Safe travels, sickness, storms

Jake got to DFW without any issues. He and Mama shopped their way home from the airport. She had planned her stops at Sam’s and Winco while she was in the area but they also managed to squeeze in lunch at In-and-Out Burgers. Jake somehow knew a secret menu for In-and-Out Burgers so when he ordered something that was not on the very simple menu displayed above the registers Mama was a little shocked. The clerk taking the order was not the least phased by it when he ordered “animal fries”.  They are fries topped with grilled onions, cheese and some other sauce – and cost quite a bit extra. I have learned that you can get your burger done “animal” style also, but I will probably never do so.

All of us were sick last night. Mama was complaining about an upset stomach when I got home and I was not in much better shape. Victoria called on her way home to say she had been battling diarrhea all day. Only Jake was free from symptoms. We were beginning to think it was something we ate at the wedding on Tuesday but when I texted the pastor and the musicians to let them know I would not be there, we found out that Erin and her family were battling a stomach bug also. Cori, Nate and the kids are also sick with a stomach bug – so I suppose it could be other than something we all ate. It was not a pleasant evening. I never enjoy missing church.

Mama did cook some dinner for Jake. She had bought a rotisserie chicken at Sam’s so she made some mashed potatoes and green beans to go with that. Jake told Mama that his visits are as much for the good food he gets when he visits her as it is for the company and the fun. Melissa, Jake’s mom is still wondering what makes Mama Kim’s food taste better than hers. I think it is more that Jake and Mama like the same sorts of foods so her cooking is more aligned with his desires, but I could be wrong. The potatoes Mama mashed turned into a sort of thick paste when they were mashed - something like gum. Jake did not mind. He affirmed that they still tasted good. The pigs got the leftovers. Neither Mama nor I ate.

Late in the evening a storm rolled in. It was very impressive. Lot of black clouds against a contrasting bright blue sky. Lots of wind and lightening. I was lounging in my chair almost asleep when Mama went out the front door to feed the big dogs. She called to Victoria to have her come see the storm and just about the time I heard Mama say, “Did you see that lightening?” a boom of thunder shook the house and both Mama and Victoria screamed; so loudly that both of the Great Pyrenees ran off as if they had been shot. Mama and Victoria got to laughing at themselves so hard that they both had to run to the bathroom.

That is the part of being here that Jake enjoys so thoroughly.