Whatta Life!!: Returning to Cali

Having enjoyed as much family as they could stand, we are heading back to our little tin home in Cali. We had packed to go from Doug's in Knoxville right after Christmas Day. We had hoped to go back via I-70 through St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Las Vegas and back to Menifee. But weather made us go back to Banner Elk and wait until December 27. And then we decided that going I-40 was the least likely to produce a weather hazard.

So as I write this on Friday, December 28, 2012, we are between Little Rock and Fort Smith. There is a BUNCH of snow still on the sides of the road. There has been rain in various forms since we left Memphis this a.m., heavy rain, drizzly rain, mist, and maybe a little frozen something. The temperature has hovered around 36 degrees. You know how they say writing can help you relieve emotions. Well, this little post is just perfect to keep me from screaming, "Get this car off the road." But on we go, him driving and me writing.

Had a great Christmas with Andy, Doug and family. The grandboys were terrific. And the older one is really growing up.

Doug is still such a kid, and Suzanne isn't much better. Santa put these down for just a minute and they had to hop on.

And Papa almost settled down for his long winter's nap long before he hit the bed.

We were able to go to Grant's soccer practice. Boy things have changed since my boys were little and played soccer. Back then it looked like a knot of monkeys with their tails tied together running down the field. I honestly think these kids knew something about playing a position. Not that if they were backfield they paid attention, but at least they didn't take off to get into the action.

All decked out in shin guards and the works. Fired up! Ready to Go!

Getting busy on the field

But, coach, I thought I was playing back field.

Best thing about soccer?? Running

And I can sit and listen too.

And since it is the last practice, he got a medal. My grammy thought I should have gotten a big trophy just for cuteness.

Next time: Tyler's basketball practice and maybe the game.

Back to present:

So, lunch was fried catfish and fried chicken at Charlie’s Chicken in Checotah, Oklahoma. Not your five-star rest-o-rawnt, but it was local and the waitress was friendly. Just as we finished eating, it started snowing. So for about 40 miles we drove in a blizzard. That was Larry’s estimate of the conditions. If you know Larry, you know that exaggeration is his forte. He’s never been sick; he nearly dies with every head cold. He’s never seen a rain storm; it was either a tornado or a hurricane. Anyway, our blizzard produced no accumulation and I could see everything within a quarter of a mile or more. I will say his visibility was limited. However, if he had taken off his sunglasses, the blizzard conditions might have been lessened.

So now we are driving across Oklahoma with a light dusting of snow on the roadsides, full bellies, Norah Jones on the radio, and old timey oil wells pumping away. I am as contented as the Angus beef grazing in the fields we pass and just about as stuffed. Life is good. It would be naptime if I could be sure I was the only one in the car who could nod off. Writing serves many purposes. For now it will keep me awake. But you are not obliged to stay awake with me though.

Larry keeps talking about getting back to the “land of no water”. That is another amazing thing I have learned on this trip. So much of this country is amazingly dry. When we got to Tennessee we constantly marveled at the abundance of rivers. We had not seen water freely flowing, making its own path, for such a long time. It really is a beautiful thing. I guess we are all drawn to water. I used to believe it was just the ocean that pulled us. But after being separated from flowing rivers for a few months, I had a new appreciation for their sinewy beauty.

Whatta Life!!

Friday, December 28, 2012