Countdown

Next week at this time

we'll be in Paris.

 

This will be a busy week as final

preparations are completed.

 

Here's a section from my to do list:

 

finalize packing selections

go to the bank

get a manicure

pay bills

have my glasses adjusted

compile addresses for  postcards

avoid breaking toes

(or fillings)

 



Packing Report

This was the original packing list from our recent trip. 

I've crossed out the items I didn't use.

 

4 sleeveless/short sleeve layering pieces:

berry

gray

charcoal

ivory

4 long sleeve tees:

ivory

tan

charcoal

mustard

3 V-neck cashmere sweaters:

navy

gray

teal

3 button-front shirts:

denimish

gray/teal plaid

gray paisley(tunic length)

2 pants:

white cords

charcoal

1 navy skirt and tights

1 charcoal wool blazer

 

With temperatures unexpectedly warm

- upper 60s and 70s -

layers weren't necessary.  I never wore the blazer.

We didn't do any "fine" dining, so the skirt

remained in the suitcase.

 

It's reasonable to assume that many pieces

can be eliminated, because

in Paris I will have access to laundry,

but, December weather should call

 for some layering pieces, so

I'll be looking for that happy medium

to allow more room for

shopping!

 

These items worked for me.

The color combinations were easy and

flexible.  I felt well-dressed and appropriate

in my choices.  The white cords were

fun to wear, though I don't see them

making the trip to Paris.  My boots

proved to be very comfortable.  I had casual shoes

in the bag, which I did wear, and need

to decide which pair of

shoes will accompany my boots

across the pond.

 

Overall it was a relief to see how versatile

the carry-on bag can be. 

It eliminates a certain amount of "stress"

to know that I can do this,

though it's not a convenient system if there are several

overnight stops involved. 

Everything had to be loaded and layered

rather precisely in the bag

(it was full)

which made for less-than-fun repacking

every morning. 

I'm looking forward to having a destination

allowing me to unpack once.

 

 



Gratuitous Cute Grandson Photo

 

Meet Levi

the reason for our recent road trip.



Short Shrift

I'm afraid Mt. Hood and remaining portion of our trip

are going to be condensed.

 

 

Lessons from Daily Living 101

interfered with our plans

 for a day of hiking on Mt. Hood, but the necessary

phone calls were made,

details feel into place,

a late start was deemed better than no start

and we drove over to the mountain

on a cloudless afternoon.

 

Mt Hood is a beautiful sight. 

Unfortunately, an unexpected camera glitch left

me with no pictures.

You'd be right in guessing we took the long way

and enjoyed our glimpses of it's  

classic, snow-capped shape as the curving road

brought us closer.

 

Tim and I also went on our own

one afternoon when Jacob was working and

found Lucia and Moulton Falls

near Battle Ground, WA.

 

 

 We clambered around on the rocks,

Tim picked up bottles and cans left by

inconsiderate partyers,

and we marveled at the size of the trees.

This was the type of old Pacific coast forest region

that I'd been expecting.

 

Food?

The food deserves better treatment

than to be summarized thus:

it was great!

So I will put together one last post

soon.

 

 

 



Monday

We covered roughly

1000 miles today.

 

I enjoy Nebraska - once you reach the middle.

 

We ran into rain between Cheyenne and Laramie.

The first rain we've seen for

two months.

 

I really like Wyoming.

It's austerity appeals to me

for some reason.

The colors are subtle but

surprisingly varied.

 

I appreciate the serious construction of the

snow fences and liberal

hand that spreads them across

the landscape.

 

Another long day tomorrow.

Sunday Evening

It's been a long, hot week.

 

Yesterday we had an old friend

from North Dakota

stop through for a quick

but delightful overnight visit.

 

Tomorrow

 we'll be heading out for a few days of vacation.

 

Tonight

I'm busy with last minute details:

 packing

laundering

cleaning out the 'fridge

painting my nails.

 

I will write my haiku

everyday

but

posting may come

in bunches.

 

I've never taken to the idea of

preparing something

ahead of time.

They really are reflections of each day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Quick Catch-up

So many things running through my brain tonight but

I still need to write a poem so this will be quick.

 

Who am I kidding? 

 I'll natter on here for much longer than I ever intended...

It makes me wonder why I bother to attempt

these quick just-check-in-and-get-right-back-out posts...

Never works that way...

 

I returned, earlier this evening, from a couple days in FD.

My mom and sister had been planning a yard sale

and ( for a variety of reasons) I agreed to help.

So I made myself available, driving up on Thursday, 

and returning home today.

That covered set-up to clean-up

and divvying the loot.

We managed to play a couple games of scrabble.

Crossed paths with old acquaintances.

Managed to stay warm in the mornings and then

 - later in the day -

peeled off sweatshirts in the sun.

 

So on the drive the array of color was breathtaking.

I was entranced by the barest blush of color the trees were sporting.

It seems that everything is in bud right now

and it creates an almost fuzzy effect on the bare branches against the sky.

Not leaf green but, on many, a pinkish glow.

(For instance - the maples in our back yard have a deep burgundy bud case.) 

And the weeping willows were a fluorescent yellow.

And the red-twig dogwoods along the fence lines were a treat to see.

Quite lovely.

 

 So I'm driving and listening to
Splendid Solution: Jonas Salk and the Conquest of Polio
 a-more-than-fascinating-book.

The numbers are mind-blowing!!
10s of thousands every year for soooo many years!
They reported 40+000 cases in 1950.
40+000!!!
That's (almost) in my lifetime.
What happened to the young victims who survived?
How long did they live?  Are they still alive?
I asked my mother if there she knew area families
from her childhood that had dealt with polio.
She could think of two incidents.
Living on a farm she said "you just didn't hear much..."

The process of the medical research is riveting.
The prevailing methodology of the time was to use
 live -but greatly weakened -
virus for most vaccines.

Salk had been successful in creating a "killed"
influenza  vaccine for the Army
and wanted to bring that same approach to polio.

I can remember going
 to the high school one night, as a kid,
to get a sugar cube with vaccine.

I learned today that means we ingested live virus.
(unless the next few chapters explain that they found a way around that...)
I see much more reading about this in my near future.

 

Tim and Charlie were glad to see me.

I am glad to be home.