Chase Rice played until 11:30. I still made it home to Mansfield by 12:20. Padre stayed up to greet me, which he didn't have to do at all. It was great to see him. He told me that Madre asked him for me to wake her up when I was home. I told them all along we didn't know how late of a night it would be for me, and didn't want them to stay up all night.

Saturday Madre, Padre and I went to Bog Iron Brewing in Norton, Mass. This month again, Padre had me bring Zannie's UNH pint glass we got for her just a few months before everything bad happened January 25th. It was nice to be with my parents and some of their wonderful friends there at Bog.

We then did dinner bunch with Aunty Soup, Uncle JDawg in downtown Mansfield. We all had a nice time together.

Sunday I was able to get some errands done. I was able to bring over flowers for Aunty Peg, and Grammy. It was great to spend some time with them. I then went to Splitsville in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium. This was my first time going there, where Zannie was terrific at one of her three jobs. Full disclosure to being biased about my sister, and best friend, she was one of the hardest working people I ever knew. It was also the quality of her careers. Everyone you talk to said she was like a Mother Hen to all of them. She was always taking care of and looking out for everyone, especially my parents and me. It was wonderful to see our friend Skye. She came over and bearhugged me immediately. Skye then told me how she was at a wedding the night before, and brought a centerpiece of flowers to the restaurant in my sister's honor. Very sweet.

Then I went home, and had a great time hanging with Madre, Padre and JDawg. I asked for their pizza order saying I was throwing a pizza party just like years ago when I still lived with them. We did a new place in Mansfield called Arman's, that was terrific during our Super Bowl party, and were great again this weekend. We are definitely 2 for 2 with them.

My rode home from Mansfield to Jersey on Monday in the rain? The roads weren't awful. I made it past Hartford fine. Then it became Epic. Total ride home was 4 hours 45 minutes, 45 minutes later. Why? Towards Danbury, there was bumper to bumper traffic. Turns out, they closed 84 down to one lane. They were doing roadwork. In the rain. During afternoon rush hour. Seriously? Connecticut roadwork can be quite the different state!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Epic Weekend In Pictures. Time to start planning next weekend!

Steve Allan