Living in Kentucky

I am sitting in my Brother-in-Law Richard's house early on the Saturday morning after the Thanksgiving holiday. We are all going to the farm for a "family gathering" (Mother-in Law is a JW and no holidays). I have to tell ya, I really miss the atmosphere out of the Metro area. Richard and Alana are the most gracious hosts. They both are loving, generous and unbelievably accommodating.

They live on 3 acres in Fayette Co., KY which were previously owned by Danial Boone and then his brother (forgot his name) and then given to some of the first free slaves in America. In the front yard is the oldest living tree in Lexington, some 350 yrs old. You don't get this kind of Hx in Fort Lee, NJ. Well there is Fort Lee of course (the fort I mean) and another ton of Hx but the atmosphere of "not urban" intensifies the experience so much one can almost imagine old Daniel walking past the sapling and saying "hope you'll be here long after I'm gone". In Fort Lee you drive past the Historic Park on the way to the GWB into the Big Apple. It's just not the same in Fort Lee. I don't imagine George Washington on his famous march going past the deli on Main Street and saying much at all.

I have the good fortune to be babysitting my granddaughter Olivia (age 2.5) for 2 whole days during this trip. She is so cute. She calls me Grand Daddy and clings to me like I have always been with her. She is sleeping now and woke during the nite once calling for "Mommy" and I lay down with her and said "granddaddy". She looked at me and lay back down and shut her little eyes. I tucked her in like I used to her mother and kissed her on the forehead. She was instantly snoozing again. I have repeatedly been checking on her and pulling up the blankets and tucking some more. I can't wait for her to wake up an play with me. I wish for a loud barking dog to speed this process to no avail. I let her sleep with Grandma. The eventual parting will not be Shakespeare's "sweet" but my not so sweet. I will miss her.

Our trip out to the farm was great! There was a work day a few months ago and everything around the house is all cleaned up. It looks fantastic. I wish I could have been here. Olivia loved going for a walk an enjoyed picking up rocks. My wife and her family set up a room for "the family gathering" and we all did our part. Horace and Ann (my parents in law both well into their 80's) worked along side as usual. As in all families there are challenges. There seems to be an electric problem not diagnosed but everyone is working around it. Everyone pulling together to make the dinner work. Horace and Ann love the farm so. I realize for them to continue on the farm a team approach will be needed. I'm up for the game. I love to help. I sure love my and my wife's family.

My Olivia just woke up and I have to go play. Talk to y'all soon.