It doesn't matter whether the show I'm watching is charming, like Downton Abbey, or apocalyptic, like Silo; I love it when characters show us how they subsist, what their day is like, how their community works, and the process of everything. It's so fascinating to read how you do your day, run your home, live with dogs, and enrich the world around you. I love how your essays are stories told among friends. It's cozy and heartening and really, a privilege to read. Thank you. Enjoy the quiet!
You’ve had a very busy few weeks! It’s worth all the stress, planning, etc to be with family and friends. Your grandchildren will always remember these special times with you! Enjoy your down time!
I loved all of this, but the extra suitcase purchase resonated with me. For years, we would attempt to squeeze our travel needs into the tiniest suitcase possible. This allowed us to "travel light". It also meant that we (almost) inevitably ended up buying another small suitcase to get back home with everything. We have accumulated a magnificent collection of emergency carry-on bags from all over the world. Still, the dream of "traveling light" lives on...and the collection is most impressive.
Those surcharges...We were in Lisbon a few years ago, making a connecting flight to Rome. The airline decided to weigh everyone's carry-on as they boarded. If the bag was overweight, the immediate charge was 90 euros. The airline solved a lot of its financial problems that day. The financial carnage was impressive.
Six suitcases! What a mighty pile. I can imagine the scene that you sketch so well.
And don't you love DCA? Last thanksgiving we landed there and ubered to Dulles to catch our flight to Vienna, and the driver showed us all the sights. He is an immigrant from India, a computer programmer, and my son began chat with him about coding languages. In fact, my son was chatting with an Estonian computer programmer on the flight back from Chicago two weeks ago. The computer people always manage to find one another.
DCA is full of nostalgia for me. When I was singing I lived in Virginia for six months or so, and the feeling of the air is a powerful reminder. Terminal 1 is ridiculously overcrowded now, though. They need to solve that problem. And I don’t like DC anymore. I see the Capitol and feel ashamed. I miss being proud of my country.
“Yes!” to all the above. As in “What? You do laundry too?” One cautionary note: launch that dahlia search soon. It’s “crazy for dahlias” time, out there. For sheer visual splendor: I’ll attempt to direct you to the Dahlia (growing) Master’s account. On another message. If I look for him now, this note will disappear. Sigh. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
When I read your lovely posts I feel a physical expansion in my chest - the manifestation of heartwarming. What a gift your words bring to me at the start of my day.
What a great way to recuperate. I had my 13-year-old great-nephew for a week. Although it was a busy time, I'm so glad to have the opportunity to see him. He's growing up, he's taller than I am, and we can have semi-adult conversations.
But...after he leaves, I plan nothing for the next day. A time to relax and think, and recenter.
Have a lovely day! Grandchildren are truly a blessing! My 18 yr old grandson passed through yesterday on his way to a hunting cabin on a lake in VT with 10 friends. He has decided to drive his 30 yr old Toyota cross country when he comes back. This will certainly be interesting!!!
We have a spare room, but Eli would sit on your head.
LOL! But I would love t! I’ve always encouraged my dogs to sleep with me.
Life is good!
Yes.
So glad you had a lovely visit!
Sigh
It doesn't matter whether the show I'm watching is charming, like Downton Abbey, or apocalyptic, like Silo; I love it when characters show us how they subsist, what their day is like, how their community works, and the process of everything. It's so fascinating to read how you do your day, run your home, live with dogs, and enrich the world around you. I love how your essays are stories told among friends. It's cozy and heartening and really, a privilege to read. Thank you. Enjoy the quiet!
Well said!
Ditto - you likely said it better than I might have…
You’ve had a very busy few weeks! It’s worth all the stress, planning, etc to be with family and friends. Your grandchildren will always remember these special times with you! Enjoy your down time!
Thank you for sharing these vignettes of your life - they are indeed a refuge in these times!
I loved all of this, but the extra suitcase purchase resonated with me. For years, we would attempt to squeeze our travel needs into the tiniest suitcase possible. This allowed us to "travel light". It also meant that we (almost) inevitably ended up buying another small suitcase to get back home with everything. We have accumulated a magnificent collection of emergency carry-on bags from all over the world. Still, the dream of "traveling light" lives on...and the collection is most impressive.
There were five suitcases, all the size of a compact car, and one was overweight. There would have been a $100 surcharge.
Those surcharges...We were in Lisbon a few years ago, making a connecting flight to Rome. The airline decided to weigh everyone's carry-on as they boarded. If the bag was overweight, the immediate charge was 90 euros. The airline solved a lot of its financial problems that day. The financial carnage was impressive.
Sheesh.
😂
Six suitcases! What a mighty pile. I can imagine the scene that you sketch so well.
And don't you love DCA? Last thanksgiving we landed there and ubered to Dulles to catch our flight to Vienna, and the driver showed us all the sights. He is an immigrant from India, a computer programmer, and my son began chat with him about coding languages. In fact, my son was chatting with an Estonian computer programmer on the flight back from Chicago two weeks ago. The computer people always manage to find one another.
Enjoy the quiet; it is well deserved.
DCA is full of nostalgia for me. When I was singing I lived in Virginia for six months or so, and the feeling of the air is a powerful reminder. Terminal 1 is ridiculously overcrowded now, though. They need to solve that problem. And I don’t like DC anymore. I see the Capitol and feel ashamed. I miss being proud of my country.
Too true.
We all miss being proud of our country.
“Yes!” to all the above. As in “What? You do laundry too?” One cautionary note: launch that dahlia search soon. It’s “crazy for dahlias” time, out there. For sheer visual splendor: I’ll attempt to direct you to the Dahlia (growing) Master’s account. On another message. If I look for him now, this note will disappear. Sigh. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
They’re in abundance here.
Enjoy the joys of being home! You deserve it and the boys will be happy too!
What a rich life you lead. What was the puzzle picture?
A very complex painting of birds and plants
When I read your lovely posts I feel a physical expansion in my chest - the manifestation of heartwarming. What a gift your words bring to me at the start of my day.
What a great way to recuperate. I had my 13-year-old great-nephew for a week. Although it was a busy time, I'm so glad to have the opportunity to see him. He's growing up, he's taller than I am, and we can have semi-adult conversations.
But...after he leaves, I plan nothing for the next day. A time to relax and think, and recenter.
Have a lovely day! Grandchildren are truly a blessing! My 18 yr old grandson passed through yesterday on his way to a hunting cabin on a lake in VT with 10 friends. He has decided to drive his 30 yr old Toyota cross country when he comes back. This will certainly be interesting!!!
Enjoy the peace after a grand visit!!