China and “Gotcha Day.”

17 Years ago I was in China with my sister. Tricia was adopting a precious one-year-old baby girl and we went to bring her home.

Oh, she was so adorable! All the children were just precious. We were in a group of several parents, and we all traveled together, so we got to know each other pretty well. Wonderful parents, wonderful babies. Of course, ours was the cutest.

We spent several days traveling around and doing some sightseeing while all the paperwork was being handled, and it was an unforgettable experience. The Chinese people are so friendly. They would come up and admire our babies and try to show us how happy they were we were there despite the language barrier. Another interesting thing about the Chinese women is they feel very strongly about having hats on those babies. We had one woman stop us and smile and gesture that Devin needed her hat on.

We were not in the metropolitan areas, we were more urban. I was hesitant to go to China because I am not a very adventurous eater and I was not so sure what there was that I would like. Turns out, nothing. My sister had a different experience with the food and came home and incorporated a lot of the menu into her and Devin’s eating habits. I lost eight pounds in two weeks while there. Something about the whole chicken – and I mean after it was cooked – just left me wanting. Not all their food was bad, but in my opinion, most of it was. I subsided on roasted sweet potatoes, instant oatmeal I brought from home and M&Ms.

That little one-year-old is soon to be 18. Tricia and I met Devin for the first time on December 8. We call that “Gotcha Day.” So, instead of her birthday, I always give her a gift on “Gotcha Day.” It is something only I do as I was the only other family member in China at that time. It is special to Devin and I, and I am so thankful we have that between us. Her mom frets every year that I might forget and she says Devin looks so forward to my card. But, I would never forget such a special day as December 8.

“Gotcha Day.” It is a very special day.

Nov192014

IT MAY NOT BE PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT THE INSIDE IS WHERE IT IS AT

I always like to eat seafood when I am in the south. Actually, I like to eat seafood anywhere, but it is better in some places than others. While I was visiting my brother in Montgomery, Alabama, I requested eating some fish. He had just the place in mind. As we were driving there I could see we kept getting further away from the city and more into the industrial area. We passed the metal recycling place, a trash dump, several abandoned houses, and I was getting nervous. When we turned into the place where the restaurant was located, I was surprised to say the least. Had I not been with someone who was familiar with the Capitol Oyster Bar, I would have made a big U turn and been outta there. It is a dive, and there is just no other way to describe it. But, when we went inside, the place fascinated me. I was immediately drawn into its ambiance. It was not that is was beautiful or even modern. The place had an energy that was palpable. As we walked in, there were a couple of fellows working a big sink full of snow crab – yum! We sat inside because it was cold, but there was an outdoor balcony that overlooked a very old and very underused marina. Some of the boats looked deserted. The server was the nicest southern gal and she gave us our placemats that were also the menu. The bar looked like it was made from an old wooden fishing boat. I ordered the Swai dinner and it was worlds more than I could eat, but man was it good. John ordered one of the specials, grouper cheeks. He nor I had ever heard of that, but it was delicious. Also, the best coleslaw – not the creamy kind, and hush puppies. Every Sunday night they have a music performer of some renown, and I am guessing that is a fun place to be. They even have a print out of the performers who are scheduled for the month. The server told us they have people sharing chairs on some Sunday nights. What a fun place!

Nov122014

LIVING IN THE MOMENT – EXCEPT ON THE HIGHWAY

I have been practicing trying to live in the moment. You know, just embrace and appreciate what is going on right this minute. Then I drove 816 miles. Along the I-40 corridor east toward Memphis, the highway is bumper to bumper 18 wheelers. I get it, they are supplying us with most of our necessities. Driving along with those huge tractor trailers is not my idea of a relaxing ride, but I can tolerate it because I am selfish, and I want the supplies they are carrying. But, traveling the highway with people who insist on driving in the passing lane is a different matter completely. How can those drivers not realize what a nuisance they are?! It is rude and unnecessary. There is a lane for them, it is called “slower drivers stay right.” Oblivious to that sign, can they not read my car moving in behind them and urging them along. So, I get myself all worked up and before I can control myself I am breathing hard, pursing my lips, talking to them even though they cannot hear me. I ask them, “can you not see me, do you not know you are supposed to pass and then move over.” I am all for living in the moment and enjoying the here and now. I just need that to begin after I have passed those drivers who hog the left passing lane.

Oct182014

Our London trip began a journey we have continued.

It is interesting how selfish we are when we are growing up. I am nine younger than Tricia, and I remember when she came home from the hospital – she cried all the time. In a fit, I remember asking my mom if she could “keep that baby from disturbing my sleep!” I soon became a teenager and we all know how incorrigible teenagers can be. If I could go back in time I would handle that differently today. Younger siblings look up to older siblings, so I would have incorporated her into my life more. But, alas, we cannot undue the past. So our present and our future are filled with wonderful times together and a close bond that will not be broken.

The London trip was in 1988. I know this because it was the first time I applied for a passport. Since then I have had my passport renewed three times and will have to do it again next year.

We stayed in a tiny apartment that a pilot rented out when he was flying. It was very near Russell Square and we could hop right on the underground.

It was dreary weather, but that is to be expected in London. Our photos all seem a bit drab to me. Of course we were using film cameras and we were amateurs at best.

At Westminster Abby, we came in a side door, and I somehow missed seeing the sign that no photos were allowed. A Cardinal in long flowing red robes, shoes and hat came and told me in no uncertain terms that I had to leave. When I tried to explain I did not see the sign, he was unimpressed – and quite rude. Well, growing up Catholic I was familiar with the hierarchy of the Catholic clergy and knew him to be fairly high up there. However, I was not intimidated by him and told him I was with my sister and would not leave until I found her. I (very slowly) looked around for her and he had eagle eyes on me the whole time. Finally, I had to adjourn to the outdoors and wait. I am posting two of my forbidden photos. Before I had these developed I was sure I had a treasure worth lots of money, but you can see they are too dark to see much of anything.

Life is meant to be shared. It is short and as you age you realize how much time can be lost if you do not grab everything you can from it as it passes in front of of you. Tricia and I are making the most of our friendship and our sibling relationship. I love that!

Oct182014

Birthday Trips

My sister and I were born 1 day apart, 9 years apart, April 24th and April 25th. I was basically her 9th birthday present. One she was not excited about and one she held against me until I was about 15. Age 8 and age 17 do not go well together. It wasn’t until she moved away and I was about 15 before we starting building the relationship we have today.

When I worked for an airline between 1982 and 1993, we started making birthday trips together. This was long before we got interested in photography, long before digital photography, so the photos are not of great quality, even by our amateurish standards. The ones I post today were from our trip to London. I don’t even know what year it is, maybe Laura can say. I really loved our tradition of traveling for our birthdays, but once I no longer worked for the airline and then I was self-employed and Devin came along and it just got harder to commit to annual birthday trips. Once Devin is in college, maybe we can start up again, this time to work on our photography hobby as well.

We had a great time in London. This was before they closed Windsor Castle grounds to the public. You could walk around the grounds and see the castle pretty up close. I wish we had toured the castle, and I can’t remember why we did not. Windsor is a quaint little town and it was still when I took my daughter in 2009.

Even back when photography was not a serious interest for both of us, Laura was busy taking photographs and managed to get herself kicked out of Westminster Abbey. I was wondering around and could not figure out where she had gotten to….she was waiting outside for me to find her. You know, back when cell phones did not exist. She couldn’t just text me to say she was outside. I had to find her. She should elaborate on how that situation unfolded. I don’t know if she has any photos from that trip. I scanned all of my developed photos into digital format a few years ago.

I remember we had a lovely tea service in some small cafe with clotted cream (which I did not know what to do with back then). When I went back with Devin in 2009, I could not find a little cafe that offered afternoon tea. I still don’t know why, buy when I spoke to some people about tea time in London, someone told me that most people make their own tea at home or in their office. Too bad, that afternoon tea at a little bistro table on the sidewalk was very nice. You would think with the popularity of Starbucks, afternoon tea would have become more popular out of the office than in, but then, I am American, not British, so who knows what they think of the Starbucks stronghold.

I wish I could remember more about my trips with Laura and trips in general, but come to find out, I have a terrible memory. Thank God for pictures, or I would be really lost. I don’t remember where we stayed, but I was never real concerned about accommodations, still am not. I remember visiting Bath, the Tower of London, but not too may real specifics. Let’s see what Laura can add.