Not So Friendly Skies

Did you see the recent news from American Airlines? Not only are they jacking prices again, but to check ONE BAG there is now a $15 fee. They're laying off hundreds of workers. Most likely the workers who would have handled the checked bags.

I used to love flying. I flew for the first time when I was 18 years old and a girlfriend and I visited multiple Hawaiian Islands. It really was something. The seats were comfortable with lots of leg room and personal space; the flight attendants were very polite and helpful. The food was even good!

I've flown a lot over the years since then. I guess that's my problem. I remember when it used to be a pleasurable experience. Now it's my idea of Hell On Earth.

The flight is overbooked, so you better get your boarding pass early. You slowly shuffle forward like automatons, waiting your turn to go through security . Did you read how the security screeners missed the bomb parts but yanked the bottle of water IN THE SAME SUITCASE???

And again, same thing only this time they "caught" a bottle of shampoo???

They pack you in like sardines. You bring your own food...how long before they charge you to carry on that lunch bag?

This comic from Mike Luchovich really hits the nail on the head:

I am in awe of Don Mills Diva, a pilot herself. How wonderful it would be if I could fly myself west? Unfortunately, if I want to see my parents, sister, or anyone else in my family I have to suffer through the indignities of airline travel. Something always goes wrong, I never have all four flights be event-free. I'm just dreading it.

I wish they'd hurry up and create a real Star Trek transporter. Beam me up, Scotty.

Is it summer yet??

For my family, our daily routine feels more difficult this time of year. Blooming flowers begin to sweeten the air. The days are longer. We're more active. We stay up later in the evening. The end of the school year is on the horizon, and suddenly it's a lot harder to drag our butts out of bed in the morning.

My sister out on the Left Coast seems to be going through the same thing. Her kids may not know how many days are left in the school year, but sis has it counted out and the days marked on her calendar. I haven't counted our days yet. A few were added on because the kids had several 'snow days' this winter.


I always have such high hopes for summer. There are so many things I think I'm going to accomplish, and every year I think, "This will be THE YEAR." I'm going to clear out my hutch of dishware I haven't used in ages; organize bookshelves; alphabetize our DVD's. Get my sewing machine out and do all the little projects I keep thinking about. Clean out the attic (This one I'm actually working on!) Finally send off to charity all the clothes Darling Daughter has outgrown. (Sometimes I feel like we're up to our ears in stacks of clothes.) Get rid of the clutter that seems to follow me like a dark cloud.



I start out the season with bursts of energy, buying annuals, filling planters, setting out summer furniture. Of course you really shouldn't plant anything but pansies before the end of May in New England, as we'll still get a few freezing nights. I remember snowfall on Mother's day a few years ago.

Despite what the calendar says, the first day of summer starts the minute Darling Daughter gets home that last day of school. It's so great to not have to deal with the morning rush! The days stretch out before me and I know, "THIS IS THE YEAR!!"

Unfortunately my good intentions are short-lived and our days are quickly filled with another routine - our summer routine.

Schleppng Darling Daughter to and from sleepovers, or extra kids at our house. Vacation Bible School, which I'm very involved with (I'm usually in charge of Arts & Crafts). Many years we take a trip out to visit my family Oregon.

Then before I know it's I'm up to my ears in packing up the people-mover, and we're off on our annual family vacation at Cape Cod. It's our favorite time of the whole year. The Hubs gets in some kayaking; Darling Daughter reconnects with summer friends. I take a tote bag full of books and work my way through them at the pool or beach.

It seems like I barely blink and it's September already. And my hutch is still chock full, and the bookshelves are still in disarray, and the DVD's are not in order. My sewing projects are not done. We buy new school clothes, thereby creating yet another stack of clothes to send off to charity.

Wait a minute - I'm anticipating the sadness of summer ending and it hasn't even begun yet!

I'm done. I'm off to bed, hoping I'll awaken to warm, sunny weather, so we can get this party started. Bring on Summer!

Where, exactly, is HOME?

I moved across the country, from Oregon to Massachusetts, to marry my husband. I didn't choose the location, I chose HIM. Fortunately I like my little town very much. I'm very active in town and church, and have made wonderful friends. I've lived here 15 years.

Fifteen years, yet I still call Oregon home. My parents, sister and her family, aunts & uncles, cousins, all are in Oregon. If I lived there I probably wouldn't see most of the extended family that often, but I sure miss not being able to get together with them all.

The thing is, living in Massachustts, I call Oregon home. When I'm in Oregon, I refer to Massachusetts as home. This polarity drives me a little nutty sometimes. I feel a constant pull to Oregon; yet I have roots here, too.

In my own perfect world, Massachusetts would be about where Idaho is. Close enough I could still drive home for family gatherings and visits.

I'd be interested to know if anyone else experiences this mixed bag of emotions about HOME. Maybe it's a KathyLikesPink phenomenon.