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Back from the depths of the Gothic South! Our trip went well, until a tire blew out east of Charlottesville.I was driving, in fairly heavy traffic, and managed to get over without hitting anything or rolling our van. I did leave my fingerprints eternally embedded in the plastic steering wheel. Spent a hothothot afternoon in C'ville, getting the tahr fixed. Ate lunch in a Papa John's with poor ole Cisco flopped on cool tile in front of AC. Nice PJ's employees petted him and gave him a cup of water, and he was disarmingly charming. He's a really good doggie. Made it to Chattanooga very late, after reading puzzling road signs: "Stay Ali, don't drink and." "Stay alive Don drink." "Stay alive; don't drink and drive." Ohhh. We get it now. Stayed overnight with Aunt Claudette, the Pomeranians Who Rule the Universe, and two extremely patient cats. Cisco regards Poms as animated toys for big dogs. He incited a lot of yipping, until I made him chill out. Next day, Aunt Claudette went on with us, and Cisco. The van was getting crowded. Claudette is the fun aunt; retired special ed teacher, wicked sense of humor, sharp tongue. Looks and sounds like a sweet Southern blonde, but she's deadly. I'm very glad she's on our side. She's not a steel magnolia, she's a titanium geranium. Or something pointy. Anyway, we got to Greenwood, Mi'sippy, safely, despite Frank and Cisco's attempt to capture the Mysterious Marmot in Columbus. Discovered that Dad has not bothered to clean his big ole house since Rose died (a year and a half ago.) I spent the evening cleaning. The dirt doesn't really bug me, but I'm asthmatic, and I like breathing. Spent two days in blue-blazing-butt-blistering HEAT, visiting utterly delightful older relatives, hearing stories about my sweetie as a tyke-jumping on beds, getting his first pair of cowboy boots. Ate lots of awful buffet food in places that haven't been redecorated since 1974(although the Ramada was surprisingly good.) Best meal we had was at a covered-dish supper at church. Those ladies could cook! Came home, minus Cisco, via Chattanooga, then Asheville. Stopped in to see old friends there, stayed too long, and got home in the weeweewee hours on Weds. Time now for sleeping and SERIOUS house-hunting.Still trying to get all the skeeters out of the van. On the Headbone:Robot Parade, TMBG Book: Tamsin by Peter Beagle. Lovely story, great protagonist. |
 
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Jiggety-jig!