Packing up

Critter count, and other counts

No pictures here for obvious reasons.  The totals so far (and we're going to keep counting all the way home) are:

Armadillo, roadkill:  59
Armadillo, live:  1
Possum, roadkill:  5
Turtle, roadkill: 7
Turtle, live: 2
Frog, live:  1
Frog, roadkill:  most visible residue lacking positive identification, due to minimal remaining evidence, thus count not verified
Bags of garbage collected on our exercise walks to and from the gym and beyond:  28
Dozen cookies baked:  46

West Point gets Boiled!!

We couldn't leave West Point  without treating them to our (now famous throughout the Mission) Cajun Boil.  When we learned of the unofficial official non-party party, we volunteered to bring the main course.  It was enjoyed by all.  Here's Elder Johnson and Jerry Moore showing off the brew that's nearly ready.

Carrying the pot - it's Suppertime!

Here's some of our good friends socializing before Supper:  Brenda Pounders, Larry Foster, Cheryl Wilson, Beverly Shields, and Jack Redwine.

Lewie Shields and Larry Foster.  Larry is a Decorated Veteran from the First Marine Division, Vietnam era.  He still loves the Corps, and wears his vest nearly everywhere he goes.

Sister Johnson and more of her friends (when will she ever have enough?).  Sara Beth Crump and  Erin Honsinger are seated next to their mother Sherry Honsinger, who's next to Sister Johnson

Our good friends Cary and Cheryl Wilson enjoying Ba-wol and fixin's.  Br. Wilson is the 2nd counselor in the branch presidency, and Sister Wilson is the 1st counselor in the Relief Society.

John and Beverly Shields.  Br. Shields is 1st Counselor in the branch presidency.

Robert Brown and Lewie Shields.  Robert is the branch clerk, builds racing engines for track and NASCAR, and is quite an entepreneur.  Best of all, he has a full machine shop, and he's been kind enough to let me use it a few times when I've had to debur our tableware, and thread a hole in the Jeep's trailer hitch.

Little Tommy Crump (5 mos) and his favorite friend, Stormy Henderson, Elders Quorum President.. 

Richard Ramsey and Elder Johnson discussing how to divvy up the leftover Boil.  I always make at least twice what will be eaten, and it all seems to disappear by the time everyone leaves.

Alice and Angelika, two of our delightful primary-age youth.

Jesi and Stormy are either resting or playing. 

Br. Shields regaling the group.  Sister Johnson, Stormy, and Beverly in rapt attention.

Amber Ramsey and Sister Johnson enjoying the antics of Jesi.

As you must know by now, the West Point branch is very dear to us.  We love these wonderful people who demonstrate such dedication and commitment.  They continue to be an inspiration to us.  We'll always carry with us the memories of our time spent here.

Howlin' Wolf, the Blues Legend

We got a real treat on July 5th - a personal tour by the curator of the Howlin' Wolf Blues Museum, and the caretaker of his legend, our friend Richard Ramsey.  Here's Richard outside the Museum in West Point.

I can't do justice to the influence that Chester A. Burnett AKA Howlin' Wolf had on the blues, jazz, rock, country, and most other genres of modern music.  Richard has dedicated a significant portion of his life to promote and preserve the memory of this musical giant.  I'll try to get a better description of The Wolf inserted later, but if you're a music lover, Google his name to see what a force he was on all the music of today.  Wolf was born just outside West Point in 1910, and played his music up til the time of his death in 1976.

Richard schools Sister Johnson on the memorabilia of Howlin' Wolf that he's collected.

More of the memorabilia and history in the Museum.

Richard conversing with Sister Johnson on his most passionate subject:  Howlin' Wolf.  The Annual Howlin' Wolf Memorial Concert will be held in West Point this year on August 31.  Unfortunately, we'll miss it, but if we were still in Mississippi, we'd be there for sure.

The Howlin' Wolf Memorial in West Point.

Elder Jones gets retired

Actually, Elder Jones bike gets re-tired.  After several flats due to worn tires and thin Presta tubes, I modified his wheels to take heavy thorn-resistant Schrader tubes, and got him some road tires, instead of the knobbies that most missionary bikes have - to ride around paved roads all the time - go figure.

Anyway, it's smooth riding and no flats for him from now on.

4th of July in Mississippi

The way to start out the 4th of July here is with a Bawbacue.  This means smoked everything, nearly, starting out with chicken.  Note the strategically placed can.  This is usually beer, but in deference to us, a can of soda was substituted.  I can testify that this is one of the finest chickens I have tasted, and this technique may make its way West.

Next out of the smoker is??:

Who'd have guessed Mac and Cheese??  Well, as I've said:  Here in the South they smoke everything.  I haven't had this (at least the Kraft version) for 40 years, due to an unfortunate experience on my mission in Canada.  However, I will again testify that this is the BEST Mac and Cheese I've ever had.  This could win a world prize.

Elders Hatch and Urry are usually where the food is, and today is no exception.  Two chickens, the pan of Mac & Cheese, salad, and a crockpot of baked beans all disappeared.

Here's our hosts and good friends Joel and Glenna.  We love them, their kindness and hospitality have greatly added to our experience here in Mississippi.

Off to Starkville later for ANOTHER 4th of July celebration, hosted by our good friend Geneene Saunders, who invites the whole Starkville branch over for food and fun.  Sister Johnson got to meet up with some of her best friends again.

Couldn't leave out Jai.  He's been playing badminton and eating nonstop, but took time out for a quick photo.

I got a picture with another of our favorite people, Marie.  Do we have anyone who's not our favorite?  I think not.  She's the Mom of the kids above.

Sister Johnson get a BIG hug from Achilles.  The picture is deceiving, he's about 3X her size, and the Dad of the girls and Jai.  Stay tuned for more news about Achilles, Marie, and their family.

After all this, we went home before the fireworks started.  Growing up in Lava Hot Springs and Coeur d' Alene ID, where they have REAL fireworks, we decided to get home and get some rest after a very busy day, so we missed the Starkville display.

Waiting out the rain

What would the South be without summer rains?  Less humid.

We've been having some summer rainstorms that come on quite suddenly, and dump a lot of rain in a short time.  We just got back from rescuing the Elders Jones and Campbell - way out on the east side of Starkville, with a flat tire, no less.  The rain was still coming down after we got them and their bikes back to their apartment, and we drove to our.  We had to wait another 20 minutes in the car before we'd even venture out. 

When it finally tapered off, we both took off our shoes and socks, cause the parking lot had about 2" of water running down it, and we'de have ruined our shoes.  Not the lake forming by the next building.  The umbrellas we were presented from my speaking at EMCC really came in handy today.

After a rain like this, the humidity is near 100%, and mist just hangs in the air.  We're now getting daytime temps around 100F, and experiencing the hot mugginess that southern summers are notorious for.  We seem to be somewhat acclimatized to it.  Mostly it's because we don't have to be out in it very long.  If I was hoein' cotton all day, I'd just die.