#frfrtho

it was much needed and deserved.

I did a lot of driving,

but I have definitely been refreshed and revived.

I left my bed early yesterday morning;

just after six, my wheels were on the pavement, and South my truck and I went.

Star Road then 49 South, we were Gulfport bound for sure.

I didn't see the beach, but I saw an old flame;

it had been way too long for our visit

which, unfortunately, was much too brief.

We still have sparks, and there will always be love.

It is what it is;

we'll see how, this time,

it all unfolds.

Back on the road, I was headed back home,

but a text message changed the course.

I turned back around right by Marco's old TVC,

yep , I was in Magee.

I pulled up the map, well, you know, GPS.

Not really caring about the fastest route,

I chose the path that Google did not recommend.

Old Mississippi highways that I had never heard of had me winding through tiny towns trapped in time's past and the majestic decor of Nature's breath-taking scenes.

I reached my destination, barely an hour had lapsed.

I spent a quiet afternoon in Laurel with my new friend girl.

At around five, the tires were rolling;

I started out towards Brandon,

but my course had changed once again.

Little strategic planning had me on the road to Columbus,

a journey I've never travelled ever before.

The natural beauty and effervescent green unlike I've ever seen anywhere but in my home state

filled my sight for miles and miles and even farther yet to be seen.

I had to make a pit stop;

too many miles between exits and their clusters of gas stations, and damnit, I had to pee.

At last, there was Enterprise;

I think if I would have blinked,

I would have missed it.

There was only the one, small rundown service station,

but I could no longer wait.

Ahhh...

Bladder empty and hands washed,

I decided that I certainly could grab a bite to eat.

I got a flavored water and splurged on a Little Debbie,

however, the proprietor, a small man from India,

suggested that my sweet snack wouldn't be quite enough.

His wife had made Samosas, and I should definitely try one;

if I didn't like it, it would be free,

he kindly assured.

This new cuisine tasted beefy, and I had to pay for the delicious entrée treat.

Back on the blacktop,

I continued my tour of the state.

With intermission now over,

I also continued my concert,

my imaginary, sold out stadiums could no longer be made to wait;

I sang loudly with the windows down.

I didn't give a shit about what anyone that saw or heard me could possibly even think.

The trip to Columbus was just more than two hours,

and the sunset was the most amazing I think I've seen.

Exhausted from a full day of travel,

I was kept out and about much too late.

Yes, I did some bitching,

so what, I'm set in my ways.

People and their habits,

well, some,

just don't seem to change.

I woke up this morning having sorta kinda been camping,

and after a Mountain Dew,

I just had to bitch at my friend once more.

I couldn't help it;

I had been put back on the mission from the night before.

The next few hours were spent with leisure,

and then in a truly one-of-a-kind, hidden home on an island,

my mouth got fed and my belly got full.

After homemade cherry-pineapple ice cream, Granny's secret concoction,

I became chauffer for this friend one more time.

Ugh...

Finally, I departed,

but I had one last detour.

Yesterday was Haley's birthday,

she had been crying when she called me. We decided that we'd meet up when I got 'round her way.

I took Highway 19 in Louisville like she had told me,

she said she was on the way.

Almost an hour to Philly,

I had gone way out of my way for nothing since she quit responding and never even came.

Backtracking to 25,

this highway I knew well,

I gave her a fair warning,

but I had to block Haley,

nonetheless.

I didn't do that for anybody but me.

Home sweet home,

Kristi sure did miss me,

I took my place on the foot of her bed,

and I listened intently to the details of all that I had missed.