denouement

My wonderful time in Kentucky has quickly drawn itself to a close. Soon Jonathan and I will be all packed up in the truck and begin the long trek back to Texas. Leaving always gets me down, but I should be well on the road to recovery by the time we reach the Missouri state line. I have tried to soak up every moment, savor the precious litttle time I had with my dad, and appreciate the little nuances that give my hometown its charm.

There's that one barbeque restaurant we go to with my father. The walls are covered in fishing tackle, miscellaneous mounted dead things, and sun-faded local sports memorabilia. Stephen King stopped and ate there once back in the late 80s; his picutre with an assortment of foufy-haired waitresses is hung proudly near the entrance. You can always count on having the same dining experience at a place like that. My father will know at least 30% of the dusty old farmers eating in there. You will be waited on my a young girl already leathery from the tanning bed, smelling faintly of Marlboro Lights. No matter where you are seated, you can not escape the photos of Rick Pitino, retired RHS football coach Ken Barrett, and just enough WKU posters to appease the diehard Hilltopper fan. Oh and around these here parts, their BBQ is the stuff of legends.

Every time I come home, I get a huge kick out of the big blue sign on the 68-80 bypass that reads, "TOURIST ATTRACTION: DAIRY QUEEN .01 MILES". I was lucky enough to snap a photo of it on my way out of town; otherwise, I don't think anyone in Texas would believe it.

Russellville is one of those places that never really seems to change despite population growth and the ebb and flow of various businesses. I got my Bethel Dipper fix as soon as we came into town. Their ham and cheese sandwiches, onion rings, and milkshakes fill my belly as well as my soul whenever I make it back home. I also enjoy telling Jonathan about the town as we cruise around. This is where the crappy video store used to be, the last one to offer videos on BETA. Over there was where I got my first job delivering pizza. That used to be my favorite Chinese restaurant, before all the employees came down with hepatitis and got deported.

Ah, memories.

Unfortunately, our trip wasn't without its flaws. For my mom's birthday, we took her to the mall and then to the movies to see The Devil Wears Prada. It would have been nice had the electricity not gone out halfway through the movie and we all had to leave, refund in hand. The same thing actually happened the last time we went to the movies, but it was okay because the new Superman movie really sucked and that ten or so minute intermission was sort of welcome.

Early in the week, I went for a stroll around my in-laws property, taking pretty pictures of flowers, searching for four leaf clovers, investigating an old barn. Fast forward to today and I am still clawing at the 15 or so chigger bites that have appeared on my legs. Maybe they're bug bites or maybe it's the after effects from eating tainted moo goo gai pan three times a week for two years. I might post some of those pics of the pretty flowers but I think I'll spare you the sight of me looking like a leper.

We'll be starting home here in a bit, so I should pack. Time to go back to my messy house, prepare my husband for yet another job interview, and see if I still remember how to be a jeweler.

Must go now. Time for another dose of Benadryl and Lanacane.