(cross-posted on melissathomson.com)

In the wee hours of the morn (10:20 AM) on July 6, Pete, Belby, and I lit out for Knoxville, TN, the first stop on our Summer Road Trip of Southerly Wonders. (I just made up that name for the trip because when I typed “first stop on our road trip” it looked kind of boring.)

So, KNOXVILLE:

We spent one night in Knoxville at Millie and JP’s. In addition to visiting with them, we also got to see our friends Kellye and BT and to FINALLY meet their baby girl. HOW CUTE IS SHE??

I don’t have any photos of Brian because he was the photographer. Sorry, BT!

After one night in Knoxville we drove onward to the second stop on the Summer Road Trip of Southerly Wonders:

HUNTSVILLE, AL

In Huntsville we had the privilege of visiting more great friends who not only fed us, housed us, and allowed us to play with their funtastic 2.5 year old, they also ensured that we did not miss a single MINUTE of So You Think You Can Dance. WHEW. (There is exactly one photo of this second stop, and in the photo my eyes are 100% closed. So I will not be posting it.)

In tomorrow’s dispatch: A dog rolls in the dirt in BIRMINGHAM, AL.

Today we’re celebrating J.P. and Mark d., and remembering all of our grandfathers.

We’ll give the dog a break, finally. There’s been some growth in the garden, and now I’m spending a little time each Saturday making peace between the impatiens, hydrangeas and tomato plants. It was so easy when they were all 8 inches tall.

Parents: In the updated garden / back yard album, you’ll see photos of my curious hydrangea suspension system. Perhaps you can comment or advise.

I POSTID ON MY WEBSIT ABOWT SUMTHIN BAD I DID THIS WEK. I’M ASHAMD UV MYSEF BUT I WANT TO BE AWNEST WITH EVREBODE

Also, for more raw backyard excitement, check out photos of our plants.

I’m sure my tomato plants and our impatiens are benefitting from Belby’s extended Saturday dirt nap. I think she tried to thread herself carefully between them, but they’re in for a rough summer, growing up in one of her favorite sunning spots.

GRAIS I AM SO ACITED!!!!!!!!!! LAS NIT I CUD NOT SLEP I WOS SO ACITED SO I HAD A PARAID ON MOME AN DADES FAIS!!!! THEN THAY PUT ME IN THE BOKS AN I SANG A HAPE SONG FOR OWERS! IT WEN LIK THIS: OOOOOOOOOOO AAAAAHHHHHHH EEEEEEEOOOOOOO

Gracie wrote:

Belby, I can’t wait to see you this weekend! It is going to be so fun. We’ll go to the dog park to hang out with dad, eat supper at 6pm, let people rub our bellies, and go to bed early! All of my favorite things! It is going to be the BEST!!! Love, Gracie

Against my parents’ better advice, we’ve been jamming some plants in the ground (and yes, we were doing that before April 15.) So far, most of the plants are still alive. Because they actually last a little while in those little plastic tubs.

I’ve planted four tomato plants in the bed to the left of the diagram, and another in a pot on the patio. Melissa’s impatiens and ranunculi (in two flower boxes, not pictured) are also doing well. I’ll have some pictures soon, if the dog doesn’t trample them all first.

Belby reports on her latest developments at BELBYS THOTS.

Our BlackBerry-based photo gallery is here.