Operation Pick Up

The title of this post does not indicate my literal actions during these past 30+ days since Miki has been in North Carolina, but what will take place over the next 7 (if you have seen otherwise...mum's the word - sshhh).  On the heels of Hurricane Sandy, the next biggest event of the year, might I even say the decade right behind the Presidential Election, could be this trip with the boys (Tuck and Tooga) to North Carolina to fetch my woman, their momma (...if you are not a dog person, those last two words may sound kind of weird).  Miki has been gone the month of October to our friend Bunny’s cabin in the Smoky Mountains. It may sound like she has joined the first season of MOONSHINERS on the Discovery Channel, but she has been looking out after Bunny, as she had knee replacement surgery earlier in the month.  For those of you keeping track, it is Bunny’s second knee replacement and unless we have grossly underestimated the number of limbs she has, this will be her last.  With both legs on their way to bionic status, Miki’s hiatus is coming to an end.

Before the sun breaks the horizon tomorrow (Tuesday the 6th), the boys and I will be on the road heading east.  I haven’t even started the car yet and I am anticipating a big Miki hug as the sun begins to set tomorrow.  What will be in the back of my mind as she wraps her arms around me, is the emotion I’ll be feeling from her coming from our time apart or the fact she chose not to ride the Greyhound Bus home for 20 hours this time, like she did last year after knee replacement #1.  Either way, I will soak it up.

This will be the first time, me and the boys have hit the road without Miki, even if it is just a partial Miki-less trip.  Having to prepare alone (no offense boys) was a bit taxing.  Lots to remember.  Being hippocampus (that is the memory part of the brain, if you have forgotten... ha!) challenged, as many of you know, you can imagine the sticky notes that blossomed on the kitchen cabinets as O.P.U. (see title) got closer.  The good news is that most of the stickies have been plucked and trashed… oops, sorry Mik, I meant recycled.  Hopefully I will get up and outta here before the sun rises without forgetting the dogs!  (maybe that should be on a sticky note…hhmmm…gimme a second)

Stay tuned blog-dogs, this trip be it a short one should be exciting and full of unforeseen adventure.  The good news is the doghouse won’t have a blowout…it is in hibernation mode.

My Pre-Trip Zen from the Driveway:  When I started this blog for family and friends upon the beginning of our travels in retirement, I didn’t realize some of those family and friends would pass it on to some of their family and friends.  From visiting with some of you, it is fun to hear with whom you've shared it with.  For whatever reason you choose to follow along, I am humbled that something in these words keeps you coming back or that you want to share it with others or it may be out of family obligation.  Is it curiosity or the prospect of how I will handle another blowout… no, don’t answer that… makes no difference, you are always invited along.  In the words of a popular song, “Who let the blogs out,” no wait, that’s not it.  Never mind that.  I enjoy sharing our exploits, so if you do “let the blog out,” thanks for sharing.