You CAN go home.

The old house: not quite what we remembered!

We took a few days and drove back to The Woodlands, a planned community 45 miles north of Houston, where we lived in 1989 through 1991. It was a special time in a new neighborhood. Our street (we were first in) came together as friends and to this day those people remain bound in friendship and camaraderie, even though several of the folks have moved to others areas of the town or even farther into Houston. They are very very nice people. We had time to visit with several couples and it's as if we hadn't been gone a minute! What a treat!

We also spent time - fabulous time - that ended way too quickly, with some other close friends with whom we've vacationed and enjoy so much. Not former neighbors, but just the best of friends. Again, you pick up where you left off like not even a minute has passed!

We found ourselves staying at the Woodlands Resort where some champions Golf Tournament was going on. On Friday night as we returned to the resort, the lot closest to the area of our room was full, so we left the car in another lot. After breakfast Saturday, we returned it to the closer lot. As we pulled into a space, there were two gentlemen in front of us, talking. As one left the other, Terri said, "That's Arnold Palmer." Me, "No it isn't." She, "Yes it is." We get out of the car and the man is ten feet away. Me: "Mr. Palmer?" He turns. Sure enough. Me: "May I shake you hand?" He: "Sure," and he extends it and I smile a wide smile to match his, and say, "What a pleasure it is to meet you, sir!" Undoubtedly he's done that a million times but I got quite the thrill, because let's face it - you don't get to meet many living legends of any kind in your life time. I didn't want a picture (And I was carrying my camera) - didn't want an autograph either. I feel in a way those are simply too trivial and demeaning. I'd rather say something sincere and leave it at that.

Imagine that - shaking hands with Lance Armstrong a few weeks ago and now Arnold Palmer. I so admire anyone that good at whatever they do.

The whole weekend was magic. It simply doesn't get any better than that - super friends... great weather, food... though we found the old house a bit run down from the way we left it in 1991.