Our first full day in Oxford with visitors! Just one comfortable night and John Luke declared he is sold on sleeping under a duvet. In fact, he was so comfortable, we couldn’t get him fully awake until 10:00 (awake was debatable even then). I have to admit that I’m sold on duvets as well and will definitely purchase one when we get back. Duvets have tried to make an appearance in the US and have for some people, I’m sure, but generally we still try to turn them into a bedspread. Actually, they are really used as the top sheet. Like a pillow, a duvet has a cover that is the same fabric as a sheet. It is threaded on the duvet and the duvet then takes the place of a top sheet. The duvet is made of insulating materials to replace layers of blankets, quilts, and comforters. And, trust me, and now, John Luke, they are comfy warm and feel fabulous.
After a few slices of toast (not enough butter for JL though), showers, and one final layer of clothes, we headed out. Our luck ran out in the great weather department and today was raining and cold. We took the bus to City Center and joined the herd of umbrellas making their way through the city. After we had walked about half a block I looked around to make sure we were all together and, WE WEREN’T! No mom in sight. A slight panicky feeling hit my stomach and I yelled for 2 Papa to STOP. We had lost Mamaw Jo! Following the rules for lost behavior (as 2 Papa defined early in our marriage) John Luke and I stayed where we were and 2 Papa went back to the place we last saw Mamaw. A few minutes later he rounded the corner with Mamaw close behind. Sigh of relief! Mamaw said that after we got off the bus she looked up and all she saw was umbrellas. Who was under those umbrellas was a mystery. She then realized she had no money, no idea where we lived, and no working cell phone. Scary! When we suggested pinning the information to her shirt: IF FOUND, RETURN TO 119 BANBURY ROAD, she decided to find a money machine and memorize our address. Good thinking, Mamaw.
Finally all together, we started our day of walking and going up and down stairs, walking and more stairs, more walking and more stairs. With the exception of lunch at the college, we walked until four o’clock when Mamaw declared she was ready to cry, “calf rope.” John Luke had no idea what crying “calf rope” meant, but if it got him back to the flat, he would cry it also. Ever the slave-driver-tour-guide, 2 Papa tried to show our visitors everything we have seen in five weeks in one rainy day. They were both great sports until four o’clock and enough is enough!
Our day took us to Oxford Castle with its 101 winding steps and gruesome prison stories, Magdalen College with its Harry Potter cloisters and deer park (around 50 deer today), the Natural History Museum with all the dinosaurs, the Pitts River Museum with the shrunken heads, and our own Regents Park College with its beautiful quad. Keep in mind these places are not across the street from each other, but include a five mile hike. Mamaw said the last time she walked five miles at one time was 58 years ago with Papaw Shack on a date. I would guess that was a very important five miles.
Poor John Luke. As if crossing the street with three old folks isn’t bad enough, we went for fine dining tonight at a French restaurant. After Mamaw gave him a lesson in bread-eating and I gave him a lesson in fork-holding and 2 Papa gave him a lesson in eating everything in sight, he was probably ready for the cafeteria at OCS—no rules required.
I included a picture of the best part of our days—talking to family from home. Korie and Jesse were telling us all about Halloween and the high water in Monroe. Fun! Well, not the high water in Monroe, but talking to them.
Part of today’s adventure included meeting Patrick from New Zealand. Every day we meet such interesting people and, most often, we meet someone whose goal is to spread the gospel to other parts of the world. Patrick speaks Arabic and his plan is to go to North Africa, where he was a missionary kid. It’s such an honor to meet people so single-focused on sharing God’s word with the world.
“People everywhere keep telling me about your lives of faith, and every time I hear them, I thank him. And God, whom I so love to worship and serve by spreading the good news of his Son.” Romans 1:8
Have a great evening.
Hugs, 2 Mama
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