We left Ohio early Friday morning for a ten-day road trip to
visit my mom and both our daughters, surely the longest road trip Murray,
Ping-Hwei and I have ever taken.
What was the most interesting place we saw on Friday as we
passed through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and into Iowa where Rebecca lives?
Somewhere in the midst of Iowa we stopped at The World’s Largest Truck Stop. I
know it’s true, because when Murray smashed a penny for me, it had printed on it,
“The World’s Largest Truck Stop.”
Murray had a hard time finding coffee there, which is really
not surprising, since it was The World’s Largest . . . What we did find though
was a pair of flip-flops, cushioned with Iowa grass. I told Rebecca I really wanted
to buy her a pair, except they cost nineteen dollars. She said she could live
without them, just knowing I’d really wanted to buy them for her.
We had a lovely time visiting Rebecca, as always, and
getting to know her boyfriend Steve better. I’m sure he’s getting to feel at
home with us, since almost the first thing Murray said to him was, “You didn’t
shave today, did you?”
Rebecca’s cat Millie and I have a new relationship. We made
it through the whole weekend without her biting me.
Rebecca took me grocery and gift shopping, which is always a
delight. I said we should get ice cream, and she said, “Okay, but I get to
choose what kind.” Then she also picked up some Reese’s Cups and little
chocolate doughnuts. I love that girl.
We appreciate Ping-Hwei so much, and this trip was no
different. He told Murray when he was taking the wrong road. He reminded me of
where I’d forgotten my watch and nail clippers. And, when Murray and I were
grouching at each other as we got out at a Burger King, Ping-Hwei said, “The
car is still on.”
In Missouri visiting my mom, we had lunch with my brother
Rodney. I wore my bright orange shoes just for him, and he didn’t disappoint
me. He said, “I’ll need to get shoes like those next time I go deer hunting.”
We joined Mom’s quilting group on Tuesday at the one room
school house Mom attended through 8th grade. It is now a community
center.
Murray looked through some of the old books they had there
and found one with Mom’s name in for checking it out 70 or more years ago. It
was called THE LITTLE SWISS WOOD-CARVER,
COPYRIGHT 1929.
Murray’s said for years he wants to get a doctorate, in
anything, just so he can tell people to call him Dr. At the hotel in Wisconsin,
he realized he could just forgo the trouble of education. When we needed covers
for Ping-Hwei’s bed, Murray picked up the phone and called down to the desk. “This
is Dr. McKinsey in room 206.” Then he happily told the person on the phone,
“It’s just a joke; I’m not a doctor. But my wife just snorted really loud.”
Sarah had some shopping she needed to do while we were
there, and a few things she wanted Murray to help her with around her
apartment. At breakfast she said, “Eat up, finish up, we have a lot to do
today.” She gave Murray some instructions in her kitchen, then said, “I like
directing people.”
She is such a joy.
We came home Sunday evening. Stopping at many toll booths,
we always meet interesting people minding the booths. Some are quick and
polite. Some don’t say a word. Once, it was a computerized voice who spoke to
us.
On the way home we met a gem. She was bright and cheerful,
talkative. Seeing our lunch bags in the car she said, “Call ahead and tell me
you’re coming next time. I’ll give you my McDonalds order.”
Oh, and did I mention my book was released on Tuesday, April
2? I’m still floating around a good bit about that.
Check out the links below for my guest appearances this week
on blog posts for the following authors:
Karin Beery: http://karinbeery.com/?p=4874
Joy Avery Melville: https://www.journeystojoy.net
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