I think I am getting old. Although we have been traveling extensively the last few months, the trip home from Ireland nearly did me in. Yesterday was our first day back home. After traveling nearly 18 hours the day before (plus the 5 hour time difference), I really thought I would be able to sleep. By 4am local time, I was wide awake and desperately seeking caffeine. So I got up, sorted through emails, watched the day grow lighter…I couldn’t see the sunrise (which is glorious here in Little Compton) because of the cloud cover and intermittent rain.
Bernard and I did the usual things…unpacking, laundry, making lists of things to do, etc. Not everything went smoothly. We couldn’t get my car started. It’s a Prius and the battery is continuously charged as car moves. Since it’s been sitting for nearly 5 months, it was dead as a door nail. So, we called AAA, only to discover that in the last minute rush before we left in January, I had overlooked our payment. Bernard mumbled something about things never being easy or simple. In the meantime, I double checked on the book order for my summer graduate course, only to find out that my email from Hungary back in April had not gone through. So I scrambled to get my order in. After a second effort, we did get the car and the battery (both of them) charged and we should be, according to the Toyota service guy, good to go!
This morning I am up again. My clock is still set on European time, I think. Still no sunrise…but I am thankful nonetheless. My friends and family have been gone out of their way to welcome us home. My friend Jane had our house cleaned and did some grocery shopping for us. She and my friend Liz prepared soups and stews and baked banana bread and brownies…In the haze of fatigue caused by the jet lag, it is wonderful not to have to worry about what to cook. Today I will do some shopping and tomorrow I will cook! So thanks to my friends and family who have called to welcome us home…we really appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. It’s great to be back!
This weekend, believe it or not, we have to travel again. On Saturday afternoon we fly to Charlotte, NC to my sister-in-law’s house…she is the one who has been taking care of the dogs for us. We will spend Sunday there…it is my nephew’s high school graduation. You may recall Bernard’s nightmarish adventures driving the dogs down last January. On Monday morning, we will drive back with Henry and Briggs. As my sister dryly noted, hopefully on the return trip the dogs won’t lock us out of the car! I figure, it’s two against two…the odds are a little better this time around.
Thanks for tuning in and best regards,
Marcsi
I’m dying to get out and work in my garden…thought you’d enjoy this picture from my backyard. The fish survived the winter…I think. The water is still very murky, but I definitely saw one of the orange ones swimming around.
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