leaving

Hard to grasp that I am in fact on the 10:30 bus out of Madison, headed for Chicago's O'Hare. It's not that I thought I wouldn't make it -- in the end I would drop everything and go for the bus no matter how many things still remained on a mental to-do list. But my thoughts have been so focused on the garden, on Millie, that it seems completely weird to now be thinking instead about the trip before me. I'm a little numb from the sudden switch. Turn off that, turn on this.

In essence, the morning was smooth. Perfect, rather warm weather, a Millie wake up at the usual 6:45. I've made a small pile of what to still throw into my half empty suitcase, and another pile of stuff that goes in my backpack. I put on ratty clothes and go downstairs with a watchful but not unhappy Millie. We eat breakfast -- she's first, I'm second.

Then comes the "get the house ready" part: put away dishes, pack up odd foods for Ed, line up Millie protocols -- her probiotics, her Psylium, her treats (I'd already typed up a thirty point instruction/information sheet for Millie's caretaker), finish packing suitcase, oh, let me stop already. You know all those million and one details that need your attention before a departure.

And now it's dangerously close to the time Julie (my house and dog sitter and Millie's true love) arrives and I still have those two perennials -- my midnight deliveries -- to plant. And I do it! And throw some water on the freshly planted handful of roses. (They really should be watered during the week, but I'm thinking one rainfall will take care of their moisture needs.) And finally, a shower, and a snuggle with my true love!

 

 

 

Julie comes promptly at 9:40 and Millie just cannot believe it -- her hero! Here, at home!

 

 

 

Dogs are funny that way and not unlike kids -- they love their mommies (or whoever takes care of them), their families, but they often have a crazy infatuation with someone who is not their primary person at all, but is instead the one who comes in for the cuddles and treats and games. This is the case with Millie. She definitely has a crush on Julie and she pretty much adores all the people at the doggie daycare. It's her happy place and expensive as it is, and distant as it is for me, I am so glad she has that and hero Julie in her life.

Ed, too, is punctual. There at 10, driving me to the downtown bus stop and at 10:30 I am off.

One last point before I post. Where to this time? Completely predictable and perhaps not too exciting for you, but so totally what I want (verging on need) right now: a week in France. (Actually only six nights once I get there tomorrow.)  And I'll be even more specific: four nights in Paris, followed by two nights in the countryside. And more (so rare for me to tell you what I expect from my travels): there are three art exibitions I want to see and I have tickets for them all. Food is less important to me this time around, though I am trying at least one new place in Paris. So now you know. I suppose the only confusing thing is that I am rushing to catch my KLM flight to Amsterdam (even though less than an hour later, there is a direct flight from Chicago to Paris). Why oh why go through the hassle of a connection, in one of the more chaotic airports no less? And why depart from Chicago? It's because I am using miles for this trip and this was the best deal I could find for these dates.

My last solo trip was in January, also to France. I have a whole half a year to process in my head. I'll break my alcohol abstinance on the flight, pick up a glass of white wine, or champagen if they insist, and sit back and think about it all.

with so much love...