Lordy, Lordy My Youngest is 40!

Derick & a sole sandwich

What a wonder filled week this has been, beginning last Sunday with Jubilee!  After months of looking forward to being there again and seeing and hearing Howard, my heart sank when I looked at the program and saw that he wasn't there.  Then I realized there might be a lesson in that for me, so I opened my heart and mind and thoroughly enjoyed a very different service.  It was conducted by Howard's sister and niece.  They did a marvelous job! The niece did a humorous skit reminiscent of Lily Tomlin's switch board operator, except the niece was a special assistant to God.  It was hilarious, entertaining and insightful. 

After Jubilee! I met my high school buddy and his wife, David and Madeline Rickman, for lunch at Apollo Flame Bistro and we told more than a few stories.  It is always good to see them and David and I pick up where we left off last time.  Old friends are like that.  We're more like brothers than just friends and have known each other for over 45 years now.  We lost touch for a while so it is especially sweet to be reconnected again.  We're already talking about golfing at next year's high school reunion. 

On Monday I went to Blowing Rock to do a half day meeting management workshop for the Corning Cable folks from Hickory, thanks to my brother-by-choice, Hugh Huntington.  Some of them had been in my previous workshop with them 10 years ago and they had requested a refresher.  I had a ball!  It felt so good to do that work again, as I can't even remember the last time I had done one.  My rust showed a time or two, and that was okay. 

Tuesday found me on the road to Raleigh to inspect my rental house and get my tenant to sign a new lease, as I'm going to manage it myself for a while.  I found the place in pretty good shape and enjoyed talking with the tenant.  As we were finishing up, he said his roommate had left a few questions for me and that they were a little unusual in nature.  I said go ahead, I would do my best to answer them.  He began by explaining that his roommate had seen and heard some unusual things in the middle of the night.  "Has anyone died in this house?", he asked.  I said yes, my wife had passed away in the living room almost 3 years ago, and I had not experienced her presence in the house since then.  I offered to talk with his roommate if that would help, and he said he would pass that along.  I suppose I'll always think of September as Hospice month now, as that was when LaVerne called them.  I've had some sad moments lately, but they are fewer than in past years.

John & Derick at Keith Hills

On Wednesday I met Derick for breakfast then we went to Keith Hills Country Club at Campbell University in Buies Creek for a round of golf.  His long time friend John Lack was there and we had a very good time.  Derick was hitting the ball beautifully with his long, graceful swing, in spite of a hurting back and a flip-flopping sole on his golf shoe.  He parred the first and last holes and hit lots of good shots in between.  He wants to make this a tradition, which is just fine with me!  He's a fine man and a good father and I'm very proud of him! 

After shopping for a new trailer since April, I finally placed the order for a new one this week and I'm very happy about that.  I figured since it will be my primary residence for as long as I'm able, I wanted more space and comfort.  So, I ordered a 2012 Jayco Eagle, 37 feet long with 3 slide outs, queen sized bed, 32" TV, fireplace, entertainment center, outside shower, electric awning, 2 rocker/recliners and a couch.  It's a model 330 RLTS if you want to see what it looks like, or here's a link.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNgiljfolTI&feature=related.  So HOWHEE is for sale and I sure will miss him.  We've traveled many miles together in a short time and he's loaded with good memories. 

Yesterday the sun finally broke through after a week of rain, so I jumped on the Burg and headed up Davidson River, then to the Blue Ride Parkway and Graveyard Fields.  The leaves have just started to change and the air is so crisp and clean smelling.  I stopped at Pisgah Inn on the way back for a brief rest, and in the gift shop, prominently displayed, was a copy of the novel "Cataloochee" written by my friend Wayne Caldwell.  It is such a good book and it's almost time for me to read it again.

Today I hope to watch the Tar Heels play football, and tomorrow it's back to Jubilee! and my weekly walks through downtown Asheville.  It sure is good to be home again!