Two of the reasons why I have successfully made it through the last 365 days. My sons.

Saturday, January 7, was the one year anniversary of Mama's death. Naturally I wondered how I would feel, how I would act.

So, in order to insulate myself in what I consider to be a healthy manner, I stopped by The Circuit NE Tuesday after work. No, I did not join Lamont and Leland in bouldering. Instead I said to them, "Let's go to lunch on Saturday after you've finished bouldering. You know it has been one year on that day." "Yes," and "Yes," they both said.

They came and got me around 1 p.m. I pulled a Grandma on them and was waiting in my apartment when they came to the door, purse in hand, my coat already on! We went to Cha! Cha! Cha! on SE Hawthorne. Good, inexpensive food. Then we went to JaCiva’s, also on SE Hawthorne, for some handmade chocolates. While I believe Mexican food and chocolate go hand in hand and made me feel pretty good on Saturday, it was being with Lamont (left) and Leland (right) that made me feel best of all.

Don't get me wrong, having the thoughts and prayers and love from y'all all over the USA and over in England has helped me endure and heal and go forth, but being able to see these two young men on a regular basis, to hug them and get hugs from them, to see their sparkling eyes and smiles, to be able to tell them face to face, thank you so much for the big part you played in making Grandma's last years on earth so special for her (and for me with her)--those things have taken me over the top.

I woke up on Saturday, wondering how it would go. By the time I had spent time on the phone with Milton and Kay and Howard, had been with Lamont and Leland and with Casey (who came over for while late afternoon), then had watched the Saints take care of Detroit on TV while I ate the supper I had cooked, I went to bed knowing I had made it one whole year. I feel stronger and more at peace than I thought possible. Now I am on my way into the next 365 days. Thank you, everyone.

Vacation, Day 9, 10/29/2009, Part 3

Thursday continues. Ian and Kay ride off somewhere in the golf cart. Looks like the ghosts are about the fly off the canopy!


Milton's plastic basket drying rack, tied to the sink's metal frame with white cord.


The opposite end of the sink frame holds a piece of plywood, placed over the opening for the other basket. The S-hooks have been put to use, too.


Milton's at work to stop the cords from fraying.


Now he's pulling on each piece.


Snap!


Now that he has altered all of the strings that he needs, Milton has moved the plywood, put the things to drip dry in the basket at the opposite end of the sink, and goes about tying this basket into the frame.


In no time at all we're in the truck, heading into the town of Talladega, going to a grocery store, of all places!


The drive took us along several country highways.




This shot reminds of the Blue Ridge over east by the Appalachians.


Lovely home surrounded by trees. I held the camera at the window and clicked off four or five, pointing it to the right as we went by. I got this one, thank goodness.


Imagine our surprise when we came upon TM Cars on the outskirts of Talladega. You see, Milton's first name starts with a T, and at work everyone calls him TM!


We went by the clubhouse at the golf course before we headed for the grocery store. Kay and Ian planned to play later on, so they wanted to find out the hours.


"Reserved Drivers Road Test Only," that's what the blue, diamond-shaped signs read. Looking at the photo, I began to wonder about the building, so I Googled, "Talladega Alabama county." That's where I learned that the building is the Talladega County Courthouse. Isn't the Internet wonderful?


I took this photo through the passenger window of the truck. Since I didn't know the name of the theater, I went to Google again. I learned that it was built in 1936 and used to be called the Martin Theatre. It has been restored and reopened as a multi-use community arts center.


I took this photo through the windshield. I can't remember the last time I saw this sort of traffic signal.

More of our tour of Talladega to come.

Vacation, Day 9, 10/29/2009, Part 2

It's starting to look like all we did was get ready to eat and then eat. Honest, we did other things. You'll soon see, I promise.


Milton brought lots of ingredients and spices to work with as he prepared more food for all of us. He even brought a blender!












Boston butt that will become pulled pork later in the week.


Ham for sandwiches later on in the week.


Pineapple and cherries for the ham.


Milton injecting the Boston butt prior to it's going into the smoker.


Ready to be covered and put into the smoker.


Injecting the ham with pineapple juice to enhance its flavor.


It's just about ready to be wrapped up.


In the smoker.


One more flavor used to enhance the ham--I think it's apple juice.


Splitting wood for the smoker.


There's the wood, ready to get heated up and impact the flavor of the two meats.


It's all going on inside now, for hours and hours.

Milton's Gourmet White Bread: It's Healthy!

When I saw this good-sized loaf on the shelf at Trader Joe's, I got so tickled. A lot of you met our best buds Milton and Kay at our going away cookout in from Byram, Mississippi. And you know that they drove all the way up here to Portland to visit us the last week of May. So, naturally I had to try this bread--I mean, look at the name! If I'd walked away, either the sight of the bread or the sound of Milton's own voice would have haunted me, at least until after Halloween!

The next morning after buying the bread, for that day's lunch I made myself a half sandwich which you see here on our kitchen cabinet, right before I folded it shut. Later on at lunch, I called Milton on the cell phone; I left a message and he soon returned the call, saying "Whatcha doin'?" Was he ever surprised when I told him I was eating a my lunch, a peanut butter sandwich on Milton's Gourmet White Bread. Not one to lose a chance for fun, he stepped right up and said, "Well, you like my fried fish and you like my Boston butt, and now you like my bread!" We laughed and laughed.

And I'm here to tell you, that's some good bread! And healthy, too.