It rained most of last night, but the morning broke sunny and warm. I dried off the table, had coffee and read my papers on the deck. Both papers were filled with stories about Hurricane Irene: the predicted path, people getting ready and the hurricane’s intensity. One article listed the flights already canceled out of Logan, but all of them were flights headed into the storm, most headed toward North Carolina or south to the islands. Saturday is supposed to be rain and only rain. The wind won’t begin until Sunday when, I hope, I’m already through Frankfurt on my way to Accra. This is one of your shake your head in wonder sort of things. I booked my flight in April and would never have expected that the first hurricane in twenty years would surface just before my flight. I’m wondering about karma, but I really do expect to get out of Boston. I am heading away from the hurricane and it will only be raining. I am so glad I didn’t book the direct flight from New York.

One day, I can’t believe it is one day until I leave. My to do list has most stuff crossed off. Today I have to water the plants and fill the bird feeders. Tomorrow is change the litter, go to the dump and pack day. My bedroom has stacks of clothes ready for the suitcase, and the chair is filled with stuff for my carry-on, most of it electronic. I can barely sit still for the excitement.

Engagements are already scheduled: the party on the 29th at Ryan’s pub, the swearing-in ceremony on the 30th and a party that night to honor and celebrate the newest volunteers.

I figure to leave for Bolga on the 1st, but I still haven’t quite figured out how to get there. The bus ride is 16 hours so if I go that route, I’ll leave on the night of the 31st so I can arrive in Bolga in the morning. The buses are air-conditioned and the seats go down so I’ll be fairly comfortable. It would be like backpack travel days during my 20’s when we always traveled by night to save the cost of a hotel room. If I fly, it will be to Tamale then 4 hours by bus to Bolga. I wish I were Samantha, and I would just wiggle my nose.

My mind is filled with forty year old images and sounds and smells all waiting to be updated.