i asked my nephew how old he was. my nephew who is a very well spoken little guy. he said "10". and when i said "wow" he said, "yes, you've missed a lot of years." it stung like only the blatant innocent honesty of a child can. i decided to stay and visit not out of guilt but out of interest in what my 2 nephews have grown to be, and are growing to become. its pretty easy for me to slip into kid mode as you might guess. today we raced up and down the powder white beaches, and swam in the cold gulf, i taught them how to pop wheelies on their bikes and tried to explain why i travel all the time. after dinner we had a great guitar lesson and lots of hugs. their great. thank god for children. they are the most honest straightforward people on the planet, yet we value their opinion the least of any... its nice down here in panama city beach florida. full of spring breakers but after mardi gras it all seems calm to me. still delaying the bama thing while i get it solid in my head that the journey does not end there... "the road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began, now far ahead the road has gone. and i must follow, if i can. pursuing it with weary feet, until it joins some larger way where many paths and errands meet. and wither then? i cannot say..."      ~tolkien