Home Again?

Its very confusing when you have two homes to actually feel like you are home. I live with the feeling that I should be somewhere else and that I am missing something whether I'm in the States or the UK. I can't just pop over to someone's house when I feel like it. Sue and I can't go have breakfast together when we want. I can't drive across the lake to see the new additions to Patsy's garden, its NEVER the right time to call Lola and I can't meet Brandon for dinner.

I made three trips home this year, only the first one was for pleasure. It was also my first trip home since moving to England in 2006. I was excited to be flying with Martin. In the past I have flown to him or away from him, but this was our first flight together. Before heading to New Orleans we flew into Utah to spend time with his sister Tracey, her husband Allyn and her sons Alex and Ryan. Our suitcases were jammed with English foods that she can't get. I was surprised our suitcases weren't inspected more. One of the things we brought her was a Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney Pie. The container is disk shaped, made of metal, with a diameter of about 7 inches. It could have looked like an explosive by x-ray or some kind of weapon even. I've had them check less strange items. When you look at it it reminds you of the food you`d find in a bomb shelter, everlasting! I'd never been out west in the states before, but Martin has. This was the first time we`d meet and first meetings can be stressful. They were fun, Tracey was a gracious hostess and made me feel welcomed, I'm really glad we were able to go. Utah is quite beautiful and the view of the mountains from their back yard is inspiring. I was surprised to still find snow in the elevated areas, especially since I was in shorts. We left there with lighter luggage.

Next we flew into New Orleans. Its hard trying to see everyone you know and eat all the foods you miss and do all the things you want to do in a short period of time. Brandon graduated from Tulane, Michelle graduated from high school and Mom had her birthday. I didn't know at the time that it would be her last, God, I'm glad I was there! We were home long enough to also go to a family bar-be-que at Patsy and Ernie's, a crawfish boil at Cliff and Kat's, hang out with Sue and Mike, got to breakfast with some friends from Pancho's, meet the gang at Italian Pie and take a look at any changes in New Orleans East, The Point, St. Bernard and the Gulf Coast.

The best was driving! I knew where I was going and no worries about getting lost, I didn't have to constantly wonder if I was on the correct side of the road, the roads were wonderfully wide (I had forgotten what it was like to breath and drive at the same time) and NO flyovers! Flyovers are the type of road that when you`ve finished maneuvering it, you usually wonder which direction you are going in and hope for the best.

There was so much more I wanted to do and people I wanted to see. But, we took home a lot of great pictures and a video of both graduations, and I got back up supplies of coffee, grits and peanut butter.

I'd have put a picture here, but Martin's computer has bit the dust, it'll have to wait.