Observations from Fairfield Glade TN - sisters' trip

Three of the four sisters on last year's trip to north central Arkansas.
 L.to R.: Carolyn, Barbara, Pat

This week ends the Couch sisters' 13th annual summer trip. Our adventures began in 1999 on the Cumberland Plateau out of Crab Orchard. This year, we revisited Tennessee in the same general area. Some poems written during the week follow.

a resort condo

in the Tennessee forest

bird and insect song

~~~

nature's

ambience marred

by ACs' drone

~~~

"Cream-a-holic sister"

Using

all four creamers

from the motel's breakfast

in one cup of coffee, she drives

for more.

~~~

"For once, a cool morning"

Far off

thunder during

the night. Somewhere, perhaps,

a respite from prolonged heat of

summer.

Bluejay

sounding puny

against the crow's raucous

call, but with the cool temp and breeze,

who cares?

~~~

"Seeing moss on a tree knob"

Needing

directional

assistance, one of us

remembered that moss grows on the

north side.

~~~

c 2012 by Pat Laster dba lovepat press

While on the East Coast - our Sisters' trip--Pt. 2

On Wednesday, I sit out in morning's cool
on deck (of postage size) that overlooks
a tree-filled space. Diagonally, a slough

of sorts holds Alligator Annie (Al?).
(State law forbids their feeding, else a fine
--for feeder--death for animal that's fed.)

The wrens and crows and squirrels and unknown birds
cavort and call in nearby trees, and moss
--ubiquitous--hangs almost close enough

to touch. No breeze, but sounds of fountain, air
conditioning mingle. Two of four ride bikes,
all three work hard at forming daily plans.

Not me--I'm just along. I'll go along.
By Thursday, we were zombies! Two whole days
of shopping, tours: Savannah trolley ride,

narrated by a Yank from Jersey, through
the myriad parks, their ancient live oak trees
with beards of Spanish moss like spectors. Greene,

Pulaski, Rebel soldier facing North
to guard against returning redcoats. Homes
of famous people--Mercer, Low (the Girl

Scout maven), Sherman--more I can't recall.
A trip to Tybee Island where my vet
and family were to spend this week, of all

coincidences! Sunset cruise to see
the dolphins followed food at dock-side place:
a salmon BLT for me, crab cakes

and calamari, chicken nachos, drinks...
On Friday, trip to Charleston, SC,
where we enjoyed a carriage ride with Jon

and Jake, the strongest breed of horse there is.
We sisters--last ones on--sat aft of Jake,
our front row seats kept children from their view

and mother had to scold the pouting boy.
We ate at Poogan's Porch, friend Sandra joined
us from her work three blocks away. A dish

of shrimp and grits, a steak (fried chicken style)
with mashed potatoes, long green beans and tea,
two sandwiches--one, chicken salad, one

a grilled pimento cheese--with fries of sweet
potatoes, rounded out the entrees. Talk
while waiting, eating green tomatoes (fried),

pimento cheese balls (also fried), but best
of all, large, fluffy biscuits. Afterwards,
one dish (5 spoons) of pudding made with bread.

Then back to Hilton Head mid afternoon.
The air was cool with low humidity,
a slight reminder of the coming fall,

though summer'd just begun. And now, we're home
in Arkansas. The trip holds pleasant thoughts
enough to last until this time next year. #