All packed-out the door tomorrow. I decided to not to fly to RDU but to drive up. That way if my kids come down for the funeral I can set that up for them. So, that means the S.O. and I will embark on our first ever long car trip together . We’ve taken train trips-plane trips-even gone by bus together. However we have not spent a protracted period of time driving America’s highways. This ought to be interesting! Glad I got the satellite radio with the car………….
I take that back-we did drive once from Reno to San Francisco after a weekend of skiing. That was only 4 and 1/2 hours. This drive will be over 10. (551 miles door to door from Shopping Mall to RDU).
Before I go, I am idly sitting here, trying to do some blog maintenance. Damn guys at Word Press came up with a new version and I got tired of the “download now” sign every time I went to the dash board. So its back up, load up, and try to fix my links. When I screw that up, at least it will give something to do on my laptop late at night when I am staying in that room.
Went to work today so as to set things in order before heading off for about 9 days. People offered their condolences and while I know they meant well-I just wanted to get on with work. This is a private burden to be borne-and I would just prefer -for this day at least-with the mudane details of work and that special project I mentioned earlier. You remember, the “chance to excel”. Which is why I am not sure if work is a good distraction or just more stress at a time I need none. However, I did have to make sure those bases were covered.
Now its packing time and I realize that I do not have a black suit. The closest is a dark blue one. I never liked to wear black and do not especially think it looks well. The S.O. helped me pick out a combination that is dark, reserved and reverent.
My father decided on a simple graveside service. It is just as well-except it really means that it will just be family present. Most of my mother’s close friends are already on the journey themselves, or not in the shape to make any type of a ceremony. The neighborhood my folks live in is a rather spread out one. Where our family plots are though, is located on the slope of a mountain, overlooking the valley and the mountains. My father grew up in that little town-where his dad worked for Natahala Power and Light company. My sister reminded me that my grandfather is also buried there. I never got to meet my grandfather as he died shortly after my mother and father were married. My Dad once told me the story of how my Mom had to go up with him on the train to see him when they had moved him by train to a hospital in the Northeast. (My father’s father had cancer and died in his 40’s). Dad said they loaded his bed through a window on the train-as he was too sick to walk aboard. My Mom got to be witness to all that as a bride of all of two months.
Blogging will be intermittent me-thinks. Or perhaps non-existent if I screw up the WP upgrade. Wish me luck!
Once again, thank you for all the kind wishes.