Entry for September 19, 2010

Going home is bittersweet these days. Sweet because I get to be with Gin and see the Grandsons. Bitter, because the time is too short. Working out of town has many disadvantages. Too many to name but mostly, not being with family for the unplanned events that happen daily. Gin has handled many unexpected problems in my absence over the last few months. Her truck overheated, my car overheated (she was driving it while the truck was in the shop) and the home air conditioner fan started smoking and had to be replaced. All those things happened within days of each other. Being a few hundred miles from home and listening to her describe the events and how upsetting some of them were, was frustrating for me. The A/C happened overnight. The truck overheated when she was running errands...and just after she waved at our mechanic as she passed him in town.

At lot of events can be handled easier when I'm working close to home. Being helpless to Gin at my current working location is unsettling for me. On the good side of things, Gin has become better at working through the little obstacles that pop up.


This weekend was supposed to me my time to stay at the Chattanooga project site and keep up with happenings. A few changes in plans worked to my advantage. First I was watching closly for an opportunity to attend the Jonathan Byrd concert in Asheville Saturday night. Second was having our subcontractor have his regular weekend schedule when his crews do not work Saturday night or Sunday. Third was having two gentlemen from Germany available to cover anything that may arise on the project in my absence. And so, all plans worked out and I drove home Saturday afternoon, took a short nap before Gin and I drove up to Asheville for the show.

Gin and I have followed Jonathan since...I don't know...2004??? Anyway, he was opening up his Saturday night show for Arlo Guthrie's daughter, Sarah Lee Guthrie. My desire to see the performance of the daughter and grand daughter of living legends Arlo and Woody helped me decide to make things happen in my favor. As always, it is also a pleasure to attend any show  featuring Jonathan Byrd, a legend in his own time. We arrived at the Grey Eagle around 8:30 and were able to briefly sit with Jonathan, his gal Mary Moss, their son Rowan and Sarah Lee Guthrie. Its good to have friends in the music business. Jonathan introduced Gin and I to Sarah Lee which made our night even more special. Sarah was so nice and friendly to both of us before and after the show. She lives up to her family's legendary talent and friendly disposition.
http://www.jonathanbyrd.com/
http://www.sarahleeandjohnny.com/

We were home from the show around 1am and sacked out shortly after. Of course, on the night of a late bedtime, out latest addition to the cat clan, Rosco, decided to strut the house crying , scratching windows and doors. He finally settled down ,then got started again around 4am. I finally rounded him up and put him in a spare room with Mac for a little down time from the noisiness. Ahhh!!! Sweet slumber once again!

 Gin and I dropped in on Patrick and Jessica for a brief visit with Nolan and Dean before heading back out of town. Gin and I had lunch before we arrived, and sat in while the family had theirs. I was Nolan's booster chair and enjoyed his conversation about drag racing, trains and I don't know what all while he ate his chicken and tossed his string beans. We played a little bad-bug after lunch was done. Bad-Bug is Nolan sitting on my shoulders as I walk around the house and let him slap the door frames as if he was killing a Bad-Bug. As he slaps the door frame, he calls out "BAD-BUG" then laughs.

Soon it was time for Nolan's nap as Dean woke up from a slumber in the baby swing. We visited a little longer until Nolan had to be put to bed (for being so tired). I said my goodbyes with hugs and kisses to all. Then made my way back to Tennessee.

For such a short weekend, I was able to spend quite a bit of quality time with family and have a lot to great memories to reflect on.

Life is as good as you make it.
Have a good one!!!
P@