Family Visits

Ocala, Florida

Weather: low 78 degrees, high 98 degrees, clear skies

Texas does not have a corner on the hot weather. It is plenty hot here, and it will last just as long as it does in the Lone Star State. Our hope is that the rain holds off until we leave, because there's nothing like it raining in the middle of the afternoon and watching the steam rise from the ground. There is no humidity like the Florida humidity.

We spent most of the day visiting family, starting with spending a good part of the day at Carolyn's mother's house. Doris is 86 years old, and is doing great for her age. Oh, that thing about not telling a lady's age? Doris is proud of her age, and doesn't try to cover it up. When a person gets to be that age, there's not much that can be said other than she's glad she's made it this long. And we're hoping for many more.

While we were at Doris's house, we saw Billy, Bobby, and Teresa, three of Carolyn's siblings. It was great catching up, but eventually the long trip caught up to us, so we went home to rest. Late in the afternoon, we went over to my brother Roger's house and visited for a couple of hours. Another good visit was enjoyed, and we are getting together later on for supper one night before we leave.

On our way home from Roger's, we stopped at Cracker Barrel for a meal that is about as close to home cooked as you can get away from home. The food was as expected, and I had the meatloaf, fried okra, cole slaw, and fried apples. Carolyn had chicken tenderloins (strips), carrots, and corn. Of course, we also had the corn muffins. Not as good as Carolyn's cooking, but passable.

As we were at the cash register getting ready to leave Cracker Barrel, Bruce, another of Carolyn's brothers, was noticed waiting on a table with his family, and we visited with them a few minutes until their table was ready. So, more family members seen today. Neat!

We have seen many people begging for money here in the Ocala area since we arrived. They tend to congregate at intersections, holding up signs with some sort of message written on them. We didn't see anyone giving money to any of the beggars, and it may be that people are suffering from too much exposure to the beggars. That brings me to a panhandler stopping us at Cracker Barrel as we were walking to our truck. He recited a story about his mother being in the hospital in Gainesville in bad shape, he had to stop in Ocala to buy a tire that took all his money, and he didn't have enough gas to get to Gainesville. Could I help him out with enough money for three gallons of gas? Well, no. I could smell alcohol on his breath, and the same scam with some variations has been tried on me all over the country. I don't mind helping someone with a legitimate need, but giving a person enough money to go buy the next bottle doesn't quite qualify as being smart on my part.

That's about it from here today. More beggar stories as they happen.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Chattanooga, Tennessee: The Scenic City

Not all who wander are lost.