It was a Fourth of July like no other.

Pete and I drove to Groveland for the opening of the Groveland Historical Museum. On top of it being totally different than when we were there painting, it was filled with memorabilia that people had donated. Pictures, sports uniforms, even a prom dress from the 1950’s. Jayson and fam came to meet us. They called us up in front of everyone that was there, we got to walk in first.

But the best part was meeting Julian Rowe. In the Arnold time line, he was a year younger than my great uncle Jefferson, two years older than Uncle Charlie, and four years older than my grandfather. He had so many stories. He confirmed that Jefferson was not killed in a car accident, like my family had been told. He and his wife had been shot, probably by the woman’s family, because they didnt’ approve of the marriage. He told us about the gym, and how important education was to my great-grandfather, and how my Papa excelled in sports.

We also met the son of my great-grandfather’s chauffer, which was weird, but cool, because he knew some family history as well.

Sometimes I just want to move to sleepy Groveland, to be a part of the place where fam is from, and to build a replica of the Arnold house right on the same lot where it once was.