Stop and Smell the People

Me and Paco…

I met Fabian a couple months ago. He came highly recommended by relatives. And I’ve seen his work. He’s good.

Fabian brought his posse, Lalo, Paco and Deco. They don’t talk a lot. I’m okay with that. After the John Hancock radio show Wednesday night, and emceeing the annual fundraiser for the Siskey YMCA & Camp Boomerang Thursday night, I was all talked out. I needed some “think” time.

Two big “Thank You’s!” One to John Hancock of WBT News Talk 11-10. John has been a great friend to all things “Carolina Traveler.” He gets why the show mattered and why regular people matter. And another big “thank you” to the generous people who attended the Siskey fundraiser Thursday night. In a historically bad economy we are sending a record number of children to a camp that changes the lives of Autistic children! When those bid paddles went up, I got all teary-eyed and had to stop talking. That crowd kills me every year. There is no better way to spend our time or money than to relieve the stress of struggling young families. I’m proud of The Siskey Y, Harris Teeter and Fifth Third Bank for putting on such an amazing event. That was a deeply satisfying night.

You can see why I was done talking by the weekend.

So Saturday morning Paco popped on some bouncy Mexican music and we got busy painting our new home in Roanoke, VA. These guys are wicked fast. Sheesh! If you need something painted, I have the crew for you!

My favorite part of the weekend, no surprise… were the meals. The first night they cooked fajitas. Which in hindsight I handled poorly. I turned mine into a great big burrito. It was the Americano thing to do. The next night Paco returned the favor. I cooked some pasta and he put hot sauce on it! That made me laugh so hard I choked. They looked at me like, “What’s wrong with the skinny gringo?”

After the “pasta de picante” we wrapped things up in Roanoke and all got back to Charlotte Sunday night.

The house packers arrive this morning. And Tuesday they load the truck and off we go exactly 58 days after our last move.

This year looks nothing like I expected or planned.  And yet I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

Don’t forget the Gratitude Wave for our troops is a week from Tuesday EST. Keep spreading the word.

And don’t forget to stop today and smell someone… MR