I spoke with Jack, and he said I could come down to Selmer, TN on Christmas Eve to pick up a couple of you know whats. I’m having to call them that now because my sister is on to me, and I don’t want her to figure out what I’m getting. I figure the trip will take about 7.5 hours total. That gets me home just in time for a family get together at my sister’s place.

Jack said he has a few folks making the last minute trip, and why wouldn’t they? These you know whats have been featured on the TV, and he’s been named one of the top folk artists in America for his craft. His family has been making you know whats for nearly 100 years.

Vince said I shouldn’t go getting all the women folk a you know what for Christmas because it could come across the wrong way. I never really thought of that, so I may just get one for my mom, one for me and maybe one or two as gifts for other folks. If I see the family actually likes it, I can always go back.

Jack told me giving someone a you know what is an ancient tradition. He may not realize just how ancient it is, but then he may. I can’t wait to hang out with him and see his shop. I’ll get a good sense as to whether these are as magical a you know what as I think they are. I have a feeling they are.

UPDATE 12-26-09: The trip was long but well worth it. Jack is an awesome guy, and he’s part of a group of artists in McNairy County that make everything from hand woven textitles to hand blown glass. The brooms are truly magical.