Beale St. Memphis, TN

Spent the day downtown Memphis again today. Had a good time but as is always the case Jack gets me lost in the "not so desirable" part of town. Today we were on foot and as always I had to pee, so I was not a happy camper. All that seemed to surround us was empty and vandalized buildings; trash. All that was missing were signs around our necks announcing the fact that we were tourist. OMG!!! I could strangle Jack when he does that to me. And he's always done it...just ask our sons. If someone accosted us in Memphis I couldn't run as fast as a 90 year old to save myself; full bladder, bad knees. Yep. It's all good. I enjoyed seeing Memphis' history but I would rather have seen it in a car with the doors locked going 50 mph.
Janet

Sitting here on the sofa, looking out at the Mississippi River. Literally, the river no more than 30' away from our RV. With the huge back window of the RV it gives one the feeling of actually sitting on the bank of the Mississippi and watching the barges go by, wondering where they are going, what's on the barges and if the tug boat driver is bored or does he or she love the job. I always think, naively I'm sure, that everyone else in the world loves their job and I'm the only person who hated most of my jobs.

This morning we woke to rain and a storm front you could see coming in across the the river. To me there is nothing like being in an RV when it is raining or storming. I can do without the wind thing but the sound of the rain hitting the RV. It's almost like a sleeping sedative for me. Plus it reminds me of my mom. She lived in a mobile home with a steel roof and I loved sleeping at her home when it rained. Especially, too, when it was cool outside. Ahhhh...nothing better. I'm pretty sure I'd get sick of it after a few days of the rain but for a day or two while vacationing and relaxing it's a welcome relief to always having to go, go, go.

We do plan on driving in to Memphis later in the day to hit one of Guy's, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Of course Memphis is famous for Elivs but it is also known for it's BBQ. Jack printed out a list of Guy's stops here so hopefully we can hit a couple of them.

But for now it's still raining, the dogs are laying around, E Entertainment is on the tube, Jack is sitting at the table reading and of course I'm being totally productive and blogging. And lovin every minute of it.

My heart is still very wounded and will always be. My prayers, thoughts, and love is always, always, always with Brenda, Terry and Bill.

South Memphis, Arkansas

We are getting ready to retire. January 1, 2011 Jack will no longer be employed. Our plans are to travel per our Mobile Suite across these great United States. Through the years we've visited all but 4 or 5 states. When the boys were young we tried to take vacations with the boys in mind. And try to do it cheaply. We didn't have a lot of money when the boys were growing up so we tried to do inexpensive vacations but fun vacations for the boys. They were our first priority. Them and making memories for them with us. I think we did okay as they still talk about some of things we did when they were young. In fact, our oldest once said to me, "I didn't know we were poor." We weren't poor but we lived paycheck to paycheck. There was little left over for week long trips to Disney World or other really expensive places. We have camped since we were first married and camped with the boys many years. They loved it. Camping was our vacations for the most part. We did travel once in awhile and stayed in hotels, which for all of us back then, was a real treat. Janet

October 7, 2010

My baby sister's world ended today. Her oldest son, Michael William Gilland, passed away. She had to crawl through a small window, in Mike's mobile home, to get to him. He was dead and he was cold to her touch. The whole story needs told and I plan on telling it. The "Gentle Giant" as my brother, Bill, called Michael, lived a life that needs written down and understood by anyone who knew him. When the tears stop and my heart has healed somewhat and I can think more clearly I will write. Janet