Postings from Germany

Back in the U.S. of A.

Things just don't slow down. We arrived Monday evening June 22nd after a slight delay in Atlanta. That airport is a zoo and the gates for these short hops more often remind me of the Greyhound - no, make that Trailways - bus stations of 1964. People lined up and waiting and positioning and lugging kids and bags and dressed, well, casually. And LOUD. The main difference is that now we have air conditioning.

But we arrive finally at the Panama City Airport and the kids are ecstatic and give great long hugs to mom and dad and then we arrive at the neatly kept three-week-long child-free home and immediately create chaos with suitcases to open and gifts to give and things to show and talk, talk, talk. What fun!

Then we're gone - outta here! Tuesday morning we pick up a car and head to Aunt Mary in Abita Springs LA.


But breakfast first, please. We got to Bruce FL, only an intersection in the road, I think, but there's a Bruce Cafe and a Bruce Store. And good home cooking - I had breakfast and Werner had lunch, all of that at 10:45. Besides, they had a porch so we had to stop!


Aunt Mary really hasn't changed all that much - the stroke may have slowed her step but she's just as spunky as she ever was, loves a good joke and still eats like a bird. And glam - red satin blouse, denim shorts, make-up and jewelry. She said she's ready for a second face lift but I think she still looks good. Maybe I need a first one before she gets her second! She and Uncle Harry III are great hosts - we had a beer in our hands (and theirs) practically before we knew it and had a great time chatting about this and that. Later there was dinner in Covington LA - fried shrimp and fried oysters. I can't get too much of that while I'm here.

After checking in once more with Aunt Mary and getting her settled for the day with Harry, we headed north to Hernando MS and Aunt Ruth. Like with Aunt Mary, we got to hear several stories over and over again, but they were pleasant to hear over and over. Aunt Ruth has kept her joy and her beauty, too. Having supper with her and some of the other residents of the facility was a treat - talking loud and repeating ourselves and being entertained and entertaining the folks was an experience. Old folks can be a lot of fun.

Cousin Gerald and his wife Gladys dropped in, too, so we did a bit of catching up with them.

We spent the night in luxury at Tiffany and Mike's (Joey's brother). What hospitality! And though we combined all our computer knowledge to get Skype hooked up, they'll have to find the sound component on their own.

After one night on the road - Riverside AL aka the middle of nowhere - we made a stop in Powder Springs GA. Some soul decided that painting quilt patterns on the sides of the old downtown buildings might bring a few more tourists to the town and they were right. Here we are! And here I am next to - would you believe it - the Rose of Sharon. Aren't I proud!

Finally we are in Atlanta, the next stage of the trip, the next entry in the blog.