Stopping by...

When I was a kid we dropped by my grandmothers house every day or so. It was not a scheduled trip, no need to call ahead. We got in the car, or on our bikes in the summer, and headed to town. Grandma's house was the central gathering place. The dining room table was the "hang out". Everyone popped in throughout the day and gave their updates. From golf games to work schedules you were caught up on family activities and there was always coffee and a meal available.

The times they have changed and now there is no dropping by grandma's house to catch up. Most of the family spans the continental United States. There are planned visits for holidays and vacations. All of which are scheduled with plenty of calling ahead. I find myself longing for the days when everyone gathered randomly and provided updates frequently enough that they were a part of your active life. You felt connected even if just to be given the details about everyday tasks.

I recently received an invite for Google+ from my BIL. One of the features of this service is called "Hangouts". I emailed family and friends with my excitement and asked that they join as well so we could give it a try. I was rewarded when my better half and mother both connected and joined a Hangout. It still lacked the impromptu nature of the popping in and there was no coffee or meal, but thats okay.

Until the home Star Trek transporter arrives, this as close as I can get to dropping by to catch up.

Flashbacks

Just as consciousness brought me out of my sleep this morning I had one of those time travel moments. I was back in my childhood bedroom on a cold winter morning. If I lift my head out from under the covers and exhale, I can see my breath. It was a fond remembrance. There was nothing recognizably special about these moments just the cozy warmth of six blankets holding me down and the apprehension of leaving the comfort to start the day. Then it was gone and I was back.

Lent and Procrastination

Okay, its been a while since I last posted.  I had started a post related to Lent:

Lent had begun and just as in years past I found myself pondering what I should give up for the season.  Growing up, this challenge was generally short lived and usually focused on food or beverage.  Later years expanded to include not using vulgar language.  I have not actively tried to give something up for lent for a while and decided that this year I would try a new twist on this annual sacrifice.  This year I am going to give up procrastinating about communicating.  Specifically, staying in touch with friends and family.  

The posting date of this entry tells you that Lent is over but I wanted to post this and follow up.  I did make progress with my aspirations to increase my communication with friends and family.  I went to visit friends that I had not seen for years.  We gathered for food and drink and each brought the others up to speed on their lives.  The truly cool part was sitting with people and hearing that we all had common world experiences that included work, family, and life.  From the humorous parts of getting older to the frustrations of the economy.   We all work too much and no one has time for the gym even when sed gym is either at the office or across the street from the house ( You know who you are)   

Maybe next Lent.

Surreal Sound

I was arriving in the Atlanta airport today just before noon. Not aware of the time, I hoped to catch the end of Obama's speech if I could find a broadcast. I was pleasantly surprised to find I was ahead of his swearing in and it was being broadcast on every television in the airport.

I and a co-worker grabbed a drink and headed to a gate seating area where there was still room to view the TV. We found ourselves sitting just as the ceremony was to start. It was at this moment that the Atlanta airport will forever hold my memory. For as we settled in and Obama stood to take his oath, the sounds in the airport fell away. All announcements ceased, people were silent and all that you could hear was the echo of Barack Obama taking his presidential oath as it drifted gate to gate emanating from the succession of televisions. For a moment, there was no sound but the voices of Barrack Obama and the Chief Justice. You could feel the emotion. It was like sitting on the home team side, you may not have known those sitting next to you but everyone was prideful at the site of their team. There was an instant comradery among strangers. When Barack Obama finished the last line, this quiet audience then rose to their feet and cheered and clapped as though we had just scored a huge victory.

Vacation Activities

The blog sabbatical is over. I have officially started my Christmas vacation. I was surprised to learn that I had more vacation time accrued than previously thought so I have had the opportunity to get a jump on my to-dos. Thus far, knit stockings, baked cookies, shopping and peanut brittle. I have once again managed to delay my shipments long enough to require extra postage. The tree is up and the decorations are out. This year promises to be good. I believe the webcam morning opening will be even better than last.

Knitting and Car Sickness

Took a road trip yesterday to our favorite winery. We discovered Keswick while enjoying a weekend tooling around the country side; teenagerless. It was prime Agnes time to take in the outdoors via the car. Her ears could have been flapping in the breeze as we flew down the highway except for windows being up. It was 90 degrees out and the golden rule of air conditioning on, windows up, was in play. But I digress...
It is peak foliage time and we wanted to see the colors turning. We loaded up the teenager and headed out to Keswick to take in the scenery along the way. The rain was light and actually enhanced the foliage, playing off of the ambient aura projected by the trees ensconced in the warm fall colors of rust, amber, scarlet and marigold. Magic...
Inside the vehicle, the radio is playing classic rock but the buzz of muzzled sounds leaking from headphones in the back seat are a reminder that Led Zeppelin's ageless appeal does not always apply. There is a mumbled sing-a-long with the Eagles and the Steve Miller Band.
Okay, I have set the mood. I have my bag at my side and if I were not in motion I would pull out my project and commence some solid progress on a Kimono vest but we are in motion and I am hesitant.
I cannot read while riding. Like many out there I get queasy and my head begins to ache. There have been times of crisis when, after circling a section of town multiple times, I have reviewed a map to check directions knowing that I will be unable to eat and will want to lie down upon arrival at the destination (usually a restaurant or friend's house for a social gathering that will include food). These heroic acts are done when the only other options include continuing to circle the area believing that one more turn will reveal the location which is actually not in the circumference of your current traffic pattern. ( The directions written down say East 12th but what they really meant was West 12th. Or it really was East but 2nd.) The option of returning home could be utilized, except that you have already called from the road to say you are on your way and not showing would be at a minimum rude. The most dangerous option is to hand the map to the driver (a.k.a. spouse), clearly not a good choice.
Again with the tangents. I apologize...
I have family that knit in the car while riding and they don't get car sick. Maybe its not like reading in the car. I take out my project. Arrange myself and start a row. At the end, I stop and check to see of the classic symptoms are starting. Nope. I can knit and ride. Oooooohhh, this opens all sorts of possibilities.
I learned some rules:
1. Straight highway - after we exited the major interstate to small back roads, the roller coaster feel of the drive trumps your ability to focus on the project. Queasiness returns.
2. Light Traffic - Big trucks bearing down on your window at clearly illegal speeds, draw your focus and force your attention.
I am not sure the difference that allows me to knit but not to read while in a car but I can knit while I ride.....

Armholes!!!

Yes, today I reached the armholes of my sweater. This means that I am close finishing the back. This has inspired me to complete this portion while on a trip to Texas this week. We will see how far I get.
I have been out of touch with my inner knitter for the last few weeks. Work has been getting in the way but no more. Smudge performed a small intervention and helped me to see that, by not providing her with a lap lined with the current knitting project, the positive energy balance in the house has been knocked out of whack. It's all that past life experience.