Head 'em up, Move 'em out

My time here back home is winding down. I'm back in the air to Arizona tomorrow. Wish me luck for safe travels and calm weather. I've been pretty lucky with winter weather travel so far, so I'm hoping my streak can extend at least one more time.

I don't mind flying on New Year's Eve. Not too many other people are flying and the ones who do are usually good humored and happy to have a beer with you while you wait to board. As long as I don't sit next to another leg-grabber, it'll be a good time. Gah. On the way out, the guy in the middle seat (I was on the aisle) was taking up the arm rests and a good deal of my space as well. I was over as far as possible to keep his elbow out of my ribs. Then he was pretending to be asleep when the tray tables were down. I was reading a Smithsonian mag (I try to catch up on my pile when I fly) when I felt something. I look down and while his hand was on the seat rest, his fingers were curled around the bottom and he was reaching for my leg.

Was he just trying to stretch his hand? Is this really happening? I looked at his other hand - nope. No being grabby with the guy on the other side of him. I felt ill and I was pissed. What do you do when there are no other seats available and you have two more hours ahead of you? I grabbed another magazine and put it between my leg and his straining fingers. Then he was going under the magazine. ACK! So I took the magazine, aimed the binding side down and hit his fingers. He said, "oh, excuse me" and then kept his hands on the tray table and in plain sight the rest of the time.

So let's hope for no more of that.

Life has been good here. All the early drama subsided and we had a great time. Tonight was a big family dinner with everyone, followed by some Euchre (a card game popular in the Great Lakes region). Danielle (12) wants to learn so we've been playing with her the last couple of nights. Last night, I told her that the only time her grandpa made me cry was during a Euchre game and I trumped his ace. I said he made me feel like the dumbest person in the world.

DadH: "Nope. There was a dumber one up at Narrow Lake a few years back. No one liked to play with him."

If the H's are good for anything, we're good for a laugh. And there's been quite a bit of that, which has been fun to be around.

It's been a busy week back home, full of family, dogs, cows, friends and Michigan State sports (went to campus twice to watch both men's and women's basketball teams; football and hockey on tv). I haven't checked in too much because we're on dial-up out here in the sticks. Very unreliable for one, and Dad always seems to waiting for a Very Important Call.

Mom tried to get me interested in the fertilizer salesman who stopped by to help Dad figure out some past billing. "He's a hard worker, owns a lot of property and isn't married at the moment." Thanks, Mom. Then as he was leaving I heard him say he needed a wife who can stay home and do the bookwork. I pointed out to Mom that the two things he was looking for in a spouse are two things I'm not very good at.

It's always tough to leave here but I'm looking forward to getting back to Elvis and my life out in the desert. Being home is good for the soul and I'm glad to remember what good people I come from.

I wish everyone a very happy New Year and all the best for 2008. May the year bring you strength, kindness and patience to get you through the rough patches and love, joy and understanding in all of your moments.