Drove to PDX, flew to SAN, then to BDL over a 3 week period...the return trip consisted of the following:
5.30 am Taxivan to BDL, driver sings along to reggae CD (by the late Gregory /Isa-acs/, his cousin) and drives on backroads.  Excellent beginning.
7.15 am Aeroplane to LAS, then another to PDX.  First was crowded with folks who had to use the bathroom constantly, including a guy who took his paperback in and forgot to zip his trousers. Twice.  He should wear underwear.  The two stewards must have been punch-drunk because even by SW Airlines standards, they were wacko.   Second flight was smaller and quieter, thankfully, with two lovely, subdued flight attendants.
arrive at PDX early afternoon:  babies sick, so I offer to take the Train to Beaverton, then a bus to Tualatin, and a second to Sherwood.  Sat down on a wet seat on the last bus. So disgusting!   Daughter picks me up in the van, so I ended the day as it began, but about 15 hours later.  and Taylor Swift, not reggae.

Flight from MID to BDL:  a young man with a working dog sat next to me in the bulkhead seats.  Beautiful shepherd/labrador mix reminded me of my beloved Max.  I was allowed to pet him, and we became good friends, the dog and I.  Barkley was not fond of flying, and ended up either pressed against my leg, or lying on my foot.  His owner was terrified of landing and takeoff, but Barkley and his ipod got him thru both.  One of the nicer flights I've taken.

I said what?

Years ago, in high school, i had a friend who lived nearby. I would walk between his home and another friend's to visit my gram. I loved that boy, recognized some angst about his family, respected his need to be friends yet separate from "the gang", and learned to love his mum and sisters. I've thought about him over the years, even searched mildly to see where he'd landed, but never heard a word. Today I walked into a store (escaping refinishing walls in my living room for a spell) and he called my name, hurried over to see me. He had to tell me his name, but knew me from a photo a classmate had shared (another story). He introduced me to his wife and filled me in on his life of the last few decades. Near the end of our chat my friend referenced a conversation we'd had and led me to believe that it had impacted his life choices. i don't recall that conversation beyond a vague memory that might have been. I was awed by the effect i'd apparently had on him. Glad, grateful he'd shared it, and bemused that I'd taken an entirely different route myself. I'm still trying to adjust to living alone, even after 11.75 months, and for some reason this chat touched me. It's gratifying that a conversation occurring over 30 yrs ago was still recalled as a blessing by someone i called Friend. I'm not sure we'll ever meet again, but I'm glad we met today.

ican win an ipad??

wow, attorneys giving away ipads. I love the USA! http://www.rjrlaw.com/

what a waste.

our tax dollars pay for someone to work with children who have special needs (i.e., learn differently) who could not help first graders with the following: 16-6=__-__ It took me two days, but hopefully the person understands how the little ones are supposed to do it. Actually, one of them did understand. Not a new hire, not hard maths. such is life.

Mid Februray again? still?

Mice chewing on the walls again. They are probably the main reason I'd like to have a man in the house! or a cat. I'm allergic to one of the two...can't always remember which one gives me hives and sinus problems! Trapping season it is! (for the mice)

February

New experience for Feb: making phone calls for the Committee to support Spokane School Levy. I rang 38 numbers. 5 Yeses confirmed (2 in one home), 1 fax machine, 2 no longer in service, 5 "Uh-huhs", and 26 messages left (sometimes confusedly) on machines. I hate making phone calls to pple I don't know, but overall it was fun and probably good for me. And I got to reconnect with one of my favorite colleagues who also left the school we worked at last year.++

Yay for no winter?

I can't help thinking that this snowless winter is a gift, a present to me so my ankle can heal without having to slog outside and shovel, without the need to walk cautiously through ice and slush. Summer won't be much fun, probably so dry we can't have campfires, but hey, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it!