To hell & back. 07/02/02
Have just returned from rural Missouri where Steve & I were visiting his extended family...
Walking down the middle of a dirt road at dusk, catching toads. 90% humidity, lying in the shade under an old oak tree, sweating, watching redbirds fly about, listening to the goats next door.
Surrounded by cranky people and a crying baby, trying to keep a pleasant expression on my face while we're all trapped in the rental van for hours-long drives through the middle of nowhere.
Sauntering down Beale St. in Memphis, listening to jazz and sipping a strawberry daiquiri.
Playing rummy 500 over and over again.
My sister in law complained about not having enough opportunities to eat during the visit. "We Californians like our 3 solid meals a day," she said. Ha! Me, I'm more comfortable with 1 good-sized meal every 3 days. The constant onslaught of food-centered activities, from potlucks to huge greasy breakfasts, was unavoidable. And hardly any chance to get exercise while I was there. Always sitting around in a car or living room or restaurant, trying to pay attention to the conversation, or at least trying not to fall into a food-coma.
It is so good to be back. I am enjoying hanging out with my cats while a cool breeze blows in from the ocean. A short break in between two trips: headed out to an SCA event in N. Calif. this weekend.
