still in Tennessee

When we reached the exact geographical center of Tennessee, we stopped to see my friend Brenda and her family (Murfreesboro, in case you're ever on Jeopardy). Those of you who were at the wedding will remember her as the Matron of Honor.

Her family includes the world’s greatest godson, Christopher, and the world’s greatest sister of a godson, Claudia.

Christopher specializes in goofy faces

Lovely Claudia is plagued by the goofy face-maker

Brenda works at a children's museum and had to drop something off, so we went to the museum. That may not sound exciting, but she got the animal keeper to take us into the animal rooms. We played with a blind opossum who sniffs a lot and is fluffy with lots of coarse fur. There was an albino hedgehog, not too much fun. It's very pointy and mostly just curled up in a ball. We petted a screech owl, something I didn't even know a person could do; it was probably the softest animal I've ever touched.

Andy touched a snake for the first time in his life. I wish I had a picture of his expression as I was about to hand him the snake. He looked appalled and for a minute I thought he wasn't going to take it.

Brenda treated us to our first home made meal in a week. Since we packed the kitchen, it's been all takeout. Traveling, our options are limited, mostly Subway and fried, salted grease. Somehow, a fast food place can make even grilled chicken seem greasy. Since we can't leave the cats in the car, we can't go in to a restaurant and sit down.