Long Drive

I was driving to work on Friday morning like normal. It was dark and a little after 6:00am. The radio station I usually listen to has a morning bit called “Those Were The Days.” They spew a few events and play a few songs.

One of the songs they played was “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” by Vicki Lawrence. It was a #1 hit in 1973.

I was instantly flooded with old memories of the house on Ruth Avenue in Phoenix (Sunnyslope). We lived there from 1972 – 1973. I thought of my mom and how she and I and my sister used to go bike riding around the neighborhood, around long-since-razed orange groves, and all over town. I remembered listening to this song on the a.m. radio when we were driving here and there around town. There were other old memories of “back then.” They came so quickly, all in a span of about 20 seconds. Then sorrow. Then wishing I could see Mom again. Tears filled my eyes and I missed her. I changed the station and there was another old song on. What the fuck? I didn’t change the station this time, and just went with it.

I got the blubbering and tearing business over with before I got to work and before I met my coworker for our ritual morning bull session and walk to the office from the lot. I’m glad it was dark, elsewise (No, that’s not a word) he might’ve spied my bloodshot eyes. He would’ve been cool though. But still...

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May go to the Poteet Strawberry Festival later. Any guesses where it is? Right – Poteet, Texas. It’s pretty fun. We spend the day drinking beer and eating turkey legs, fajita tacos and other goodies. The Girl will usually go on a ride or two. The Boy is too cool for rides now, unless they’re the biggies at Fiesta Texas. The Warden and I don’t go on rides. Ferris wheels are more our speed. We'll see. The Warden is in "cleaning mode" which is always a treat. The kids and I laugh because she gets REALLY grumpy when she cleans. We dog the hell out of her about it too. Oh, yeah, we help. We don't have a death wish.

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Sunday The Warden and I are going to see the Black Eyed Peas. She was going to go with a friend of hers. Then she thought about taking one of the kids (cuz they dig that music anyway), but then decided to take Old Faithful. Should be fun. I can’t remember the last time I went to a concert.

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Quote of the Day:
"He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings." - Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins