Home, Sweet Home

Now, I am watching "What Would Brian Boitano Make?" his new series on Food Network, and thinking how easily I could be doing that and not having to try SO hard. I just need to win a few Olympic gold medals and be the subject of a South Park musical number, then that TV deal is mine!

Tonight marks my last night in the Broad Meadow and the beginning of my journey to Broadway. I've been home for the past couple of days for some final packing and planning, then a big family get-together at our house. Everyone was there: two grandmothers, one grandfather, two aunts, three cousins, a group of special family friends, one brother, and even a mom and dad. We had burgers and brats on the grill served with tomatoes fresh from our garden and guacamole with home grown jalapeños (recipe follows). It was so good to have everyone out to our house for a final night in the broad meadow. I think everyone (including myself) was filled with a mix of excitement, nerves, worry, and hope, a mix of enthusiasm and caution. Saying my various goodbyes, some vowed to visit me in New York as soon as possible, while others I don't know when I'll see again. Yesterday, we visited with Granny, my 104-year-old great-grandmother and the matriarch of our family. She was her usual steely, sassy self, full of the days groans and gossip. While she ate her plain hamburger and kids' sized banana milkshake, we chatted about other family members, local politics, church, and tales from her assisted living home. While her eyes, joints, and hearing give her a lot of trouble, her mind and will to go on are still completely there. Considering my upcoming departure, even hard nosed Granny got a little boo-hooey, and when that happens, you can just forget it! Though she's been saying she won't be here much longer since her 80's, now at 104 (105 in Dec.) I wonder how many times I will get to visit with her. So preparing to leave has been an exciting, but bittersweet experience, good for remembering where I come from , but questioning whether I will return here again. With a whole new set of friends and locale, I wonder who will I be and how will my life change. Forced to stand alone now more than ever, all I will have left is Bradley - who I have become, who I want to be, and where I have come from. I am so, so thankful for so many things in my life, but none more than my beautiful, wonderful family and all the love and support they give to me. But, no time for tears, I'm leaving for the airport at 5 a.m. I think it's safe to say most emotions don't really register until noon - about the time I will be arriving at my new apartment. NYC here I come! So long NC!

Yummy Guacamole

5 avocados, chunked

1 garlic clove, minced and combined with salt to form a paste

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Juice of 2 limes

Lots of salt (coarse-style or sea are the best)

2 small jalapeños from the garden or 1 larger-sized from the grocery store

One small garden tomato

Combine all ingredients in medium-sized mixing bowl and mash with a fork until avocado chunks are broken down and mixture is smooth. Before serving, taste, and add more salt or lime juice if needed. Try not to eat the whole bowl by yourself.