Amy, Showen Some Southern Hospitality

If we had to sum up our week with Amy into a movie title, it would be: a Dirt Cheap Helen Keller, Swims In the Tennessee River, while reliving the Amish Paparazzi days... I admit, its not a movie I would go and see, unless I had some clarification.

Amy flew into town with less than half a weeks notice for her birthday... 1. we loved the last minute decision (we didn't have to wait for months counting down the days) and 2. We got to enjoy her birthday just as much as she did (she's pretty brave to want to come sleep on Trace's jack knife sofa bed for a week in a 5th wheel parked next to one of the dirtiest 'sipps in Mississippi). We took her to Rondevue BBQ in downtown Memphis to experience southern goodness... We then got quickly back on the road so we didn't get shot (a Memphis experience we don't want).

For the first half of the week I was at clinic (and driving) from 7am until 7pm. The girls didn't have any trouble staying busy. I believe the trips to Dirt Cheap totaled 3, and from what I hear Amy is a natural at navigating its countless, shady rows of discount treasures. Dirt Cheap is one of the souths strangest kept secrets. It feels like you've stepped... back in time?... into a mexican barter?... or perhaps into a trap for ADHD shopaholics?... theres no good way to describe it other than that both Amy and Shayna had new, cheap clothing every day when I got home. We ended each day with a dip in the Stites' pool; the icing on the cake of where we live.

We kicked off the weekend with a trip to our favorite all you can eat catfish restaurant, "Catfish Country". Amy was a bit timid at first, but ended the night with a plate full of pond raised goodness. She is an expert at deciphering tastes. She determined that the sloppy collard greens had an essence of cheap tobacco smoke and sweat. Couldn't have said it better.

When I was finally done with clinic for the week we drove over to Ivy Green (Tuscumbia, Alabama) to see Helen Kellers birthplace. We have a knack for timing on our outings, without even knowing it. Turns out that we visited Helen's home place during a press conference, during the week of the Helen Keller festival. We didn't stay for a lot of the festivities, but we made sure to tour the house and see the grounds. It was a really nice experience.

After Ivy Green we stopped at the Tennessee River. Trace had fun playing in the questionable water while we talked about life's mysteries and took pictures. Honey just sat there and blew bubbles. One of the fun things about Amy is that she loves to converse- the 3 of us (and sometimes Trace), spent most of our time talking. The highlight of the trip was less about where we went or what saw but about how much we enjoyed just passing the time together.

Saturday was a day of mixed experiences. The morning was heavenly, tracking down the amish and being received well. These amish were less timid and spent some time telling us about their lives, something we appreciated more than their unadulterated vegetables and homemade bread. Of course Shayna was crouched down in the back seat with her D90 in one hand while nursing Honey with the other. I'm sure we'll pay for that... but the pictures turned out great.

The warm reception suddenly turned upside down when we arrived in Holly Springs. Worst day to visit was that Saturday. Everything was closed (all the antebellum homes, the one boutique we needed to return baby clothes to, and all of the reputable diners) and it was an hour and a half out of our way. I was left to fend for myself at the pizza parlor from hell (good pizza... but we totally got swindled... how do you get ripped off at a pizza place... go to Holly Springs and find out), while the girls walked across town just to find a public bathroom.

Sunday came so fast. People at church thought Amy had come to stay, and were disappointed to find out that she wouldn't be around long enough to marry their son or grandson. We found out just how many "eligible" young men there were in the branch (we haven't me them yet thou). We arrived in Memphis a few hours later, said good bye, watched her walk into the airport, and missed her instantly. What a fun week we had! We wish she could have stayed longer. We know the cows and horses will be happy, the squirrels and other varmints will scurry and hide, and the parents will put her back to work. Thanks for sharing your birthday with us Amy! We loved it.