I just got back from Lubbock, Texas.  Ropesville, to be exact.  It's a small town southwest of Lubbock about 25 miles out.  My mom has a farm out there and both of my brothers live with their families there as well.  I hadn't been back in over 3 years.  I am a bad son.   But I snuck down and surprised everyone (except my youngest brother and his wife - I needed a co-conspirator).  It worked out very nicely.  My mom and other brother were very surprised and we all had a great time.  I took my youngest daughter and my son and we went for 11 days.  I took lots of pics, but mostly of family and locals that won't appear here.  It was a little tough on my still-tender knee, but all is good.  I even got a chance to drive my daughter around town and show her a few places like the schools I went to, the houses I lived in 39 and 29 years ago.  I saw a few old friends but just didn't have enough time to see everyone.  My grandmother is 94, weak heart and lungs, but still puttering around.  My mom drives to her house almost every day to check on her (my mom is a nurse and wants her to see 105) - a 25 mile drive each way.  Still stops and feeds the ducks and hits the stores as well.  

Sorry, I would easily explain their daily routines for hours if I didn't stop myself.  I miss them all very much.  I had forgotten how nice it was to see the sun almost every day.  I had forgotten how desolate the land is there - but that was nice to see again as well.  I had forgotten how brilliant and plentiful the stars are when there are no city lights to drown them out.  And how big the sky is.  

But now I'm home and will crash for a few days.  It's nice to be back home and in my own bed and sitting in my own living room.  

Cant wait to go back!