March 18th I received a call from my youngest son Mikey informing me he found his mom passed away at her home in Arkansas. Mikey had just arrived on his spring break from University. She was only 44 years of age and apparently passed due to complications of Multiple Sclerosis. Needless to say when hearing this I packed my bags and left to be with him, his sister and brother who also left on emergency leave from the USAF.
The kids and I spent the better part of the week cleaning out her home, sorting out various information and everything else that is included when a tragic event occurs. Now, almost 2 weeks later the pain of this loss for the kids is still there, however life is moving on forward be it ever so slowly for them.
Their mom (Sheri) was an avid supporter of the VFW and the US Army Golden Knight parachute team. Her father Gerald was one of the founding members of this elite squadron while serving as a career helicopter pilot in the US Army. Her work history included employment with the State of California Department of Developmental Services, California Department of Corrections and recently she was re-schooling in Arkansas for a new career in the medical realm. Sheri is survived by her 3 children (James, Kimberli and Michael), 2 sisters (Teri and Cari), a brother Gerald A, father Gerald F and 2 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mom Jean.
Sorry to bring such a sad moment to the blog, but during such times there are a few moments that bring a smile when you least expect it. My trip back east started early the morning of the 19th, as I chose to drive instead of fly due to the remote location of where the tragedy took place.
I started out with a nice cup of Joe from a local establishment and headed for the California/Arizona border on Interstate 40. Upon arriving in Needles, California I stopped into an AM/PM mini mart for a quick coffee refill and a banana. I noticed 4 employees in the store and thought to myself the food must not be good in this neck of the woods due to the gaunt build of these individuals. When I got a better look I discovered something rather unique about the collective group. Just off the top of my head I'd say they had collectively 30 teeth in their mouths. I had to think for a moment and recalled I have 31 in my mouth. I had one knocked out years ago while playing baseball. At this moment another thought buzzed past my feeble brain. Maybe these folks got a few things mixed up on their last trip to the store and purchased CRACK instead of CREST when shopping for toothpaste. Naaa, reality check: Skinny as a rail, missing most of their teeth.....nuclear waste? OK, OK I suppose they all had a little drug problem. Time to leave.
Later that day I stopped at another little town further down the road in Arizona. I know in reason that a few of you out there like the music group The Eagles and are familiar with a number of their songs. Well, I stopped in Winslow, Arizona. Stood on a corner and had hoped a girl in a flatbed Ford would slow down and take a look at me. NOPE! Didn't happen at all. What did happen though was this>> While standing on a corner outside the Love's truck stop a very, very fat Native American man drove past in a little Nissan pickup and starred at me like I was some sort of Leper. Not a pretty image at all and something that may haunt my dreams for eons.
A little further down the road in Geronimo I prayed as I drove past that I would not be attacked by a maniac wearing a feather head dress and wearing nothing but a pair of buckskin boots and a french tickler. Fortunately this did not occur.
As I rolled into Gallup, New Mexico I had a curious desire to get on a horse and take a fast ride. Not sure why. Just something that blitzed through my gray matter.
The day ended with a motel stay in Albuquerque.
The morning of the 20th came early and out on the road I flew. Top down on the mustang and podcasts on the radio. The eastern part of New Mexico was a dry, barren wasteland with very little that interested me. The Texas border came into view soon and the western part of the "panhandle" was much the same as New Mexico. Amarillo, Texas however brought a sweet surprise. The Big Texan for lunch. NO!, I did not attempt the 72oz. steak challenge here. Who on God's earth could eat that much? My answer came on the wall of fame. Several hundred people have done this and when perusing through the list I noticed many of these hearty eaters were rather small folks (120-140 lbs). WOW! 72oz. sirloin steak, baked potato, bread roll, salad, shrimp and vegetables. Sounds like a weeks worth of meals to me. Comments from some of these munchers were as follows: "Nice snack, where's the main course?" "Bring on dessert" Disgusting!
In the spirit of Mac Davis: Happiness was Amarillo not Lubbock, Texas in the rear view mirror. Onward!
Into Oklahoma a little later and finally some green grass. A nice change from the desolate desert areas of AZ, NM and TX.
Dinner time was in OKC (Oklahoma City for those who need a little more). A very simple subway sandwich since lunch was a slice of prime rib and coleslaw at the Big Texan. A simple dinner for a simple mind. Driving eastward toward Fort Smith, Arkansas (my destination for a motel) the remainder of the day was fairly uneventful.
I know, I know, what a way to end this entry, but remember I was in Oklahoma.
More food coming next week as I'll be out of the kitchen this weekend due to the fact we are having new counters, sink and plumbing installed.
Cheers!
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