Andy of Mayberry
I don’t normally take pictures of sculptures, paintings, or other works of art created by someone else. It just feels too much like trying to capitalize on what someone else has created. But Monday, during my visit to Pullen Park, I did shoot a couple of shots of the Mayberry sculpture there to use as an illustration for this post, which I had in mind at the time. This sculpture was a gift to the city of Raleigh from TV Land and was delivered in 2003. It is one of seven bronze statues TV Land has donated to cities around the country to commemorate the following shows: The Andy Griffith Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Happy Days, The Honeymooners, The Bob Newhart Show, Bewitched and the movie Blue Hawaii which starred Elvis Presley.
But that’s not really what I wanted to write about in this post. As we approach the start of 2009, I’ve been thinking about my hopes for the new year. First and foremost, I hope to remain employed…but that’s pretty much the hope of a lot of people right now. With all of the news about the faltering economy, the struggles of the U.S. auto industry, and the evaporation of savings and retirement accounts, there is a general desire to go back to a simpler life. A time when things weren’t quite so complicated.
Sheriff Andy
Back in Mayberry, Sheriff Andy Taylor’s biggest worry was whether or not Barney was going to shoot himself in the foot with the one bullet Andy allowed his deputy to carry in his uniform pocket. Or whether or not Helen Crump was going to be available to go to the diner on Friday night. Â This is an over simplification, but you get the idea. There was just a more relaxed approach to life “back in the day” of Andy and Opie.
It is pretty certain that those days are long gone, and we’ll never see them again. In so many ways, we’ve lost our innocence, and it’s impossible to go back. Just comparing the Andy Griffith Show to modern sitcoms will remove all doubt about whether times have changed. Last night, in 30 minutes of Two and a Half Men, the viewer was treated to discussions of prostitution, casual sex, teen sex, alcohol consumption and other topics that would have caused Aunt Bea to have a stroke. And this was during prime time. Can you imagine people’s reactions if Barney had attempted to obtain the services of a “Lady of the Evening?” Back then, married people slept in twin beds.
Even though times have changed, I tend to take a Sheriff Taylor approach to life…meaning, I choose to think the best of people I come into contact with until I’m given a reason not to. Sometimes that approach works out pretty well, and other times…not so much. And I’ll be honest here, I’ve not perfected the ability to maintain that attitude with everyone. But I think in 2009 I’m going to work at it a little harder, especially given the conversation I had this morning with Mrs. Rambler after a bus cut us off in traffic. I’m going to leave everyone wondering about that conversation, and I don’t think Mrs. Rambler is talking either. I’ll just say that it got a little colorful.
Anyway, in 2009, I hereby declare that I will work harder to maintain a positive outlook. I will take steps to simplify my life, and if I lose my job I’ll be asking for donations here on my blog. Maybe I shouldn’t give advance notice on that last part…no one will want to come back.
I have always been one to expect the best from people. I may be disappointed, but it’s better than being cynical, at least for me.
I had my own business for 20 years when I sold it and moved from Florida to south Georgia early in 2006. I decided to give employment another chance and sent out lots of resumes, filled out many applications and had countless interviews. I found a terrible job marketplace, partly because of the location and mostly due to the economy. I finally decided to start another business 18 months ago. I hope my commercial market does not dry up, because I am still 13 years away from social security age (if it is not bankrupted by then). I did have to drop my Medical Saving Insurance in March due to skyrocketing costs. I hope that President Elect Obama wasn’t making empty campaign promises about affordable health insurance, because I am one of the 46 million now uninsured.
WT4W: I really do try to think the best about people until I’m proved wrong. It’s not always easy, but it is a more positive approach, as you pointed out.
There are days when I really think I would be better off to start my own business and be at the mercy of my own industrious nature, and not the whims of a corporation. I have at least ten years until I can retire, and it would be nice if when I get to that point I have something to show for my labors besides the “nothing” I’ll get from my current employer. I may just have to look into that a little more seriously.
Thanks for stopping by.
now if I am correct..I know it doesn’t happen often..:)..Mayberry was based on the town of Bottom North Carolina..which is a place I stopped in many a time because the truck stop there has all you can eat catfish with mashed potatoes and collard greens on Friday nights..:))
robert bournes last blog post..Thank You
You’re in the right area in North Carolina, Robert. Actually, Mayberry is said to have been modeled on Mount Airy, NC, which is Andy Griffith’s actual hometown. The woman who played Barney’s girlfriend, Thelma Lou, settle there about four years ago. There have been several of the folks from that show who settled in North Carolina. Andy Griffith currently lives in Manteo, near the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I mentioned Thelma Lou. Frances Bavier lived in Siler City, North Carolina, from 1973 to 1989. The word is that she was rather hard to get along with and was not all that popular as a resident of that town.
One of the nearby towns that was often referenced in the Andy Griffith Show was Mount Pilot, and seemed to be the social hub for the residents of Mayberry. One of the major attractions just outside of Mount Airy, NC, is Pilot Mountain, which is a North Carolina State Park. Another indication of how much this area influenced Andy Griffith in the creation of the show’s concept. However, he always denied that Mount Airy had any relationship to Mayberry. Those familiar with the show and also with Mount Airy would disagree regardless of what Mr. Griffith says.
hey Lee,
I think it’s fine to take pictures of other peoples’ art. I’d think of it as a compliment to them and also spreading the word about them, sort of like mentioning another blogger’s post.
As to the what’s happening to our culture as indicated by what is seen on TV (in prime time) today, I tend to agree. Some of the stuff makes me wince. I like your Sheriff Andy attitude, and share it. It’s the right way to be. And here’s to a great 2009, for us and everybody!
~ Steve, aka the trade show guru
Steve | Trade Show Gurus last blog post..Chainsaw Powered B29 Model Airplane Video
Steve, I hope your 2009 is filled with all that you hope it to be. I’ll keep working to keep my Mayberry attitude as the year plays out.
I just wanted to drop by and wish you and Mrs. Tarheel a very happy New Year.
Oh, and to let you know, next year I am wearing the t-shirt for family pictures. That was a splendid idea!
Vixens last blog post..Too, too busy to blog
Happy New Year to you, too, Vixen. I love the fact that you liked my t-shirt idea! I’ll be looking forward to that in the New Year!
Actually, Andy has recently admitted that TAGS was “loosely” based on Mount Airy. We have too much evidence to prove that it was. Mayberry is alive and well in many, many small towns in NC. Visit http://www.insearchofmayberry.com if you’re interested in learning more. Great post, by the way!
Scott, thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogosphere and adding to the discussion. I thought I remembered Andy finally recognizing the tie to Mount Airy, but I couldn’t find the link in a quick check. Thanks for clearing that up. I’ll be checking out the link you gave too.
I didn’t realize I was being visited by a celebrity. I encourage all of my visitors to follow the link that Scott left in his comment. It will take you to his site and a chance to check out the book he wrote, In Search of Mayberry which is for sale on his site. Thanks for stopping by, Scott, and I’ll be checking out your book soon. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about my adopted state.
If Andy is still denying the link to Mt. Airy, he’s the only native of the town that is. I stopped there one fine winter afternoon on the way home from a ski trip in Boone and whether or not the show was modeled on the town, Mt. Airy has certainly modeled the town on the show since then. There’s not a place you can go in the business district that doesn’t make reference to Mayberry, right up to having the “Mayberry Jail” complete with Sheriff Andy’s patrol car (a ’62 Ford Galaxie 500) parked outside it.
It’s funny you should bring this up, because I recently scheduled my photo meme posts for the first quarter of 2009 and one of those posts is two views of that very ’62 Ford. That post was currently scheduled for the 3/23/09 edition of “That’s My World Tuesday” but since you brought it up I swapped it for the 1/5 edition (neither of them was tied to specific events, so no harm… just a simple title and date switch). So if your readers are interested they can get an eyeful of Mayberry’s one police car next Tuesday.
Mojos last blog post..Happy New Year!
I’ll be looking forward to the pictures, Mojo. I’m think a trip to Mount Airy may be in the offing to get some pictures of my own. Besides, there are a lot of great photographic opportunities in that area.
What a nice post; I really enjoy your blog. I can barely take a picture of myself for my Facebook profile, so I’m always impressed with lovely photos.
You should absolutely come to Mt. Airy because it affords fabulous views of Pilot’s Mountain, is an easy drive to the beautiful Hanging Rock State Park, and has an absolutely amazing Drive-In movie theater, The Bright Leaf. Come in the late spring or early summer for the best pics of NC farmland foliage and to enjoy a warm movie with the car windows down.
It’s also very close to where I taught at the “John Denver High School” from my blog’s harrowing teaching stories.
Sorcia MacNastys last blog post..You Know You’ve Married a Yankee When:
Thanks for your kind comment, Sorcia! I am already planning my outing to Mount Airy, and will probably drive up in the next couple of weeks. I bet I have driven near/through there a dozen times or more when I make the drive back to Indiana to visit family. Sadly, I don’t think I’ve even stopped there long enough to buy gas. That’s all about to change.