Down South

It is so hard to sum up my experience in Alabama so far in just a few paragraphs. It has been so peaceful here. I love spending time in my Dad's house. It is very large, beautiful and tranquil. I especially love the backyard, which is basically a forest with some rocks in the foreground. There are so many birds and other creatures. My Dad has some feeders in his yard, and the regular visitors include purple and yellow finches, cardinals, titmice (sp?), doves, and indigo buntings. We watch them through binoculars.

The mockingbirds are the most intriguing. I'm not used to hearing them in Chicago, and I think the sounds they make are so lovely. We hear them, but hardly ever see them because they like high places. Dad and I went on a walk this morning and listened to them.

Yesterday Dad took me on a walking tour of downtown Huntsville. We saw quite a few Antebellum homes, as they are all located in one particular area. Dad and I have always been interested in history and old stuff, so of course this was thrilling. I took pictures of every house. I'm afraid the pictures aren't as interesting as the actual experience and listening to my Dad tell stories. He has a wealth of information the history of the homes, who lived in them, why they are built the way they are, and why they are still standing.

The humidity here is stifling, but seems to make everything all the more lush. Everything is green, and the mountains are shrouded by mist all the time. The air feels clean and I feel refreshed the longer I'm here. Having family around to love makes all the difference also.

I had brief period of anxiety last night about money, being away from home, work, and other stuff, but it passed. Dad is at work this afternoon writing his sermon. Today was spent taking care of me - walking, meditating, studying, reading, and finally taking the time to post on the blog.

I still don't know when I'm going home. I'm really dragging my heels because I love it here so much and want to spend as much time with my Dad as I can. Duty always calls, however. We'll see what happens.

I love my new car, and look forward to having a car in Chicago again. I'm not letting it out of my sight! I'm never parking on Ravenswood again! It'll be nice to not have to worry about how I'm going to lug groceries and cat litter home, or how I'm going to travel to Ohio and Pennsylvania to visit our families.

Anyway, I guess that's all I have for now. It is different trying to write on someone elses computer. I'll try to post again before I leave.