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I kept missing turn-offs today as I was negotiating Lake Jackson’s crazy curved roads. Twice I ended up taking the long route to friend’s homes. After my second roundabout, I couldn’t help laughing at myself; apparently, the absence that makes hearts grow fonder also makes memory grow fainter.
I never lost my sense of direction, but I admit to losing my local driving mojo. Today reminded me of those first weeks of Brazosport life in the mid-80s, when I drove around town looking for a familiar landmark. Within Lake Jackson, there are few shortcuts but many scenic ways to get from one point to another.
Lake Jackson has been written up in national publications more than once for their street names; trees and flowers name streets here, unless it’s one of the few that end in ‘Way.’
Most of the ‘Way’ streets take you to the heart of downtown. This Way and That Way and Parking Way and Winding Way and Circle Way and Center Way are major downtown arteries.
Further afield, just north of town, are two more Ways. Neither directly leads to downtown proper, though both intersect with This Way. Any Way is a residential street while His Way is more driveway than street. To follow the narrow paved path of His Way lands you and your car in the local Nazarene Church parking lot.
I didn’t drive on any of the Way streets today. But I did find my own way to a few familiar landmarks. I was a little late of course.
an everyday life 
Hah!! I remember that dazed feeling my first few weeks in LJ when I kept getting “lost” on one of LJ’s winding roads. Loved your pic. So weird to see trees with green leaves on them in December, very strange. Hope you are enjoying your time with old friends. Hugs!
Laure,
It is good to visit with old friends but the visits are way too short. Yesterday morning I felt so scattered — a little scrap of time with Wynona and Ann and then it was time to pick up Don. He was working at half-day at AP Beutel — a real office rather than the virtual one he calls home.
Tomorrow I’ve planned lunch with Rhonda. Litha may join us, depending upon how well her Mom is doing; Sarah fell last week and broke her shoulder. Litha is staying with Sarah until she recovers — I understand Sarah has been in a fair amount of pain.
Yesterday I was so scattered I left my cell phone and camera at the beach house. So the photo is borrowed rather than home-grown. I went to a site that shares photos — can’t recall the name of it. The deciduous trees that still wear leaves are actually sporting pretty fall colors. The Live Oaks that dominate the landscape are, of course, eternally green.
I miss you. I though about our Companions a lot yesterday — I think only half of the original group remains in LJ. In this sense, one can never really go ‘home’ again. Part of the shell is empty.
Janell
Before you came to the City of Enchantment, there was a certain beloved staff member at First United Methodist Church who was named Frances Way. And yes, there was a street sign leading into the parking lot of the church. And yes, the sign said Frances Way.
Hello Dear Friend Ann,
As a much younger Kyle use to say — I DID not know that. All these stories of small town life are charming — which is part of the reason small towns grow up to become bigger and less charming.
I’ve thought of you often today. I have a few more shells for your tree if you can use them. A few scallops and scrolls, all that can easily be strung with fishing line.
One I brought in had to be tossed back in the sea just now — a little urchin was calling it home and I DID not know that either. But once the urchin waved hello, I put on my shoes, walked out to the beach and threw him back to his salt water home.
Good-bye sea urchin. I sure hope it makes it.
Janell