Good Bye America

This is a special post as it will most likely be my last before leaving for Ghana.

I'd like to keep this simple, so there are three things I want to tell you about.

1.) I'm almost done packing.  I have 2 years of life contained in a large wheely suitcase and a large backpack.  I've made countless checklists, but I think I've finally got everything I need, including a 10" saute pan, wash clothes knitted by mom, 2 year supply of feminine products, knee length skirts, a ton of bandaids, and a quotebook.  I also have a journal to write down all the really good stuff that I don't want to post online.

2.) I will definitely miss some stuff.  You know what I just decided that I will miss ALOT? Getting my teeth cleaned every 6 months by Debbie at Dr. Cummings's office.  Best dental hygienist/ denist ever.  Other things I will miss include Bear the Dog, Heinz ketchup, any and all malbecs, the Indianapolis Colts, air conditioning, rhubarb, El Nopal, harassing Jackson, JPP, Taco the Chicken.... I won't even begin to launch into a list of the people I will miss :|

3.) You should stop reading now if you either:
A. Don't know my family at all,
B. Get weirded/ grossed out easily,
C. or Have never had a pet.

This Memorial Day weekend we had a wonderful get-together at Dad's house.  Mom came over, Annie and Melena came, Caleb was there, Tito and Henry even came down for the festivities.  We were only missing Smudge.  It was such a fun evening.. We had a bonfire in the backyard, played latterball, roasted wienies, drank wine, and cremated Ulysses.

WHAT???

Ulysses was my pet python, whom I received as a gift when I was 11 years old.  I love reptiles, snakes in particular.  He lived in a nice, comfortable terrarium in our house, ate rodents, and like to go on walks up and down the stairs.  Ulysses lived a lovely life, and passed away at age 12 this past winter.  When an animal - human or other - dies, you have two options: burial or cremation. In a conversation with my brother Wesley the day after Ulysses's passing, we decided that the only funeral appropriate for an 8 foot python would be a funeral pyre.  For some sick and yet unknown reason, everyone else was game to the idea.  It was a frigid snowy winter day though, so his funeral had to be postponed.  So we put Ulysses outside in the deep freezer.

Our story resumes this past weekend at the family's Memorial Day celebration, when the fire is burning bright and incredibly hot.  Dad retrieved Ulysses from the freezer and placed him in his plastic garbage bag coffin on top the raging bonfire.  The group stoked the pyre and watched in fascination as Ulysses's body incinerated. [And no, it didn't really smell at all.] We finally retired inside to play a game of Balderdash.  The next morning, the fire ring contained nothing but a pile of powdery grey ashes littered with bright white vertebrae and ribs.

And there you have it: a serpentine cremation.  Rest in peace, Ulysses.