Let's Have a Look-See

North Carolina did not disappoint. We visited the town Ivy grew up in. A small little place called Gibsonville.  It was quiet and hot.  It was important to me to see where Ivy grew up. We enjoyed some empanadas made by a local who came from Argentina, provoking good memories from Uraguay.  I'm fascinated with the Carpenter Bee. So blessed big and harmless. Just a pollinator doing it's job.  I enjoyed eating my breakfast on the deck, listening to all the birds and bugs and watching the Cardnials.  After years of seeing the sign, we visited the Guliferd County Courthouse.  A completely quiet and peaceful place today.  A Revolutionary War battlefield. A battle that we did not win. A battle where we took casualties and a disappointing loss, but where able to fight another day and claim freedom for a our new country.  As we were leaving we saw a blue bird, not this one....

One of the reasons that we drove to North Carolina is because we wanted to take Richard his 'stuff'.  It was like Christmas for him and Ivy was very excited as well.  I had really wanted Richard to take a break and be alone after the Ashley thing. However I could not lose the feeling that my mom helped him find Ivy. The more I know her, the more I believe my feeling is true.  People can be gifts ...... I believe in Angels.... God is good.....

We drove to Kansas and the kids were in rare form... actually, so we're their parents.  They clean up well.  We went to a movie, the zoo, downtown and watched a little soccer.  If you would have told me when he was 16 that he would be building a LEGO pet house for his 4 year old daughter, I would not have believed it.  It was a hot muggy day, but we made it.  We also went to IHOP and met  Cliford the Big Red Dog.  Then it all falls apart. Todd offered me his ticket, which I did not take. Wes did not offer me his ticket, which I wouldn't have taken. I can't be the only one who can see that not offering it was selfish...and a long list of other words.  It was my idea, I put the plan in motion, without me, he never would have gone. He should have offered his ticket to me. He can't go back. He doesn't get to talk about the game with me. We move on. Another joyous event in a long l...

I left Atlanta to attend my nephew's wedding.  I told him that he needed a picture with his aunts.  My brother asked for a picture. He has made a lot of choices that have created distance from the rest of us. But we can take a picture.  On the plane there was an issue with the guy on our row of seats. I was watching both Mama Mia movies but looked up and this guy was crying. I asked if he was okay and needed a tissue. He did and dug one out of my bag and the other guy in our row and I started talking to him. I realized that he was 10 year old in a 37 year old body. We calmed him down and other than speaking too loud everything was fine.  When I was in the airport someone called me a hero. I didn't feel like a hero. I mean, let's face it, when we fall apart in public, we all need the same thing: a tissue someone to listen to us  and kind words.  Jesus said love everyone... Kindness begins with me... Utah was on fire....

When World Cup tickets went on sale in November I asked Wes and he didn't respond. So I asked Laura, Keith's mother in law, and she responded immediately.  Since we both had to fly, we picked Atlanta. She got some reasonable tickets and booked a trip.  We visited the Coke Museum and had a delightful time.  The Planetarium.  It was incredible.  It is extremely well put together and has some interesting inhabitants.  Dragon fish... We went to the Martin Luther King National Historic Monument.  It was peaceful.  I wish we had time for the tour of his house. We also visited the Human Rights Museum. Then it was off to see the Botanical garden. With the heat and humidity, things really grow.  Made a new friend.  They have an Orchid house. The colors are beautiful.  Another win for us....