Poop and boobies

Visited w/cousin Tim's family this weekend. Sophia (age 5): what are breasts? Tim (age 41): boobies.

Hiking w/the cousins earlier. Tim: This is coyote or fox poop. Me: Is this a boy thing, the ability to discern animal poop?

Backpacks preferred here

A few weeks ago I took a quick trip back to Houston to visit my parents. Dad had fallen ill a few weeks prior to my trip and although we were moving back to Texas within a few months, I felt I NEEDED to be there. So, I prepared to travel.

I decided to carry a work laptop with me so that I could monitor my inbox and also become distracted should the stress of seeing my Dad in a weakened state became too overwhelming (it did). I was only going to be in Houston for 6 days but since weather is unpredictable and I was unlikely going to do much shopping beyond the airport, I needed to be prepared. Turns out it was rainy and a bit chilly the entire time I was there. I was bringing a carryon and my purse as well as 1 piece of luggage that would be checked. The carryon was an easy decision… I’d just purchased a terrific little piece from the Muji shop at Ofuna JR station that had 360 degree wheels and unless I packed rocks in it, I could easily get it in the overhead without knocking anyone out. The laptop would go in that along with any leisure reading or paperwork that I needed to look over on the long overseas flight. It was the checked bag that gave me cause to pause… as usual.

As I sat in the middle of the living/dining area, with my clothing packed in Eagle Creek organizers stacked around me and my packing list off to the side, I tried for several minutes (hours?!) to pack it all in the rolling bag David was loaning me for the flight. Try as I might, it was just NKR (Not Kwite Right). So, I looked up at David with big huge puppy dog eyes and said “can you get my backpack from upstairs? I think I’d rather use it than this…” I could swear I saw tears glisten in his eyes as he traipsed happily upstairs muttering something like “I’m so proud… my baby’s all grown up…”

Yeah, after years of dreaming about the luxury Tumi luggage line, it turns out I prefer my trusty Montbell backpack. It’s gone halfway around the world with me at this point. Well, at least from Thailand to New York!

Saying goodbye to an old friend

Dear EXIV (my 1994 Toyota Exiv),

Today I handed your keys to a nice lady who will take good care of you. Thank you for putting up with my crazy driving these last 4 years. You've been a good girl, you know? I'm sorry about the scrapes and dings over the years.

I'll miss your blue windshield wipers, blue I-wanna-be-a-race-car-driver steering wheel, low wide tires, and oh yeah, the blue lights on the front plate. I could always locate you in a crowd of Y plates!

Take care of Jennifer, your new human!

Melody