Needed to escape.  Too much chaos here for all of us.  So I loaded the car and drove to Texas to see my folks before they took off for Italy.  It was a great drive there and back. Two days each way because my style of driving is more like sightseeing. I tend to take every two lane back road I can. I geocache.  I stop at historical markers, junk stores and cemeteries.   I pull over and sleep when I’m tired, and drive when I’m not. As long as I have snacky food and coffee, I’m fine.  I like eating in out of the way diners filled with the locals junker cars and over the road truckers.

Over 1700 miles total. They asked me to stay and keep the house while they were away but it was too long for me.  I would still be there…..A week was enough.  A good visit.  I’ll go down again in the spring when more is blooming.

I didn’t go to Austin to see my brother tho.  Just wasn’t into it. Good thing because I later found out the day I thought about going the entire family was sick with some kind of flu bug. Didn’t come home by way of Santa Fe either. By the time I was done, I was done and didn’t want to spend a third day on the road. Next time I will go on the way and stay in Albuquerque.

Came home with the car packed.  How do I tell her I don’t want more stuff?  I cannot.  She is feeling her age and wants to make sure what she holds dear goes where she thinks it should,  Some of it; faded memories of people long gone from my life and hers will go to my children.  Other stuff is just stuff and I have no issues parting with it when I need to.

I did come home with something she promised me for a long time.  Her Scotland built, Irish style Castle Spinning wheel.  I learned to use it as a child. It’s a nice addition to the house.  Her table loom is mine as well next time around.  Guess I am going to take up spinning again in the near future.