Yang Yang eating
Uploaded by peachy92.

Yesterday, I decided to get our of my apartment for awhile. I didn't know awhile would be over 24 hours!

I got up and dressed and went to Zoo Atlanta. I had never been and decided it would be cool to go there. I'm holding off on the Aquarium until Lindsey and Chris come to visit. I didn't get too lost trying to find it. I saw zebras, giraffes, gorillas, and my favorites, the pandas and the otters. I just love watching otters play. They remind me so much of my cats. So, I took plenty of photos of the pandas and otters. Compared to the Jacksonville Zoo, Zoo Atlanta is smaller. Plus, I felt cheated with the mention of Zoo Atlanta having a train. I thought it would be like the Jacksonville Zoo and it being a train ride around the park. Nope, the train at Zoo Atlanta is a kiddie ride. Now, I did ride the carosuel 3 times. However, Zoo Atlanta is only one of 4 zoos in the US to have the pandas. I know I was fortunate to see the pandas. Plenty of photos up on Flickr.

After my trip to the zoo, I went down to Fayetteville. Mary Ellen and Harold were going to the Saturday night mass service. Since I was halfway down there, I called to see if they would mind if I went along with them. The plan was only attend Mass. When I got to their place, I saw the Twins were there. Girl Twin was so happy to see me. Boy Twin was happy to see me, too. At one point, the kids dragged me to the back of the house to their Uncle Joey's room. Boy Twin wanted me to see their uncle. Girl Twin wanted me to see Mercedes. I was happier to see Mercedes than I was Joey at the moment. And Mercedes was happy to see me, too. I didn't realize the dog loved me in her dog kind of way. She ran up to me and stretched herself up my legs. She has never done that to me before. She used to bark at me for being around her Joey. That's how far she's come to know me in a year's span. The poor baby looks bad. Joey told me last year when the Fall Semester started the summer weather up here did a number on her skin. In the 2 months she's been here, she does not look like the same dog I knew in Savannah. However, I know Joey takes excellent care of her. I know because he used my hair dryer on her once.

Mass was entertaining. The Saturday night Masses are so much more laid-back. Last night, the parish had a special event with the Knights of Columbus after the event. I don't know if the event had any reason for the special guests of the retired Archbishop John Francis Donoghue and Morehouse College professor, Father Giles Conwill. Father Conwill is a history professor; he was the one that gave the sermon for the night. His sermon was about the history of the different types of crosses: the Cross of St. Peter, the Ankh, and St Andrew's Cross to name a few. When he got to St Andrew's Cross, he brought laughs when he had to mention the Confederate flag so people could picture it. At least he wasn't shy about bring up historical images of past that makes us shutter now. He realizes it's part of the past and we need to understand the past. All in all, is was a good sermon. After Mass, Mary Ellen introduced me to the Archbishop and one of the parish's priests. It's a shame I live on the other side of Atlanta from this church. It has welcomed me the 2 times I've gone. After Mass, we went to IHOP for dinner. The Twins wanted grits. I had pancakes and sausage links.

Once we got back to Mary Ellen's place, she had me stay the night. She wanted me to help her with her website, but when we got back, she was tired. She didn't want me to drive home late, in the dark, so she just let me stay there. Prior to bed, I showed Girl Twin the panda photos, since she likes bears. I also spent time just talking to the Twins. They're 5, their father is away at basic training, and their mother was out of town for her job. Their brother was away at camp. They have their Grandma and Poppy, but sometimes, little kids just need someone else to talk to. I provided that for them last night.

When I awoke this morning, it started storming up here in the Atlanta area. I was sort of stuck in Fayette County until the storm passed. I was going to avoid driving in downtown Atlanta at all cost. I spent more time with Girl Twin. By one, it was still poor weather outside. Mary Ellen saw I was still in my clothes from yesterday. She found some clothes for me, and between her efforts and the clothes stored in my trunk, I had a clean outfit and took a shower and helped her a bit on her site. I still stayed because by that time, Harold's daughter and her family came over for dinner and they had me join them. Harold introduced me to his daughter and gave her the explanation of who I am. I'm a friend of her step-brother's, but I'm Harold's girlfriend and dear friend to him and Mary Ellen. When I left, I did have to get Joey to help me. I couldn't get my car turned around in a tight space. Not because of the space, but because of the incline and standard transmission. Joey came out and got it turned around for me. His step-brother-in-law told me he had to back out onto the road. When Joey heard that, he exclaimed I'm not ready for it.

All-in-all, I had a great weekend. Shame I have to go back to work tomorrow. I don't think the Twins nor their grandparents wanted me to come home. However, Scooter and Graysie are glad I'm home.

Posted by Shawn at July 13, 2008 11:07 PM in Flickr Photos, General.