Think About It. Laughing Place. 
Speaking of Uncle Remus. Let’s. The wise and witty fictional story-teller delighted in retelling fables passed along by generations of African-Americans in the deep South. These doses of advice were masked by the people-like lives of an unlikely lineup of animals. My favorite was Br’er Rabbit. Constantly finding himself embroiled in seemingly inescapable trouble, he laughed his way away with cunning and agility. Clearly his unworthy opponent, honey-hunting Br’er Bear, was neither cunning nor agile. These entertaining tales were documented by Atlanta journalist Joel Chandler Harris in 1881.
In 1946 Walt Disney brought the characters to life through an early cinematic mixing of anthropomorphic animated cartoon characters with live human actors. The result was a warm and wonderful Technicolor viewing of the already colorful stories. Most will remember Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-a-Dee-Ay, adding to the joy of an already Wonderful Day at the movies.
Some years before the memorable film, I found a place to go when a small boy’s life seemed less than satisfying. In the center of town, just north of the old mill, was a small island accessible only by wading in the shallow water across Swan Creek below the mill-race dam. Hidden from public view, nothing but trees, weeds and an occasional egg left by a visiting duck. It was my afternoon delight when needed, almost anytime but rainy season when the land might disappear. Appropriate I guess for the village fast becoming known as the Magic Capitol of the World.
One of my favorite Uncle Remus tales finds the congenitally insidious nemesis Br’er Fox clutching the long-eared protagonist. Feeling only reverse psychology will help he resorts to screaming “Please don’t throw me in the briar patch.” and is promptly pitched into the heart of his favorite haunt.
But the best film scene was appropriately saved for last when the feared fox captures our happy hero again. So Br’er Rabbit tells him joyously about a place he loves, and laughs while refusing to disclose the location. Finally at the threatening insistence of Br’er Fox, he shows the way. The rabbit’s tale ends as we see the bunny’s tail receding into dense brush accompanied by the delightful refrain of Everybody’s got a Laughing Place.
It was the first place I went when visiting Colon in 1995, inhaling generously while fording the stream after living in California for twenty years. The family acquired the dam site with the special view a few years ago and recently had a survey to show village building inspectors, so that we could have unlimited access to my long-ago refuge.
Uncle Remus said, “You can’t run away from trouble. There ain’t no place that far.” Maybe not; but you still need a place for thought or naught. For me, the picture you see was and is my Laughing Place. Think About It.