A Summer of Travel Soothes the Adventurer’s Spirit

It’s the middle of July, Abby’s already back in Band Camp, and I feel like the summer is already over. We have been gone more than we’ve been at home this summer, and it’s been nice to spend time with family that hasn’t been rushed or hurried or shortened because of one reason or another. This year, the dogs have been going with us, so that’s meant that we can go more often since I don’t have to pay for boarding them.

Abby spent ten days with her biological grandmother just after school got out. This was tough for me because I missed her terribly, and I worry sometimes that she will think the grass is greener on the other side. I know that isn’t the case at all, and she has absolutely no desire to return to her biological family. She misses her cousins and the pets she had to leave behind when she moved here, but that’s really all she misses. She tells me all the time how much better her life is here with me, and it is visible in her smile just how happy she is now. Still, though, I sometimes worry that I’m doing this parenting thing wrong.

While Abby was with her other family, I went to the lake to spend a week with Mom and Dad, and help Mom out by helping take care of Dad. Finally, the Pugs were welcomed, so they were there too. Ivy got a little jealous at first, but she eventually came around and began to like Pita and Boudreaux. Mom and I went for a walk with the dogs almost every afternoon, and I took Dad to his different appointments, including a float appointment that I booked him. He loved that! Soon, the time came for me to head back east to Johnson City to pick up Abby, but not before Mom and Dad both commented about what little angels the Pugs were and how they were welcome anytime.

We came home for a couple of weeks before trekking to the beach with Steve and Shana and their family – Hallie, Connor, Connie, Kyle; and Charles and Jenny and their son, Craft. Although Charles is technically my uncle, we are less than four years apart in age, so we basically grew up together. I cannot seem to refer to Jenny and him as my aunt and uncle. The 11 of us stayed in a house just across the road from the beach, and it was so nice to be able to spend time with family we don’t see as often. Everything was very relaxed and we all did pretty much whatever we wanted to, without a bunch of group plans and schedules. Except for waking me up every morning at around six, Pita and Boudreaux were perfect little angels once again. They even had their first walk on the beach ever! Boudreaux was a bit freaked out about his feet sinking in the sand. Needless to say, I don’t think he was impressed. They played with Maisie and Sophie, Steve and Shana’s dogs. Maisie was just a puppy, so she was the right size for them, and they had no problems letting her know her place in the pecking order.

Everyone got a lot of entertainment from watching Boudreaux go down the stairs. He has this unique talent of hopping down on just his front paws, butt up in the air and back legs tucked, and he does it that way no matter where he is or how many stairs there are. The first time Charles saw it was at 6 AM one morning, just after waking up and before coffee, and he asked me what was wrong with Boudreaux. When I told him that was the norm, he had to get a video of it! It really is amusing to watch.

Sadly, the time came for our adventure to end, and we all loaded up in our five cars and proceeded to go in different directions as we made our way back to our respective homes. I sure do miss the beach, but since I didn’t win the lottery, I couldn’t stay. I can dream though…

Abby and I were in town long enough to wash clothes and once again, we loaded up the dogs and headed west to the lake. We got to spend more time with Mom & Dad, and this time, Margaret came with her boys, Sam and David. They were so sweet to Abby, and treated her like a little sister, even though they are over ten years her senior. It was good for her to meet more of this family, and she loved hanging out with them. I was able to help Dad out and take him to an appointment so Mom could have a little bit of a break. Margaret and the boys even helped me out with Pita and Boudreaux so that Abs and I could go in to Memphis for an evening to meet up with friends from high school. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 35 years since we graduated. When did that happen? I don’t feel like I’m that old, and goodness knows I don’t look that old!

And, as I was preparing to leave, I reminded them that I am only a phone call away. They stood in the doorway of the garage waving as Abby drove us away from the ‘Shoe and although they didn’t see it, the tears were welling up in my eyes, just like they do every time I leave.

In between trips and in those places where traffic was light, Abby was learning to drive. I am so proud of her for not giving up when she stalls it out or grinds the gears. It won’t be long before I can start using the hashtag “my kid drives better than yours”.

Now, we are back at home, Abby’s in band camp, and I am settling back in to a routine. All of the traveling does my soul good and allows me to escape from all of my reminders of a love lost.

I’m also practicing my horn more, since the band has a first year horn player and the band director has asked me if I would be willing to help her out with some things, and since it just feels good when I hear my sound improving or a nail a pedal F… or just catch a whiff of Al Cass Valve Oil.

I thank each of you for your patience while we’ve been away. I’m already thinking about the next blog, so stay tuned. It won’t be long this time, but life is an adventure and I have an adventurer’s spirit, so when the mood strikes, I end up heading out to the next place.