Finally cleared for landing...

After a pretty rough, wild ride for the past couple of months, things are beginning to settle back down at last. I am not saying that we are all through with dealing with Nathaniel's death--in fact, stuff from that plays out in a lot of tiny things really often, it seems--but Stacy is back at work and seems happy to be out of the house, and that means that our little family can slip back in to something close to routine. And that means time will begin to fly again.

Stacy and I celebrated our big four-year anniversary last Thursday. Since it was a special day, and since she knew she would be returning to work this week and hence unable to ever have time off again, we decided to go on a mini vacation. Our destination: Jefferson, Texas. Correction: HAUNTED Jefferson, Texas!

Yep, you heard me. After I booked a Bed and Breakfast, complete with massages, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, cut flowers and rose petals strewn everywhere, Stacy got online to search for things to do in that diminutive community and discovered that Jefferson claims to be the most haunted city in Texas. In fact, our B&B, the Claiborne House, which we thoroughly enjoyed, reportedly is home to at least two spooks. In speaking with the owners, who had some pretty convincing photographic evidence, we came to be less skeptical that such hauntings are possible.

That being said, I am not certain I know where to place ghosts in my cosmology. I am a Methodist with Emerging Church leanings (which I have just found out recently); there is not much conversation about ghosts in my tradition. For me, even allowing the possibility of such things is problematic, if only because I don't know what the ramifications of wandering spirits are in my larger world view.

Aside from the photos we saw, nothing much else happened over the weekend that offered any proof one way or another. We went on a "Ghost Walk," touring some old buildings downtown and hearing their histories and past ghostly tales, but had no encounters or spooky photos of our own.

Downtown Jefferson was fun. We really enjoyed a little second-hand bookshop directly across from the Excelsior House Hotel: Fred McKenzie's Books on the Bayou. Mr. McKenzie is just shy of 89 years old, but he looks not a day over 72. He visited with us--especially with Stacy--for the better part of an hour, all the while letting his lunch get cold. He said that he didn't mind because he liked visiting with us better than eating! Apparently, Stacy is a Doppelgänger of a lady Mr. McKenzie nearly married, after WWII. Sure enough, he pulled out one of the history books he has written and showed us a photo of the lass and, indeed, Stacy looks strikingly like her. Weird, wild stuff.

Mr. McKenzie has written two books about the local community in which he grew up; the first one published was Avinger, Texas, USA. The Second is entitled, Hickory Hill. He is completely knowledgeable about history and was a delight to visit with.

We also toured the local history museum, visited the infamous general store, and, at the suggestion of my best chef friend, Jason, we tried out Kitt's Cornbread Sandwiches. One evening, we dined at the Stillwater Inn, which was more upscale, and also pricey-yet-worth-it. Oh, Auntie Skinner's is a good place to have a burger and a beer, especially if you like live music.

As for the B&B, our massages were wonderful! What's more, the accommodations were very comfy (we stayed in a room in the carriage house, far from the haunted parts of the house) and nice, and our breakfasts were nearly art in themselves. The trip was a much-needed getaway for Stacy and me and we would certainly both encourage friends and loved ones to head to Jefferson and unwind a little.

Photos will follow when I scan them....