Sydney and I went to Mother’s today and his feet are green from walking in the cut grass. And we took some pictures of places we think Shane will like when he comes up tomorrow.
We think he will like running on the east yard.
We also believe he will be nosing around in the grape arbor.
And, of course, a mighty tree.
Shane – home in Indiana.
We came out of Illinois at Cairo after descending through the Shawnee National Forest – and interstate with trees on both sides and sometimes in a larger than usual median strip. We saw the bridge from one ridge and then wound our way to it – up and over and we were on flat land stretching out on both sides. And then it got flatter and the trees farther apart – flatter and, I think, lower. I found it eerie, with trees that became increasingly like telephone poles with short little branches. All through Missouri and Arkansas – flat, flat, flat, with only haze-blurred distant mutant-looking trees.
I knew we had lost a lot of altitude but it didn’t really reach the part of my brain that was getting lost by the old Blytheville AFB and trying to keep my mind clear on the exits through Memphis to our motel. Coming back I wasn’t lost, but my mind was on the furry passenger in the back.
Finally, finally, we saw the Cairo sign again and were on the bridge and over . . . and almost immediately into dense trees. We were climbing – not too steeply, but definitely going up. I think I felt the pressure in my ears change a little and the air seemed clearer. I remember wondering if Shane were feeling an increased energy (Oh, Lord) away from the lowlands of Houston.
It rained Sunday as we were coming through Indiana; it rained and was cold on Monday. Yesterday was very chilly with showers . . . and today the sun is out and the temperature is supposed to be in the low 70’s.
I had thought I’d run up to Mother’s by myself and mow the necessary areas, but now I am thinking maybe, just maybe we need to take Shane up home; Sydney could stay here and rest and have a break from telling Shane to remember he was a “trainee”.