10/366
6 years ago
Shippin Up To Boston I
I’ve never flown out of Wilmington. The airport is tiny, perhaps not microscopic. One terminal, six gates. All the departing flights fit on a single screen. The first flight out was a small plane, the type you walk out to on the runway. The flight was acceptable, though I was one row forward of the exit row and the Exit sign jutted into the head space I would typically lean into. No naps. But the flight was empty-ish and I got the row to myself. We either had to wait in the air to land or the pilot enjoyed drastic mid-air turns, because we tipped side to side until I thought I might be motion sick.
The next flight out was packed. The Philly airport lacked outlets, so I wasn’t able to connect to the world via my computer. Oh how I wish my laptop had longer than a 20 minute charge. The flight was snug, but cold and I still couldn’t rest. However, I saw a small feat of innovation that surprised me, if only because the airline industry is not known for a) making things easier and b) doing something clever.
In place of the old light up symbol telling us not to smoke in the aircraft (how obsolete is that?!), they now have an indicator of whether electronic devices are allowed to be used. When I was younger, I generally had to ask the flight attended when I could use my Walkman, because the thought of making that obvious was beyond the industry at that time. This is the first time I’ve seen this on a plane, though it may just be that I don’t fly as often as I used to. Well, I say that… I’ve flown 4 round trips in the last year, and in a month, I’ll be doing it again. That’ll change after Harper turns 2 – he stops being free.
Arrived in Boston, waited for my luggage; I had packed light with only 2 barely full carry ons but when the whole flight does that, the overhead bins fill rather quickly. If you aren’t quick to hop on the plane, they check your second bag.
My hotel was oddly fancy, that is to say, fancy in a variety of different ways, but not in the obvious ways. I got a warm chocolate chip cookie at check in, yet this downtown business hotel did not have free wi-fi (I was able to sweet talk the front desk lady & get a comp code). The room was smaller than my bedroom at home, but I had a single to-go cup Wolfgang Puck coffee maker. But the bed is soft with many pillows and for me, the quality of sleep is really the key when choosing a hotel room.
My first professional conference was on the 5th floor of the Courtyard Marriot. The conference itself is only interesting to a select group of people, so I won’t go into the details, other than to say it was about teaching people how to sift through the hundreds, if not thousands of medical journals to find the best, highest quality medical evidence without spending every waking hour doing so. It sounds simple, but sadly it’s a) very complicated, b) not currently done, and c) the inability to do so actually causes harm to patients.
After the conferences first day, I napped. I know I should have been taking as much time to explore this huge wonderful city as possible, but I needed the nap so bad (much like I’ll need a nap when I get home this afternoon). After an hour or so, I got up and walked around the parts of the city surrounding my hotel. I found the shopping district, complete with a four story Borders. I didn’t go in, for fear I would never leave. I walked past pubs and restaurants, stopping at Rock Bottom Brewery for dinner. They had the most delicious Pumpkin Ale, with a cinnamon sugar rim. That’s a beer I could drink every day, and I’m debating whether to stop by tonight to give it another go before I leave it behind.
A New Breed…
We have been getting fresh produce bi-weekly. We get some of the weirdest things. Last week’s box came with purple sweet potatoes. When I rinsed them off and saw their bright purple outsides, I wasn’t sure if that was just the outsides of the skin. Once I cut them open, I had to take that picture. Violet – all the way through.
Perils of Breastfeeding
Harper is still breastfed. I don’t know many women who still breastfeed at 18 months, but there is a small subculture of women like me who find no compelling reason to wean before 2 years (in fact, the World Heath Organization recommends breastfeeding a minimum of 2 years).
He gets milk in the morning, before bed, and generally once during the day. But there are times he wants more. And the downfall of breastfeeding a one year is that they are clever. Clever enough to know what is hiding under your blouse and clever enough to attempt to pull your shirt up when he’s thirsty:
October Sky
This last Saturday, in the middle of October, we took a morning trip to Carolina Beach. The sun was shining, the sky a deep, gorgeous blue, the breeze cool, the water colder. We played Frisbee, “built” mounds of sand, collected shells and dipped our toes in the water. Tom climbed the lifeguard tower, after Harper discovered its steps and tried to climb it first. I, being a typically Momma, took loads of pictures – all of which highlight this brilliant October sky and the sun sparkling off the chilled ocean.
What a beautiful day!
Pumpkin Day
Saturday was Pumpkin Day at a local farm. We drove down in the morning, while it was still “cool” and parked in a field across the road. At the farm, Harper found pigs, chickens and goats. He played in a corn husk house (here he is, in the "teepee") and wandered around, falling in the long grass and dancing with Daddy to the banjo band. He was so enthralled by the farm we could hardly get a decent picture with him looking at the camera!
We left at lunchtime with fresh apples (one we didn’t pick ourselves – that was not an option, unfortunately), a homemade loaf of zucchini bread and a small pumpkin for Harper to play with until Halloween.
Happy Fall!
Fall Fail
Friday, after our rain drenched, street flooding, national news making week, I walked outdoors into what was clearly fall. The air was crisp and cool (for Wilmington) and I had visions of picking apples in an orchard, like we did the year we got married (and I did most years before that). Visions of cider and pumpkin cake donuts, orange and green speckled gourds in every grocery store, and a flavorful mix of Halloween and Harvest in every store.
Fall has failed this year. Or perhaps it is Wilmington that has failed Fall. JC Penney and Lowe’s have Christmas trees. The closest “You Pick” apple orchards are hours away. And perhaps, worst of all, after running errands to two different grocery stores, I could not find that essential fall staple – apple cider.
Wilmington, you make me sad.
Waterfront Romance
Friday, our church youth sponsored a Parent’s Night Out, which basically involves the youth and their leaders watching children for the evening. Tom and I took advantage of this opportunity and went downtown for the evening. We dined outside on the waterfront while the sun set over the Cape Fear River, and followed up with ice cream at Kilwin’s.
Harper was asleep by the time we got back, so we got to extend our evening by cuddling on the couch watching a movie. I love my Harper, but I cherish these date nights with my husband.
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