We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!!!!

My original vision for this blog had me writing a few paragraphs at the end of each day of my trip... when that didn't happen, I thought I'd bring everyone up to date within a day or two after I got to Virginia... I planned to be very productive and wow you all with my wit and wisdom, not to mention the incredible photos I was taking.

Well... I didn't have a clue, and neither did Sadie!

The trip in one word? Long.

We left Monday, June 26th, Sadie all snuggled into her doggie car seat - with a 10" fan and 2 AC vents, she settled down to sleep all the way to Virginia. Well, except for breaks every 2 or 3 hours. Between us Sadie and I did a comparative analysis on every rest area from Tulsa to Norfolk. Our findings are as follows: Oklahoma has very few and they're adequate. Missouri has frequent, well-kept, attractive rest areas. Illinois and Kentucky are also frequent, well-kept and attractive; however pets are not allowed inside the restroom. Which means leave the pet in the hot car while the human goes.

We stopped for the night in Evansville, Indiana.

Tuesday we took a long lunch at a rest stop in Kentucky, where Sadie experienced her first White Castle burgers. Back on the Interstate, crossed a bridge over Floyd's Fork. I wonder if there's a Ned's Knife... or a Sue's Spoon. Another interesting observation - there are a LOT of billboards advertising whiskey distilleries... made me wonder... how many AA groups are there in Kentucky?

Drove farther than I meant to Tuesday night and finally stopped in Lexington, West Virginia. (BAD choice - it was already dark; in the mountains; heavy fog; no signs of life for 10 miles after I got off the interstate, then a neon motel sign rising out of the fog; only 3 cars in the lot; for a moment I thought I heard banjos playing in the distance... but I finally decided I was too tired to care if some strange creature broke into my room and committed whatever foul deeds such creatures commit. However, Wednesday morning found us alive and fairly well.

The rest of the trip was fast and not much to talk about. I managed to find the house, pulled in the driveway and called on my cell phone to ask where everybody was. Got a cool picture of them all running out of the house to meet me...

So, anyway, that's the trip part. Maybe tomorrow I can write about what life is like with 3 grandkids and 4 dogs... and I'll try to figure out how to post pix.

P.S. See where it says comments? That's for you, dear reader, to let me know you were here!!

Chivalry... dead or alive???

Being raised in the 50s with such ideals as "Father Knows Best" and "Ozzie and Harriett", I kept my eyes peeled for years for that Knight In Shining Armor. On a White Horse. Carrying a Cloak which he would spread across any puddle that dared appear in my path. (I never noticed the transition down from the horse in creaking, clanking suit of metal.) As a young woman, I never had to change a tire, carry a big box, and only needed to raise the hood of the car, looking slightly befuddled... and "He" always appeared. He wasn't always the Knight I had pictured... (perhaps he was one of the serfs or something.) Nevertheless, some generous male was always right there to help.

Now, the REAL reason for this post...
A little while back, I needed pictures of the house for the realtor. While standing out front, I realized the treadmill on the front porch didn't really add to the nice, well-cared for appearance I was striving for. So, taking matters into my own hands, I began to d-r-a-g-g-g the monstrous thing... across the 12 foot porch... to the 3 steps.

As I began this tremendous feat of strength, the man across the street -older, maybe 60-ish - pulled into his driveway,got out of his car, waved and began carrying on a conversation - from his driveway - talking very loudly - about my trip and the sale of the house. So, I would pull a little, try to hold up my end of the chitchat, pull some, etc. At the same time, the guy next door - young, 30-ish - was leaning on a car window, talking to a friend who happened by. So, finally, dripping with sweat, gasping for air... I arrived at the steps. Lo and behold.... the guy across the street wished me good luck... and went inside. The guy next door, (who speaks very little English, but has a dazzling smile)... said goodbye to his friend, waved hello to me... flashed that dazzling smile... and went inside. Now dragging down the stair was not an option - I would either break the treadmill or break some part of me. So what's a poor old girl gonna do????

I called the neighbor on the other side to ask for help. We both managed to get it downstairs and into the den where it sits in all its hulking splendor (anyone want to buy a barely used old treadmill???)

And... the neighbor who helped? SHE -a 30-ish woman, helped ME - a 60-ish woman, while all the men in sight disappeared. Hmmm...could it be... that chivalry never existed? Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that, although I may have an hourglass figure... the sands have shifted! Hmmm... could it be?

Chapter 62 is ending, as the house is finally ready to sell... and I've given away everything that won't fit in the car. All that's left are my personal belongings, the bed, TV, microwave, and kitchen table & chairs - and of course my beloved computer. The computer and TV will fit, but just barely! Sadie, who has her own doggie carseat up front with me, is also ready to go. Her suitcase is packed and she has a ladybug roll-up screen for her window so she won't get sunburned.

Chapter 63 will begin on June 25th as Sadie and I climb into my trusty old Buick for the drive to Virginia (2187 miles)!