My homecoming was exactly as I had hoped. My wonderful, and incredibly patient, husband Ed, was waiting for me at Richmond airport. He intercepted me as I struggled down the hallway lugging my backpack and Zackary (a 16 lb struggling Maine Coone cat).
When I saw him headed towards me, I have never been more grateful in my life. He hoisted the carrier and I hugged him. Traveling with a cat also limits culinary experiences, and I was starving. Within 45 mins we were seated at our local neighborhood restaurant, the Hickory Notch Grill. With an hour I was tucking into fried catfish, hush puppies, collard greens and fried okra. I have been flirting with the idea that I lived another life in the Southern USA. Nothing can satisfy my appetite more than Southern Food.
Opening the door of our farmhouse, I was greeted by a frenzy of canine and feline love. Kisses and frantic purring ensued. I was home!