are challenging but worth the work. 

I love #classiccars and this is a #watercolorpainting I’m excited to finish. 

Thanks @bfullerfoto for the inspiration! Love your photos.
The #PatchWork #OvenMitts are finished! 🤓 I’ The #PatchWork #OvenMitts are finished! 🤓

I’m so happy that I was able to repurpose @thebrandonpierce Grandmother’s mitts with some of my #FabricStash. ❤️

#handsewnwithlove #handsewn #handsewing #patchworklovers #patchworkdesign #cottagelife #cottagekitchen #sewmuchlove #sewingismytherapy
🧵 My next #handsewn #sewingproject will be reju 🧵 My next #handsewn #sewingproject will be rejuvenating @thebrandonpierce grandmother’s #ovenmitts with a #patchworkquilt look using my #fabricstash. 

I love that they were passed down to us and can’t wait to have them hanging in our #cottagekitchen! 

I’ve never tried #handsewing patchwork on oven mitts before but I have a feeling this #sewingchallenge will be worth it. 🤓

Each time I use them I’ll remember all of the home cooked meals that they helped feed generations of Brandon’s family. ❤️

Sure we could buy new mitts - but I’d rather have these and enjoy the quiet hours spent sewing them remembering a remarkable woman. 

 #sewingismytherapy  #sewinglove #sewmuchlove #handsewnwithlove #handsew #amsewing #sewersgonnasew #sewingfun
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