Rest in Peace, MS Explorer

When I opened Google News and saw an article about a cruise ship floundering in the icy water off Antarctica, I had to check it out. Dad went to Antarctica many years ago on the Explorer and then several years after that we spent two weeks on the "Little Red Ship" going 2,000 miles down the Amazon River ("Iquitos to the Sea"). I was reminded of that trip as I looked at all the many photos of the sinking.

It was a neat boat ("It's NOT a boat--it's a ship!" I hear my father cry.) It accommodated 150 passengers but there were only 55 on our trip. I often felt there might be more crew than paying customers. Dad and I shared a cabin across from the gift shop which was overseen by a very attractive young woman so Dad did a fair amount of shopping. There was a library/lounge that was a lively gathering place before dinner. Lectures took place in the auditorium, which some of the guides nicknamed the Nap Room because no matter how interesting the lectures, almost everyone fell asleep at some point once the lights were dimmed. Dad and I finally stayed in our cabin and listened to the lectures over the in-room audio. The beds were more comfortable than the seats in the auditorium! In our defense, we were up at 5:30am and in the zodiacs to go in search of birds, sloths, caiman, piranhas, pink dolphin or whatever there was to see.

The sinking of the Explorer reminds me of such wonderful memories--locals pulling up in dugout canoes behind the ship to offer fresh fruits and vegetables and often some crafts, the tour of the Manaus Opera House (and a less memorable performance) which was seen in the movie "Fitzcarraldo," the "meeting of the waters" caipirinha party, jumping in the river and floating (really fast!!) to the raft they anchored further down river, watching the feather-clad lovely women dance the Boi Bumba, motoring through water buffalo grazing under water, water lily pads the size of my bed, hanging with my father, the views along the banks as we cruised by (in some places you can hardly see the other bank--in others, I was glad I wasn't on the bridge guiding the ship because the narrows are pretty narrow when you consider the maneuverability of a slow moving, not quick to react vessel. And we only ran aground once!) And the birds!!! Did I mention the birds? And all of this from the comfort of our little red ship.

I think of the many people who are reliving their memories of the MS Explorer as it went to its watery grave (I always wanted to say stuff like that). It's a kind of neat tribute to ship that served so many so well. I only wish I could relive the memories with my dad.
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The photo was sent to me by my sister who got it from a friend who sent me the address for someone who knows someone who may have taken it, but I haven't heard back. I will update this when I find out who took it.

Weaverville ho!

I returned last week from my first stuff trip to North Carolina. I picked up the rental truck (apartment.com has the best rates I could find, brand new Penske truck) and loaded it with the help of Katie Scherbel, Steve and Kathleen Faraone, and Gini Jones. Putting the puzzle of boxes and furniture together was a challenge (thankfully, unloading it myself was WAY easier). I drove the next day as far as Newberry SC and then into Weaverville the next morning.

The truck, by the way, was a dream. When I dropped it off, I told the guy I'd love to own something like that, if it weren't for the fuel--it was pretty new (under 13,000 miles), comfortable, working CD player. Other than the time I was backing down Patsy & Ernie's driveway, when my perspective got skewed in the rear view mirrors because of the serious downward angle, driving it was a piece of cake.

Driving up to the house was very strange. What am I doing? Familiar and not. What if I can't find my way?

Turning down the driveway, I think I giggled. This is MINE! The key worked and the place looked just like I remembered. I was unloaded by 3pm. Unpacked and put away the following morning. I did a pretty good job of deciding what to move. I had everything I needed for the kitchen and bedroom, had a comfortable chair, a boom box, a small dining room table, even cleaning supplies and olive oil. Why is it I need all that stuff at home--my other home?

I walked around the house many times, viewing it from many angles. It looks different without the leaves that were here when I was last. I walked up the road, peering into the neighbors' yards. My road is rural but there is a nice sized community around it. And there are plenty of animals-- sheep, dogs, llamas have been seen so far. A place at the end of the road sells bison meat...

I thought about running a few errands but the way the truck drank fuel and the way it took up just a bit more space than I wanted to park in a small town, I scaled back expectations and just went up to Patsy & Ernie's to get stuff I had left there. After unloading that, I hopped into the shower. Midway through, I heard, "Oh When the Saints" REALLY loud. I turned off the water...dripping, nervous, wondering what it meant. The music had stopped. After getting dressed, I looked around. Nothing looked weird. I had a hunch. There was a box on the counter I had noticed but had ignored. It is the doorbell. I may choose from something like FIFTY different songs--over 10 Christmas carols, several patriotic choices, a few religious ones and Happy Birthday. The only problem is I couldn't get the volume down and I can't change the song--note to self: next time take a few tools. So for now, it's Oh When the Saints.

The doorbell ringer was Chris who lives across the street. My realtor knows her and had mentioned her name. I found her information online and emailed her with some basic questions. She responded! Then when she saw some activity over here, she dropped by and left her card. I ran across the street. Didn't want to miss this opportunity!

Chris is a potter--she makes whimsical animals--you can see them at rakuzoo.com. She and her partner Steve moved up from Florida six or seven years ago. She loves it. She told me about the community they live in which includes a number of homeowners and shared land. Sounds like good neighbors to have. We had a glass of wine and a wonderfully comfortable chat. Via email later, she offered a Meet the Neighbors event next time I am there. It was a fitting end to a really successful visit.

Returning the truck and flying home was easy. Everything went so well it was scary. Many times throughout the trip, I thanked my parents for working so hard to make this work.

Photos: (top) Fairly self-explanatory. Steve, Kathleen and I loading. (Yeah--I know. Looks pretty good for November. Why am I moving? That will be addressed soon.)
(middle) Looking down Ballard Branch Rd. MY road.
(bottom) My House (and the truck) through the leaf-less trees.
Thanks to Gini for the top pic.

PNewL PNewS Volume 15 Issue 3 in PDF

Oops! I give up on Comcast. They have made it so hard to post to the website unless you use their sitebuilder software --forget that!! I have uploaded it to the website but I can't get there sooooo, here's the link:
http://home.comcast.net/~pnewl/PNewLPNewS15.3.pdf

sorry for any confusion! ho ho ho

PNewL PNewS Volume 15 Issue 3

PNewL PNewS
Volume 15 No 3 “All the pnews that phits.” Thanksgiving 2007


Reading Books, Chewing on Sticks

I have always wanted to write a piece for the “Modern Love” column in the Sunday NY Times’ Sunday Styles section, but mine is not a life of great romance. Recently I thought I might have a subject that would at least fall in the right category. It is about love of family, a new kind of family.

Two years ago right about now, Gini and George and I were talking, and I (I think it was me…) said, What would you think about getting a dog together? And after some discussion, we decided this was a great idea. Neither of us was able to make a fulltime commitment what with travel schedules, health issues and attention span, but part-time seemed do-able. And the rest has been documented in these pages. We went on to adopt the cutest little puppy that became one of the most handsome—and one of the largest—hounds. He is happy, as are his parents—all three of us—most of the time.

Since his arrival, almost two years ago, the parents have become very good friends. We have survived the death of my father, my impending move, the planning of a major (annoying—my sentiments only) fundraiser, various separations, and several bouts of ill health (George’s). We have enjoyed road trips, dinners at Trader’s (mostly) and some at each other’s homes, endless phone conversations, and movie nights.

Recently, I bought a house and George went in the hospital…again. Gini and I were both stretched thin. Bear was a big happy (almost 2 year old) puppy with his own needs. He stayed with me, while Gini stayed with George in the hospital. One day, I had an all day class and Bear stayed alone at Gini and George’s because their house is better suited for long unaccompanied periods.

Our “family” was in a bit of disarray. Bear looked at us with a bit of wonder that he got to ride in each of our cars regularly—he LOVES being in a car he hasn’t been in within the previous…say, 27 minutes—but he’s hung in with our wacky new schedule, what Gini calls the “new normal.”

Feeling the strain of all that was swirling about one day, I was sitting in the cul de sac (in a lawn chair Gini had donated to this cause) where Bear likes to lie and chew sticks, and I wondered Why am I such a wreck? Why does life feel so hard? The house closed just about on time and despite some rocky moments with the process, it was relatively painless. [Ed note: Why do closings always come down to a last minute rush of paperwork? The lawyers and realtors know for a chunk of time what needs to happen when and yet, there is still a flurry of anxiety and insanity, and it always seems implied that it is my fault, that I am not moving fast enough.]

On the other hand, I am fine. George is not MY husband; this is not my family who is going through this. Au contraire! The world has shifted, things have changed. We are not of the generations when you lived within spitting distance of your closest relatives. One’s closest relatives now may not be related by blood at all. And this is my family and they are hurting, and so am I.

Not knowing what else to do, we are sitting in the cul de sac, sending words of support on the phone and over the stretch of water between us; I read books and Bear chews sticks.

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House Update

As mentioned, I am now a homeowner in the state of North Carolina. On Monday, I will drive my first load from here to there. It makes me a little nervous but it will be fun to be there. And the nice man at Penske says the truck has less than 11,000 miles, a CD player (to feed my books on tape addiction), and a new car smell. Wish me luck. There will be additional trips with yet more stuff. The final move date should be around June 1st. (Other photos can be found at www.pnewlpnews.blogspot.com)

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Things I am Learning And Other Miscellaneous Observations

• According to the AARP newsletter, the “do not call” list many of us took advantage of expires every five years. That means if you signed up when it became available, you will need to re-up in June of 2008, though you can do it now. Check out donotcall.gov or 888-3821222.
• I had a weird experience recently. I took my car in to the dealer to be serviced. The guy was so excited because Toyota wanted to do some testing on first generation Priuses with low mileage like mine. I think at that point, he went into boy-am-I-going-to-look-sharp mode. They had been waiting for three weeks for a car like mine to drive in the driveway—he said, so you want a new car? I was blown away—Cool! Later I figured out he meant you wanna new battery? Mind you, that’s not a bad deal—the batteries in the Prius are pricey, but the whole thing wound up being a hassle and the problem I took it to the dealer to be dealt with was not fixed. The service dude didn’t even write it up the way I said it to him. This is further proof that people don’t listen, not even to themselves.
• In Los Angeles magazine (November 2007), it was noted that, after 60 years, production of Wonder Bread in Southern California has ceased. The closest Wonder Bread factory is in Las Vegas. When I checked the Wonder Bread website’s FAQ (wonderbread.com), it said if you can’t find it in your grocery store, request it. Sounds like demand is down!
• Lisa visited recently. We met up in Winter Park near Orlando—a charming place with brick streets, wonderful shops, a “scenic boat cruise” [it was!], and a museum packed with Tiffany glass [MorseMuseum.org]. Well worth a stop, especially when trying to escape the madness that is Orlando!) We drove back to Sanibel and she brought me a hostess gift (she was raised right—so was I, but I don’t follow through so well—sorry Mom) including the NPR Map which is invaluable for folks like me who drive places and listen to NPR. You can also go to npr.org and get an NPR Road Trip to find stations along your route, but this is way more visual and in map format rather than MapQuest-esque.
• In May 2007 Natural Health, there is an article that starts out, “One in eight American adults obsessively checks e-mails, or loses track of time while browsing online [my itals] according to a 2006 Stanford Univ. School of Medicine report. If that sounds like you, you may be addicted to the internet.” Frankly, I think the number is higher.
Signs of addiction include, “Zoning out when surfing, often forgetting what you’ve just read…Getting sidetracked by e-mail…Feeling preoccupied by the Web….Worrying that you are missing something when offline…Upsetting family and friends with the time you spend online.”
If any of these sounds like you, you need to be “more mindful” of how you spend your time. Plan activities away from the computer; turn off alerts and schedule times of day to check email.
• Speaking of addiction, I believe I am addicted to some books. I can’t seem to put them down. I stay up late, I wake up in the middle of the night and think, perhaps I can knock off just one more chapter between 3 and 4 am. I sometimes make myself return everything to the library just so I have some peace.
• Perspective. Interesting, ain’t it? I had an issue with a woman I met recently. She was supposed to be helping me (at great expense) and I didn’t feel that she was. I tried to explain to her in what ways I didn’t think she was being helpful and she would say it made her sad that I felt that way but I was wrong, and I, of course, thought I was right. She wants to discuss it and I have run out of the ability to see why as neither of us is able to see it from the other’s perspective.

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Things I am Thankful for, 2007
(In no particular order)

• No hurricanes
• Many people who teach and inspire me
• Salad
• Traders Restaurant
• Wonderful fabrics
• The luck of my draw
• Comfortable shoes
• Finding some-one who could fix what ails me (and my new friend who is a masseuse—that helps too!)
• Books on tape
• Volunteering at the library
• Community
• The birds!
• Old friends and new friends
• Opportunity
• The beach and Kathleen who makes me walk it regularly

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My sincere wishes to you for all that is good in the holiday season.
Here’s to you and yours, me and mine, and to our global community.

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“Everyone must go through the narrows—
the transition to a different phase of life—
and if you don’t do this voluntarily,
the world or your body will force you to.”
Sara Davidson, Leap!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Once again, I had plans to get a PNewL PNewS out, and haven't. I always like doing a thanks-giving issue. Perhaps I still will. In the meantime, I hope this finds you all well, enjoying a pleasant day of food and family (whoever that may include) and football. It's a gorgeous day here. It's noon and I am still in my PJs. Time to get on with the day. Here's to you all.

PS I drive a rental truck to my new home on Monday. Think positive thoughts for a safe trip. Thanks!

Time marches--nay scampers--on

I had the best of intentions to keep this up with better regularity, but suddenly it's later and people are asking questions I feel like I have answered but it turns out only to me and the few I see a lot. My humble apologies.

In 11 days, I should close on a house in the wilds of Buncombe County North Carolina. It is a modest home on ~1.5 acres in a small community which sounds to be friendly--they have potlucks monthly (?) and open art studio tours twice a year and...well, that's probably more than I actually know. When people ask me if I am excited, I usually say I am in the buyer's remorse period. What am I doing? Why? I don't know, but as someone pointed out, I thought it was a good idea at some point and so I have to kinda go with that and see how things progress from here.

I plan to go up there sooner than later (mid-November) and drop a load of stuff. Basics for living and all the junk that has been sequestered in my storage unit for many years. I want to add a deck to the back of the house and I need to talk to someone about that. I need to get the bills in my name and get a discount card at Ingles grocery store. I need to remind myself what this house looks like. I need to reassure myself I am not totally nuts.

On the left is the living room, dining room, kitchen.
My new neighbor is in the photo on the right.






Here, we are walking up the neighbor's drive towards my house, with outbuilding in view. A "branch," not to be confused with a river but perhaps confused with a creek is in the forest, green stuff on the right. The yellowish blur in the background is a mountain-esque thing. The road my road branches off of dead-ends in the Blue Ridge Parkway. Perhaps the mountain-esque thing is related to the Ridge...




And finally looking from the opposite direction at the little side porch. The deck will go across that wide expanse of back-of-house and I hope to one day see doors going from the deck into the LR/K/DR, and master bedroom, and perhaps a ramp for my friends who would like that when they visit. (Thanks to Gini for all the photos and miscellaneous support and encouragement.)

That kinda brings me up to date. I plan to spend the winter packing and enjoying the weather (should we avoid the tropical depression that is forming as I write this) and my dear friends here. Then thoughts are to move in May or June. (I was all set on June and then I remembered the 27th Annual Angel Island Picnic -- June 21st it appears. Priorities dontcha know.)

I am "under contract" on a house in NC

I will write more about it soon. Since Gini said I need to update the blog, here's a photo. Eleven minutes to downtown Weaverville, < 30 min to downtown Asheville. I don't plan to move for a bit. More details coming one day soon.