Today was really quite a lovely day. The weather co-operated - in the mid to high 50's. The skies were a gorgeous blue and there was no wind. While it still looks like winter it sure felt wonderful to not be shivering.

Rich and I went to lunch at Ryan's. The manager is a kindly gent and often asks about us and the family. He has played it cool since Rich's "episode" but today he caught me and asked what had happened and how things were coming. Sue, the gal that waits on us, has also been concerned and gave me her phone and cell numbers in case I ever need her. The world is full of sweet, good, decent people who genuinely try their best to serve their fellow man. I am honored to know many of them and these two in particular.

Speaking of good people....Rich and I went to the movie tonight to celebrate my birthday (I really am getting a lot of mileage out of this birthday, huh?) I have been wanting to see "Blind Side" ever since it came out and tonight we went. We thoroughly enjoyed it...and not just me either...Rich laughed all the way through and then we talked about it all through dinner too. It is the kind of movie that really sticks with you. It has a great message, the acting is superb, and it is based on a true story. I won't share the story here - but suffice it to say - I think it is one of the best movies and stories that I have seen. While I wouldn't take anyone really under say 10 or so, teenagers and preteens would really enjoy it and it isn't just some "chick flick."

This morning, as I got up, there was a news story about British Airways not allowing men to sit next to kids unless they are related. The discussion that ensued was interesting - but it jogged a memory for me of something that happened long ago and I haven't thought of in a long time either.

When I was about 6-7 years old my family had driven to California to visit my Grandma Roskelley and my cousins just as we did every summer. As our vacation came to a close my Dad and Mom had the car all packed and we were saying out goodbyes - but I was fussing that I didn't want to go - I wanted to stay longer with my Grandma. I remember the kindly look my Grandma gave me and she told my folks that she could put me on a plane in a few weeks and they could pick me up. I watched the little interchange between my mom and dad and hoped that they would say yes. They didn't really say anything - just the looks between them communicated what they needed to and they then gave me permission to stay. I remember the excitement I felt as they drove out of the driveway, smiling and waving their goodbyes. It's funny that it is just now, fifty or so years later, that I wonder what they thought or talked about or felt on that drive home. Hmmmmm.

My Grandma worked at the post office and had to work for a day or two before she took her vacation and she and I could be free to do things. I remember locking myself out of the house and having to wait all afternoon in the front yard and porch for her. I remember picking the unripened almonds off of her almond trees and eating the meat - it was bitter - but not bad. I don't really remember doing much else there with Grandma. I do remember her making homemade noodles, buying root beer (I had to let it sit out overnight so that I could drink it - didn't like the fizz), going to the zoo, having my first headache, and spending time with my aunts and uncles and cousins.

When it came time for me to leave I was so excited. It wasn't my first time flying as my Uncle Vance had his private pilot's license and he would take us up sometimes when we were visiting. I had been with him and my dad and Mike earlier in the summer and we had flown to some ghost town. But this would be my very first time flying in a commercial carrier. This would have been about 1960-1. The plane was a prop and not very large by today's standards. I don't remember many people being on the plane either. But I remember my Grandma walking me up the stairs into the plane and talking to the stewardess about my situation. I remember that the stewardess seated me right next to a sailor. He was dressed in his black uniform and I thought he was so handsome. My Grandma hugged me goodbye, they closed the doors and removed the stairs and we taxied off. I was shy but I bet I talked the guy's ear off. I don't remember the conversation at all - but I do remember that he talked to me and I thought that I was really something else! When we landed in Salt Lake my folks were there to greet me and I was convinced that this had been the adventure of a lifetime...no one else that I knew of had ever flown on a plane before - let alone done it alone - I thought I was hot stuff! That trip would be just a prelude to many flights alone and many accompanying those I love....and while the aircraft have certainly advanced flying has gotten a whole lot more complicated since then.