The original plan was to drive across FL from Pensecola to Jacksonville and then up the coast. However, Mom and Jerry gave me a call to say they made the big RV purchase and were in southern FL. We agreed to meet half way in Orlando for a few days. This thing is an apartment on wheels. I'm so excited for them and their plans to travel all over North America. Mom in her new kitchen. While this is about 10% the size of her previous kitchen I was still amazed with the amount of food she was able to cook. Food is love!!! Mom and I decided to spend a day at Universal Studios. This place was so much fun. There were things happening all around you. It was almost sensory overload. Even the Blues Brothers made an appearance. Yup it's me. Somehow this guy picks me out of about 300 people to be the "stuntman" volunteer. They had me go back stage and set up a shot that made it look like I was going to jump from 20 feet up into a pit of foam. I had to act like I didn't want to do it. Then they threw a dummy off the ledge that was wearing the same clothes. I then had to go on stage out of the foam pit and act like I was really hurt. I think the audience really thought I was hurt because nobody was laughing. My Mother later said she thought I was really hurt and she was going to yell at them. Mom being a total trooper. She went on all the simulated rides with me even though she is prone to motion sickness. I had to laugh. Mom would read the warning on every single exhibit, even though they all said the same thing. The Jaws ride was unbelievable! We finally left eight hours later. Mom, Jerry, and I out to a nice dinner. Given we don't have homes and the extensive travel we don't know when we will see each other next.  I found out I have cousins (John and Connie)just outside of Jacksonville whom I've never met. We gave them a call and told them I was going to be in the area.
Hear is a picture of John and Connie with some of their family. I spent the night and heard the most amazing family stories. John came from Sicily when he was 25 to marry Connie and didn't speak a word of English. He was raised believing that hard work is the single answer to providing for your family. He worked in a factory 12 hours a day then did odd jobs for people in the yard. That turned into a nusery business that he did after his normal job. Now John owns 50 acres near Jacksonville that allows them to obtain most of what they need off the land. These are the most giving and selfless people I've ever met. The master bedroom suite in their house is used as the guest room. I think that tells you exactly how generous they are. I had never met them before and it was like they raised me. I could have stayed for weeks and can't wait to go back. |
