It’s been a little over a week since I’ve been back home in Arkansas {is it weird that I, suddenly, feel guilty about calling Arkansas “home”}. I missed my beloved {Michigan} something fierce, as it’s been what seems like months and months since I’d been back to the Mitten. I was home {Michigan home} for ten whole days.
As excited and relieved to be home as I was, I was also saddened. Spring had arrived here in Arkansas ages ago; trees fully leaved, flowers blooming, and my tomato plants about to fruit. Michigan, on the other hand, was weeks behind. Buds were just sprouting on trees and the weather was cool {dry! but cool}. I was saddened to see once bright, busy shopping centers fallen victim to the dwindling economy, store fronts boarded up and businesses closed. It was a sharp contrast to what has become familiar down here in Ark; a newer up-and-coming area in which I work, super-busy shopping centers, new businesses, stores, restaurants opening every other day. I know that living down here is easier on the wallet, but i can’t help feeling as if I’ve abandoned Michigan and contributed to it’s downfall. {sigh}
The highlights, though, were spending some really good, meaningful time with my family. Shopping for hours on end with Mom {before her back procedure}, playing hours upon hours of Monopoly with my nephew, and playing at the park with my adorable niece. Priceless moments that I will treasure always.
I had a harder-than-normal time packing up and returning to Ark this time. Maybe it was because Mom was in so much pain from her procedure. Maybe it was the extra time I got to spend at home. Maybe it was JoAnn’s scrap booking paper sale {ha!}.
I did have something to look forward to upon my return: small green tomatoes on the vine. Early Girls making their appearance. It’s almost silly how excited I am about these lovely, fruity globes. I’m half contemplating picking them just before they ripen to try my hand at Fried Green Tomatoes!
So, friends. What are you looking forward to??
