Miss Jody and Mississippi Brother Garry

March 20, 2020 - Friday morning

70 degrees/cloudy skies/calm winds

Meador Road/Laurel, Mississippi

Sometimes it's so darn hard to say goodbye. 

Whew.

I'm already having that problem and we're still a couple of hours from leaving. 

Darn it.

Other than calling Pentoga Road home, I'm not sure why we're heading in that direction. Looking at the forecast, the current, balmy, 70 degrees on Meador Road is nearly perfect. On the other hand, the prognosis for Pentoga Road isn't nearly as warm and comforting.

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Even the male and female cardinals found it suitable for courtship.

Garry and I found ourselves in the shop and added another coat of resin to the colored pencil vase. We've come to the conclusion that several light coats are far superior to one or two thicker ones. With Mississippi's high humidity, it takes a full twenty four hours for each layer to dry.

Enjoying a late morning drive, we stopped at a local grave yard where several of Miss Jody's relatives are buried. We found some interesting grave sites. Whoever this was must have been important to have a stone fence.



The oldest was that of Mr. William Wood who was born in 1825 and died in 1875. 



The rest of the day was spent fiddling around. Garry and Jody's flowers are at the height of their springtime beauty.



Miss Jody's green thumb can only be described as colorful.

Garry gave me a froe, an antique-type mini splitting mall used to make cedar shingles. I'll use it to make fine slivers in any wood I may be using in the shop.

Garry's working on a piece of mesquite

 Sargie and I packed Friday afternoon. It wasn't quite as gut wrenching since we didn't have to watch the weight of our luggage. Between what we've gathered while on vacation and the shop goodies Mississippi Brother Garry is sending with me, the Sonata more resembles a stuffed sausage than a vehicle.



I performed a preflight check on our trusty steed and pronounced it ready for the thousand mile trip home.



First, I taught a lesson on how to make flowers.

Abby June Bug and Hannah Mud Bug
"The Bug Twins"

Abby June Bug, her friend, Hannah Mud Bug, Monkey Boy, Kari Sue Bug, James, and Tommy, all joined us last night to say their goodbyes and enjoy Miss Jody's chicken spaghetti. 

We had fun last night, oh boy, did we have fun. Monkey Boy gave his Aunt Sargie and me a spectacular performance on the piano. In the fourth grade, the boy is on his way to becoming a piano prodigy. I'll play a video in the next few days so you can enjoy his musical prowess as much as we did.

And the Bug Twins, oh my. I also have several videos that I'll share. The girls were talking southern, but you're in luck. For a certified Yankee, I'm fully qualified to interpret.

Mama Kari Sue Bug, Abby June Bug, Hannah Mud Bug

It's time to close and think about heading north. Why would we want to stay in this beautiful place with such loving friends and family when we can head north into the cold and snow? 

Well, I guess it's because we have our northern family waiting for us; the Mighty Milligans, Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri, Jambo, and others. Still, that doesn't make saying goodbye any easier.

Time to hit the road. Tonight's destination is central Illinois by way of Tupelo, Mississippi.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Love you Brother...