Watts Consulting

More than you ever wanted to know about Alabama native Joe Watts

Family

First Iris Bloom in 2008

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I’ve been waiting all spring for these to bloom. We’ve got about 2 dozen more getting ready to bloom. These are all originally from my mom’s house (Inez Watts) in Octagon, Alabama. Ann and I dug them over the course of several years after we moved into our house here in Birmingham, and have watched hopefully for them to bloom each year. Last year was the first year they bloomed. That was a year where I really needed them to bloom, too. I feel a little closer to Mama just looking at them.

Every day for the last week, I’ve gone out to count them and peek carefully to see if they were blooming. Last night just before dark, I took a look and nothing. This morning, this one and one more were looking beautiful.

My Growing Obsession

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Okay, I admit it. I’m a little obsessive about these flowers. So far I’ve counted 21 individual iris blooms about to pop out. It will probably take another week or so for them to really start showing. This is up from about 15 yesterday–I think the rains last night coupled with the sunny day today have really helped the growing cycle.

Last year, I think we had about 12 blooms (some of the stalks have multiple blooms on them, but I only count them as one flower). I was especially obsessed with the iris blooms last year, but so far, this year doesn’t seem that different. I can really feel close to my mother when I’m outside looking at those green leafy blooms about to open. Purple was Mama’s favorite color, so it is only fitting that most of my irises are purple. (For those of you who don’t know, the irises, along with many of my other flowering bulbs and rhizomes have been dug in Octagon, Alabama over the past 3+ years at Mama’s (Inez Hinson). It is especially exciting to see them growing–of all the plants I’ve dug from Octagon, Alabama, the irises have thrived most. We do have some day lillies that appear to be doing very well.)

Old Family Photos Again

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Here are two of the old family photos I found while at home in Octagon, Alabama last weekend. The first is dated March 1, 1888. This is my grandfather Hinson. The second isn’t dated, but appears to be my grandmother Hinson.

Early Hinson Family Photo

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Went home to Octagon, Alabama over the weekend. Among other things, I did a bit of rummaging for old family photos. I brought back quite a few–still many more to go through. I’ve only scanned a couple, but thought this interesting, and in keeping with the other family gathering photos I’ve posted lately. This one is unlabeled, but I’d guess a late 1920’s date by the age of my mom.

The Hinson Family Reunion

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And, as I continue to rummage through the boxes of old photos, I’m constantly amazed at how many people there are in our family! This photo was taken in the 1990’s at Ezells Fish Camp in Lavaca, Alabama. Delicious fish, great fried dill pickles, and perfect slaw. I could eat that slaw and dill pickles all day. Oh, and, of course, they have huge glasses for the sweet tea.