The Town has about 865 People. Maybe

My nephew, Patrick, hanging out
with the Fouke Monster

Fouke Arkansas, the rural town about 15 miles from Texarkana has a Dollar General, Monster Mart (tourist trap convenience store with a room dedicated to Fouke Monster merch) and another convenience store across the street. On the outskirts there's also a liquor store where they sell alcohol for wildly crazy prices.* My hair stylist has a shop right next door. Fouke also probably has at least one Church of Christ and Baptist church--though I'd put money on more than one. There used to be an authentic Mexican restaurant there with amazing street tacos. Sadly, the locals had no appreciation for good food and the place closed.  

Last week I mentioned that I'm of the mind that there's a six degrees of separation from anyone in Texarkana and Fouke. Incidentally, my hair stylist, Deb, the Queen of the Coronas, Corona Leah and Val my sewing friend are all from Fouke and--I'm not making this up--they are all related somehow.  

Anyway, here's a quick video about Fouke (less than a minute). I don't know this dude, but I'd bet money I know someone who does.  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hPgqzEfBoHA

*All the liquor stores in Western Arkansas have wildly crazy prices because they can. One cannot buy anything other than Budweiser/Coors/Miller beers or wines in Bowie county. Want to make a margarita, you gotta buy your tequila somewhere. 

 

The Clawsfather

He smiles when he sleeps.

Roosevelt is the more chill of the two Overlords. He was the cuddler until he hit teenagehood. And now Roosevelt perfectly content to have someone pet him as they stand nearby, worshiping him. In return, he'll purr like he's running a two-stoke engine.

The kitten is also extremely patient with his brother. Every couple of hours, Leon will jump on Roosevelt and start biting him. Roosevelt, when tired of Leon's antics will give him a thwack, generally stopping the fight by using less energy and a lot more power.

For as calm as Roosevelt is, he's also the most adventurous of the duo. He looks at the outside with such wanderlust that I half-suspect there's an owl/fox/snake/hawk looking at him through the backyard storm door, licking it's lips, just waiting for him to escape. He likes to be up high and has managed to climb the walls like a parkour athlete. But, his favorite place to climb is onto my thigh while I'm typing, always surprising me and always--ALWAYS--using his claws. 

Did I Mention He Shredded an Entire Roll of Toilet Paper Last Night?*

I've just renamed one of the Overlords. His new name: Leondontbeamoron Stopthat! 

He's still cute. And he's still the mama's boy between the two and has me wrapped around his little tail. 

Thugs

*I know it was him because he brought me the only remaining inch left of his kill and proof of his affection for me. 

Vintage 1955

My gift to Gail

While in Arizona, I texted Deb, the Queen of the Coronas and asked if anything was happening for Corona Gail's 70th birthday. Her Majesty replied with, "not yet." And then another thread started with all but one Corona on it. And Viola! A surprise party was planned. 

Yesterday the majority of the Coronas met Gail at the lobby of the local Walk Ons restaurant, with walker, tiara and sash. After making her walk the length of the restaurant with the walker we sat in our highly decorated room and said all sorts of loving things like, "35 was half your life ago." and "Do you remember us?" and "How many of your original teeth do you still have?" and (to the server) "Can we get our friend a bib?" 

There was a lot of laughing and a great amount of ribbing for poor Gail, who took the entire thing in stride. The gifts were somewhat 70 years old centric and Gail promised us she'd be showing them off to her sister--who happens to be four years older and tells her life begins at 70. To be honest, Gail, Deb and Tessa make 70 look youthful. 

As we were parting, Gail said a lot of sentimental things including, "I've never had a group of girlfriends like you ladies." I'm pretty sure none of us have. 

Independence Day

During my morning walk yesterday, someone said to me, "Happy Fourth of July." I automatically responded with "Happy Independence Day" because THAT IS WHAT IT IS! And then I felt like a jerk. I wasn't correcting the woman, I was just giving my knee-jerk reply--but it might have sounded a bit pious. Oops. 

Independence Day is a big deal in these parts. I passed on the Corona Fireworks Party(TM) last night because I was obligated somewhere else. And if I skipped both events, there were about 7 others I could have found without much effort. Most folks decorated their interior and exterior of their homes. We just did the exterior and it was low key compared to the other homes in Wake Village. 

And let me just say, The Texarkana Chorale's concert was outstanding, and not just because the Soprano 1s are always amazing. This concert just rocked! As part of the concert, the Chorale sang every military flight song, and the Veterans of each branch stood so they could be acknowledged. Of note, the Vietnam-era Marines (which comprised most of the Vets in the room) stood at attention and sang along to the Marine's Hymn. By the way, did you know "Taps" (which is really called Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones) has lyrics? Now you do and now I do. 

Taps will always bring me to tears. Attend a military funeral and see if you aren't moved every time you hear it from then on. I dare you. 

Polly is in there somewhere--I think she's behind the conductor's arm. 

My Money is on Creepy Weirdo

7.13 Miles as the Crow Flies. 

Tuesday night, I morphed from City Girl to Small-Town Girl in about 15 seconds. While looking for Marty in the Texarkana Airport parking lot (about 20 spaces and I was just blind), a man walked up to me and asked if I knew if there was Uber in Texarkana. 

"Yes. Where are you going?" I asked because folks in this part of the world don't mind their business and well, when in Rome the South...

"The Hilton Garden." The guy replied. 

Without thinking, the following tumbled out of my mouth: "We are heading that way, can we give you a lift?" At the time I had no idea where the Hilton Garden was (I know now), but I knew there's less than eight miles between the airport on the East side of Texarkana and Wake Village on the West side of Texarkana, so how far out of the way could the Hilton Garden be?  

The surprised man declined my offer but we continued chatting for a moment longer.  

When Marty found me, I introduced the two and said good-bye to my new friend. Marty promptly offered him a ride--which the guy also declined. 

Hopefully the man just considered us the Southern Hospitality Welcome Wagon and not creepy weirdos. 

 

There and Back

Somewhere in Pinal County

I'm home from a whirlwind trip--if one can call a week "whirlwind." Girl's weekend in the foothills of Tucson was almost perfect--in case anyone wanted to know what the noise was Saturday morning, it was a scream when I found a nope-on-a-rope hanging out on the sidewalk. Seeing my brother and his family made me smile for days on end. I saw a friend I wanted to see. And, I saw Bonus Dad, who walked without assistance the length of his assisted living apartment. He is still as wonderful as ever. 

For the record, I hate flying through DFW. Speaking of records, I think I now hold the record of making it from Terminal A to terminal B in and to my gate in 12 minutes--of which 7 of those minutes I was on the tram. Thank you again, American Airlines for changing my flight without permission and giving me so little time to catch my connection, but more importantly, being so committed to my fitness.

One more tiny thing: happy belated birthday Freedom. I'll call you next week.