500 Saturdays: Nomad Diary

A Crane near the Tennessee River and Point Mallard in Decatur,  Alabama. Colorful fruit stand in Priceville, Alabama at the Wavaho Gas station. Baskets of green tomatoes are popular here because a local favorite is fried green tomatoes.  A vintage looking gas station we stopped at. In the background there is a sign on a building that reads Thrift Store. (A place for used items to be resold) Week's Highlights Loving this virtual call with grandson Quinn.  A visit with grandson Owen.  I've been spending some hours sitting with Owen this week. One of my greatest pleasures! Walking around the neighborhood with Eric and Owen.  Saturday Activities A farewell lunch and early birthday celebrations with sons Samuel, Eric and Eric's wife and son. 4th and youngest son Samuel (birthday 4.3.1993),  Darrell holding Owen, and me. Our oldest son Eric (birthday 4.16.1...

13 years ago Dad met Donna online in Indiana. She came to his family beach trip. They married within days! Richard's granddaughter Dana in picture. Week's Highlights  Monday we packed up our truck and drove to Indianapolis.  About 9:30 in the morning, my sister calls me to let me speak to my Dad as he is dying.  I'm crying and telling him how grateful I am that he's my Dad and has loved me and my family.  He passed at his home with his wife nearby and my sister was there too. Their ceremony (2009) done by my brother Wayne at my sister Annette's Chiropractic office in Fishers, Indiana. Top picture is Paige, Annette's oldest. In the evening we arrive at Donna's house and my sisters and their husbands are there for dinner along with some visitors. Tuesday Darrell and I begin helping Donna clean out Dad's items that she will not need. Dad's books and sermon outlines.  Wednesday was the funeral.  There were ...

Saturday snow in Somerville,  Alabama. View from our airbnb.  Week Highlights: Darrell playing with Owen. Darrell's birthday was Sunday, March 6th.   Monday we sold our 2011 Rav4 to Carmax for $3000 over blue book.  Used cars are selling at a premium now, and we had a desireable one that ended as a suprising and good investment for us.   Tuesday I met a longtime friend for coffee while Darrell went and got all new tires on our truck!   Wednesday:  picking up ordered Sourdough bread from Christine's German Bake Shop in Union Grove, Alabama. Dessert at Christine's German Bake Shop at Union Grove, Alabama.  Thursday:  Babysit Owen for Eric's dentist appointment.  We went walking on some trails near Decatur. One trail was at Wheeler National Refuge where we learned that there is a winter nesting ground for the Sandhill Crane as well as many other northern birds. ...

Week Highlights  I went to sit with Owen.  While I was out for a walk, Andrea and Quinn called. Quinn enjoyed seeing Owen. I enjoyed singing to both of them at the same time.  They are cousins born one year apart on September 2020 and 2021. My song pick: "Skiminy Rinky Dinky Dink."  I met up with two longtime friends, Laura and Marcy, at Mildred's restaurant in Ardmore, Alabama. We had a wonderful visit and the restaurant is really good too. Darrell in our Five Points Airbnb in the background of Fish Tacos, a favorite meal of ours. We have discovered that we like most fish that we've tried and it cooks up fast. We also discovered that we love smoked cheddar on these tacos, and spiced up cole slaw using fresh lime juice, Serrano peppers and Tapatio hot sauce. Friday lunch with Darrell's friends from work over the last decade plus. They gathered to celebrate his retirement. The day was perfect for outdoor dining and ca...