A Poem & A Memoir

I am from by Trey Patterson
I am from soccer; from copper glasses and digital pages
I am from red shutters and my dog sneezes
I am from sappy pine trees and yellow buds that remind me of buttercups
I am from games at the dinner tables and stormy eyes from my dad
I am from poker and E.R.S.
I am from "I don't think so" and "Great job!"
I am from gift exchanges and Hixson, Tennessee and scones form England.  

Memoir by Trey Patterson
As soon as the door to the condo closed I regret my choice of clothing. The harsh breeze sunk its teeth into my bare legs, finding any opening in my brown plaid shorts and light beige tie-dye shirt, quickly making my thin blue hoodie insignificant. My uncle must've had the same idea because we both bolt for the bikes and shoot through the parking lot. By the time we skid to a halt in front of the fancy cafe, we decided to reserve our names as we wait for the girls. As soon as we put our name in, a pang of guilt shoots through my stomach. My book, on the couch, at the condo.... I sit under my tiny little raincloud, the faded quilt cushion, my only comfort nor naught because I have nothing to read. I look up after what seems like hours to find my mom finishing her greeting and I inwardly sigh. Sometimes adults just don't understand my burden, my life force tethered to a few ounces of paper.. a book, my book thuds to the seat next to mine; I must be dying of boredom, hallucinations are the first sign... no that can't be the right book, the hunger games actually weighs a few ounces, suddenly I am sitting in a fancy spotlight, the perfect place to read. My hand finds the crease mark that I put there then the count down of the 74th hunger games begins.

New experiences: Washington DC

Our family goal for this year is 'new experiences' together! We took advantage of the long weekend recently to visit Washington DC-- a first for Boyd M, Trey & Sam!

Ford's Theater. Lincoln is Samantha's favorite President.

Looking at the spot he was shot. Very sad.

Playing spy at the International Spy Museum.

The Capitol

Supreme Court

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

Dinner at Pakistan restaurant

Selfie in the making.

White House selfie.

Our little photographer, en route to Vietnam a Memorial.

Lincoln Memorial.

Selfie w/ Lincoln.

Smithsonian Museum of American History.

With Uncle David F.

Future President.

Air & Space Museum Selfie.

Ice skating with Uncle David & Dad.

Family dinner at Carmine's-- delicious Italian meal!

Chinatown mission--find a fan!

We discovered a three-story Walgreen's with a nail salon:

Mission accomplished.