Goin' away

I'm taking a trip with my sister and brother starting tomorrow.  We are all going to Alaska for a land/sea trip lasting two weeks.  Because we are getting older we have all pretty much decided that a yearly get together would be nice.  In the past we have not been close.  There is quite an age difference between us.  My brother is 5 1/2 years older than I and I am 11 years older than my sister.  All of our parents are gone.  I'm looking forward to this trip.  Who knows when we'll all be together again?  Although I've been to Alaska this trip will take me where I've not been before.  Denali is one of the stops and we'll be there for three days.  Hopefully we'll get to see plenty of wildlife.  We'll be cruising the second week and will get to see glaciers.  There is no blue like glacier blue.
My friend A will be taking care of my kitties while I'm gone.  I sometimes think they like her better than me.  Maybe that's because she gives them more attention while she's here.  Or treats.  I'm glad she's able to do it.
Time to get crackin'....lots of stuff to do before I leave.  Yes, I'm packed, but there's always last minute stuff to do, like clean, laundry, etc.  I like coming back to a somewhat at least clean house and clean clothes.
Y'all have a safe day and remember....when you throw in the towel you're just creating more laundry.

The eclipse

I happen to live where the eclipse will be total.  We expect a hoard of people in the area.  In fact, all the hotels, motels, and campgrounds are booked solid.  I plan to stay home and off the road 'cause sure as shootin' some idiot will be driving and look at it and cause a crash.  And speaking of idiots, a friend of mine overheard someone whine..."why couldn't it come on the weekend?"  And this person votes?
My daughter has a dental appointment so is bringing the kids up so they can see it.  She has access to the good glasses to view with.  I plan on recording it on the tv.  That way I can enjoy it as many times as I please even though seeing it for real will be cool.  There is a possibility of cloud cover here but the effect will still be there with the sky going dark.
It will be interesting to see if the animals react to it.  My two cats will probably think it's time for bed and will want their treats.  Surprise!
Anyone out there going to do anything special?

Travel

I love to travel.  There are some countries I won't go to, which I won't mention, just because I wouldn't feel safe.  There is a map on the wall in front of me which has pins stuck in it showing where I've been during this life of mine.  As I look at it I realize that there is much of this country that  I haven't seen, particularly the middle. I just may have to remedy that. Of course, it would be nice to have a travel companion.  I selfishly often wish my daughter did not have children.  We travel well together and I love her company.  That being said, the children are pretty good when on the road.  Nowadays they have portable video players and cell phones to keep them occupied.  Perhaps we could do a trip north stopping at Williamsburg and other historical sites.  My goal would be to end up in Maine at the same time as the lobster festival in Rockland.  We would, of course, have to stop in Bangor and visit the Duck of Justice, perhaps meet T.C.  I doubt I will live long enough to do all the traveling I want to do.  My bucket list has only one item.  That is to go back to Australia and once again visit Uluru (Ayers Rock).  Maybe throw in Coober-Peety (sp?) and see what it's like in that town underground.
Of course, if wishes were horses beggars would ride and if frogs had wings they wouldn't bump their asses when they jumped.  I shall be content to squeeze in what I can while I'm still upright.
Anyone out there have a special place you want to visit?
Y'all have a delightful day.

Friends

There's a group of us that get together on Fridays at a local gallery.  Some are willing to run the front desk some not.  We tell people coming in that we are "playing" in the back room and they are welcome to come back, especially if they have any questions.  Otherwise we leave them to themselves to walk around and browse.  Meanwhile we are in the back room doing whatever.  Some do pottery, some paint, some sew or knit.  I mainly knit but will sometimes make jewelry or do hand sewing.
Last Friday Sue decided that, since her husband was going to be out of town this week, it was time for a dinner get together at her house. So last night we got together and had a lovely time.  We each brought something.  That way Sue didn't have to provide the whole meal.
I have a difficult time making myself go to social functions.  More than once I've come up with an excuse as to why I can't go.  Lately, though, I have been making myself get out of the house because I realize that when someone invites me it means they would like me to be be there, they aren't just being polite.  Also, the older I get I realize that socializing is a good thing.  It used to be that I believed people invited me out of pity because I live by myself.  Or that I didn't get invited because I'm single and they're married.   Either way, I usually stayed home.
I believe our group is special.  If one of us needs help it is there.  It's beginning to restore my faith in friendship because I know these friends are true.