Highway Wayne

From Clanton to Miller's Ferry to hang out with Dad and Diane. They live in Thomasville, but have a place on the Alabama river in Miller's Ferry, Alabama that I hate I haven't made it to, yet.

On the way to Miller's Ferry, I stopped at Dad's office in Selma. Just as I suspected, Dad was sitting around shooting the shit with anyone that would listen. We left there and stopped by Mac's to get some something to put on the grill, and to my surprise they had a good selection of beer to choose from. I wasn't expecting that for Selma. So I grabbed some Peroni. Since it is Italian beer and I guess I should start getting used to it.

When we got to the camp Diane was already there waiting with Margaret, the dog. Their place is really awesome and I can't wait for Beth to go back with me. That night we grilled out and watched the NCAA tournament.

Saturday morning I cut the grass while Dad handled the weed eating. I can't remember the last time that I cut grass and I think this was the first time that I ever used a riding lawn mower. After the grass was cut, we headed out to go fishing over at Jim Watson's ponds. I have been to Jim's place before fishing with Dad as a kid, but these were different ponds that Jim owns. We started out bass fishing and caught several before Dad caught a brim. We decided to try to catch more brim and have a fish fry. After catching a couple more brim and bass, we headed back for the fish fry. We called Aunt Carolyn on the way back and she, Tracy and Ken came over to eat with us. It was great to be able to see them even if it was just for a short time. It has become harder and harder to get back to Alabama to see all of my family and I felt very proud that they stopped what they were doing to come visit with me while I was in town. We had the fish fry and then watched more of the NCAA tournament. I asked them all to come visit us in Italy, to which they just simply laughed. Aunt Carolyn said "Well, I guess ya'll know what you are doing?". Well, of course we don't, but we will figure it out.

Sunday morning Dad and I got up and went back fishing real quick before I had to leave and head back to Atlanta. We did not have as much luck as the day before, but I did catch about a 4-5 lbs bass. Unfortunately, I did not have my phone with me to take a picture and the only witness I have is Dad, which no one will believe anyway.

On my 5 hour ride back to Atlanta I reflected on my trip through Alabama and how much it meant to me to be able to catch up with a few loved ones who were so inspirational in helping me become the man I am today. Although we may not talk as often as we should or see each other as much as we would like, I hope that they all know how much I love them and that I think about them often.

- WN

C-Town

Jas Sullivan

Bruce Bruce & D Floyd

On the way to spend some time with my Dad, I stopped for a brief visit in Clanton, AL. Clanton is where I moved to in the 9th grade and finished high school. It is also where I made some great memories and met some of the best friends in my life. As soon as I got in town, I met Brad and Billy at the local Mexican Restaurant, San Marcos. It was the old usual chicken and cheese quesadilla that I always ordered in high school. It was just as god as I remembered it. It was a blast to catch up with Billy and Brad and reminisce about the "Glory Days". They are two of my greatest friends and it sucks that we can't together more often, but I hope to be able to change that in the future.

Later in the afternoon, Brad Robinson made the trip from B'Ham down to hang out with Bruce Bruce and myself. It was awesome to catch up with Robinson as well. We are all such good friends and lived together in college, so we have plenty of great memories. It was fun reliving them, even if it was only for a short period of time.

After Brad, Brad and I finished up some wings at the new local wing joint in the big town of Clanton, we were headed out the door when Jody Griffin and Jas Sullivan walked in. We immediately sat back down and opened up the tabs back up so we could hang out some more. Jody called Diece Floyd to come meet us and the BS really started flying.

Again, it was great to be able to run into these guys and talk about old times. I swear I could write a best selling book made up of the memories from just my time in Clanton. You never know why things happen the way they do, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. I am glad that my path through life was redirected through Clanton when I was younger. If not I would not have met most of the great friends that I have today.

- WN

Hanging with George Michael

Last week, my Mom and Tim were on vacation in south Florida looking for places to retire, so I went to check on Mickey while they were gone. We had lots of fun just hanging out and doing all of his favorite things like bowling, air hockey, ski-ball, basketball and of course eating. It is awesome to spend time with Mickey because he always makes me realize that I shouldn't let myself get so stressed out over stuff. Hell, all that he is worried about is when and what he is going to eat next.

It is funny to see how he has to follow the same routine and never gets tired of it. For example, when we were done bowling he immediately challenged me to air hockey. After air hockey he challenged me to basketball. After basketball he challenged me to ski-ball. These are all the same games that we always played together when we were growing up. I guess that he remembers those games and those times from our childhood. I hope that these are the memories that he has from our childhood and not the ones where I acted a fool.

I always wonder what he is thinking about and how his mind works. I wonder if he has the same sort of thoughts and pleasures as I have. I hope that he knows just how special he is to me and how much I love him. I know that he loves me because over the last couple of years he always makes it a point to give me a hug and tell me that he loves me every time that he sees me, and it melts my heart every time because there was a period of time that he did not do that.

It is funny how he always wants to know what I have been doing. He always asks me about work ("You make money" is how he usually asks me) and he is quick to let me know if he is working or if he is off. This week he let me know that he would be off until next Tuesday. He always asks me about Beth and follows that up with telling me how pretty she is. Then he will say that he is going to marry her and start laughing because he is picking on me about marrying my wife.

One day while we were riding around, he asked me to play LL Cool J on the radio. As soon as I found the song that he wanted to hear (Going Back to Cali), Mickey said "What's Brad doing?". I guess he remembers listing to that song in Brad's 3000GT while we were in high school. So, we gave Brad a call and he and Mickey talked just as if they call each other everyday. Mickey has always assumed that my friends were really his friends and that they were always there to hang out with him. I have always kidded Brad that he was more like my brother and I was more like his brother.

I am so glad that Mickey and I were able to hang out with just the two of us and have fun together. I wish I could spend more time with him and I am going to miss him while we are gone to Italy. I wish there was some way that I could take him with us and let him see other parts of the world, but I think he would be pissed that there is not a Burger King on every corner like there is in Marietta.

- WN

The Gilfoil Brothers

Well, the trip to see Cain, Wyly and Jim was a lot of miles & together time for Beth and I, but we survived. It was a lot of fun and something that we have wanted to do for the longest time now, but never seemed to be able to find the time to do. It was awesome to be able to step into each of their lives and see how they spend their time and what is important to them. I am still shocked at the vast differences between each of them; however, never shocked to see that all of them are doing well and surrounded by friends/family that have so much love for them. I am thankful for the relationships that we have and that I can ask any of them for their help and they wouldn't hesitate. I'm glad that I have such great brothers. It was also awesome to visit new places that I have never been to like Shreveport aka Rack City, Beaumont, TX, Greenville, MS, Little Rock, and I almost forgot... Eudora, AR. We also got to spend some time in St. Joe & LP, which is always fun. Usually, we wouldn't have the time to visit all of these places at one time, so I am so grateful that we were able to.

- WN

Brother-in-law

Since I posted on each of my brothers, I feel like I should also honor Mickey. His mom and stepdad are out of town this week, so Wynn has been hanging out with him every day. They have gone bowling, bought cds at Target, bought a new basketball, eaten out. Wynn went to Alabama today to see family and friends, so I went to see Mickey. I am pretty sure Mickey hopes that Wynn doesn't leave him in my care again...I took him a salad and got him to go on a walk with me. Before I left, I asked him if he needed anything. To which he responded, "Wendy's will be fine."

Little Rock

On the road again...

Friday morning, we drove to Little Rock. Met Jim at his house then picked Marley up from school. It was pajama day, so we went back to house for her to change before lunch at Vino's. The Alabama basketball game was on. Pizza, beer, and basketball. It was a nice afternoon. Also, visited the local brewery, Diamond Bear. Marley is such a good sport; she did not complain at all and seemed to enjoy the day. Later, I took her to a bead store where we had fun picking out jewels to make a necklace and bracelet. MK and Patterson were pulling in when we got back to the house. We had a great night of music, visiting, eating, meeting Jim and MK's friends. Jim cooked flat iron steak on the green egg, butternut squash, and asparagus...delicious!

Saturday morning MK and I went running around a lake close to their house. It was a really pretty run. Mom and Dad came into town to see Marley play soccer, so we went to the game. She played hard. I was impressed with her hustle. We all enjoyed watching the game...

Well, almost all of us...

Someone took a hose away from him, and he did not appreciate it...

After the game, we went back to Jim and MK's and had Chick-fil-A outside on their deck. Set up for the crawfish boil, played washers, had crawfish races. Cheers to One-Claw...the undefeated crawfish champion. He earned his freedom and is now roaming Little Rock.

Jim boiled crawfish which were fantastic! I am really glad I got to have some before leaving for Italy. I was craving them. He also did artichokes in with the crawfish. I had never had that, but I hope to have it again.

Mom and Dad went back to LP. Jim, MK , Wynn and I stayed up talking, drinking the wine that we had to let breathe for 45 mins, eating cheese. Marley stayed up with us for a little while. She is a lot of fun to be around and such a great kid. You can have grown-up conversations with her. She is observant and has a great sense of humor. It was also fun to watch Patterson in action. He looks so much like Jim to me. He had to have been so tired yesterday, but it did not seem to bother him. He played hard and got so dirty...so cute!

There was a lot of time in the car on this 10 day trip, but I would do it all over again. I absolutely loved seeing all of those that we got to visit. Each stop was unique and wonderful. As always, it was great to see my parents, grandmother, and Val. It was also great not only to see my brothers and their families but to see them in their towns, in their homes. It was fun to see the contrasts in each of their lives but also to realize the similarities. I am proud to be the sister of these guys.

-bn

LP

From St Joe to Lake Providence...

I drove Grandma to LP, and Wynn was in his car. Made a stop by the port to see Dad then picked Mom up from work. Had to go to Jehovah Java where I can order "the usual" no matter how long it has been since my last visit. I am not even sure what the usual is anymore, but Gina knows.

Wynn got to go on a tour of the port project while Mom, Grandma, and I hung out. Then we all went to Greenville to Doe's to eat and celebrate Dad and Wynn's bdays. We stopped by Paul Michael's on the way. Dad and Wynn really enjoyed that. Doe's was great. We were entertained by the salad lady.

Back to Mom and Dad's for presents and cake (a girl scout cookie). We stayed up watching tv, talking and laughing. (Wynn was up fixing my parents' IT issues). It is always so much fun with Grandma, Mom, and Dad. And Mom always makes sure it is special when we visit LP. Treats on the bed, flowers in my room, bday parties...

-bn

st joe

From Beaumont to St Joe. We arrived late Tues night. Grandma is a night owl, so she was up waiting.

March 14 - A Typical St Joe Day:

Woke up. Had coffee. Suzy talked to us while we had coffee. Mostly about what Wynn eats. Worked out. While I was running, Mr John and Mrs Vada Lynn Gates dropped by to visit Grandma. They got to know my grandparents at my brothers and my sporting events in high school. They fell in love with them as everyone does who meets them. They continue to visit regularly whenever they are near st joe.

Took jeep down the street to get washed. When I dropped it off, Eugene said "You miss tut's granddaughter?" I love this place. I love being known as mrs tut's granddaughter. I told him I am, and he said he would drop the car off when he got finished.

Walked over to see the yard of the month and picked lettuce and green onions with Val. Back to grandma's for boiled shrimp and fresh salad for lunch.

Grandma asked me to go to the bank for her. She handed me a check to cash. No signature on the back. No id. Just a check made out to cash. I asked her about it, and she said "They will cash it." I pulled up to the teller window and told the teller I was cashing a check for my grandmother. She looked at the check. turned it over and saw that it wasn't signed. She reluctantly asked me to sign my name on the back. I did and sent it back to her. She still wasn't quite sure about cashing it, so she asked if I know Mrs Patricia. I told her I do. A few seconds later, Mrs Patricia was at the window telling me she knew someone was visiting Mrs Tut because she saw a Yukon in the drive-way earlier. I told her that was not mine but others' that think she is great came by. After her asking how my brother, Jim, is and telling me stories about her grandson, I left the bank with grandma's money.

Grandma, Val, and I had an afternoon cup of coffee while visiting and looking at magazines. Wynn spent 2 hours on the phone with at&t fixing the internet. The doorbell rang. At the door stood a black man with an armload of mustard greens. After Grandma asking about his wife and many thanks, Val told me that he lives across the street and has a fabulous garden. His wife recently had cataract surgery in Las Vegas. Grandma called to check on her and say she was glad they were home. This kind man brought her greens.

And that is how a day goes here. Although I was raised in a familiar setting, living in Atlanta, I sometimes forget the small town feel. It's awesome to be reminded.

-bn

Don't mess with Texas

On to Beaumont...

Where Wynn and Riggs worked out...

We bowled...

(sort of)

We thoroughly enjoyed our nephews. They are pretty amazing.

the scholar

the baller

the entertainer

Another great stop on our road trip. We will think of Chaba Thai often...and the ribs Wyly grilled. We have really enjoyed our first two destinations in completely different ways. We had fun seeing how Wyly and Corey function as a family with 3 boys...the frogs get neglected. They were great hosts in the midst of a marathon of visitors.

-bn

rack city

On Saturday, we had brunch, and Cain took us on a tour of Shreveport. It was Herbie-K's for dinner then out for drinks. We left Sunday after lunch at Strawn's. We had such a good time in Shreveport. Where else can you be accused of disrupting the flow of the dance floor because you are not two-stepping?

-bn

Westbound and Down

In preparation for our European adventure, Wynn and I are on a road trip to see my bros, grandmother, and parents. Wynn's last day of work was Thursday, so we left ATL yesterday am. After an obnoxious amount of time on I-20, we made it to Shreveport where we had a night on the town with a bunch of bachelors and a cab driver.

-bn