Wednesday, June 15, 2022

June 15 – “From heaven to the salt mine depths”

We started the day off with a really great breakfast.  Hey … bacon was involved.  How could you go wrong?  Christi even gave me enough to make a BLT-to-go for munch.  Chris got the leftover chicken salad.  We loaded up the car right after breakfast and hit the road.  On our way to beautiful downtown Quitman, Texas – home of the alleged “Best Quilt Shop in Texas.” 

 

The road to Quitman was pretty boring.  Nothing but trees and bushes with an occasional small town (read here “slow down”).  About the only excitement was when they had shut that road down to only one lane.  We had to wait for the lead truck to guide us through the traffic cone maze.

 

The quilt shop was called “Stitchin’ Heaven.  I can see why.  It was a huge warehouse-size showroom full of fabric and patterns and sewing machines and thread.  They had also taken over the old funeral home next door.  Guess that was now their warehouse.  We didn’t go over there.  You never know what evil may lurk within a structure like that …

 

Chris was indeed … excited.  She got all the items she wanted and handed over the gift card she received from Seaside back when I retired.  The entire bill came to only $39.  Well, plus the cost of gas to get us there, but that was the fun part.

 

And what made the journey “the fun part”?  On our way to our next stop, we drove through the town of Grand Saline.  Yep.  “Saline.”  It was the home of one of the world’s largest salt mines.  It is owned and run by Morton’s Salt.  Couldn’t help it.  We had to find the visitor’s center and stop.  Sadly, they stopped doing actual tours of the mines back in 1963, but inside the visitor center we saw a very informative video about modern-day salt mining.  The most significant thing about this little detour in our day?  The visitor center building was made out of salt.  And you could lick it, if you so desired.  They even sold a t-shirt that said something like. “I licked the Morton Salt Museum Wall.”  And people had posted photos of themselves on social media actually doing the licking.  I … didn’t.  Chris absolutely wouldn’t allow it.  We did buy a salty Christmas ornament.  The lady working there also gave us a box of salt as a parting gift.  Sorry.  No stuffed animals available.

 

We made it to our evening host home, the Huntley’s.  The Winkle’s were already there, so without further ado, we dove right into planning for our trip to Hawaii next year.  Chris took over leading the meeting, as we went through all the details we already knew to make sure all were on the same page.  Then we took a break and Larry grilled some burgers.  Diane added some baked beans and deviled eggs to the mix.  Great supper.  After the meal we continued our review of the Hawaii plans.  The next big decisions to make involve choosing which excursions we will be going on.  Plenty of time to decide that, but it was fun to peruse the cruise line website and see what all is available.  We even emailed our travel agent to ask a question or two.  She has already answered.  Pretty efficient lady, that Belinda. 

 

After the Winkle’s left, the four of us decided to take a walk.  Well, I can probably accurately say that the ladies decided we would take a walk, and Larry and I went along.  Security purposes, of course.  I think we made it a little over two miles.  Not exactly sure how far, but it was dark when we got back to the house.  We cooled down and chatted a while longer, but pretty soon we all hit the sack as well.  Big day today.  Astros game in Arlington.  P.S.  GOOD GUYS won in a thriller last night 4-3. 

 

James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

 

Father, thank you for bacon and burgers and family and friends.  Amen.

No comments: