Red, Gold and Green

It seems that we always manage to get back to Boston in October. I can't tell if it's by design or by chance, but it's certainly my favorite time of year. We were lucky to hit the fall colors and a decent stretch of weather, a few flakes on Saturday night but nothing too dramatic. My mother cooked up a storm and my sister had the house all cleaned and set up for us so that we would be comfortable. We took a long stroll through the Sheep Pasture to feed the ducks, chickens and turkeys and enjoyed a nice walk through Borderland, a park I used to go to with my mom when I was little. We saw our friends from Vermont, the Petrie's, on Sunday for a little excursion out to the Museum of Science. Luckily they were visiting their family a couple towns away from where my mom lives so we were able to all get together. Lots of catching up and lots of fun. Saw my dad for the first time after his valve replacement surgery in March, and aside from a little forgetfulness he seems to be doing well. Still crazy as a bag bug, eats like a horse and of course always comes over with cookies in hand.

Also got to see an old friend of the family, Johnny Wright. He sold the land to my grandparents where they built their home, and where my mom and sister live now. He's 87 as of this past May and was in WWII aboard The Indiana. He has a wicked memory - that guy can tell you street names in Okinawa from fifty years ago. He says the secret to living well is making your own food "don't buy that frozen crap with the chemicals" and getting a good night's rest. In the end though, he said that if God needs you, He's gonna take you. Luckily we're all still standing and had a nice visit with some coffee and munchkins. Johnny's wife's name was Augusta, Gussie we all called her (unfortunately she had to report for duty a couple years ago), so I think he has a soft spot for our little Gussie. Always great to see him.

August wasn't too charmed by the flight home this time around. Maybe he was hopped up on donut holes, maybe he was anxious to be warm again, but none of my tricks worked. I had a supply of never-been-seen-before-zhooms (cars and choo choo's) but he was not amused. So for most of the 3 hour and 45 minute flight home he walked the aisles, watched monster trucks on the Speed channel and cried. He did fall asleep for the last hour and it was like Christmas came early. I think this is most likely his last 'free' trip on a plane as they were already carding him in Boston. Luckily I've had a copy of his birth certificate in my wallet since we started traveling otherwise I think they would have charged us. Booooo....

So anyways, back to sweet, sweaty life as a Texan. We're already looking up recipes for our BBQ smoked Thanksgiving turkey. YeeeeeeeeeeHAW y'all!