Its been a while. I know. I'm sorry. I'm sure you've all been waiting with baited breath for an update. I do apologize. Hopefully I can catch you up.
So, last weekend I went home. HOME. For the first time since August. That week I was physically in the Big City but my actual being was in the South. I was TOTALLY distracted and my every thought was consumed by what I would be eating and who I would be seeing. Sad, but true.
Finally Thursday of that week rolled around. I woke up earlier than usual. It was like Christmas morning. I was so giddy and just rolled with the punches until I could get on the road. I even loaded the car and drove to class so that I could leave immediately after it was over. When we were dismissed we sprinted out the door to the car. Did you catch that? Yes, we. Me, a Mid-Westner, and a Yankee....headed to the Deep South. The drive flew by. I almost cried at mile 143.6 (yes, 0.6...Missouri has mile markers up for every tenth of a mile...the tax payers must be proud) at my first sighting of a Mississippi car tag. Don't see those up here. I taught the visitors Hotty Toddy. That was a first for me. We cruised on down the road. My passengers serenaded me with nearly every Disney show tune....I learned I must not have watched a lot of Disney movies as a child. They also perfected the fish tail braid...braiding each other's hair as we barreled down the highway. I so wish I had photo evidence...if I wasn't mistaken I would have thought a couple of Duggar's had jumped in my car....say no to the fish tail.
Just driving Miss Daisy
As we pulled into Memphis I pointed out the highlights. My exit was closed so I took the detour...into the ghetto regions of South Memphis. As we crossed over South Parkway I realized I'd heard this street referenced in various rap songs from my high school dayz. Wow. I was so glad this was the visitor's first impressions.
We finally got home. Boosin and Wilheim met us at the door. They had prepared a feast. A serious feast. Pimento cheese, hummus, fruit salad, steak, twice bakes potatoes, salad, and chocolate candy cake. They really rolled out the red carpet and if I'm now a guest in my own home...I don't mind it. We ate and visited and went to bed.
Friday we got up and headed to Oxford. My heart was racing the whole time. We went straight to Crosby and surprised the Poodle in her dorm. She was excited to see us but since we were all starving we went straight to lunch. Ajax. Oh Ajax. How I have missed you. Ajax is a fabulous restaurant on the Square. Soul food. Comfort food. Southern food. Man sized portions. In essence, the perfect place to go. We feasted (a theme for the weekend) on sweet potato casserole, squash casserole, chicken and dumplings and mac and cheese. Best of all...sweet tea and fried okra...firsts for the visitors...I'm glad I was able to introduce them.
Following lunch we stepped out on the Square and who did we see? None other than Mr. Neshoba County and Brelander. In the flesh. We had a short visit in the street before we parted ways...naturally we were reunited later. So we pushed on. Went shopping, of course. Hit up my favorite stores and saw some of my favorite people in the process. We then went to Rowan Oak, the home of literary marvel, William Faulkner. The Poodle and I tried to give a brief history of his casa to the visitors. Another first there...the visitors saw their first magnolia tree...one visitor in particular was quite taken with them...taking 812038937511230998147435762 pictures of the tree (another theme for the weekend...picture taking). To each his own. We then toured the campus and by toured I mean a quick drive by of all the "sites" to behold. After that it was time to meet up with our hosts for the weekend. They were getting ready for their last fall formal when we arrived.
After dropping our stuff off we went back to the Square for some more shopping and to see the Homecoming parade. Red and blue everywhere. Southern voices. Hotty Toddy. I cried. I did. I was so in my place in that moment. We saw the parade briefly and we were then invited by Father Brelander to come up to the bank balcony for a visit...so we did. I was excited for the visitors to get this view of Oxford. It was stunning as the sun was setting. We had a good visit and we were so proud of Brelander on getting Junior Maid! You go girl.
We then went to run some errands and made another surprise visit to see my H(e)artBerry. Again, I cried. I was so excited to see her, her ring, Chadberry, Cholotrain, Elenamc, and others. He really did it folks. He put a ring on it. And she, was exactly the same. That's the good thing about friendship...it picks up right where you left off....we "left off" in JUNE....thank God she's getting married...her "events" will ensure a reunion before another 5 months go by. Another abbreviated visit...but a great one.
Headed to Volta after that. Oh.my.margarita. I've been missing them. And the gyros. Oh and in case you were wondering. Yes, we feasted. Again. When dinner was complete we went and got ready for a night on the town. Hit up all the undergrad hotspots. It was fun to be back but very clear that I was old. Unfortunate but true.
Saturday. We went to the Grove. We hit up the deeg first. It.smells. exactly.the.same. It really did. First person I saw after walking in was Ms. Eva. I was home. I gave a tour to the visitors and visited with Ms. Russell. I loved every second of it. We then got to the Grove. My heart was about to burst. We feasted again. And, most importantly...I got to eat Chic-fil-a. Chic-fil-a. For the first time in three months. We had some cocktails. We said some Hotty Toddy's. We visited and saw some new faces. We even got tickets to the skybox from Swamps. Ahhhmazing.
We went back to Memphis that night to be an hour closer the the Big City. Praise Heavens for Daylight's Savings. We needed the extra hour. We woke up and (gasp) feasted again. On cinnamon rolls, fruit, biscuits, bacon, eggs, sausage, and grits. I'm still full thinking about it. Right before it was time to go, my mother packed up what some would consider the entire fridge. You know the saying, like mother like daughter (it may not actually be a saying...but you get it)...it's true. My mother turned into my grandmother and sent back ALL THE FOOD with me. All of it. Thankfully, I can avoid the grocery store for another two weeks.
The car ride back was long. So long. So unbelievably long. You have no idea. But we made it. We had a midterm this week so we jumped right back in as soon as we got back...life stopped actually...as we studied...that also contributes to why you haven't heard from me.
Home. It was just what I needed. I had been gone just long enough for it all to be exciting. I had missed my people and my place. My heart is so full. And I am so blessed.
But now I'm back....and I still love it. I still love the Big City. My life is here...at least for now.
I'm back.
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