Arkansas
After the cruise we called an UBER. In a short time we were loaded up and headed for Miami International. We had a waiting time of about 8 hours before our flight to Tulsa, Oklahoma, via Houston . Once in Houston we had a layover of a couple of hours before takeoff.
There were reports of storms in Western Oklahoma that even mentioned tornadoes. All went pretty well with the exception of a rough flight and even rougher landing. We were great full to have landed bottom side down. Most of the passengers applauded. While Nancy and Ron went out to find her minivan, Debby and I picked up all the luggage. Nancy soon pulled up and we got it loaded up.
It would still be 2 or 3 hours before Steve and Rhonda would land. Their flight was on another airline out of Fort Lauderdale at a later time than ours out of Miami. In the meantime we drove over to Denny’s for a late burger and fries. With their takeoff delayed by bad weather out of Dallas, we had plenty of time. After dinner our eyes were droopy enough that we decided to go wait for their plane at the Tulsa Airport cell phone waiting area and catch a nap. So we did.
They landed well after 1:00 in the morning. It was a tight fit cramming all that luggage and 6 people in that Honda minivan but with luggage in our laps and a 90 minute drive we were glad to arrive home. It’s a good thing we didn’t have Toronto with us! I don’t know where he would sit!
Matthew had already driven to our house and was waiting for us. He had been caring for Toronto the past couple of weeks. Toronto was glad to see us. We were happy to see him, as well.
We slept in for an hour or two. Matt had already made coffee and fed Toronto and he was ready to socialize. He stuck pretty close to me all day; for the next few days for that matter! I think he was afraid I might abandon him again!
It has been a little over two weeks since we got back. Things are becoming routine and normal again.
We stay near the warm fire and out of the cold. We aren’t used to this cold. We are still dreaming of warm tropics and sunshine. Here, it’s dipped down into the teens with cold rain coming down as soon as it jumps back up into the 40’s and 50’s!
It was good to get back to church and see all of our friends. We are thoroughly enjoying normal food, especially the southern style with southern flavors. Ron and I have already enjoyed Arkansas BBQ a few times!
A cool thing happened while we were away. Forty 32 Animal Clinic, Toronto’s veterinarian, had a drawing for company thank you gift for their clients. Toronto and I won! The prize was a large, free-standing outdoor BBQ tool, a Blackstone 28” Cast Iron propane Griddle that now stands proudly next to my BBQ grille on the back deck! Very nice! This will add to my ability to burn chicken even more!
With the approach of Spring and the last Daylight Savings time change we will have to experience, we patiently await warm weather! In a couple of weeks I will pull the cover off my bird house and let the nesting begin! The Purple Martins begin arriving in NW Arkansas about April First looking for a place to build their nests and lay eggs. Right now the local Sparrows are picking out the prime building nooks, cranny’s, trees, bushes and hanging plants for their nests. The baby Martins from last year’s crop should come back to what they know and look for a place in my Purple Martin condo. I would like to give them a sporting chance to fight over their claim this real estate with other birds.
I am preparing to start the seedlings for my garden. I am making plans to buy some good raised bed garden soil mixture and plan the layout of this year’s garden. I figured it will cost me more than it’s worth in vegetables but, what can I say? It’s a hobby. I will do this in Lou of planning for a big Moose hunting trip to Alaska or buying a new bass boat to go fishing. Even a blind Codger needs a hobby! But, It will be much better than last year where battling with the Bermuda grass and contending with a bunny rabbit invasion pert near wiped out my crop of young plants. Raised beds should do the trick this year.
In a couple of weeks I will also pull the winter cover off my swimming pool and get it sparkling clean and warm for the summer. I’m looking forward to laying around our pool this year. Why, between the sweet smell of BBQ and the cool of the pool, we might even entice a few of our friends to come visit us in NW Arkansas to relax at the Thomas Resort. I promise I’ll not make you take my little John Deere out and mow the grass………much. 😎
