Thursday, June 1, 2023
Terry and I headed towards East Tennessee first thing this morning to mark and celebrate Grandmother Ginny’s 103rd birthday. I was so excited to be heading back to Elizabethton as we hadn’t been able to visit since the end of February. We arrived late in the day and it was a total love fest of hugs and happiness. Since we were planning to attend Randy Hensley’s bible study this evening and since none of us wanted to cook dinner, Phyllis and I hustled out and picked up a bucket of KFC with a passel of sides for a quick and easy meal. Sometimes you just need a helping hand from the Colonel.
Dad, Janice and Levi arrived yesterday afternoon and had reserved a charming retreat in Hampton where we could all meet to relax, unwind and play for the weekend. They met us at Grandmother’s and we headed to Johnson City for a little biblical education. On our way back to Grandmother’s we caught sight of a beautiful rainbow. As the summer sun began to set, Dad, Janice and Levi made their way to Hampton. The Airbnb is situated along a narrow, curvy mountain road and smartly didn’t want to navigate unfamiliar territory in the dark.
Friday, June 2, 2023
This morning, Grandmother, Phyllis, Terry and I made our way to Hampton arriving around 10:30am for a hearty breakfast. The cabin wasn’t far from Elizabethton but it was a world away from the cares and worries of the world. Spotty Wi-Fi and TV reception meant lots of time for talking, porch sitting and fishing.
Phyllis and Levi enjoying a delicious breakfast of homemade biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon and fresh fruit.
Did someone say “Merry Christmas”? Well yes indeedy they did. Dad, Janice, Phyllis and even Levi opened presents.
Jennifer and Patsy planned to treat Grandmother to dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse for her birthday. Eddie and Ann Camm had driven all the way from Philadelphia just to celebrate this special occasion. So late Friday afternoon, Dad and I drove Grandmother and Phyllis back to Elizabethton so they would have time to get ready while we returned to Hampton. Back at the cabin, we were at loose ends for dinner ourselves so Dad, Janice, Levi, Terry and I drove to Roan Mountain and had a lovely meal at the Americano Steak House.
As the afternoon waned, the boys got back out to the pond for a few more casts before we all called it a day.
Saturday, June 2, 2023
Happy birthday Grandmother Ginny! What an exiting day! Grandmother, Phyllis, Terry and I made our way back to Hampton this morning for a full day of celebrating. Roy and the kiddos left Franklin at the crack of dawn so they could join in the fun as well.
Birthday lunch on the porch: grilled hamburgers and cheeseburgers, deviled eggs, baked beans and salty potato chips.
Time for cake and presents.
More presents? You betcha. Elijah celebrated his 12th birthday at the beginning of May and I thought it would be fun to give him his gifts while we were together for the weekend.
Jax celebrated her 15th birthday just a few days ago so she also opened a few belated gifts: a “Les Misérables” graphic novel, a set of two Monty Python collectible pins, and the “Greatest Rock Albums of All Time” 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle for long wintry days.
On Sunday morning, just before we headed home after a fun-filled weekend, Virginia hopped into Phyllis’ two-seater sports car and they headed to church.
