Watched Over
We were calm the next morning
And our heads seemed to clear
We drove all day long
And didn’t give in to fear
We stopped for Subway wraps,
And ice cream or a milk shake
I thanked God for cloud cover,
And the 11.5 safe hours it did take
We called Linda and David
And made our four-night plans
Two at Judy’s, two at Linda’s
And that’s where it stands
Day Off from Driving
We took it easy today
At a nice Hampton Inn
I wrote a bunch of poems
And then we went for a swim
We played three games of Splendor
She won two and I won one
We played in the hotel lobby
That’s how we have some fun
For supper we drove ar0und
Trying to find a nice place to eat
We ate burgers at White Knight
They smelled like stinky feet
We got lost with GPS
And drove all over the place
But we finally made it back
With egg upon our face
That night we both worried
That we’d wreck the next day
I texted three of my friends
And asked them to pray
Watching the Grass Grow
We're sitting here watching the tall grass grow.
We’re waiting for the time they'll let us go.
We've been here a couple hours or so.
Surely this will end.
They say there was an accident down there.
We're hoping that it wasn't severe,
And that it wasn't someone's greatest fear.
Surely this will end.
We're sitting here on a traffic-packed road,
Feeling like an old fat toad.
Wanting to be in a driving mode.
Surely this will end.
Finally, after our patience grew thin,
Though moving forward was a win,
We drove straight to the Hampton Inn.
And now we're at days end.
This Hampton Inn is very nice.
We lie here with drinks and ice.
Stay one more night was my advice.
So we delayed our road trip’s end.
On the Road Again
Up early and packed the car
To continue our long road trip
We drove to Columbus, Ohio
To attend Zion Christian Fellowship
Sis was less than enthusiastic
But out of love for me she went
Worshipping and taking in a sermon
Was how two hours were spent
We munched for lunch
On the snacks we brought
We drove to Indiana
Where in a stand still, we were caught.
Spotted Two Great Nephews
Today’s our last day in Youngstown
I’m glad time’s up for the soft bed
I got up this morning with a back ache
Going downstairs, ‘bout fell on my head.
We went over to Kathy’s
And looked at genealogy stuff
We ate delicious Reubens
Until we had more than enough
Andy’s kids came down to see us
It was the first that they were seen
They kind of went into hiding
Something to do with being a teen
We took more pictures
And said our good byes
Went home and packed
Then we said our goodnights
Ohio’s End Approaching
Judy and I discussed politics
Which we normally don’t
With two opposing views
It’s better if we won’t.
Two more days until we leave
I did laundry and began to pack
We went over to Kathy’s
For supper, Andy made us steak
Kathy, Nick, Judy and I played Trivia,
starting with kids’ questions
I did better with adult ones
Kathy started to have congestion
Soon our time will be over
And I’m glad I came
To see our oldest sister
And Judy felt the same
A Day in P A
We got up early, left by eight
Headed for New Florence P A
We like to see where we grew up
Just a few lived there to stay
We met at Darcie and Destie’s
Which used to be Pappap’s house where
Across the road and up the hill
Our house is no longer there
We met cousins Darcies and Destie
And Lary and his wife
Roy the neighbor we grew up beside
He’s had a long, full life
It was good to see Roy
Who is ninety-five
Of the eight parents
He’s the only one alive
We ate subs from the local shop
And delicious cookies Darcie made
We told stories and laughed
We walked our yard with lots of shade
While Judy visited a friend
The rest of us talked some more
We learned that Darce lost her boyfriend
Just two weeks before
Judy returned to Darcie’s
And then we said our good byes
We took lots of pictures
With long hugs and sighs
Larry, Kristi, Judy and I
Drove to the small grave yard
Visiting Mom, Dad and others
Seeing names and dates was hard
Judy and I drove back to Ohio
Through traffic and rough roads
It was a long enjoyable day
One of our best vacay episodes
Getting Kathy Outdoors
We stayed at the Airbnb all morning
We had lunch before we visited Sis One
We wanted to spare them from feeding us
So we went after we were done
Kathy’s sons helped her into the wheel chair
That Judy had brought all that way
We had a long walk in the neighborhood
Then we sat on the porch, enjoying the day
I’m Concerned
There’s an elephant in the room.
Sis and I drove from NE and CO
To see our oldest sis, her three
Kids, grandkids and great-grandchild.
The one-year-old great-grand child,
A chunky package of cuteness,
Sports brown hair, and brown eyes
That don’t seem to track.
I look into his eyes, no connection.
We smile at him and he doesn’t smile back.
He hasn’t started crawling yet.
He doesn’t babble, just cries when tired.
I don’t know if they’re unaware
Or if they just don’t want to talk about it.
My sis, a nurse, and me a caregiver,
Are both concerned, but don’t ask.
My oldest sis has her own issues.
Her hubby died, but sometimes she forgets.
Will we be here the rest of the week
Coexisting with an elephant?
Three Sisters
Judy (Sis 2) and I
Spent some time at the airbnb
We chatted and watched The Gruffalo
Then we went to Kathy’s, her and me
We spent another day with Sis 1
I shower her pics while Sis 2
And my nephew were gone a while
To get some Subway food
My niece and great niece came
With little Michael James
Judy’s son is James Michael
We marvel at the similar names
We watched MI movies
What we did, we didn’t care
Just as long as Sis 1
Knew that we were there
Kathy’s Family
Our first full day in Youngstown
We did groceries and saw Sis
Andy made us lasagna
It’s gastronomic bliss
We bought groceries and gifts
And played a picture game
And then Jessie, Jonothan, Asher
Alyssa and baby Michael came
We went to the airbnb early
And we were able to get online
I thought I might have nightmares
But everything turned out fine
Off To See Sis One
We met Tonya at her house
Then had church outdoors
For a strawberry festival
Under a tent, in case it pours
But the rain held off
Until the service was over
I’m glad that no one
Had to run for cover
We ate lunch with Tonya
Then we left Troy
On to see Kathy and her family
And a cute little boy
We ate a chicken pot pie
That Andy had made
After some time with Kathy
We began to fade
We kissed her goodnight
And went to the Airbnb
We unpacked in our new place
For Judy and me
In the dark cloudy place
When fears began to creep
After some prayer for peace
I was able to fall asleep.
On the Road Again
I’m headed for a gathering
After 25 hours of driving
Sis and I are going to Ohio
With stops along the way
We’ll see another sis
Nephews and nieces
We’ll be there before dinner
And for a week, we will stay.
Off to See Tonya
Judy and I took turns driving
We arrived into Piqua at four
At the motel, we met Tonya
Surprised the restaurant was next door.
Tonya could be a model
She’s tall, long and sleek
She turned heads as she walked by
Dressed in white and bright pink
We chatted, took pictures
And ate a yummy meal
Tonya talks of her projects
To Tonya herself, she’s a big deal
But she loves the Lord
And that’s really great
She’s in it for love
And that is first rate
Off to See MarJo
In Lincoln
Nebraska we packed up
We decided
to take Judy’s car
We left at
830, it was raining
I’m glad Springfield wasn’t so far
We met Mar Jo who offered us water
Her house was filled like a museum
At an Italian restaurant we ordered pasta
I had chicken alfredo Yes, Oh yum!
A Day with Sis Three
At Linda’s
we ate and played games
And took
some ten-minute walks
We saw a
turtle and I took pictures
We worked on
her project and had some talks
Followed
Garmen to go to Judy’s
It took me
an unusual route
Judy and I
rested and chatted
Went to bed,
and soon I was out
Two Sissies Waiting
Driving five
hours through Nebraska
Taking two
rest stops along the way
Greeted two
sisters and we ate at IHOP
Went to
Adams and was done for the day
Judy game me
some coins from Dad
And a cute
Tshirt I really love
And some
pictures of my family
I’ll take them as blessings from above.
The shirt says, “All who wander are not lost,
But I probably am.”
It’s such a pretty blue.
Getting lost is common to this fam.
Go!
Did last
minute things and left at eight.
At Pagosa,
saw license with CLP
Then I felt
God’s reassurance
He was
lovingly watching over me
The
mountains were beautiful
Lit up by
the snow and sun
But between
Bailey and Denver
A heavy fog
made it no fun
After ten
hours I made it to Sterling
And rested
in the motel I’ve been in before
I took a
walk and munched on crackers
Getting
ready for morning to drive some more
Set
Very busy, doing last minute things
Replanting Avocado, hoping not to kill it
Especially since it has flourished
Since raising it just from a pit
Thank the
Lord for holding the rain
Until I
mowed the whole yard
Busy doing this,
that and the other
Getting
ready for a trip’s quite hard
I took over
13,000 steps today
And tomorrow
I’ll drive away.
Ready
Going to church, enjoying the sermon
Saying goodbye to my friends once again
Taking note of things that need done
After I come home, I’ll do them then.
Making my list for Wednesday’s
departure
Doing groceries, waiting for my son
He’ll take hubby down to Mesa with him
Then I’ll travel and hope I’ll have fun.
Cleaning the bathrooms, taking a break
Talking to Kathie but she was so tired
Eli arriving and talking of gaming
After the long drive, was a bit wired
