Driving North

When I am home in Illinois, your blogs fill me with warmth. Sometimes getting on the computer after supper, the next time I look up, the clock reads midnight. Lipstick Diaries makes me laugh right out loud and I feel that youthfulness, remembering what it was like to see the lights of home. The pictures of all the babies keep me in-the-loop, and the comments are instant conversation. Like your comments on my blog. It's good to know your thoughts, and maybe I should start commenting after reading your blogs? I never usually do that.
This has been a rare gift. To spend 24/7 with parents as an adult. For the first few days I felt about 9 years old. Then the light dawned, and I preached my chronological age to myself. 60. Sixty. Six decades. I am not 9. From that point on my self-made walls come down. I hugged Dad. One time I even kissed Mom. God is good, Amen, as my friend Jessy always says.
We left Jason's and headed north toward Brent and Jenny's on Friday. Driving across Florida, we spent the night in Dotham, Alabama, at an Econo-lodge. The rooms were 56$ a night. Need I say more? Bottom line was - they were clean.
To begin with, the rooms were kinda shabby. The beds sagged and the chairs were worn, like you could see the stuffing. So we didn't want to complain, and Red had to stop. Basically we just needed a place to sleep; we unloaded luggage and went to eat.
Getting in and out of the car is an ordeal. Dad has to unfold his legs and straighten up his back like a robot in the movies. Mom gingerly feels the pavement. Red groans. We were looking for a light supper - maybe scrambled eggs or soup? Somehow we pulled into Po Folks. I should have known better. Yep, an Alabama Po Folks has fried chicken, chicken fried steak, fried dill pickles, fried pork chops, fried okra - we had salads and went back to the motel to sleep.
In the morning I went into Mom's room and asked about her night. She started laughing. Dad shook his head and said, "Oh, I couldn't get my mask on last night and it just tickled her to death! I guess she hasn't had a good laugh for awhile." Then she explained. It seems the bottom sheet on the bed was not fitted. It slipped around with any movement. The mattress was a little weak, and they rolled together to the ditch in the middle of the bed. When Dad tried to turn off the tv, it wouldn't shut off with the remote. So he hauled himself up and tried to hit the button manually. Every time he clicked it, the tv went black and then the program would pop back on. Finally, and you can imagine how blue the air was about now, he just unplugged the set! He crawled back into bed and tried to put his breathing machine apparatus on. It had become all twisted up like a tangled rubber band. The more he swore, the more Mom laughed. She turned on the light and untangled it for him. They calmed down and were almost asleep when the neighboring room slammed the door and turned the shower on full blast. She said it sounded as if they were coming right into bed with 'em and she was off on another laughing jag. Maybe it was a case of Traveler's Hysteria!
Tonight we are in Columbus, Mississippi. It is a nicer motel room, and should be a calmer night. Plus a bonus happened. Dad met some bird dog men who are going to a trial in the morning. The Cajun Classic. They invited him to come on out with them, even offered him a horse to ride. Well, he can't do that! But Red and he are going to the field trial at six am. Serendipitous, wouldn't you say!! I am so excited....we get to see Jenny tomorrow.

Look, Tali, A Birdie!!

"Look, Tali, Grandma has a bird!!" is my first thought for this entry. We are all feeling a little homesick today. I've been missing the kiddies, and Grandpa has been missing Eldon. I think the furniture around here is low, hard to sit on for the elders, and their backs hurt. So they are pining for comfy worn-out chairs back home! Ditto for Red, and he is the main driver! But, back to Tali ... she always is saying, "Look, Drama, Look!!!" So now it is her turn.

The weather was so summery this morning. We sat on the porch drinking coffee and reading the St. Petersburg Times. It was hot and humid. Rains came in the afternoon. We talked about all the snow in the midwest, and how it is just so weird not to be there. After Jason went to work, we walked for awhile. The neighbor has a big mango tree, and it totally did not look as I expected. It is huge, like a giant old oak, and has lots of flower blossoms. Jason said that the mangoes in this area aren't very good, that there are hundreds of varieties. We circled the block and walked down the busy 17th Street thoroughfare. The Kiwanis have paid for an elaborate crossing light. The pedestrians just push a red button, and a voice comes out of the air telling walkers to watch for the cars, when they stop, cross carefully. It is amazing. The cars stop, I take Mom's arm and across we go. Cars are lined up 17 long by the time we get to the other side. On the return trip she was wearing her little white bucket hat, and that was special. I am not a fan of that hat, but, oh, well.....does anyone know us? I think not. We walked on past the park, down another block, and ended up at a little circular pond with ducks and long, pointy billed birds of some kind. Muscovy ducks were bobbing around, and a couple of mallards, and the ubiquitous sea gulls. We sat on a wooden bench, all three of us, and watched the birds until I almost fell asleep. Dad and I thought we should walk farther, but Mom's toe was hurting from an injury in the night. She had stubbed her little toe on the bed post, twice! So we just moseyed on home.

In the evening we returned to the Thai restaurant called 'The King and I' for a meal, and to bid good-by to the guy who owns the condo where we stayed. G'pa and Red stayed home to watch the Iowa State vs Michigan State game. (Plus they do not like rice) It was a great meal. Grandma ordered a pot of soup - Tom Yum Goong. It was served in a pot sized bowl with a flame in the middle to keep it warm. So cool. Plus the soup was delicious. It was a clear broth with shrimps, lemon grass, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, kafir leaves, and cilantro. I ordered a curry dish, called chicken panang. It was made with coconut milk, bell peppers, zucchini, curry paste, and kafir leaves. Again, good! We talked and laughed a lot. It was an enjoyable last evening together. Jason's birthday is on Saturday, so we called it his party.

Tomorrow morning we are heading north. Since we haven't been able to get in contact with Eddie, we are deciding what to see next. Maybe a trip to the old banyan tree that was from Thomas Edison. Maybe a tour through Okefenokee? The country's problems plague us even here, and we are praying that our leaders make the right decisions. Thinking of you all and wish you all were here with us on this warm vacation!

(We fixed sauerkraut and kielbasa for lunch. How does that sound? Not very Florida-ish)

Is This A Pet Store?!

We're spending the week at Jason's and have returned to a life of normalcy. No more white beach and pounding surf. No more leisurely walks along the shore, kicking the powdered sand. It was a quick excursion on the wealthy side. It is good to be at Jason's, though. He has 2 dogs, 1 cat, a parrot and a lovebird, and 2 aquariums full of fish. Since he has this house with a mother-in-law's quarters, the animals are out there. There is room for us in the other section!

G'ma was getting antsy with no regular chore activities. So we went to Walmart (Is there anyplace left in America without a Walmart!) and bought skeins of fuzzy yarn. She found a crochet hook in her purse so that gave her the idea to start on a project. Little scarves for the little girls. We're also cooking and freezing lunchtime meals for the bachelor. No more wasting money on eating out, he's gonna tighten his belt.

G'pa has been reading a big fat coffee table book about Florida. This afternoon I was watching a movie, '27 Dresses', on one of Jason's 500 channels. (You didn't think I was serious about him saving money!) Everytime a big scene would be on, G'pa started reading aloud from that book. I had to divert my attention and reply to him. Geez! He is a much more active learner than I ever knew. He's interested in anything historical! And knows so much. Another thing, he goes around calling G'ma "Love". And he does that pretty often. When did that start or have I just not been around to notice?

Tomorrow we plan on doing a little yard work. Jason has dozens of palm trees and an old umbrella-plant tree, like the smaller ones we buy at stores in the midwest. Leaves have dropped everywhere and branches need chopped. Lizards and geckos crawl up and down the house siding, sunning themselves on the bird feeder. Dad and I are going to face the native creatures, destroying their habitats- all those dried leaves. If a gecko drops on my head you can probably hear me scream clear north to Spirit Lake.

Red has been in Ft. Meyer. He is in pain with back problems. G'ma has diagnosed it as "sciatica". I'm asking for prayer that his pain subsides. He's really uncomfortable. And I miss him, so you can pray for me, too. Thanks.

We Visited the Circus

Reporting back, and sorry for the silence. This 24/7 takes some getting used to, ya know, and with all the conversation and camaraderie it's been hard to sit down and write! So let's see....on Thursday Jason took G'pa to the National League Philadelphia Phillie's Ballpark. He wrote in his journal, "Beautiful practice field & homefield, newly named "Threshers". Very nice lady in administration office tells me Arbuckle left to go with KC Royals - closer to home. (Trenton, MO)" Then they visited some special golf course which is the oldest golf course in Florida. G'pa writes, "Went in and absorbed some of the plush trappings of yester years times."



The weather improved daily and is perfect now. On Friday we had a "Hanging Out"day. They rested until afternoon. Then we went down the road a ways to Pier 60. Paid 2$ to park, a real deal. We walked along the boardwalk and then paid 50 cents more scout out the end of the pier so Red could talk to the fishermen. Birds were everywhere trying to eat the bait. We sat at a picnic table and kicked the fine, white sand. Grandma pulled that white bucket hat out of her pocket, and she blended right into the background!!



We ended the afternoon by stopping at the corner watering hole called,

"Backwater's". It's slogan: Your Neighborhood Waterfront Bistro". So G'ma, Red and I ate tilapia. G'pa had a grilled chicken sandwich. (He's not so fond of poultry, but think he is tired of hamburgers!) Then we watched a movie on tv.



This morning we got up early and left for Sarasota to visit the Ringling Brothers Museum of Art. They were having a special performance of the Circus Band under a little tan tent. The musicians were mostly retired from all over the world. Was fun and they both enjoyed the marches and 'gallops'. We walked under the banyan trees, one a gift from Thomas Edison. It was huge! We were there all day, but they didn't get too tired. That is hard for me to judge, and I'm sure they get sick of me hovering around.



Last night we tried to watch Drew sing on the email. But our computer had no sound. We can hardly wait to hear him when we get to Jason's or Jenny's. G'ma said, "Ohh, he is so cute, he looks just like Billy!" This morning I overheard their conversation over coffee. It went like this:



6:50 am , watching the weather



Mom: I kinda miss the dogs.

Dad: Patti says they're doing just fine.



The weatherman said it would be cloudy all week.



Mom: Cloudy all week?!!

Beats being in the hospital. (last year was the bypass at this time)

Dad: You bet!



Tomorrow Red leaves for Ft. Meyer and meetings. We'll be getting ready to leave the condo and stay with Jason in St. Pete. It has been quite an experience mixing it up with all the wealthy folks in this Sand Key area. Save your pennies, Kids, and try to buy some waterfront property!

Ordinary Day for Snow Birds

Brrrrr. There are frost and freezing warnings posted for tonight. Go figure. The first time we manage to bring the folks down here and record cold temperatures are set!! But we still are loving watching the tides come in and rush back out to sea. Well, not sea, but 'gulf''.

It's been a calm day. G'pa and G'ma walked early in the morning. She was all bundled up with a scarf and winter coat. It felt great in the chill. I mean, you can't beat a heavy Iowa coat in Florida. Their cold is not quite the same as our cold.

We went to a laundromat and dried a load of clothes. Our condo drier won't work. Then we stopped at a Borders and had coffee and a raspberry scone.

Grandma bought some Christmas cards for next year, and she found a 2009 almanac. Then on the way back to Sand Key she read aloud to us. I learned how the squirrel helped the rebels win The Revolutionary War. Because the colonists were such sharpshooters, needing to kill squirrels for food, the skill carried over into battle. She also read to us about how to keep eggs fresh and how the shell becomes porous. I laughed and said, "No wonder you guys know so much, you read this stuff all the time.

I told Tara on the phone, "You know it is cold when you make a pot of chili in Florida!" That's what I stirred up for supper. I am in Sand Key. I should be eating fresh fish right from the shore! What is wrong with this picture?

Okay, keep warm. We are thinking about you all.

MLK Day in Florida

How many times can one say, "Oh, this place is soooo beautiful!" We are on the 19th floor of Jason's friend's condo. (And, I might say, this is the right kind of friend to have! I could get use to living the high life. Not up in the air, but surrounded by money and blue sky and surf and yachts, etc. )

We are all settled in, groceries stocking the shelves, laundry done. This morning Mom, Dad, and myself went for a sunny walk down the way. Shirtsleeves. We walked a long way, up a bridge where we watched the fishermen, back through a park. Your Grandfather started picking up trash along the way. Yep, lots of litter...I told him he had better wear gloves tomorrow. Then we returned along the beach. I walked barefoot, Grandma was wearing the new Sketchers that Patti left here. We don't know if she forgot them or donated them to Mom for the trip? Anyway, they were more supportive for walking than the trusty Keds.

Just a regular day of sunny Florida. The tv is keeping us updated on the historical Presidential happenings. We're also buying copies of the St.Pete Times. Actually, we are south of Clearwater on Sand Key. That is like a little secluded island inlet. No big tourist outlets, just a tiny strip of eating shops. You have to drive over the bridge to access Sand Key and all the stores. So that makes it quiet and serene. Tomorrow is suppose to be fifty degrees ... a major cold wave. Mom and I are laughing. We have our winter coats, that 50 degrees is a heat wave to us. Missing you all in our Florida days! Also we love reading your comments. And the best news....Grandpa is learning how to be proficient with the cell phone!

Surprise, Sista!

Good day on the road. We pulled into Jason's driveway at about 5pm. He was out buying groceries, and showed up shortly. We hugged, got baggage out of the trunk, and then Jason said, "Hey, Mom, remember that lady who walks her dog, she wants to say 'hi' to you." I turned around and looked down the street. It was PATTI DURFLINGER! My chin hit the sidewalk. Dad said, "Well, that lady walks just like Patti." Then he looked closer and said, "Well, it IS Patti!" Mom had gone on into the house and wasn't paying attention. When she came back outside it was pretty priceless to see the look on her face. That was so cool. Now we can up the laugh-meter and live on the silly side this weekend. She flies back to CR on Monday.

It was a long day, though. Mom took a few naps in the car and worked her word-finds. Dad read the map and described things he knew about the places we were nearby. It is amazing how he can remember every little thing about those dogs he has read about for years. Too bad he didn't have the opportunity to go to college or buy lots of land for a dog kennel. He is just a wealth of information and is so interested in everything about the terrain, history, and such.

He told some stories like: There was this old gentleman, George Fitzgerald, way back. Was talking about how the chiggars were so bad, biting and stinging. The best remedy was just mix some sugar and a couple TBS of vinegar and those chiggars won't bother you a bit. Mom shook her head and replied, "Yeah, neither will anybody else!"

When we drove by Albany, Ga, he started talking about where "Fernys grew up. That is around the Chickasaw Plantation. Nancy Lopez, the golfer, she has a plantation at Albany. Then the Lees are up at Gatesburg. " And he talked all about the dogs that Marc bought, had trouble remembering Hattie's name, but then just said Hattie and Degan?

I am so sorry about the freezing, unhuman cold around the midwest. It is good to be near the ocean, palm trees, and mild temps. It was such a peaceful day, full of companionship and surprises! Dinner at a Thai Restaurant. Jason ordered a beef and potatoes dish for Dad. He was grateful. Pictures tomorrow. Thanks be to God for the safe travel and many blessings!! Stay tuned.

Farewell President Bush

Hi, Kids, we are on day two, stopped for the night in Forsyth, GA. I think it is about 20 miles from Macon. Last night we stayed in the same room in Paducah, Kentucky. Patti cracked up laughing when I told her were were sharing a room! I don't think she could visualize our bathroom phobias all in one place! (Except for Red, of course, who has no problems whatsoever in that department.) We had a peaceful night. Dad is using an oxygen machine to help his night breathing. It hummed quietly, and nobody even snored.

But for this evening, I just wanted to watch President Bush with some admiration and respect. That would have been hard to do with some of the present company, not to mention any names. He did a good job with the good-bye speech. So the Burnetts are in Room 207 and the Maynards are in Room 208.

This morning was cold. Really windy, so we felt right at home. The farther south we went, the better it got temperature wise. We pulled off the interstate to tour the Chickamauga - Chattanooga National Military Site. That was cool, lots of info. It was the first place designated as a historical site, even before the one at Gettysburg. That delay had us trying to drive through Atlanta at 5pm. The traffic was as you would expect for that time of day. It was worth it, though. Red took a wrong lane turn, so we looped around the City for awhile before getting back on the right interstate. It was good for Dad to see how a person can take a wrong turn and not go balistic. (Did I spell that right? My spelling skills have gone to pot over the past few years.)

Mom and I have decided that a "girl trip" is more laughs. Or maybe it having the comedian not with us? There is conversation, but no funny quips. Everytime we pass into a new state, Dad says, "Kentucky - the BlueGrass State." Or "Tennesse - The Service State". Or "Georgia - The Peach State". Tomorrow I am going to beat him and say, "Florida - The Sunshine State!"

Jason has dinner reservations for tomorrow evening and golf tee times for Saturday morning. Then we go to the condo on Sunday. More later. If things don't get a little more exciting, well, I may just stop this posting before it has even really started! Love y'all. I am having a little trouble figuring out how to manage this writing. Hopefully, Jason can help me out!

Preparation

I love winter and the snow. Tali looked out the church window this morning and exclaimed, "Oh, Drama, it beautiful. Look at the big sandpile of snow! Who shovel dat?" Clinging to the evergreens, it was like a Christmas Card from December. Magical. How does that fall from the sky and accumulate til the cars can't go and the snowblowers roar and the land is pure white?!

So we are taking Mom and Dad to Jason's on Wednesday morning. One more day to get the house closed, the mail stopped, the clothes packed, the cookies baked, and the garbage set out because I forgot to do that last Thursday. I am feeling a bit stressed. Red has been working since he returned from the OU vs Florida game. He wants to finish up the losses before we leave.

I need to call Jess and Jenny. And Eddie Brown. And Jeanetta. Can you just drop by for a visit if you don't call? Everybody works in this day and age. So I need to make some definite plans. Also, I have been looking for info from sites like the Peabody Hotel in Memphis because Dad wants to see some ducks on parade. You've heard of those, right? He is interested in a place called Chinquapin Plantation near Lake City, Florida. It is a bird dog field trial area. I found one in Thomasville, Georgia. Hmmmm. He also wants to visit Shiloh National Military Park when we head home. That sounds good to me. I like to learn more about Civil War battles.

Patti and Terry are doing the dog chores and everything else around the home place in Eldon. Did you know the big old tree across the driveway, provider of shade all summer, was cut down this weekend? Mom said it wasn't even a bit rotten, sturdy clear through. Guess she needn't have worried all through those storms about it crashing on the upstairs bedroom! Anyway, it is gone now. It must look weird not to see it there. My sis doesn't have time to check up on all the blogs, so she will probably just telephone and skip the computer stuff. Tho she is on facebook now.

The point of this blog is to keep all of you family members updated on the highlights of our drive down to Jason's. I don't have a camera, but he does. So when we get there, look for cool pictures of our adventures! Hopefully, I can let you in on all the adventures! Just happy ones, I am praying! More tomorrow.