Sunday, June 22, 2008

Welcome to Arkansas!

OK, so last week Rich, Sarah and I headed for the hills of Arkansas. Rich's father is originally from a small town kind of near, but not really, Little Rock, in the northwestern area of Arkansas. John passed away a couple of years ago and we've kind of lost contact with the family, so this trip was an effort to let them know who we were once again, to get some information, and hopefully to get some pictures. Mission accomplished. It was interesting to meet "kinfolk" and spend the day with them. They were very kind and hospitable. However, it was also a relief to return to life as we know it. We kind of think they are stuck in a time warp. One example...this waitress at a place where we had breakfast showed us her "cell phone".
Rich was in charge of making reservations...any doubt why he chose this particular Marriott? And he says he didn't know anything about any motorcycles...hmmmmm. For those that don't know, Rich loves motorcycles and any time we drive by one, particularly a Harley, he rolls down the window so he can listen to it. Currently there is one for sale on a street close to our house. It is on display in the front yard. He slows down every time we pass by.

Some of our "kinfolk". This is Rich's Uncle Bennett and Aunt Billie, his cousin Malinda and her husband Leland. I'm not sure how old Uncle Bennett is, but he wears his overalls everyday and plows his garden almost everyday also. He lost his teeth some time ago, not sure where they are, but he does just fine without them. Rich must have heard 100 times that he looked just like his dad. He was getting a little tired of it. Gotta love your family!

And then there was his sweet Aunt Betty. This gal is on oxygen almost all day. She looks rather frail, and she is, but she was also incredibly spunky and had lots and lots to say. She has this rather large doll collection and was kind enough to send one home with Sarah. All in all, a good trip! Arkansas, at least where we were, is actually very beautiful.



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