Getting A Grip On Summer

I finally dug out my summer clothes today. Travelling during Junuary left me wondering if summer was ever going to arrive. I'm just happy that my summer things still fit. Maybe jetlag has an upside. Today I couldn't go to church, or any place for that matter until 11:am. There was a bicycle race right at my door and the road was blocked off. I was told that if I needed to get out that they might be able to find me a window of opportunity in less than 20 minutes. That would make me late for services so I decided to stay put. No I did not watch the race! I did meet a new neighbour though who is a Christian and "single", but alas he is younger than my daughters. We had a very upbeat theological conversation and shared ideas on renovation and gardening. DUH!
The weather couldn't be better, and I truly hope we don't get the nasty heat wave that often hits this time of year. On Tuesday I will head to Victoria to visit my favourite guys, and their parents. My daughters and I will finally sprinkle their Dads ashes at sea on Fri. It seems like only one year has passed instead of nearly two. My suitcase is still not emptied and I need to pack again. Go figure!

Go Granny Go!

After more than a month away from home, it's hard to remember where the bathroom is in the middle of the night. When my Aunts funeral was over, and 13 days into my stay, I rented a car to drive like a crazy lady from Windsor to Barrie for 3 days. On this leg of the journey I discovered XM radio. While sitting on the 401 in Toronto, the time flew by to tunes from the 50's. The visit with my highschool friend was refreshing and fun as always.
Then came a short drive to Gravenhurst to visit my Mom. We had fun shopping and remembering happy days with my Aunt "her only sibling". Three nights on an inflatible bed were the most comfortable in 2 weeks. Three nights in Bracebridge wrapped up my trip north. Did I mention I like to renovate? I painted 2 bedrooms and 2 halls at my Aunts house. I chose soft shades of vanilla and a clean aquamarine for the master bedroom. In Barrie I helped my girlfriend decide on renovations for her 30 something kitchen. Then came rearranging my Mothers livingroom and replacing some furniture. My sister is very gifted in her own design choices so all I could do for her is rearrange the guest room.
The next leg of my journey was a plleasant drive to Kingston under sunny skys. When the Beach Boys started singing Little Old Lady From Passadena I no longer thought the song silly. After all, I am a Grandmother with places to go. This had been a very therapeudic trip for me until I returned to Seattle Thurs evening.

Air Miles?

For all of you who said airmiles are a waste of time, just gimme a discount! You may soon be able to say I told you so. I have accumulated a great deal of air miles both in Canada and the US. After not being able to make timely connections with Air Canada, I cashed in thousands of points on a couple of CD"s and gift cards to Linens and Things. The points were going to be confiscated due to inactivity. Fare enough, I was truly happy with Alaska airmiles plan and connections were sane. At least until this year. I have just purchased my second air fare on another airline in 3 months because Alaska can get me there, but not home in the forseeable future. "2 1/2 mths" to be exact. Now the airline I bought a ticket on is the same airline that I tried to get a seat on, with airmiles, and there are clearly empty seats available, but not for airmiles. It really doesn't make sense to have the seats empty when people travelling on airmiles could be buying meals and beverages at least. Those of us who had to pay inflated prices will pack our own lunches thank you very much. This appears to be the same problem every summer. The airlines can gauge what the demand will be and set their prices at double the regular rate, and that is only if you accidentally find tickets on the internet. The ticket in April that I paid $314. for is now selling at between $657. and $808. depending where you search. Some of the discount sites were much higher, and West Jet out of Vancouver was going to make 3 extra stops on the way and turn a 4.06 hr flight into 11 fun filled hours for a mere $400. extra. I know I like a bargain, but hey at least I may be able to stretch out on those extra seats. I checked into one way tickets, DUH! same price. Any way now that I am booked on NWA again I have enrolled in yet another airmile plan. After 2 flights I am already half way to yet another free flight.
This trip I am headed back to Ontario for a visit with friends and family. Some of them I haven't seen in over 30 yrs. I hope the weather isn't too hot, I've accululated some vericose veins and a few extra pounds that nobody wants to see. The jet lag from the "red eye" alone will have everyone convinced I might have a drinking problem. "It's such a shame the way the body can sag". I'm just glad they can't see how bad my memory has gotten along with my posture. All I have to do is remember what the new spouses names are and they won't suspect a thing. I've been out of the country so long, not very many expect me to know about local politics, which is good because they won't want to hear what I learned about world politics while away.
I can always count on being fed well. Food is a universal gift that we heap on our out of town relatives, to make up for the uncomfortable periods while adjusting to things like, "are we still related even thought you divorced my favourite Aunt". Or who remembers how many chocolate bars we ate in one afternoon at a family reunion almost 50 yrs ago. I expect to see cousins That I have not seen in anything but short pants. And yes I will have trouble remembering some of their names.
My Mother doesn't yet know that I am headed east. I thought it would be nice to see the autumn colours in Sept. and use up some airmiles, but life sends us little surprises to remind us that we truly can't book our entire future. The kids will use my place for a couple of days while I'm away, so I am feaverishly trying to clean and dust so my son in law doesn't think me a complete slob. Maybe he won't notice the lack of food in the fridge. The next trip is already booked and paid for, so I will have 2 full weeks to catch up on bills before heading out on a badly needed rest at sea with a girlfriend also in need of a rest. I've been looking forward to a one week cruise for a long time, and I won't even see the inside of an airplane. Now that's a trip!

The Next Trip.

I haven't even finished unpacking from my last trip, and I promised to visit the kids for a few days. This is always an adventure, but I have a car load of stuff to take with me. There are the usual forgotten articles of clothing"matthews underware". I found these in my laundry a couple of weeks back. Then there are souvenirs from Mexico. A full tote bag of candy and T-shirts. I was out of the country 15 days so I picked up a ceiling fan that the kids have been wanting, and can't find in Canada for a reasonable price. I will haul my wet saw back in hopes that they will suddenly discover that they really do need it to install their new bathroom tile. That way I get free storage for the tool. I will not need to pack PJ's because I left a pair tucked under some blankets in their storage closet. This is a good thing, because my suitcase is filling up fast. The prospect of a few days of adoration from a 4 yr old and drools from the cutest little guy on the coast makes all the shuffling and ferrying worth it. I'm pretty sure where the next trip will be, but not sure when. I may need to do some creative last minute packing. I'd like to think I'm organized but that would be a stretch.

Altitude or Attitude.

Somewhere is cyber-space is yesterdays post. I don't know where it went but it did not post. I'm still a little loopy from my trip to Mexico City. For those who have endured the altitude, I need not explain, but many would wonder what the problem is. Trouble breathing, heart palpitations, humidity, heat and extremely great food can cause headaches and fatigue. Now that I'm home, allergies have added to the jet lag. I'm still enjoying 3 squares a day though.
Mexico city was pretty much what I expected. Insane traffic is complicated by insane drivers. The locals are very warm and friendly. They think it's funny that I truly don't understand them. After all Americans learn Spanish in school, and Canadians should too! They continue to talk to me and finally kiss and hug before feeding me. The fact that I love all their food, is a great hit with these patient people. I am taller than most of the men and that may have something to do with their tollerance. There is a wonderful rhythm in the city. The language is emotional, and the traffic never stops. I listened to extremely loud spicy music until 4:30 am, more than once while visiting my friend Elena.
During the day we shopped for cabinets at Home Depot, and planted a new garden on her roof top terrace. The views are breath-taking. The mountain air is refreshing inspite of the smog. My stay ended much too soon, but it may be a while before I jump another plane to Mexico City.

It's been a beautiful weekend. The wind is warm and the sky silky blue. My online friends are all preoccupied with other endeavors. The freshly coiffed and perfumed type are more alluring than the heart to heart required on the net to even begin to develop a relationship. I am oddly relieved that nothing serious is developing.
I went to a concert the other night that left me in tears. It was humourous and nostalgic, with about 40 white haired men in tuxedos singing the classics. The crowd melted into giggles and guffaws as the sunglass glad penguins broke into Dooby Dooby Dum before performing a fabulous rendition of You Raise Me Up. It was a great start to a very nice weekend.
Today I finally dusted off a fresh canvas that has been leaning against boxes in the front closet. It's the beginning of a series inspired by Greek 101 at Sunday school. The teacher was trying to explain past present ant perfect tense. I suddenly saw something I wanted to capture on canvas. So I have begun to paint again. I will need to get out to buy more canvas to complete the next two in the series. I promise that if my daughters can explain this program to me I may include some photos of my work. It feels good to stretch my stiff creative muscles. Tomorrow it's back to accountants and lawyers. When we get older the weekends arrive much sooner than they used to.

Remember the coffee called Chock full o' Nuts? Well so is the internet. I've learned to shoot first, ask questions later. The first shot is a warning shot-How many times have you been divorced? The next is usually about theology greats like Chuck Swindoll and John MacArthur. If you haven't any idea who these writers are, you'd probably better move quick or duck. I began answering only widowers who are interested in writing to women their own age, but one a month is pretty slim pickins. Some of them are clear across the continent. None are from Canada. Go figure!! I won't reply to the divorced pastors who are in their 70's. Doesn't divorce disqualify them from church leadership. I don't think the Bible has undergone a rewrite. I'm not here to evangelize anyone, but there must be a few who can enjoy sharing our common faith. Common faith seems to be a very loosely used term.
I'm very happy the sun is shining and summer is near. I will be able to spend more time sitting at the beach watching the dates sunning their scantily clad behinds, while the nuts pretend they are still young.
At least the ice cream here is wonderful, and the coffee always fresh.
The recipe for success is to live a life of integrity. I'm content with that. It lets me sleep well at night. It would be even better is someone noticed.