Up in the

Up in the

Hollow #22

By Ben Jones

Special to the Rappahannock News

The warm winter has become an early spring in the Hollow. The willow tree down by the river started to take faint color back in February and the daffodils are impatient to get on with it and are coming on strong.

The goldfinches are back in force looking for the thistle and the Canadian geese out on the pond think they are in Florida.

Meanwhile, down in Florida, baseballs are flying through the palm trees. It is that time of year when anything is possible, even a World Series ring.

March Madness has struck me also. I have been kicking around the idea of running for Congress. Seriously, y’all. Rappahannock and Page Counties are now a part of a newly redistricted Seventh District, and no one is coming forth to challenge the freshman incumbent, Eric Cantor, an attorney from Richmond.

A lot of people are looking for a candidate and my phone has been ringing more than usual.

Of course, there are a lot of good reasons for me to not even contemplate such an adventure. Having done it before, I know too well what is involved. It would take a relentless commitment of time and energy at a point in my life when I am already as busy as I’ve ever been professionally, and like everybody else, my first responsibility is to honor the commitments I have already made and to try to make a living.

Cooter’s Place in Sperryville has been a grand success and we are about to open for a fourth season. Meanwhile, we’re converting an old garage in Gatlinburg, Tenn. into “Cooter’s in the Smokies”, opening in May.

The “Garage Band” continues to get bookings, to get better and to please crowds. And although I’ve never claimed to be a farmer, there is always plenty to do on our place and I am never happier than when I am on the trac