Going Home

I left home in 1978. It's been a long time since I went home by myself, but that was my trek last weekend. My folks (in their late 80's) are not getting around as well as they once did, so went to Florida to visit and do some cooking.

Here are some things that I enjoy about going home:

the dirt road

trains

hearing my folks shuffle around

stories from the past

catching up with old friends

cows in the field

sand hill cranes

roosters crowing

fresh fruit

fresh vegetables

the Gainesville Sun (newspaper)

pecans

moss on the trees

seeing my brother & his family

warm weather

My Mom & Dad with the girls a few years back. Dad is probably pinching Alyssa...he loves to make a girl squeal!

What don't I like about going home?

Seeing the difficulty that my folks have getting around & their forgetfulness

time warp - 3 channels & no internet

the long drive to get there

the decline in my home church - everyone is OLD

ants

sandspurs

wondering what the next trip home will bring in terms of my parents health

Kate loves to ride the tractor with Papa. He's not planting anything this year...or not much.

My brother, Leo, is a gem. He lives about 20 minutes from Mom & Dad. He & his wife, Dee, take them to the doctor, the grocery store and check on them. This picture includes cousin Leslie.

A highlight of our December trips is squeezing orange juice. There is nothing like fresh juice!

What do you like about going home?