And "So Long For Now" to Mississippi

Last Wednesday I left Lizana. Tuesday night Karen played dirty and pulled out all the stops to get me to stay. Not only was her daughter, Ivy there, but her granddaughter Janessa as well. She is an adorable little 3 yr old. I took a couple of pictures but I was using my phone camera and she isn't capable of "holding still." So until Karen sends me some, you'll have to take my word for it.

AND she loves me! Her Mommy dropped her off and she spent the whole night around my neck.

Fortunately no one was around on Wed morning when I pulled out.

Fr Pete, Karen and Glenn, their grown kids, Lindsay, Christie, Tiffany, Darrell, and 11 yr old Ivy really have become like family. I will see them again. Sometime. Just don't know when yet.

I went from Lizana to LeFleurs Bluff, a beautiful campground in Jackson.



I visited Lesly and her cats all weekend. On Thursday, Vince and Lonnie came up from Irish Bayou. On Friday, Ronnie and Ann brought their vintage Airstream that's so shiny it blinds you.

In case you've forgotten, Vince's last name is Saltaformaggio. One of those old New Orleans Italian families. He loves to cook - outdoors over propane - and his food is INCREDIBLE. Thursday for the four of us he fixed Chicken Picata.

Friday for the six we had a catfish fry. He tried the dry batter that Karen sells and pronounced it "Pretty good." Ann made hush puppies that were simply perfect. Lonnie added a wonderful mayo free potato salad. About the best Lesly and I could do to add to that menu was a mini keg of Pecan Ale from the Lazy Magnolia brewery in Kiln, MS. Or, as REAL mizzippi people say, "The Kiln."

Saturday Lesly's friend, Becky joined us for Vince's famous barbeque pork ribs.

OF COURSE we had Ann's cheese and garlic grits each morning. And on Sunday Ronnie produced the world's lightest cinnamon buns - yeast rolls - 4" high - in a dutch oven - using charcoal.

I just got an email from a friend who said she hadn't read the blog as regularly as she should because, 1. It's been a very busy summer. and 2. "I have found that I am often hungry after reading of your adventures."

Sorry, Jul. I guess I just did it again !

But in all fairness, we don't JUST eat.

We drink, too.

Lonnie found a machine called a "Margarator". Which is a "Smoothie" machine that makes a gallon of perfect margaritas - and keeps them frozen AND slushy at the`same time. Not that they keep very long.

And we talk and talk and talk.

And laugh and laugh and laugh.

A LOT.

Even before we start drinking.

It's very hard to leave these incredible new friends. But, as Airstreamers say, I'll "see them down the road."