Yesterday after the hen party, Joel, Donna and I drove over to Inglewood

to shop at the fresh market.  We bought some satsuma jelly – our new favorite.

We also purchased some kohlrabi, rutabagas and some green garlic, all of which we roasted for dinner.  I got a quart of goat milk, and

Donna picked out some handmade soaps for her girls.

When we left the fresh market, we paid a visit to Joel Smith

at the Saxon Guild, also located on Inglewood Plantation.

Joel and his brother Bob restore art and antiques.  The two of them, along with a few other family members, are very fine musicians and hold concerts there in the shop.

The Smith brothers are interesting to talk to and their shop is a fun place to wander around in.

Later in the afternoon, the three of us walked down to meet Nikki and the kids and watch the Woodworth Mardi Gras parade.

The boys had a fun time picking up the candy and beads that were thrown to them. They actually collected a good bit.

Josie didn’t do too bad either.

It was a beautiful day to be out and about.

One evening while in Alaska, we were sitting around the table and Trish was talking about how she gets together with her friends and they call it a hen party.  Well, little sister, I hope you are reading this, because I’m going to show you how we have a hen party in the South.

While I was out of town, not only did Rose and Jasmine get out and prune Joel’s citrus  trees, but Clem the Blue Slate turkey got loose. This morning, when I went out to feed the chickens, I found Clem

pacing back and forth in front of the chicken pen.  He has lived with the chickens since he was little…well that is until about a month ago.  I truly believe he thinks that he’s one of them. I tried to herd him into the new chicken pen, but he wouldn’t go in.  Then, I decided to catch him…and I did…only I left the gate open, and when I turned back around, the chickens had made a run for it and were headed toward Joel’s flower beds. It was a Maalox moment.  So, I went up the hill and into the house to find Donna…with Clem clutched tightly to my breast.  I was hoping beyond all hope that Joel was still in the back on the phone.  When I found Donna, a big grin appeared on her face.  We put Clem in the chicken pen, and then, the hen party got started.

We herded hens in every direction except the right one.

Joel’s mama even joined the party, but we decided

to make her the gate keeper, which ended up being a smart move.

We herded chickens with shovels and brooms

and two by four’s.  It was quite a workout. When the gate was closed behind the last chicken, the hen party was officially over. The total length of the event was only about fifteen minutes, but we found that to be plenty of time. Yep, things are back to normal.

By Wednesday, things seemed to be coming back to me where my watercolor skills were concerned. I realized that I was about to cross over into……. the zone. But, I was scheduled to leave Thursday night. I decided to see what the difference in cost would be if I moved my departure date to Saturday.  So, I enlisted the help of

my driver, tour guide, travel agent and sledding instructor – Trish McFarlin.  After about forty-five minutes, she was able to inform me that staying until Saturday would set me back one thousand five hundred dollars. I immediately came down with a case of anal glaucoma – I just could not see my rear end paying that kind of money.  Joel was happy that I had contracted the disease.  So, zone or no zone I would be sailing through the ozone come Thursday night.  And I did…not only Thursday night, but all day Friday.  My winter wonderland is now four thousand miles behind me, and I am walking on the green, green grass of home. But…it is good.