We have been taking a break from our usual routine to hang out with two of our favorite people in the world, my cousin Berni Frees and her husband Rocky, in Muskegon, Michigan and I have not done one productive thing in two days. Wow, it feels really good! 
We’ve spent the time goofing off; wandering through a farmers market, going to the beach to check out the wind for kite flying (there wasn’t any), playing Mexican Train, and watching movies we missed when they were in the theater. If you have not seen Captain Phillips, do yourself a favor and rent a copy, or catch it on HBO. It’s one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. On a lighter note, we also saw We Are The Millers, and if you’ve ever wanted to see a new angle on RV travel, this movie will give it to you.
I’ll have a lot to tell you about when we get back to Elkhart on Monday, and some photos to share, too.
Today I want to wish happy birthday to two very special ladies who never met each other but who share a very special bond, besides a birthdate. One was the first woman I ever loved and the other is the last woman I will ever love. Today is my mother’s birthday and also Miss Terry’s.
My mom, Eva Russell, saw a lot of sorrow in her life but she never let it break her spirit. She married young and had eight children, and outlived five of them. She and my dad were married for 55 years and there never was a day they didn’t love each other and let the world know it. Mom has been gone over 20 years now and I miss her more than I can tell you.
One of the biggest regrets in my life was that my mother never got to meet Terry because I know they would have loved each other. They share many of the same qualities. Both gentle, loving women who always put others before themselves, both with a great sense of humor but not afraid to let you know when you’re out of line, both great cooks, both devoted wives and mothers, and for some inexplicable reason, both love me. If either of them have a character flaw, that’s probably it.
I know I am the luckiest man in the world to be able to love and have the love of two such wonderful women, so I wish you both, Mom and Terry, a happy birthday. I love you. Thank you both for helping me become the man I am today.
Today is your last chance to enter this week’s Free Drawing for a personally autographed copy of Miss Terry’s Kitchen by my beautiful and talented wife. Anyone who has ever read the Gypsy Journal knows about Terry’s reputation as a fantastic cook, and if you have ever sampled any of her goodies, you know that reputation is well deserved. All you have to do is click on the Free Drawing link and enter your name in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. The winner will be drawn this evening.
Thought For The Day – Nothing haunts us like the things we didn’t say.
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Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Sweet and lovely post, Nick. Hope Terry is having a great birthday!!
I do know how you feel about your mom. I miss mine more all the time too. She died 13 years ago. We are very privileged to have had wonderful mothers. I have a lot of friends who did not have a very good one. I have offered to share mine in the next life!! Tis the best I can do!!
I’d forgotten how many children she had and how many had passed. Imagine the family size. Her having 8 and my Grandma LaDonna had 8. Her mom had I believe it was 11. Wow! We sure down sized. Mom had 2. Me and Daryl and me, only one. That was enough. Don’t know how those two beautiful ladies did it
Happy Birthday to Terry! That’s a wonderful picture. And your Mom sounds like she was a great person, too.
Happy birthday Terry. I do hope you have a very enjoyable day. We are hoping to be the winner of one of your cookbooks. You appear to be an excellent cook, as is my wifeand both of us would enjoy your recipes.
Wilf Blakey
This is a lovely birthday commentary, Nick, on your two wonderful ladies.
Happy birthday, Terry! And many, many more!
Happy Birthday Terry!
You are a lucky guy Nick.
— jc&bev
Tell Terry Happy Birthday from the Cross’ and what a lovely picture of her in this post. Give her a hug from us.
I want to wish my best friend in the world, a Very HAPPY BIRTHDAY may it be a great one and may you have many many more
Wishing you a wonderful birthday Miss Terry… and Nick, that was a sweet tribute to your mom. She would have been so proud of you if she were here today. Hope you both have a great day.
We wish both a very Happy Birthday. You are SOOO blessed to have 2 such Great women in you life
George & Linda L
First of all happy birthday Miss Terry!!!
Second you have had that new mattress for a while, how is it after being gone for a couple of days? May our paths cross soon!!!
You are truly blessed Nick. Terry is a really fantastic lady. Glad you had such a wonderful Mom too. Happy birthday Terry and positive thoughts of Mom !!!!!!