A Full Truck

Update: Clothing drive

The clothing drive for the Downtown Womens Center exceeded all of our expectations. During the two days of the official drive, bags, and more bags, and boxes of clothes poured in. We transferred the smaller bags into large black trash bags so they would be easier to handle. When the truck arrived to take all the bags to the DWC, it was a small pickup. The driver loaded the cargo area and the passenger seat full. Then more were piled on top. Still there were lots of black bags left. We began to fear for his safety driving with poor sight-lines and an unstable load. Eventually he piled on all the bags and tied the load down securely and cleared enough space to see the right side mirror. He left with a smile on his face. Our faces had big smiles plus extra hints of weariness.

Cats

I have a young cat named Sweetie and Tracy has a slightly older one named JoJo. We planned that each would take in the other's cat when the other was traveling thus saving money and maybe giving the cats new experiences instead of being alone in the house. New experieces, yes, for us AND the cats. But not necessarily good new experiences.

Sweetie had past experiences with other cats and the outside world. JoJo did not. And, cats are territorial. Not a good background mix as it turns out. JoJo had previously stayed with me without any problems. After I acquired Sweetie and JoJo came to visit, the latter was severely threatened and chose to stay under the sofa. We thought things would be better when Sweetie stayed at JoJo's house. Only slightly. Tracy reported that they hissed and spat alot, but eventually seemed to tolerate each other a little. One memorable night, they had a long-running spat under the bed. Poor Tracy, trying to sleep. But one day, Tracy found both of them on the shelf above the refrigerator each sitting in a mixing bowl! What were they thinking?

We may reconsider the wisdom of this arrangement.

Airports

I have been visiting airports: LAX, LAS, BWI, LGA, PVD, CTL and back to LAX. I have flown for years. My first flights were in a seaplane in 1944 in northern Minnesota. Those were memorable. Since my family tends to live in far-flung parts of the country (now, at least, they are all in the good ol' USA), we all are used to the commercial flight biz.

Some observations --- not unique to me, of course:

All airports look alike. OK, there are slot machines at LAS. That was the only distinguishing feature in the five I just visited.

The travelers and gate employees are also the same.

The food outlets are different in each airport, but somehow they are still the same with only a hint of regional cuisines.

The passengers pass their time, and there is lots of it, quietly and with resignation. Most seem to be largely occupied by electronic devices. Most of the rest are reading paperback books. A few are sleeping. I was following the trend with my BlackBerry and paperback book. Only one airport had TV and it was being studiously ignored.

There is almost no interaction between strangers. If interaction is necessary, it is polite.

Has anyone found a way to enliven the airport experience? Please tell me. And don't tell me to get in a nice walk. I am dragging my suitcase wherever I go. Literally.