Epic Road Trip
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Home again, home again, jiggety-jog.
Welp. I’ve made it. Home again.
Luke had a really nice Welcome Home sign up when I opened the garage. It was really sweet. Feels a little strange to be here right now… but he did so much while I was gone.
There are a lot fewer boxes than there were before I left. Much of the art has been put up on the walls. Also, things are CLEAN and the kitchen looks great. It was nice to have a grand adventure but I’m happy to be home too.
I’ve already started on the laundry which will take at least two loads. I’ll also need to start sorting through the mail at some point. And, the car is desperately in need of a thorough washing and some clean oil.
It’ll take a little time to settle in, but I’m very excited to be sleeping in my own bed tonight.
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So, it’s hot. Daiquiris aren’t drinks, they’re health aids. Medicinal, as it were. You don’t want me to get heat stroke, do you?
There’s an interesting phenomenon here… with the walking and all the open storefronts… walking by each one provides you with this gentle kiss of cool air.
It’s sort of delicious and sweet and you want to stay but know you have to move along. There’s a whole summer romance wrapped up in the passing of each open doorway… beckoning you inside.
The Big Easy makes so much sense now, as a phrase… I like it here but I could never stay. I’ll be back though. I’ll definitely be back.
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The one where I end up smelling my shoe…
The days run together and it’s difficult to remember the day of the week without some effort. Today, I believe, is Wednesday which would mean yesterday was Tuesday and the day before, Monday.
It was Tuesday morning that I was sitting in a quite fancy Sheraton in downtown Nashville smelling my shoe. But that’s the end of the story… It starts the day before, and really, a week before that.
At some point on the trip, I realized that my footwear was unsuitable. I’d searched for a new pair of tennis shoes in Manchester, New Hampshire… In Harvard Square, and points in between. Eventually, my mother in law and I went to a mall and I found a pair of suitable shoes at the Champs there. I believe this all took place on Wednesday the 16th.
Fast forward to Monday the 21st and I am visiting my aunt and uncle in Clarksville, TN. I arrive in the middle of a stormy late afternoon and am greeted not only by my aunt but her two VERY excited dogs. After some time outside for them to calm down, they’ both back inside… I’m petting the older one telling him how nice and calm he is when he pees on my pant leg, shoe, and the floor.
:(
I thought I missed having pets… but after walking away from the visit with enough hair to make one of my own, I’m not so sure.
To be fair, the dogs are very sweet and were just excited to have someone new around. I ended up hermetically sealing my outfit in a plastic bag later that night and after cleaning off my shoe… I can tell you that it no longer really smells like pee.
Anyone can visit relatives for dinner, but not everyone gets peed on in the process. That’s why I’m special. I give you more.
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The Final Leg
Well, it’s the final part before the last part. Today I will drive from Columbus, Ohio to Nashville, Tennessee. After that I will head to New Orleans on Tuesday and stay there until Friday morning.
Of course, Friday evening I need to pick up Ray from the airport. We will then drive the last 1300 miles home over Memorial Day weekend.
I can’t help to feel a little bit sad over all of the things that I’ve missed. However, I had such a nice time with my in-laws in Boston and just being in New England that I don’t have too many regrets.
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I’ve left MA…
…and that makes me really sad. I’m in CT right now, headed for PA. Sigh.
The kids asked me if I could stay and boy did I want to do just that! I had such a wonderful time with my in-laws and I was in a place I love. Everything just felt so great.
My parents took me on a trip to Boston when I was 13 and I have loved it ever since. This is the first time that I have really had the chance to spend some time in the surrounding areas though.
This is also the first time that I really had to drive in and around the city. I would still tell everyone coming to visit to NOT get a car. However, I feel a lot more confident driving in and around Boston now.
At least I can say it’s not goodbye forever it’s just goodbye for now. However, if I could, I’d turn around today and go back.
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Frank Clegg Leatherworks
This morning, I drove down to Fall River to visit Frank Clegg and his workshop. I expect he may have thought I was a little crazy but it was so exciting to see his operation.
First of all, everything smelled wonderful. There’s something very pleasing about the smell of leather. The space was also wonderfully bright and open.
Everything he makes is amazing and built to last a lifetime. There’s an instant recognition of quality when presented with his bags. I know it sounds crazy, but I was THAT excited to visit.
After some wrangling with PayPal, I walked out with a bag that I’m sure I will treasure forever. I would not hesitate to buy from him again, either.
In fact, I may never bother to buy another “name” brand purse again. Coach, Dooney, etc. can’t compete with true, genuine, American craftsmanship.
