Week 3 September 14-17

Friday the 14th started off with a special surprise. A call from "Cousin" Lynn. It was wonderful to hear her happy voice again. You don't realize how much a voice, or tone can effect people until you hear them after a long absence. That might be why I prefer to call people rather than write or e-mail. I like to hear voices. She's planning a visit for October. She'll be driving in with Page. I'm so glad I'll be able to see them again. We'll have lots of catching up to do.
Friday afternoon I drove the 5 hour drive to Anahuac, TX. My hometown. Southeast Texas. The Alligator capital of Texas, and not published, but I've alway thought it might also be the mosquito capital of Texas. I went down for a mini class reunion, and the "Gatorfest".
Don decided it would be best if he stayed here, and in spite of all of my pleading he wouldn't be budged.
I'm going to try to add some pictures to this post later, but I need to find out from the kids how to add them. Computers really aren't my thing.
Bryan and Roddy Simpson met me down there, and we spent the day with Loy, Veggie, her precious Adrian, Cheryle and her family, Carol, Carolyn, Kathy, Dawn,Lee, Dee, Rusty,and Jim. I got to see David and Debbie, Donna and Donnie, Wayne and Elizabeth, Becky, Niki (one of my baby cousins, who has grown into a beautiful young lady) Aunt Joby, and Aunt Biddy. I'm sure I've left someone out. I don't mean too but it really was an overwhelming day.
The girls took a boat ride up the Trinity river. I had never seen the river from the bay up. Didn't realize there were so many cabins along the west bank. We spotted one alligator, but were told that most of them hide during the gatorfest. They might be smarter than we give them credit for!
The most fun part of the day was an airboat ride I took with Bryan and Roddy. We spun around, hit and flew over a mud bank, hit more water, spun some more, and it was over before I wanted it to be. It was a BLAST! I want to learn to drive one of those things. I kept yelling "make it go faster!"
We ate corny dogs, barbecue, drank lemonaide, had snow cones, and more or less grazed all day.
That night there was a concert "under the hill". I don't remember ever seeing that many people in Anahuac before. John A. Miller showed up, Mike Fountain was there, and I didn't recognize Curtis Smith. I'm sure I've left someone out. We all stayed in the back of a tent in the beer garden, so we didn't have to fight the crowd. I think everyone had a good time, I know I did. It was just so much fun seeing all of my old friends, and catching up after so many years.
Sunday morning I met my wonderful Carol Gary in Beaumont for lunch. She's celebrating a new career! Executive Director of the Beaumont Fire Museum. After lunch I was treated to a private tour of the museum, then a driving tour of downtown Beaumont. It sure looks different than I remembered. Of course I haven't been down there since probably the early '70's! We drove out to her house and I had a chance to see Wade, and meet Michael. We all had a fun visit, I haven't gotten to spend as much time with her as I would like, she has a sunshine personality, and can make any situation funny. She is really a special friend.
I got back to Mt. Pleasant around 10:00 Sunday night. Don met me with sad news. Our youngest dog, Ray Price, had been run over. We had planned on sending him up to Indiana, to champion him out. I think Don is more upset than he is trying to show. It is sad sitting on the deck and not hearing Ray constantly bark.
My Mom was a gracious hostess this weekend, she had dinner, breakfast, and lunch ready whenever anyone was ready. She put up with all the comings and goings patiently. Thanks Mom, and thanks for sharing your kitty with me for 2 nights.