anyresemblance

Universality

First, I sat upstairs on the A380 next to a family with 3 small boys who were happy and loving and snuggled with their mum and dad and read books and played games.  An easy way to pass 13 hours in an enclosed capsule.

Then I had leg room and watched several forgettable movies, none bad, (well, Mothers Day was awful) but none memorable.  Then LA was so quiet and I know it was 6 in the morning but the queues moved quickly, the immigration officers were smiling and there was no queue at the security line.  Let me repeat, I wasn't even TSA approved and there was no one ahead of me.  Give it 10 minutes, said the TSA person but I was just so happy. 

The next plane, I had 3 seats to myself, snoozed and page turned Liane Moriarty (she knows how to keep you going)

Given the 15th anniversary of 911 I had expected more security but that all went smoothly, too.  I was underwhelmed with the room I was given but some gentle discussion of the point gave me a bigger room and a higher floor (more light) so nothing to complain about.

The kid had a great first day at her new design school, the house sitter is happy and the pets adoring so all is right in the world.

It is one year ago that my sister died and 17 years to the day that my mother died.  I can't believe the time has gone so fast and while I no longer think about picking up the phone to talk to my mother, I still wait for a letter from my sister, my most faithful correspondant.

Saturday morning mental lists

2 years ago, on my way to India, I bought these back packs at the airport for my friend and colleague who had twins.  He sent me this picture this week of them finally being big enough to wear them as they head for nursery school.  I recall them being advertised as "as worn by Prince William".

The thing with having your alarm  set for 5.15am for so many week day mornings is that you wake at 5am on a Saturday morning even with out it.  It doesn't bother me though, and I lay in bed listening to heavy rain and making a mental list of things to do today before heading to the US tomorrow.

I am rethinking the hand luggage only route with the arrival of extensive wish lists for Sephora and not having a suitable additional bag to roll up and take along for checking on the way home.   It's just that transfer at LA and having to clear customs there that has frequently been my nemesis on the  delayed connections and lost luggage.  

With so many people out of the house, I've commandeered a bedroom for laying my clothes out but just been stymied by a request to go to corporate HQ one day next week which may necessitate slightly more formal attire.  Then again, I am talking to a bunch of technical architects so unlikely that any of them will be wearing a tie (and, yes, 99% men)

I have managed to plan one reunion with someone I went to grad school with and have not seen in 25 years who happens to be in NYC at the same time, one plan to see one of my favourite old school bloggers who doesn't blog anymore but does instagram the hell out of her city of residence.   I'd toyed with spending the weekend in DC but A being in the city for the weekend made me decide to stay put.  I haven't been in DC since an ill fated assignation with a beau that had so many bad knock on effects it makes me shudder to think of it so maybe that is not a bad thing.

 

 

Social niceties

Single blossom on the fig tree when I went for a walk this morning.

I'm writing notes for my house sitter for the next two weeks:

Marzipan usually sleeps downstairs. Ned may try and sleep on your chest and get under the covers. What can I say, he is a kitten. Charlie usually sleeps on my bed but this pass week has been trying out S's as well – he misses her.

and

Neighbours are Glen and Lily. His name is not really Glen (I think it might be Vlad) but since I realise I have been calling him the wrong name for 9 months, I am now very embarrassed and avoid calling him anything. If you could find out his real name, that would be a bonus! I told Lily I was going away and you would be there.

Now I just have to get to Priceline for some airline compliant containers as I am trying for hand luggage on the way over.

This time, last year

saw my sister for the last time.

Something mysterious in the woods

I think it's something to do with orienteering?  There were 3 of them scattered around.  It has rained so much the ground is sodden.

I have the house to myself.  It is very strange and quiet and peaceful and clean.  

A friend came round.  She is having a very stressful time with her family and probably going to have to shoulder parenting her grandkids.  Another friend has the father of her adult child in a coma this weekend. The kid is going to have to make some end of life decisions which is a horrible burden for anyone but more so for someone who has many unresolved things that you want to say to that parent.

Look after yourselves and the ones around you.