My Hometown~Perry Florida

Yesterday we had a long walk down memoray lane:)  After a stinking Hurricane (not really but I did wonder if a tropical depression had snuck up on us!)....we finally left my friend's house and headed for JOHNSON'S BAKERY!  Johnson's is EPIC in Perry!  When we walked in the door, the SMELL was the same as I always remembered.  The owner Doyle was still there behind the counter and they still had the great cookies, cupcakes and doughnuts and YES I sampled it ALL!! 

 

 

 

 

Saw one of our friends from school, Anthony who is now a writer for the local paper, a teacher and an author!!!!

 

 

 

the local newspaper...the TACO Times 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked around downtown as best we could in the rain.  Lots of the old stores are gone, kinda sad...

 

 

 

 

 

We went by our old high school and it was open so we had to go inside:)

 

 

 

 

the trophy case, there was even one from 1983 for something

 

 

 

 

the old water fountain

 

 

 

 

Loved the library:)

 

 

 

 

Doesn't seem like it could be 30 years ago

 

 

 

 

Angela was trying to go in the Art room LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

this is the house I grew up in...  Ok I've not lived at home for 30 years, Jon & I inherited it years ago and sold it as soon as we could....it looks a bit rough to say the least..... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this was my home church growing up.   Believe me I spent MANY hours there LOL

 

 

 

 

 

Then for the finest seafood (along with steak or chicken) you could want, we went to DEAL'S Famous Oyster House  "where the best people in the world walk through those doors"   If you are ever in Perry, take a 5 minute ride down West  US Hwy 98 and get some some good food!  They even have fried pickles!!!   They also have opened a new Deal's in St Mark's at 785 Port Leon Dr, St Marks's Florida.  go get you some fresh seafood!

 

 

Angela and Zodie the owner

 

 

Zodie playing the Pogo Stick

 

 

 

No it's not fancy but I can promise you it's got some GOOD food!!!!!

 

Zodie, who is my friend from school, waitressed there for years, she has now bought it and it is a real family restaurant, no alcohol just good food and fun.  I'm really proud of her!   My friend Rhonda who works there even bought my lunch:)  They some good folks!!!!  

 

We had our class get together at the beach, at the Hot Dog stand and it was really great to see everyone.  We all got to talking so much, I even forgot to take pictures:)  It stormed a little off and on but everyone had a great time.  I think with time, you really start appreciating everyone.  Tonight is our big get together and I will take pictures LOL 

 

The family is doing well, or at least that is what they are telling me LOL 

Hope you like the pictures. Good memories.....

 

 

 

 

Way down upon the Suwannee River......

I went back "home" today.   This weekend is my 30th High School reunion, it does not seem possible.  It's the first time (other than an AWFUL weekend at a pastor wife's convention) that I have ever been away from all my family.  We tend to travel as a tribe:)   This is something I'd hoped to do for over a year. 

I'm from Perry Florida, in Taylor county.  It's a very unique small southern town.  Today has been a walk through memory lane for me.  Just the trip up to Perry was interesting.  We don't usually go up this way so I got to see some places I haven't seen for a long time.  I told my friend I feel like I'm a salmon making my return trip home LOL. 

Growing up if we were driving south, we would usually stop at the Suwannee River to eat our food.  So I stopped there for a few minutes. 

 

Way down upon the Suwannee River.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a lady sitting on the dock, a floating dock...she had her feet in the water and was feeding the fish....what is wrong with that?????    There are GATORS galore in that River!!!!  OMGosh!  I was about to say something to her but she left...thank God before she got eaten in front of me!   

 

 

 

 

This is "my grandmother's tree"  I've eaten many sandwiches  under that tree with her:)  It's in the little town of Cross City.

 

 

On Old Hwy 19 going towards the family cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mingo Cemetery

 

 

 

 

Me with all the "family" in the background

 

I thought there are 5 generations of my family buried here, lots of tears shed at this graveyard....

 

 

 

my grandmother's grave

 

My great great grand father's grave with the flag, my GGGM  next, then my great grandfather and great grand mother

 

 

 

 

 

my great grandparents

 

 

 

my dear Uncle Mack

 

Uncle Sam

 

My sweet great aunts who raised me

 

 

 

 

this is the lady who took me in as a baby in 1965....when she was 66 years old!!!!!!  

 

 

the Hines family

 

 

 

a relative who lost 2 sons in WWII

 

 

 

I'm from Taylor co and proud of it!

 

 

 

Log trucks scare me

 

 

 

the real Florida!

 

Angela and me 30 years ago at graduation!!!!!!! 1983

 

 

 

Me, Angela and Terry tonight...30 years later:)

 

It's really wonderful to be here, seeing old friends.  Love being in a small town, as we were going into the restaurant, a brother of a schoolmate stopped and talked to me:)  I miss that.  We live in a small town but it's not a "town" like Perry where everyone knows each other and are somehow related by birth, marriage or friendship.  the town we live in is very transitional, no one has real roots....Perry is totally different....there are roots here for sure:)

 

On our way to my friend's house tonight, we saw a doe and two cute little baby deers.....so cute!  The last time I'd gone to my friend's house, all the roads were dirt and now they are all paved!  WOW progress:)   I live in the country....but she REALLY lives in the country LOL.  She has lived in the same house for 25 years and it is hard for me to find it still LOL

 

My sweet husband and Steve wanted me to come, it was hard for me to leave but they were so encouraging to me. 

 

Everyone is doing fine at home.  Selah's mickey- gtube fell out but thankfully the nurses were able to take care of it.  Jon told me AFTER it was taken care of!   Both her day and night nurses have reported more purposeful movements which we are always glad to hear!