(Waterflood 7) Is Jena in America?

We drove across Texas and into the middle of Louisiana. Then we turned right and plunged south into the center of the state. It seemed to me at the last that we drove for hours

through piney woods. And then we were in Jena. Jena is the Parish seat of Lasalle Parish. It was a dry parish with a liquor store at the county (whoops) Parish line.

We felt like we were in a foreign country. No store in town sold mozzarella cheese. How could Jackie make lasagna? We had to drive an hour into Alexandria to get it. The blue law closed all stores on Sunday and one afternoon during the week. Wednesday, I think. Everyone had a strange accent. The drawl added a syllable to almost every word.  Stores stocked all the makings for banana pudding with vanilla cookies. Ice tea was everywhere.

We settled into Jena in a three bedroom mobil home. Jackie and I with our daughter Kerry and her two children Steven and Joy. Momentous things were about to happen. John Morgan Adams was about to enter our lives.

This is Kerry at about 22 years old in our mobil home in Jena. This is the reason that John Adams came into our lives. Kerry was taking classes at the trade school in downtown Jena and John was teaching the classes.

I would like to tell how I first met John. We all drove out to his trailer in the woods. When we drove up John had a large hog strung up between two trees and was cutting it up. I do not know anyone who loves animals more than John or who cuts up more animals. I am sure glad that John came into our lives. He is a true friend and a loving family member. It is a joy watching him being such a kind and thoughtful grandfather.