Wednesday, October 01, 2008

"Tis Well For Some"

The cat has a finely tuned "dither" sensor. As soon as the suitcase came out of the closet he was suspicious.

"Oh-oh!" I could see it in his eyes. "Somebody's going to leave me again!"

So he climbed into the suitcase, just to be on the safe side, and settled down to watch.

Columbus in October? I had no idea what to pack. Even though Daughter Dear, and the OC both had told me what weather to expect. When I'm standing, barefoot, in Florida, in shorts and a t-shirt, with the fan going, you can quote temperatures to me 'til the cows come home. It won't be until I land and start to shiver that I'll think "Oh dear! I should have brought....!"

So I ransacked the closet and threw all the possibilities on the bed. Then slowly put back the ridiculous, the impractical and the out-and-out ludicrous, and whittled it down to pants, long sleeved tees, underwear and a few sweaters. And, of course, some books and stitchin'.

But no cat. Much to his chagrin.

When I landed, beautiful, smiling daughter and oldest dark haired, shiny eyed grandson scooped me up and whisked me off to pick up younger grandson from preschool. There was a definite chill in the air. Brrrr! A lovely, crisp hint of Fall. I was glad about the sweaters tucked in my suitcase at the last minute.

As my darlin' sister commented in my last post "'Tis well for some."

It's so nice to have the OC home. Ideally all my family would live in the one town and they could all come over every week for Sunday dinner. The grandchildren would all be friends. They'd roll around regularly on the floor with their Uncle Bean, tackle Grandad every chance they got.......Go horseback riding with Auntie California.....

And pigs might fly.

Life is messy and untidy. But the OC is home to check on the Ancients, freeing me to come and spend time with our firstborn, and play with the grandchildren---for two whole weeks! Of course small eyebrows were raised and little people wondered why Grandad wasn't with me, since I'm not quite as much fun to tackle to the ground as he is!

So it is, indeed, well for some...... Wish you were here Auntie Rise!

13 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

And to think. You're only 3 short hours from me. Except I'm going to NJ. And Beyond.

Glad you're getting a break and fun with the grandchildren!

Tanya Brown said...

Why don't clothes come labeled with temperature ratings? "Best worn from 55 - 67 degrees." "You'll be hot in this if the sun is out." Sometimes the notion of temperature can be uncomfortably abstract.

Hope you're having a lovely visit!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Sometimes mother and child need time without dad. I understand that. My child understands that. Even my husband understands it...sometimes. blessings, marlene

jkhenson said...

Did you say columbus?? Ohio? I am a mere hop and a skip away, in a suburb!

Stomper Girl said...

I hope you have a lovely break. I love how the family pet somehow understands the implications of the suitcase.

Pam said...

Glad someone's staying behind to look after the cat.

Have a wonderful time. I'm sure you will.

raining sheep said...

Tee hee. I am still laughing at your post. And the cat in the suitcase....man can I relate. I travel for work quite a bit and my cat starts ripping around the house at full speed as soon as I take my bag out. She then jumps in the bag and gets white cat hair on everything, so that when I am gone I remember I have a white cat because I am wearing half of her on my black suit.

india flint said...

my wee cat Martha spends her days sleeping on the suitcase when it's at home, just in case...that way she doesn't need to run that sensor all the time

Kacey said...

I think you're meaning Ohio, but maybe Georgia? I'm two hours north of Columbus and we call this time of year "transition season" for clothing, which translated means "I never know what the heck to wear so I don't think I'll go anywhere". It is just cool enough that my Honey has decided that we must leave for Florida soon. That means I have to clean the house and defrost a couple of fridges and pack up the summer clothes for the trip to forever summer. Egad! I hate to do the refrigerators! Hate to wash the windows! Hate to pack! I need to live in one place, but unlike you.... all my kids and grands live here (except for three in college and service) and they don't want to roll around on the floor with me, anyway! Have fun Grandma.

Arija said...

With great joy I have just discovered your blog from your comment on my daughter's.
I empathise with so many things you write about, the packing and unpacking and making a home in different continents, sending our children into the wide not always kind world, the drawbacks and bonuses of having himself at home or away. All those things that go to make up life, from the beauty of a frosted leaf to the grief over a dead frog.
Even to kayaking on one's own, silently gliding down a watercourse
and coming upon birds unawares, at least when my posterior still fitted into the seat made for small boy's buttocks!

Anonymous said...

Cats and suitcases - or boxes - crack me up. It's a compulsion, they just have to get in it/ them!

Julie's Journey said...

Lucy the dog has the same reaction when the big red suitcases come down from the cupboard - you can see it in her eyes and manner. Enjoy your holiday with your firstborn - they hold a special place.

meggie said...

I hope the clothes fit the climate... but you can always get more, if need be.
Enjoy your wonderful grands. They grow up far to fast...