“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
This morning I knew for certain fall had arrived. On my way to breakfast at nine, the bank’s ATM had no line, the streets were nearly empty and the diner had plenty of open booths. My friend and I even sat and chatted, something we could never do in summer. Back then a line of people stood waiting outside so we never took time just to sit and drink coffee, but the people have gone home and the lines have disappeared.
The day is another glorious fall day with a warm sun; it’s not even cold enough to be sweatshirt weather. Even the nights have been warm: in the high 50’s so my bedroom window is still open, and I’ve left the screen on the front door. It’s a day to sit on the deck with a good book and a lazy attitude.
On my way to breakfast I went by the high school where I used to work. I only gave it a passing glance. Though I spent thirty-three years working there, the nine years of retirement have distanced me. I have a sense of nostalgia as I am also a graduate, but that’s it. I am not at all curious as to how it fares. I have moved elsewhere.
My friends have either already traveled or are packing their bags to leave. I am envious. This is the year of staying home for me, and I don’t like it all that much. Looking forward to a trip is one of the pleasures of life. The anticipation builds, and the days are counted down until the big day: the day to leave. I even have a sense of longing for the smell of the jet when I board. During the flight, I check the progress of the plane and count the hours until it touches-down. I love walking out of the airport and smelling air filled with a sense of the place where I’ve landed. Hearing other languages lets me know I am far from home, but I am delighted in the unfamiliar. I roam the streets without purpose and often happen upon a spot to explore or a restaurant with an aroma that draws me to a table. Sometimes it is a shop window which catches my attention. Sometimes it is simply the wandering down one street or another.
I so love to travel and miss it when I don’t.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: jet smell, lazy attitude, nostalgia, open booths
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September 30, 2013 at 1:51 pm
Meanwhile … imaginary traveling without leaving home?
http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2013/09/30/afrobeat-airways-2-return-flight-to-ghana-1974-1983/
September 30, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Birgit,
I love this sound. I can hear highlife, the music of Ghana when I was there, and I also hear Ghana now. What a great sound they have!!
September 30, 2013 at 2:02 pm
I have to admit that I really dislike the smell of jet 🙂 Love flying but would gladely loose the sence of smell at the airport 🙂
It is a nice feeling when tourist season has ended, even in Gothenburg it was noticable, at least early in the day. That’s my favorite time of day to go to a cafe or restaurants. When there’s no hurry because other people wants ones table.
It’s chilly during the days now since clouds cover the sky most parts of them now but those clouds saves us during nights by keeping the frost away. I don’t mind frost during weekends and if the sun shows itself later on, not so fun to scrape car windows to go to work though 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
September 30, 2013 at 4:15 pm
Christer,
I just love that smell for what it represents: I’m flying somewhere again!!
I really was amazed this morning by the lack of cars and people. Places which had long lines for breakfast had nobody waiting. The weekends are still busy but not the rest of the week.
The clouds came this afternoon and the day is cooler but still warm. We have had a splendid fall.
I always hated leaving for work at 6:15 and having to scrape my car window.
Have a great evening!
September 30, 2013 at 2:50 pm
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, SEVENTY-EIGHT. Happy Birthday, Johnny Mathis.
And while we’re at it, let’s bang a gong for the late great Marc Bolan, who would have been 66 today. Especially for MDH:
September 30, 2013 at 4:17 pm
im6,
I need to know this ahead of time. You know what a Johnny fan I am. Seventy-eight is almost beyond my comprehension. He has so many hits, all of which I love.
Okay, for MDH,as I don’t know Marc Bolan.
September 30, 2013 at 4:27 pm
Kat
And on Marc’s birthday here he is with Mickey Finn, otherwise known as T Rex rolling out a Fab Glorious Wonderful Glam Rock smash hit. Hum along as you wait to discover the visit of Cleveland or Texas or the Rays.
September 30, 2013 at 4:21 pm
Gosh Austin, he would have been 66 ? Gloria Jones drove his mini in to oblivion in Barnes, there are still all sorts of theories about what they hit and how Marc was gone.
You’re so sweet
You’re so fine
I want you all and everything
Just to be mine
‘Cause you’re my baby
‘Cause you’re my love
Oh girl I’m just a Jeepster
For your love
Dedicated to Kat and all the ladies of KTCC.
September 30, 2013 at 4:26 pm
My Dear Hedley,
That is very sweet! I do love those last two lines!!
Now I’ll have to go and find more than the one im6 posted. This group flew under my radar.
September 30, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Thank you, MDH. I think I might like this band just from the two songs I’ve heard. I can’t imagine why I missed them.
September 30, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Kat
They were wonderful pop music. I was listening to an excellent feature on the BBC about up beat music written in a major key and how over the years there has been a progression to downbeat music written in a minor key. They waved around all sort of empirical evidence and announced that there is no catharsis from listening to sensitive music in fact perhaps quite the opposite. Anyway I blame Lennie for the whole Debbie Downer movement.
Marc Bolan was on the front end of the Glam Rock movement, his songs were positive and upbeat, heck he was even a Vampire for Your Love !!!!
Thank you im6 for this prompt today. A great artist to remember
September 30, 2013 at 4:45 pm
MDH,
Poor Lennie gets the blame for everything!
I haven’t ever heard of the Glam Rock Movement either. I am definitely getting a musical education today!!
September 30, 2013 at 4:54 pm
one of the KTCC addicted ladies remembers old school parties now. T.Rex, Deep Purple, Kinks and more. Sweet memories. Happy wish-you-had-survived birthday to Marc Bolan.
September 30, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Birgit,
The Kinks I know and have a vague Deep Purple recollection, but I think I was listening to different radio stations back then.
September 30, 2013 at 5:09 pm
“Happy wish-you-had-survived…” — LOL, Birgit!
Kat, I know you’ve heard “Bang A Gong (Get It On)”. Here’s a crash course for more about the electric warrior:
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/t-rex-songs/
September 30, 2013 at 7:20 pm
Thanks, im6
Okay, I do remember that song. I liked it and liked hearing it again.
September 30, 2013 at 5:12 pm
Pssst, gang. I don’t think Kat’s ready for Slade.
September 30, 2013 at 6:41 pm
Should we thrust Gary Glitter upon her ?
Birgit, I was cruising home tonight listening to The Kinks “Muswell Hillbillies” , totally fab gear.
September 30, 2013 at 7:21 pm
MDH,
I have even posted that one on KTCC. It’s a favorite of mine.
September 30, 2013 at 7:20 pm
im6,
Who?
September 30, 2013 at 8:18 pm
What?! You don’t know who Slade is/was? Shocking! I had totally forgotten about seeing them live when they were the opening act for Peter Frampton. And this was BEFORE Frampton came alive, too! Check out the footwear on Slade. I remember I had something a little less drastic, but I really towered when I wore them (I’m 6’2″ barefoot, so it was pretty dramatic). Travel back to 1972 and listen to “Gudbuy T’ Jane.”
September 30, 2013 at 8:21 pm
im6,
I love their outfits and all that glitter.Their voices aren’t half bad either. I think I missed all whole genre of music in the 70’s.
October 1, 2013 at 6:41 am
Seriously, and the lead singer was Noddy Holder
October 1, 2013 at 9:40 am
MDH,
I always know that you have stored in your memory drawers the names and music of a slew of bands, including their lead signer and band members. I am astounded by the number you know!
October 1, 2013 at 9:58 am
He’s just showing off, Kat 😉
October 1, 2013 at 10:42 am
im6,
Not unsurprising!
September 30, 2013 at 7:52 pm
As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over”. Tonight the Rangers and the Rays will play a one game playoff to see which one will go to the wild card series starting in Cleveland on Wednesday night. The Rangers and the Rays finished the season with identical records and the Rangers gained home field advantage by winning the series of games against the Rays. Nelson Cruz returns to the lineup tonight after his 50 game suspension for something.
Go Rangers!
I love the smell of Jet Fuel being burned. It means economic activity and people are traveling all over the world. I am used to that smell because I have worked at airports for decades. This afternoon the sun was shinning and the temperature was in the mid 80s. This morning the low was in the 60s.
September 30, 2013 at 8:14 pm
Bob,
I’ve got the game on right now. 84˚ at game time. I am a baseball fan and have kept up with all the wild card teams. I was amazed at the near tie of three and the final tie of two after 162 games. They showed Cruz in the dugout as they announced he was back.
The low 60’s is a great temperature, and the same as we’ve had every day.
I just like getting on that plane fueled and ready to take me somewhere!
Go Rangers!
September 30, 2013 at 11:21 pm
Rangers just lost. Wait until next year 🙂
Go Red Sox!
I would love to see the Dodgers and the Red Sox in the series.
October 1, 2013 at 9:45 am
Bob,
I went back and forth from what I was watching to the game. I was feeling okay when only 1 run scored despite the filled bases, but every time I checked, The Rays had added runs.
Sorry the run has ended!