December 17, 2014. Ridgeland, MS. Things That Please.

Lillie is expert with a sewing machine and a needle. But the most important part of visiting her is her love for the job. Her shop is small, tucked into a strip mall in Ridgeland, close to our condo. Part of the book "The Help", takes place in Ridgeland, which in 1960 was just beginning to grow. Lillie brought her business to Ridgeland 15 years ago from the Delta. She was born and raised in the Delta and she loved it but her children were getting expensive. She could see they were talking about college, so Lillie moved to Ridgeland so she could allow her business to grow. An investor had set her up. She calls him her boss, although her alteration business is all hers alone. I took two skirts to be altered. Lillie always feels you are special. She admires each object and gives a firm date for pickup. Her work is excellent. Today she is closing for two weeks over Christmas. Her goal during the time off is to walk. She is aware that she sits too long. But in addition, she will be visiting family in the Delta. This month, the local magazine The Ridgeland Line, featured Lillie, which is where I learned about her move from the Delta. Her favorite task is to remake fancy dresses but she is busy with other mundane objects. And she is always smiling. I am pleased when I visit her little shop.