Meanwhile, at the Ukrops........

.....so I end up at Ukrops on Staples Mill tonight, again on the family run. Specifically told to go to Ukrops and not Martins.

It felt like I was at a viewing at a funeral home. I expected the employees to be on morphine drips.

Sad. Stripped walls. Signs gone. Lots of half-empty shelves, some completely bare. And this store doesn't close until May 1 for its "transformation".

Those of you who think, "get over it, it's JUST a grocery store!", I don't know what to tell you. Maybe you haven't lived in Richmond 42 years like me, I dunno.

But after spending some time in a Martins last night and a Ukrops tonight, all I can say is something "definitive to Richmond" is dying. And it will be a sad day come May 8 when the final doors close.

Don't get me wrong; Ukrops is NOTHING like it used to be, in its high point of 20 years ago, but I've seen the future, and so far, I'm not impressed.

The "Final Days"

Day 17 of 19: I preached anyway. That would be Mama's request.

Day 18 of 19: Greeting friends and viewing the body privately.

Day 19 of 19: Five years ago today, the funeral. I am so glad I spoke there; it has been a source of therapy and comfort throughout these past five years.

In North Carolina.....to say thank you.

Grannie Frank passed away at 5am Wednesday morning after being taken back to the hospital earlier in the night for fear of pneumonia settling in.

We didn't make the visitation tonight (I didn't get away from work until going on 7pm) and we hit the road a little after 8. Hotel room is great so far (I'm sitting on the bed as I type!)

Funeral is later today at 11am at Barbours Chapel Advent Christian Church. I'll be a pallbearer. Then, later in the day, we're determined that the kids will have some fun before spring break ends (we were originally booked to be in a hotel in Virginia Beach tonight). We're right beside the huge shopping complex (used to be called the Carolina Pottery) here in Smithfield; the Ava Gardner Museum is downtown, about two miles away, and there's a new 10-screen cineplex behind the hotel.

Oh, and the indoor pool here. I think we'll find something to do. :)

BUT--I MUST EXPRESS MY FURY against the Smithfield Herald's website, which is operated by the News and Observer of Raleigh. Grannie's obituary had two errors:

1) It said visitation would be Thursday, 7p to 9p, at the funeral home. Quick question: Which funeral home??

2) But MUCH WORSE, she is listed as being survived by her four daughters. Her oldest daughter was my Mama....who died 12/28/2002. I hit the roof when I saw that on their online obituary section and immediately emailed the managing editor. I'll be interested if they publish a correction. They sure need to; that's a complete insult to the memory of my mother.

So, back home Saturday afternoon...and back to work and school Monday. It's been a weird spring break for the kids. I hope we can finish it with a bang.

Live at the Best Western Smithfield Inn, Smithfield, North Carolina....good night!