New house

I am a nervous flyer. We all know that by now. The process is unnerving to me. First I have to get everything ready to go, get myself to the airport by driving through Detroit, then wait around after being fondled by airport security. After that, we get shuffled like cattle onto the plane.

I asked to be included in the early boarding because I would need help getting my pilot bag up into the overhead bin (my shoulder is doing well, but I can't lift baggage over my head). Last time, they were great about it. This time, the lady at the desk almost made me pee my pants.

She said they do not lift baggage and I could get on the plane earlier but if I could not lift my bag then I would have to check it because it's not their job and they don't have to do that and what is my problem, anyway? O.....K.....

I went in search of the bar without asking her if they had an open aisle seat. I accepted the middle seat I was originally assigned and hoped I didn't get seatmates who lapped over into my seat and smashed my shoulder.

I couldn't find a bar, so I grabbed a diet Coke. Caffeine makes me high now anyway. I got on the plane, and found myself between two nice people who didn't crush me too badly. They went to sleep, and I read. The usual. Both seatmates had rested their heads on my shoulders during their sleep. I felt useful.

How do people sleep on planes? I can't do it. I can have a few drinks, I can take Xanax, I can even take a sleeping pill. I can't sleep. I am 7 miles above the ground in a metal tube with several hundred people. We share two bathrooms the size of a cereal box. That alone is enough to keep me awake.

Since I booked late (as usual), I was not on the same flight as Late and her son. I was there 15 hours before them. I had a friend who agreed to pick me up at the airport. I was nervous - what if he didn't show? He did, and was even waiting inside for me. I didn't have to wander outside and accidentally get in the wrong car.

Knowing I was going to an empty house, I asked to be taken to get some groceries. I bought plenty. We then went to the house. Remember, this is a New House.

It has No Furniture yet. Last trip, a refrigerator and much basic house stuff was added. There are two beds, one for Late and one for her son. There are 4 folding chairs. I stayed in the casita, without a bed. I needed several comforters, a pillow, and some sheets. Of course, I wasn't able to pack that into a small pilot bag and a carry bag.

My friend forgot to bring me some bedding. No problem, I figure....at least I will have someone to talk to until Late and her son show up at 2 am. I was content to visit with my friend and to enjoy the weather.

We put the groceries away and went for a walk.

My friend left not long after that.

I was a bit disconcerted. I had hours and hours to spend alone in the empty house and I didn't have a car. Late was getting the car. We had decided we didn't need two cars this trip.

I unpacked, wandered around the house a while, tried without success to get online with my computer, made a few phone calls, received a few phone calls. Finally, I went for a long walk.

The weather was just perfect. It was 90+ degrees, dry, nice little wind. I had left home just as a storm was hitting my area. The winds had picked up big time, and the temperatures were dropping well below freezing. Snow was expected. I lifted my face to the sun in the Tucson area and smiled. I might have been on my own, but I was happy.

Eventually, I got a little tired after reading for a few hours and taking a second walk. I hadn't slept at all the night before. I wandered into Late's son's room and stole his comforter. He still had a quilt. I went back and pilfered a pillow.

After dark, I went outside and looked at the stars. It's very dark there at night. They don't have street lights and they try to keep the night dark. The stars just seem to jump out of the sky. I found Orion immediately, complete with sword, which I cannot see at home. I just see the belt, the hands, and the feet. I found the Big Dipper, and the North Star. As before, I was unable to find Cassiopeia. I think there are just too many stars visible. Memories of constellations came back to me as I gazed at the sky - Pleides, Crab, Gemini...but no huge W in the sky that I could find.

I put the comforter and the pillow on the floor in the casita, took a sleeping pill, and went to sleep. Eventually. The windows were open in the casita, and a nice night desert breeze was washing over me. Oddly, I slept quite well on the floor.

 

If you don't know what a casita is, in Spanish it's literally 'little house.' It's sort of like mother-in-law quarters. In this house, it had a separate entrance, and a bedroom with a bathroom. Entirely private and separate. It's _mine_. Or so I keep saying...