Thursday, March 28, 2024

Wish Come True

It was a happy coincidence that our spring break fell the week of Heidi's mom's birthday, the first since her dad had passed away. We planned a low-key celebration: homemade biscuits for breakfast, an outing with the dogs, dinner at a favorite restaurant, ice cream cake for dessert. We also picked up a hand-sander, a tool that her mom mentioned needing for some small home improvement projects she had planned and wrapped it up with a pretty yellow ribbon.

These were small enough gestures, but it turned out to be a really good day. So much so that Heidi's mom, not the most demonstrative of folks, gave each of us a big, spontaneous hug, before heading happily off to bed, where she slept soundly through the night, another unusual occurrence around here!

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Why We Have Dogs

We tried to take the dogs to walk in a park we often enjoy in the summer, but when we arrived it was closed for construction. The dogs were more than happy to ride over to the cemetery where we could pay our respects and also walk the winding paths, but when we got there, it was too muddy to enjoy. The dogs didn't complain at all when we continued on our way to the trail that runs along the creek and through the university, and they were pleased to jump out of the car and trot merrily along the path. But there were a lot of joggers and bikers whizzing past us and some nasty goose poop, too, so we cut that outing short and headed home, which the dogs were fine with. And the dogs loved it when we finally took them for a nice walk around the neighborhood. Their pink tongues and wagging tails told us that today? Was yet another amazing day!

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Beauty All the Way

Blossoming trees lined the way as we drove north yesterday. "Don't get used to this splendor!" I warned Heidi with a laugh, the further we drive, the barer the trees will be."

And of course, I was right, but the day was beautiful even so: warm spring sunshine, clear blue sky, dove-gray mountains, and evergreen forest. Six-and-a-half hours rolled by as easily as the two-lane roads we drove. 

And, arriving in Buffalo, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the temperature was warmer up here than at home. We couldn't have asked for a better trip than that!

Monday, March 25, 2024

Safe Travels

The sun is shining and our bags are packed. The audiobook is chosen, the snack bag is loaded up, the car is full of gas, and the road to Buffalo stretches ahead. Once that rush hour traffic clears? We will be on our way.

After reading about everybody else's vacations all weekend, it's time for our own road trip.

After I wrote this, I searched my blog to be sure I had a unique title, (which can be a challenge after 15 years!) Never have I called a post "Safe Travels" but I was taken by the other times I've used the phrase:

Saturday, May 21, 2022 

E is for Extended 


We gathered today in Lynchburg for the high school graduation of Heidi's goddaughter. The last time we were in this little city on the James River was nearly 18 years ago when the same child was born. Shortly after that, her family moved to New Jersey, and over the years, we've attended christenings, first communions, and other milestone events of her and older sister's where we have met her grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and other close family friends. It's been about 10 years since the last celebration, though, and in that time the family has returned to the same private school where her dad worked when she and her sister were born, and it was from that school that she graduated today. 


How strange it is to spend the day with people we know and keep up with through our mutual acquaintance but have only met a few times and haven't seen in ten years. Dining on sandwich wraps and cookies, the quality of interaction shifts from superficial to friendly to almost intimate. But then the conversation flags and we stand awkwardly to throw our paper plate in the trash, refill a solo cup with iced tea, and repeat the ritual with another partner until it's time for goodbyes. There will be the decision to hug or not to hug. "Safe travels!" we will say. "It was so good to see you again." 


"Until next time!" they might answer, And because it occurs to us that these meetings are most definitely numbered, we nod and lean into that hug. 


Life Lesson: Live in fragments no longer. Only connect! ~E.M. Forester Saturday, 


November 17, 2012 

Some Habits Die Hard 


This morning I was facetiming with my mother. She's coming to town tomorrow for the holidays, so I wanted to get her flight info and wish her safe travels. I was sitting in an easy chair by the window during the call, and rather than allow my face to be darkened by backlighting, I turned sideways so that my folded legs were against one arm and my back rested against the other. It wasn't the most comfortable of positions, so I was wiggling a bit to find a sweet spot as we chatted. 


"Do you have to go to the bathroom?" my mother asked me. 


(Full confession: As a kid, I was notorious for getting caught up in something and rather than pausing, I would just do a little dance until the moment was more convenient to visit the restroom. My family might say that I never outgrew that particular quirk. Whatever...) 


"No!" I answered, and started to explain, but then I stopped and said, "Mom! I think now that I'm fifty you can stop asking me that question." 


"No I can't," she replied. "You'll always be my little girl." 


Tuesday, June 15, 2021 

Non-stop 


The question of the day was What are your three road trip must-haves? 


First answer? 


Food, phone, and a bottle to pee in. 


Well. 


Safe travels, kid. 


Sunday, April 14, 2019 

Wardrobe Change 


Many of my friends and colleagues are headed south and west to warmer weather for spring break this week. We are headed north to Minnesota for a visit with my mom. And to tell you the truth? The weather here has been pretty mild the last couple of days, and after seeing myself in shorts-- another week of cool weather might not be too bad! 


Safe travels to all!

Sunday, March 24, 2024

All the Time in the World

We had to drive to Georgetown for an errand yesterday afternoon, and it was expectedly bustling with cars and shoppers jamming the streets and sidewalks. Rather than irritated, I found myself charmed by the boisterous energy, and I took the time I had to wait at each light cycle to look around with interest at what had changed since I last ventured to that part of town. 

Soon enough we had what we needed and we were headed back across the bridge to run a few more errands on our side of the river. Rather than get right on the main artery, I leaned into my curiosity and drove through a few neighborhoods to check out some new businesses and buildings over here. 

Our exploration added some time to the outing, of course, but who cares? We're on spring break!

Saturday, March 23, 2024

When Life Gives You Raindrops

Our two cats enjoy going out on our little deck, especially since I grow wheat grass for them to nibble on when the season allows it. I sowed the latest crop during the warm spell a couple of weeks ago, and they know it's out there-- first thing in the morning they tear over to the sliding glass door and meow to be allowed out to chew on the tender blades of spring green. 

Despite the cold, drenching rain, they dashed over this morning, as usual. Ignoring my warnings, they insisted on seeing for themselves, so I let them out. Both were splatted with enormous raindrops before they could even get one bite, and they returned to the house just as quickly as they had exited. I laughed, but feeling bad for their disappointment, I built a fire where they could warm up and dry off. 

I think we all agree that it turned out to be a pleasant morning after all.

Friday, March 22, 2024

Reporting Live From...

My sixth-grade students, it seems, are living their best lives. Spring break started today and one is already in Paris, another in Puerto Rico;  one is on the way to a castle in England, and another en route to the Bahamas. One student is flying to Hungary on Monday and somebody else is skiing in Colorado while their classmate is on the beach in Malibu. Other students are headed to Florida and the Carolinas, and many have day trips and other fun activities planned for the break.

Fortunately, most have eagerly agreed to keep posting their slice of life writing from their vacation destinations, so at least the rest of us can live vicariously!