BAT

My snake-killing sister-in-law is on a six-week vacation in an RV with her ferocious Shih-Tzu, Rudy.

Jodie is driving from Atlanta to Sault Sainte Marie to check out scenery, visit family, smoke in peace and veg out from her crazy/busy life as an ER nurse. In short, much like Jake and Elwood, she is on a mission, officially referred to as the BAT, or Birthday Adventure Trip.

This is Johanna in her BAT mobile:

So far, she hasn't been snuffed out in any North Carolina RV parks, or at least, she continues to send us emails about her journey. An axe-murderer named Larry could be sending us daily updates, but I doubt it. Jodie is a wonderful writer. It would be tough to imitate her observational style:

Yesterday I learned to downshift. And I learned to turn hair pin curves and I learned how to spend a whole day going 30 mph. The Blue Ridge Parkway is stunningly beautiful but would be much better as a destination trip than a route to somewhere else. Rudy and I drove for over 6 hours and made just over 200 miles. We stopped at some fabulous overlooks to admire the views and leave Rudy marking in far away places. By the end of the day, we were both worn out. Arrived at our evening campground (love my GPS), cooked dinner and was sound asleep at 9 pm.

She grudgingly left North Carolina and reported this from West Virginia:

At 8:30 last night, I'm sitting in the easy chair in my RV reading and someone knocks on my screen door.  I turn on the porch light and here is this guy in blue jeans and no shirt.  I let Rudy snarl and bark and I didn't open the door and be friendly. He says, "Just wanted to ask how much it costs to rent this thang."  I gave him an evasive answer and listened politely through the door while saying to Rudy, "Quiet killer. No attack (yet)." He gives me his life story and finally goes away.  For heaven's sake, if you're going to come calling, wear a shirt!

Believe me, when Jodie tells you to do something, you pretty much do it.

My sign of the day in this part of North Carolina was in front of a little country church. "If Jesus had came 5 minutes ago, where would you have been at?" Makes you ponder the educational system doesn't it?

Yep.

She was in Ohio last night and wrote:

I had one of those experiences that makes camping so much better than any other way to travel. At about dark they built a campfire in the center area of all our campsites. Out came 2 guitars, a fiddle and (I think that's what it was) a dulcimer. It was kind of like a big xylophone. Everybody brought lawn chairs and sat around the fire and listened to music for 2 hours. It doesn't get any better than that!

I don't know about you, but I like to keep my dulcimer close by when I travel, too.

Traveling mercies, sis. Kiss Rudy for us. Enjoy those glorious clothing outlets you love so much. And above all, keep writing.

Potatoes WERE Harmed in the Making of This Post

Cook much?

No. You?

Somewhere

My high school friend, Lis, is using this graphic as her profile picture on Facebook.

Terrifying in black and white.

Loud

When we first moved to Naperville, our house was on a lot that had a whole lot of nothing on it. Even the grass was suspect. But after 15 years of digging in "soil" the consistency of cement, planting, replanting and planting some more, things began to take shape -- one day we will own a home in a wooded setting, where we will be protected from the relentless sun and grow hostas.

We found that wooded lot, here in the southern part of the city, and while we have gloried in its abundant shade, we have also slaved over the leaves that must be swept to the street. And while we have that backbreaker to look forward to in a few weeks, right now we are being battered by black walnuts and an acorn crop that will keep the squirrels at Weight Watchers for the next five years.

Such acorns! Such walnuts! It's like living in an organic pinball machine. You break your ankle walking across the little bit of lawn we do have. And you risk brain damage under the barrage of walnut hulls hurled by the vindictive critters on the roof and in the trees.

All of that noise is definitely interfering with my naps, so you can see why I'm so crabby.

Ouch.

Did I mention the woodpecker?

Friday Night Lights

Naperville Central played West Aurora tonight on Central's brand spanking new football field.

I must confess, I barely recognized the place, it's so fancy.

The concession shack is long gone and in its stead is a real live brick-and-mortar building, where devoted parents still sell hot dogs and hawk hoodies.

Even the band was new, all tricked up in plumes and crimson and black (so we're not red and white? sorta red and not so white?).

And of course the players, all 900 of them, played well and pretty much crushed the Blackhawks.

Yes, time marches on, from grass to astroturf, gravel to composite track, bleachers to skyboxes. (Okay, there really aren't any skyboxes, but they sure look like they could be.)

And while we look forward to seeing the rest of the additions and improvements from the inside, I'm a bit wistful. It takes time to get used to alterations in my space-time continuum.

Rendering by Wight and Company

Before Summer Passes By

Starting...

Naperville Municipal Band steps out

Mayor Pradel on a vintage Harley

Paging Mr. Barnum. And the Democratic Party.

Yay for Central, Naperville's original high school

Knox Presbyterian Church celebrating 50 years in Naperville

No lack of Twizzlers, peppermints, Tootsie Rolls, bubbles, pencils, flags, dog biscuits

 and clear skies along the parade route.

Happy Labor Day, everyone.

Summervore

Honey and I threw waistlines to the wind last night and drove down to Andy's for a last lick of summer.

Is there anything better than a really, really great ice cream cone filled with frozen custard? Preferably chocolate? Preferably free (thanks, Nancy and Grace. We have enough left on our gift cards for one more round.)?

Of course, much the same could be said about watermelon. Nothing better, as long as it's summertime and in the 90s. Tomatoes, home-grown, fit the bill. Iced tea, Pinot Grigio, and steak salad also work. Did I mention Rose wine?

Blue Moon beer with an orange slice just doesn't have the same appeal in December as it does in July and August. Champagne also tastes better. (As I look at this list, I think I need to use fewer alcoholic references and more food-based delights....Thinking...)

Which all goes to prove that this summervore is dreading Labor Day and what is lurking just behind it:

So not ready.