A is for ANTICIPATION

I awakened this morning with nothing on my mind except our upcoming trip to Pensacola—to my Sassy Southland. I know that many folks will disagree with my modifier for Southland, but I think it fits the South perfectly. Those of us who hail from Dixie are lively, smart, energetic, and extremely talkative, all synonyms for sassy.

Every time I hear the word anticipation, I think of the old Heinz Ketchup commercial—you know the one with two little boys waiting for the ketchup to pour . . . “Anticipation . . . an-ti-ci-pa-a-a-a-tion . . . .” Always loved that ad. Anyway, waiting for April 21 is just as much an anticipation as waiting for ketchup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoLoyg3JKRQ

Sugar-white beaches

Eating lots of fried seafood in New Orleans in 2012

I can’t wait to get to Austin and New Orleans and finally to Pensacola! Living in the Southwest is glorious, but at least once a year, I MUST get back to my hometown to see lifelong friends, to eat as much fried seafood and cheese grits as I want to, and to visit the beautiful beaches of the Emerald Coast, those beaches with sugar-white sand, so much unlike the brown sand of the high desert here in New Mexico.

I’m even excited about doctors’ appointments! I know that sounds strange, but a good chat with my ear doctor—Derek Jones, one of my former students—will be delightful. We’ll talk about his classmates and his other teachers, and I’ll get caught up on his sweet family. Can’t wait for my annual cleaning of my ear . . . and a big hug. I’m also looking forward to having my eyes checked—again another good visit with a longtime friend/doctor. Something else exciting about this visit is that I hope to get gas permeable contacts again. Maybe they’ll be comfortable in our super dry New Mexico climate.

Anticipating getting together with friends at Hall’s Seafood Restaurant is almost more than I can take. I made the reservation today, and I will send out invitations to about fifty friends to join us for our annual Dutch-treat dinner. So much to look forward to!

I’ll save the anticipation of my 55^th high school class reunion for another letter. With a little trepidation, I’ll say that sometimes the anticipation is more wonderful than the events themselves. Surely do hope that’s not true with this trip!