Oh the Adventure

 

Monday, March 17    Well now, would you look at that — the azaleas have decided to put on a real Southern belle debutante show this year! Normally, they make a quick appearance like a shy guest at the garden party — pretty as a picture for a few days, then gone with the wind. But not this spring, no ma’am. This time, they’re struttin’ their stuff like they’ve got all the time in the world, blooming big and bold for over a week now!

Seems like every flower in town got the memo that spring's in full swing. The dogwoods are dancing, the wisteria’s whisperin’ sweet nothings, and those azaleas? They’re stealing the spotlight.

But bless your heart if you’ve got allergies, 'cause that pollen is out here thicker than sweet tea on a summer porch. It’s so heavy you’d think Mother Nature spilled her powdered sugar shaker all over the South!

Tuesday, March 18    Barrett was out doing what kids do best—playing with heart and a head full of ideas. He turned the driveway into his own homemade racetrack, complete with a flag stand made just right for the occasion. With a few strips of duct tape and a lot of imagination, he mapped out a perfect track.

He and his friend Alex spent the afternoon racing their bikes, lap after lap, around their creation. They laughed, competed, and soaked in the kind of spring day that feels endless when you're a kid.

Wednesday, March 19   This little treasure came from Happy Girl a few years back, and it’s been sittin’ right here on my desk at work ever since. That tiny charm may not look like much to some folks, but to me, it’s a gentle reminder of who I truly work for.

We just packed up and moved offices this past week, and let me tell you—change can rattle the nerves, even on the best of days. When the chaos starts to stir up that anxious little storm inside me, I stop for a moment and picture myself right there in that frame. I try to see me the way the Lord does—loved, chosen, and held together by grace.

And wouldn’t you know, the peace starts to settle in. I gather myself, take a deep breath, and keep pressing on. 'Cause until the day I see Jesus face to face, I know He’s placed His Holy Spirit right inside me.

And truly—what more could a girl want than that?

Thursday, March 20      It’s here, y’all! The ‘55 made it to print in the AACA National Magazine, Antique Automobile—how cool is that? Seeing her right there on the page just fills my heart up. This car isn’t just chrome and curves, she’s part of our family’s story, a rolling piece of our history.

She’s been with us since 1967, and what a life she’s lived! Back in the day, she even had pink carpet—thanks to her time with Mom and Dad. Stylish, wasn’t she? And she’s still got stories to tell. She was our getaway car on our wedding day, 25 years ago, carrying us off into the start of forever.

Now she’s in our care, and we’re taking her back to her roots—restoring her to her original glory, one loving detail at a time. The journey isn’t over for our sweet ‘55… she’s still cruisin’ through the years, with memories in her rearview and plenty of road ahead.

Friday, March 21  Out with the old... and hopefully in with the new before the neighborhood kids start showing up with inner tubes and asking if the “Slip ’N Slide River” is open for business.

Now listen, cleaning up that poor, rusted-out pool has been about as fun as herding cats in a rainstorm. But spring is here, and hope—along with pollen and mosquitoes—is in the air. Still, let’s not gloss over the moment. Oh no.

The day those pool walls gave up the ghost? Legendary. I wasn’t there, but I imagine it sounded like a cannonball fight between Noah’s Ark and a water park. One minute: peaceful backyard. The next: bricks flying like popcorn and water rushing across the lawn like it was late for church. I hear it even relocated a few lawn chairs—and maybe a squirrel or two.

She didn’t go quietly, that pool. She made sure everyone knew her time had come. But now it’s time for a fresh start—preferably one that doesn't involve flash flooding or unplanned backyard lakes.

Saturday, March 22  While With Darin out of town, Barrett and I saw an open weekend and thought—why not turn it into a little adventure of our own? So we packed up our curiosity and headed downtown for the Cajun Cook-Off, tagging along with our good friend David Ladnier.

Let me tell you, it was a feast for the senses! Barrett was absolutely enchanted by the live band—his little feet couldn’t stop moving to the beat. Meanwhile, David and I were on a mission to taste every Cajun creation in sight. Gumbo, étouffée, jambalaya—if it had spice and soul, we tried it.

And how did we arrive? Oh, just casually cruising in David’s 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible—top down, wind in our hair, feeling like movie stars from another era.

But the day didn’t stop there. On our way home, we made a quick detour to visit the legendary SS United States, docked right there in Mobile. She’s soon to become the world’s largest man-made reef off the coast of Florida—a grand old lady finding her second life beneath the sea. It felt like standing in the shadow of history.

Later, we met up with Wendy and Clay for dinner at Briquettes—good food, better company. But the real surprise? Barrett and Wendy discovered a trail behind the restaurant, and wouldn’t you know it, that boy turned it into his own personal stage. He just had to show off his dance moves, spinning and grooving like nobody was watching (but of course, we all were, with big grins on our faces).

A day full of flavor, music, ships, stories, and a little sparkle of spontaneity. Just the kind of day that reminds you how grand the simple moments can be when you lean into the adventure.

Sunday, March 23       SS United States: The Great Boat Chase. It all started like any ordinary outing—sunshine, good spirits, and a plan. But as any seasoned adventurer knows, the best stories never go exactly as planned…

We were ready for a river cruise, hearts set on seeing the legendary SS United States up close. But somehow, in the flurry of excitement and the buzz of the waterfront, we found ourselves standing in line… at the wrong boat. Smiling folks boarding, ropes being adjusted, and us—cheerfully oblivious.

That is, until the realization hit like a cannonball to the hull: Wrong boat!

And then—cue the dramatic music—we were off! Sprinting down the dock like a scene from a movie, dodging tourists and waving frantically at the crew of the right boat. Just as they were pulling in the ropes, we arrived—breathless, laughing, and just in time to hop aboard. Talk about cutting it close!

Once we were safely aboard, the river revealed her treasures. We cruised past the SS United States not once, but seven times, as if she wanted to make sure we got every possible angle of her beauty. Towering and proud, she stood like a ghost from America’s grand maritime past, her next journey not across the Atlantic, but to rest as the world’s largest man-made reef.

But the ride didn’t end there. The boat carried us up the Mobile River to the iconic Cochran Bridge, also known as the Africatown Bridge—steeped in history and standing tall in tribute to a community with stories worth telling. Along the way, we watched the mighty bar boats work their magic, spinning a massive ship around in the narrow river like it was a toy in a bathtub. Absolutely awe-inspiring.

We came for a boat ride, but what we got was a chase, a history lesson, and a front-row seat to the dance of giants on the water. An adventure we almost missed—but will never forget.