life in the old lane

The Great North American Train Adventure planning continues. This is what I have so far:

• Leave for Chicago Friday July 20
• Spend Saturday and Sunday in Chicago
• Leave for East Glacier Park Village Monday July 23
• Arrive in East Glacier late Tuesday July 24
• Spend Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in the middle of nowhere Montana
• Train-up late Saturday July 28 heading to Seattle
• Arrive Seattle mid-morning Sunday July 29.
• Now What? Seems pretty wimpy to just go the the airport and fly back.

All of these train rides are in coach. No cute little sleeping coffin for me. I figure 24 hours on a train can not be any worse, than 15 hours in coach on a plane. Also, the sleeping coffins were all full.

The building had a cookout today. Fine burgers, hot dogs, baked beans… I didn’t enjoy too much food  since I am still trying to wiggle back into my jeans. Have to wear them on the Great Train Trip.

Scratch Paris, decided on The Great North American Railroad Adventure. The key to the out bound side of the trip was securing 4 nights lodging in East Glacier Montana – a modest little village with much to be modest about. But, the train stops there at a civilized hour. Lodging is within walking distance of the station. And, it might be possible to connect with a couple of day bus tours of Glacier National Park from town.

Next I must nail down train passage from here to Chicago, Chicago to East Glacier, East Glacier to Seattle. And, figure out what to do next.

Oh, the hard to get motel room in East Glacier Montana – July 24 – 27. The Whistling Swan Motel.

Today’s big chore was washing the slipcover. My slipcovers are made of denim. So, like my Levi’s, my slipcovers shrink up in the wash. Getting them back on is a battle.

Whilst wrestling with the slipcovers, I pondered a potential holiday for Peg. I thought about renting an apartment in Paris. Also, considered knocking off an entry on my buck list – cross North America by train. Before, the Republicans take over and kill off Amtrak. This would involve a visit to Montana. It is a little late to get desirable lodging near Amtrak stations in in Montana. So, if it is Montana – I need to spring into action ASAP. Carlton is mildly interested in going to Montana by train. My idea would be DC to Chicago overnight on the train. Spend a day or two in Chicago – go the the Shedd Aquarium.  Then back on the train for another 24 hours and hop off in East Glacier for 4 or 5 days.  Take in Glacier National Park. Then back on the train – in another 24 I’d be in Seattle. And a plane ride away  from home.

The apartment in Paris would be easier. And, maybe more fun.

On this Memorial Day all veterans living and dead are in my heart and mind. None more so than my father, Cecil Durham – a 30 year man – shown here in one of his only happy memories of World War II. Taken in Finchaven, New Guinea in 1944 with his lieutenant and the chief of the local tribe of head hunters. Now he and his wife Ida rest in peace in the good earth of the Fort Bliss National Cemetery in the land he fought so valiantly to defend. Rest in Peace.

Credits: Lifted from brother James’s Facebook posting.

Hot and Humid – it is summer – this weekend. After venturing down to the farm market yesterday I have been hanging out by the A/C. I didn’t go down to see Rolling Thunder. I am feeling too old to hike around in the the blazing sun to watch 1/4 million motorcycles go by. I played the “Been there, done that, got the t-shirt” card.

Been in a funk for the last week. But, this is the first day of summer. So, it is time to get myself back together. The pool up on the roof opens tomorrow. And I have 3 months to get back into my Levis. Who would have guessed that I would be almost 70 years old and still trying to fit into Levis? I am still resisting elastic waistbands and all things from Chicos and The Talbots. But, I have totally caved into comfy shoes. I haven’t been in a car in almost a year. It is public transportation and feets for this old lady. So, comfy rules. And besides only other women and gay men notice your shoes.

This part of the cemetery gets new customers on a daily basis. “Old Soldiers” go in this section. Those unfortunate enough to have died in Iraq or Afghanistan (Declare Victory and Leave) occupy a different section.

I discovered today that Levi’s have a lot in common with Civil War cannons. Civil War cannon are frequently referred to as a 10 pounder or 16 pounder etc. Well, today, I discovered that my beloved Levi’s are 125 pounders. If I weigh more than 125 pounds – they don’t zip. Not even close. Fortunately, I have 3 months to get my load back under 125 pounds so I’ll fit into said Levis on the first crispy day in September.

Went over to Arlington Cemetery this morning to check out the 150th Anniversary of Taps celebration. It was mildly interesting from my prospective. There were about 100 buglers. I had hoped for lots more. But, the 100 was about what the organizers had expected.  I got some pictures and my daily exercise done. Oh yes, and heard Taps.

Facebook don’t have a very auspicious first day. I wasn’t a player. If I had been a player – I would have been disappointed.

Here in Arlington, we call these “Arlington Black Squirrels” but they are really “DC Black Squirrels”. The National Zoo got batches of black squirrels from Canada in 1902 and 1906. They were released on the zoo grounds and moved out from there. In our neighborhood we have almost as many black as gray squirrels.

John Edwards. What he did to Elizabeth is totally, completely, 100% reprehensible. But, seems to me spending campaign funds to hide one’s tawdry mistress and baby is a bona fide campaign expense. ‘Cause noway that boy could have gotten elected dog collector if the voters had found out about his totally, completely, 100% reprehensible behavior was known.

We were out on our back porch last night – waiting for a little storm to come on through – when the setting (sitting? it is like affect and effect, who knows which is which) – when the retiring sun fired up an office tower in Bailey’s Crossroads.

Ah, the mundane stuff of life. While waiting on the bus to the volunteer job this morning my little red Nano got the “white screen of death”. After I got home from work – I did everything I could think of – then headed down to the Apple Store. The Genius said: “It is broken, it is under warranty, here is a replacement, sign here, have a nice day”. Now, that is what I call customer service.

Walking back from the Apple Store – I saw a cop nestled under a nice shade tree pointing a radar gun at me. For a instant I thought he was going to give me a ticket for walking too fast. Catholic guilt – one never gets over it. Or is that driver guilt? From having way too often nudged the speed limit.

Don’t like the little gray cast to the magnolia. That would be a post processing problem. A Peggy caused problem.

Good news, Carlton seems to be getting over his cold. Must be the chicken soup I made yesterday.

It has been an entire week since the daughter removed herself from our life. And told us to never contact her again.

Neither of us put much stock in moping around and feeling sorry for ourselves. We have already made some changes in our “estate planning” to ensure the youngest granddaughter will have be able to go to college student-loan free. (Unless, I suffer some really serious stock market reversal.) The oldest granddaughter is already setup, by one of her other grandmothers.

When you have children – you sort of assume that they will be around to look in on you in your old age. The old joke – Be nice to your daughters, because she will select your nursing home. Now, we get to select our own nursing home.

Didn’t volunteer today – the office was closed. But, I’ll go in tomorrow instead. It is going to be another rainy day.