Home Again: Bright Wings, Grilled Oysters and A Bowl Of Soup With Maw

It was a grueling drive home yesterday, but as always, the end result is well worth it once those West Virginia hills rise into view. I got into Abicht's Landing last night and not long after, JB the Grillmaster was whipping up some spicy goodness.

Everyone knows JB makes killer wings, but the ones he grilled last night with the Dizzy Pig Jamaican Firewalk Fiery Hot Island Rub were simply stellar. The citrussy brightness of the rub with that wake-you-up spiciness was just excellent.

These were quickly followed by Kaki and JB's twist on the charbroiled oysters from Drago's in New Orleans.

Succulent oysters rubbed with the Bayouish blackening spice from Dizzy Pig, bathed in garlic butter and topped with Romano and Parmesan cheese; these were served with grilled cayenne bread and it was flavorful goodness.  The Greenhouse carries these awesome Dizzy Pig rubs and I am stocking up before I go back to KC.

Today, I visited with my Mom who, while certainly feeling her now 90 years, still remains as vibrant as ever.  We laughed and reminisced and my breath was taken away by an old anniversary card Mom had found given to her by Dad.  His handwritten "57, let's go for 60" made me chuckle and they did indeed celebrate their 60th anniversary.

I came back to prepare for an afternoon run and while driving up to the house, I was thinking I needed some grub, and what did I discover upon entering the house but the incomparable Barbara "Maw" Reckard whipping up a healthy, hearty pot of curry chicken soup.  It was delicious and the perfect pre-run meal. Sharing the soup with the ever-entertaining Maw makes it the perfect bowl of soup. The run starting at the St. Marys marina felt great.

This Memorial/Alumni weekend will once again be, as it always is, a mix of emotions. Kak and JB's pup Shadow is ailing and it's always so hard to watch our furry friends wrestle with health challenges. Then there is the main reason I shifted my time off to cover this weekend: on Sunday, we will be attending a celebration of life for my Uncle Albert and cousin Albert Wayne who recently passed away within weeks of each other.

In the meantime, it is always hugely gratifying to spend time with my bestie Kristy, Kak and JB and reunite with loved ones I haven't seen in a long time.  Hopefully, one of these will be the Divine Ms. Dot, as it wouldn't be a trip home if she and I didn't get one prom picture in like this one from the last visit.

I am also contemplating running the Alumni 5k on Saturday, so who knows what's about to happen in the next few days.

For now, its just good to be home.