June 20 – “The Originals”

We had a great visit yesterday.  It was another Winkle visit, actually.  Not the same ones, though.  Last week was the offspring Winkle and his lovely new bride, come to regale us with tales of love and laughter and new beginnings.  But this week we host the Originals.  Mom and Dad of the male youngster from last week.  Friends from our own era in Fort Worth/Arlington/Mansfield.  One a mild-mannered, sweet, and unassuming co-worker of mine at South Oaks Baptist Church.  The other a brilliant shade-tree mechanic, capable of fixing virtually anything under the hood of a car, especially now, as we learned last night, that he has branched out into the You Tube realm for his personal research and development queries.  Together they form quite a pair.  Together they roam the universe, seeking out old acquaintances and praying that the rain will stop for at least an hour or two so we can go fishing …

In the rain yesterday evening we drove first over to Shrimp and Stuff.  Had to get that crab ball delight in honor/memory of some other friends, the Sprays, who love crab balls.  Oh, they’re not dead or anything.  Just not here this week.  I started to send them a photo of my meal, but I have never been that cruel type.  Of course, if we manage to catch any fish today or tomorrow, I might be coerced into sending a teeny tiny little image to Winkle the Younger …

We also drove by the church I attended as a mere sprout, Grace Episcopal.  Gorgeous edifice, and one of those raised by hand after the 1900 storm.  Well, by many hands, actually.  Then we made our way to the home of some other former South Oaks cronies, the Philpots, who have since retired to the Island and are in the process of renovating an old home.  Caught Celia with a jar of paint in her hands.  And there was some paint still in the jar, too.  They have done an amazing job on the house so far.  Can’t wait to see the finished product.

We closed out the evening just sitting around talking and watching the Astros on mute lose for the first time in 12 games.  I wonder if they would have pulled it out if we had only turned the sound on?  It’s great to have friends who can multi-task.  The plan today is for me and Cary to seek out fish while Chris and KayLynn completely plan out our trip to Alaska.  Sounds like a perfect trade-off to me.  Of course we may have to wait a day for the fishing trip, so the ladies may have the benefit of our wonderful male point of view regarding the trip …

Psalms 71:14 says, “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.”

Father, thank you for The Originals.  Special, special friends.  Help them to relax for a few days here on Paradise Island.  Amen.