In Flight

I CANNOT SLEEP ON PLANES

In May I traveled to Hawaii.
There were 5 plane flights
JFK-SLC, SLC-Honolulu, Honolulu-Maui, Maui-LAX, LAX-JFK

And each one had its quirks and charms. Let's see what happened

Pre-Flight Concerns

physical discomfort-Restless Leg, insomnia

occupying my time
possibility of annoying seatmates
anxiety over the first three

READY TO GO

How It Played out

THE PHYSICAL ISSUES
My RLS is not an issue. I move my affected right leg constantly yet imperceptibly (in my opinion). I massage my leg while seated. I am covered with the red Delta blanket as well as my shawl and with the tray table down I can do a lot of movement. I get up and walk to the bathroom. I do yoga poses while waiting. Since I have to go 9 times (must be gravity) during the first two flights; there is a lot of yoga. Poses done while sitting as well.

OCCUPYING MY TIME

1-Devices for Reading
I need to be busy. My mind is overly active. I cannot stare off into space. I cannot sleep on planes.  My mother said of my father "Charlie can sleep on a picket fence."  He also could stare out of a window or at a wall for hours. When asked what was in his mind. "Nothing" I did not inherit his empty head sleepy genes.
Was not buying WIFI. I borrowed ebooks for my Kindle. No one seemed to know if borrowed ebooks would work without WIFI. Why? Technically they are not mine. Purchased Kindle books are yours and there forever. Borrowed ebooks are sucked back by the library after 14 days. So I take a hard cover book as well. 

The ebooks work out. They show up in flight. I read three. The library sucked them back in when I returned.

2-The Beverage Cart
The pop of the soda can and the whoosh of its contents being poured. Yes, the beverage cart is on its way. One of the highlights of flights and I do consider it part of the entertainment. I have a vague anxiety of it running out of supplies before it gets to me. I am relieved when it stops by our row. I am on the aisle every flight so I have a good view. I have a few extra seconds to decide what I want since the window and middle are served first.
 Coffee 
The first flight has Starbucks...Yay...Cannot believe my good fortune...uh oh...not good...somehow    they have made weak Starbucks coffee which is almost impossible.

Adult Beverages
oh yeah...gin and tonic...wine...second and fifth flights...perfect

NOT THE USUAL STARBUCKS

3-Movies and TV
I seldom go to the movies at home. But here we have movies, TV shows and all kinds of programming. Our own mini TVs.

I opt to start with some movies. I wear hearing aids. I think the ear buds won't go in the space already filled. So I start out without earbuds and therefore no audio. 

Carol...one of few movies I wanted to see. I watch and I understand it all. no captions, no sound. A beautiful film.

Brooklyn I read the book a while ago and thought it sad. Some folks tell me the movie is funny. Funny? Are you kidding me? I watch it soundless with Dutch subtitles. English not offered. Works fine. Not as sad in Dutch.

Sisters...I last 10 minutes, sorry Amy and Tina
for the return flights, I take out my hearing aids and use the earbuds
Burnt...Bradley Cooper and Food...got skewered by critics. I like it.

Daddy's Home...If it received more than a 1/2 star is overrated

The Affair...TV...the entire second season love Maura Tierney
CNN I am a news junkie and will watch anything with Anderson Cooper

ANNOYING SEATMATES

I AM ON THE AISLE EVERY FLIGHT, BEST SEAT

First
JFK flight to Salt Lake City 
fine

Second 
SLC to Honolulu
whew...the two folks across the aisle to my right are brother and sister. Brother has the window, sister the aisle. The sister is a missionary. Seated in front are the parents. The four NEVER EVER stop talking and sharing their free snacks...food which they have accumulated and stashed in big zip locks from previous flights. I know it because no one would buy these mini salt-less pretzels and mix them with oily peanuts. The sister demonstrates how she sleeps on flights...she blows up an inflatable pillow until it pins her against the seat like an airbag...unfortunately it does not force her mouth shut...then the brother pushes up the window shade and a beam of blinding light shoots me in the face. Current plane culture is "to keep the shades down" I spend the last hour of the flight alternately holding up my Kindle and the safety placard to shield my face from this beam.

Why didn't I ask him to shut the shade? He seems to have a severe physical disability affecting his ability to sit up. His only position is hunched and facing the window looking out...he is unable to turn his head.to the left. No range of motion. During the last hour of the flight I cannot turn my head to the right so we are a matched set.

Third
Honolulu to Maui
The only issue is that we drive most of the way. The airport runway is long. It seems to stretch right to the Maui coast. We ride on it for a half hour, lift off for 20 minutes, then land.

Fourth
Maui to LAX
The woman next to me claims both armrests. This action leaves me with only a left. I am used to it. I cannot win the elbow war...people spread over me. However when she also tries to use my outlet I protest. She does not believe me. I tell her it is like a place setting "knife on the right" I pick the most hurtful utensil as an example. She checks and reluctantly agrees. Armrest woman also drinks a huge amount of liquids...5 diet sodas and every cup of water offered. I am on edge for most of the flight expecting her to need the bathroom. She does not. I make up for her. They say our bodies are 70% water. I leave each flight with only 30%.  My bathroom use exceeds all expectations.

Fifth
LAX red eye to JFK
I do not understand the procedure of the red eye. The regulars know what the deal is.
The red eye is the zombie flight. And not mobile zombies.

After a quick run through the plane, the beverage cart retires. As does everyone else. I realize everyone except two of my traveling companions are asleep. Really. The entire plane is in a group trance

GOODNIGHT

I am awake. Waiting for the return of the beverage cart. Or at least some pretzels. Or a garbage pickup. Any sign of life.

Hoods over faces
Blindfolds
Hats
Blankets
Paws curled up

RED EYE ZOMBIE POSITION

ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE LANDING THE ZOMBIES LURCH AWAKE

And then as if they all hear a private signal, they awake. Pulling off hoods, rubbing eyes, stretching, unraveling blankets. One eye opening to the world, one eye still in sleep mode.

HAVE WE LANDED YET?

I know I cannot do what the red eye regulars do. I have NEVER slept on a flight. But I now know the drill for next time. I will enjoy the quiet. Not expect the cart. And use the bathroom as if it is my own. Because on a red eye it will be.

SUMMARY

loved it all
gave me stories
I can still do it
my traveling gene kicks back in
thanks to my friends for inviting me

WHERE TO NEXT?

Woof woof

Is Liam Blue while I am in Hawaii?

MOM IS GONE, NO LATTE LICKS

I went to Hawaii. I was away for 9 full days. You have seen the iconic shots. Wanted to share a few photos which are not yet iconic...my views alone...

When checking in to the Hyatt Regency Resort in Maui we are told our rooms do not have optimum views...maybe they even say not so good. First photo is the view to the left of my balcony. Yes, a rainbow has been provided free of charge. Second shot is the view from my room when looking to the right, early morning. I am okay with both views. Highly tolerable.

And the next two

Are my Starbucks views

First from Maui Starbucks 

The second from my hometown New Hyde Park Starbucks with Maui represented on my iPad. My transition back to my Starbucks. I amuse myself.

I went to Hawaii. I was away 9 days.
Liam stayed home with Daddy Paul. And he is a different dog.

When I was away in paradise Liam apparently changed his behaviors and activities. 

No barking

No boney begging
No early morning poochie bell ringing

No pre-dawn trips outside

He also grew a lump on the top of his left rear paw. How could all this happen in 9 days?
It did.

I returned from Hawaii.
When I returned to the house there was no leaping into my arms.

No jumping up.

No tail wagging.

I had envisioned one of those soldier returning home type reactions...knocking me down, licking my face, over and over, an endless loop of canine love

No LiamLicks
not a one

I returned from Hawaii.

LiamLooks replace LiamLicks

First was side saddle ignoring

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

Then the evil eye

YOU EXPECT ME TO BE GLAD TO SEE YOU, TRAITOR?

Accusatory

YOU LEFT ME

Hiding and staring

MAYBE IF I HIDE SHE WILL GO AWAY

I"LL STARE HER INTO GUILT

But then came Memorial Day.

Oh and about this holiday. Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in our armed forces. Memorial Day is NOT Veterans Day. True! We commemorate all who serve in November. There seems to be a tendency by some to treat both Holidays the same.

This year I visited Pearl Harbor right before Memorial Day. Like everyone else, I was profoundly affected by the experience. Those entombed in the USS Arizona never had a chance to be thanked for their service. It seems right we reserve a day only for them and all others who died while in the service of our country.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day

And it is not about celebrating Independence Day either...that Holiday is July 4th...this goes out to those who shot off fireworks Memorial Day night and terrified Liam.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_%28United_States%29 

Yes the fireworks start after dark. Liam is shaking and running in circles. I whip out the Thundershirt and wrap him. He picks me to huddle with. Liam returns to Mom when in crisis. Has he forgiven me?

MAKE THE BOOMS STOP!

Finally the fireworks folks exhaust their supply. Liam relaxes

WHEW MOM, THEY STOPPED

And we take off the shirt...he is back. My friend again.

For now

MINGLING OUR PAWS

The bad behaviors have not returned. Except for some rounds of barking.

Solution to unwanted behaviors

Go to Hawaii

Travel 5000 miles and stay in the Pacific for 9 days. 

Return from Hawaii

find a new improved Liam

oh and LiamsLump is a fatty deposit. Not unusual in an older sausage dog.

Woof, Woof

Green is Good

GREEN

My Locker
I have a fave locker at the health club. Most members do. Mine is #29. Its main attraction is a central location to bathrooms, seating and hairdryers.

MY LOCKER

Those adjacent are also prime but a titch less so. On a recent Sunday I open my #29  and am surprised to find a jacket hung inside. No lock. We are urged to secure our belongings with a combination or key lock. I guess this member feels her jacket is not at risk of theft. Okay, I cannot use my fave locker today. I have a vague disquiet over my loss. We members are territorial. And observers of routine. I regroup. I place my bags, coat and accessories in the locker to the right... locker #31. I head out to the gym floor. Yay! My fave row machine is free! We have a new pair of row machines. Most rowing members prefer the machine on the right. It is not in a path to the day care as is its mate, so no traffic on either side...flanks protected. And its location affords a better view of the newly installed wide screen TVs. I lower myself on to my machine, strap in, and start my half hour trip.

The Confrontation
As I near the end of my session I am approached by two young women. Their expressions expectant and inquiring. One nearest me leans down, holds out her phone and asks "Are these your things?" I am looking at a photo of the insides of a locker. And yes, I see my jacket, boots, scarf, bag.

MY GREEN

I am confused. Why does she have a photo of my belongings? I had put them inside and locked them up. She explains she returned to the locker she was using and found it locked. Hers is #29. The lock on it is green. She checked the next locker and saw it was full but unlocked. It had a green bag. She reasoned that whoever had put the lock on hers was this person because this member liked green and probably had a bag to match the lock. Really? What an analysis! She should be a jury profiler.  You may notice my green bag has Carol inscribed on it. (it is a kid's schoolbag...my sense of humor) Readers, this might be an important clue as to how these women cracked the case. The lead questioner says they further hypothesized that the person who used a green lock and a green bag might be wearing green exercise clothing. Really? I am upgrading their occupations.These two might be detectives...and I AM wearing green. And it is NOT my usual exercise outfit. 

Wearin' O the Green
Though green is my fave color I have been trying to incorporate other colors into my wardrobe. The green perception will take a while to dispel. I suspect folks think we dress in green all the time.

We don't. However, I am glad I am wearing green today...leaving my belongings exposed and unlocked for the duration of my workout would have been in apparent defiance of the rules and  tempting for anyone looking to increase their green wardrobe. Of course had the member using #29 used a lock I would not have locked her locker up in the first place.
So it is her fault.
Not.
My bad. I must focus. And wear green as a backup for my mindlessness.

WE DON'T WEAR GREEN OFTEN

Do you think there is more to this story? 

Theory

As I was leaving, my head down to avoid confrontation, I see one of my green detectives manning the front desk. A new employee? Oh, the two are not here together?

What if the member using #29 went to the front desk with her locked locker dilemma? I am a regular and I have a lime green bag advertising my name. It has been noticed by staff. Carol with the green bag. She shows her phone pic. They recognize the bag, figure it is mine and check the sign in...we all sign in with a card scan..."yes, she is here" Where on the health club floor would I be? The staff  knows I row. Bingo. The employee accompanies the member straight to the row machine. I am found.

Easy deduction. Did it happen this way? I don't know.

I do know going green is good.

Go Green
Green is good.
A Green glow is an environmentally supportive look in an increasingly ecologically minded world.
Glow Green

WRAPPED IN GREEN FOR A RAINY FIRST WEEK OF MAY

And that's a writing wrap as well.
Readers, I will be traveling this month. The Hawaiian Islands. LiamLicks will be on hiatus and return in June. Liam will be staying at home with his Daddy. Liam and I write the blog as a team and he'll wait until I return for our next installment.

Aloha!
Woof, Woof

How big is Liam?

 BIGGER LIAM

BIG
"How big is Liam?" This question from the staff person at the desk surprises me. I am at Best in Show Pet Resort making a reservation for Liam's overnight stay. Big? Do they know Liam has put on a few pounds? I am sensitive to questions on bigness. My radar is activated whenever size is mentioned. Over a half century of managing an eating disorder has me vulnerable to words invoking body mass. I feel an oral defense about to erupt on behalf of my little "big" boy. He has been adding a pound here and there. He is 8 years old. He can run faster than almost any dog. He looks fine. Then a statement. "The file says he is 31 pounds." Do they know Liam has put on a few pounds? Will they weigh him? An event I most dread at any doctor's office. Why this question? I guess my face had an expression of wariness and incredulity and tenseness. "We want to know so we can put him in the proper playgroup. And in the most comfortable room." My anxiety recedes, a bit. Nothing sinister, I think. Then help from one of the handlers who has been listening. "Liam is a small dog."

SMALL

SMALL
I say "Yes, he is 15 inches tall. Small. I add he has gained some weight and mumble he is 39.5 pounds; adding he is hard as a rock and full of sinewy muscle on every part of his body. I point to the gallery of photos."See his portrait is on the wall." No one is listening to my ramblings but I keep talking."This new poundage will not increase the space he takes up in the playroom."
Yes, I gave this speech. I hear myself and cannot believe I am saying all this. I am projecting. One fear I have is taking up too much space. Or rather more space than I deserve. This is not Liam's issue. This is my issue. I tell myself to stop  Be quiet, Carol

TODAY THROWBACK THURSDAY
We bring Liam in Monday morning. And the same day some old photos show up in the On This Day feature of Facebook. Liam and I on April 18, 2010. Six years ago.

What do you think readers? A thinner Liam in 2010?  See next photo

LIAM IN APRIL 2010

Here we are using space wisely. Compressed. Efficient. A small circumference for the two of us.

NOT TAKING UP TOO MUCH SPACE

And now, April 2016...a bigger boy? Liam ..39.5 pounds 

MOM! MAYBE A TOO WIDE ANGLE

BEST IN SHOW
And the bigger Liam is boarded at Best in Show this week. I had told him of the "How big is Liam?" question and he is prepared to look small.

The way to look small and conceal weight gain is to surround oneself with bigger dogs.

Or with pals the same size

Not with pals smaller.

OH NO, THESE GUYS ARE TOO SMALL

THIS IS WORSE, A TINY ONE UNDER ME

OKAY, BETTER, AT LEAST THEY ARE MY SIZE

FOUND A BIGGER PAL

Liam returns home. He must have lost a few pounds. All that running in playgroup.

We have a cutoff weight. Forty pounds. He cannot go over it. He spends the first night home napping. Dogs do this after boarding. The stay away is emotionally and physically rough for them.

In the future, more walks, fewer treats.

Woof woof

Ancestry Addict

LOOKING FOR HIS ROOTS, "IS THAT SQUIRREL MY COUSIN?"

Liam's Ancestry
Liam did his DNA test first...and he was as surprised as we were. What was expected was a lab/basset hound mix and he is
Beagle
Great Britain

Dachshund
Germany

Irish Setter
Ireland

and Dalmatian 

Croatia

A European Ancestry result...Doggie DNA testing info can be found here
http://www.wisdompanel.com/breed_count_matters/breedlisting/?F_All=Y

I did mine with Ancestry DNA kit. 
Ancestry.com  I am 99% European...like Liam...and was also surprised...like he was...

I had expected mostly Irish. Ireland is there at 41%. Yet so is Britain, Scandinavia, Western Europe.

And some small percentages in a few other regions. See breakdown for all regions in the next screenshot

I received messages from my DNA matches.The first were from Pruntys. My mother's maternal surname. We shared trees and stories. Thank you Prunty cousins. And my mother was right. We started out Irish. Longford Ireland 1815.  At some point my ancestors settled in Sheffield Yorkshire England. Being born in England does not cause the loss of one's Irishness. A shared quote from a newly discovered great granduncle "Being born in a barn does not make you a horse."

And with a few clicks, I met my great grandfather John Prunty and his siblings. And with a following click. I lost them. I just met them!  Records popped up. Really? I have records of 5 graves. Further research revealed my great great grandmother Maggie Prunty (John's Mom) gave birth to 11 children in the 1870's and 1880's and only 3 survived to adulthood! My guy John being one. Almost every year she had a child and buried one. In one year 1882 three died. I found a record of 5 graves in an Irish cemetery in Sheffield, created by an Irish priest for the Irish. I suppose the other 3 graves are nearby. See below

I just met them and now I am saying goodbye to Daniel, Mary Ann, James, Daniel (second) Patrick, Michael, Walter. They lived only briefly. Mary Ann lived the longest, age 6 at her death. I will honor them. They are part of me. I am here because they lived. My great granduncles and great grandaunt. And one more I have yet to locate.They are on the tree and will not be forgotten.

Scotland
An explanation about the Western Europe and Scandinavian ethnicity. Lots of travel back and forth across the water caused a lot of DNA mixing, people got together...I have read most folks showing Great Britain also have Western Europe DNA. Same deal with Scandinavia. Ships traveled back and forth and around.
And through another cousin I know that my Great Britain ethnicity is Scotland not England.I like that. Get out the kilt and bagpipes.

Carol McNiff's Tree
My tree was a Charlie Brown tree. For years I had only 4 members. I now have over 100 relatives and over 200 attached. records.  Every time I try to leave the Pruntys they call me back with a new clue. The want to be heard. I am listening.

LIAM WITH A COUSIN

Psychic

Six years ago, a psychic mentioned four letters which she said were significant in my life.   

...the letters C, J, L and P. 

I have them all over my family tree. Great grandfather John Prunty and third great grandfather same name...

Grandfather Patrick Coughlin...Grandfather James Charles, 

And many Johns, Jameses, Josephs, Pauls, Patricks, Peters, Charleses and Williams (Liam) and C surnames.

Charlotte Brontë
Through Ancestry DNA research, people have discovered famous ancestors. I am not looking for one. I have her. Charlotte Brontë, author of Jane Eyre. Charlotte is celebrating her 200 birthday April 21.  A new bio about her life is out. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/20/books/review/charlotte-bronte-a-fiery-heart-by-claire-harman.html?_r=0
And we read it. Charlotte was the original Taylor Swift. If you hurt or disappointed her you might show up in her writing. The deeper the grievance the more hateful was the character. Jane Eyre is said to be populated with people and places from her life. And wow, did she punish some of these folks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre 

LIAM WITH CHARLOTTE

Prunty/Brontë
You see her Dad was Patrick Prunty. Moved from Ireland to Yorkshire. Reinvented himself as Patrick Brontë. Left behind many Prunty siblings. Changed his surname to what he fancied to be more heroic and classic. And he may have felt the ë elevated the name. More continental. not so peasant...not traceable to Ireland. My Pruntys moved to Yorkshire also. They were proud to be Irish.

Patrick Brontë wanted to erase his past. I want to find mine. I have not proven this relationship.

Yet.

Gap of Dunloe, Killarney, Ireland, 1854 and 1967
In 1854, Charlotte Brontë was on her honeymoon (she married Irish, take that Dad)...riding along the treacherous cliffside path above the gap of Dunloe. Her horse reared and threw her, She was okay. And enjoyed telling the tale of her near death. One hundred thirteen years later, in 1967, I was riding a horse on the same path above of the gap of Dunloe. My horse threw me. I was okay and also enjoy telling the story. This is a new connection piece for me. Did not know until I read the book.
Ruth's alternate name choice for me was Charlotte. 

Only a Prunty woman could have written Jane Eyre...fiery hearts...

.

Liam, who started it all, has not yet found his cousins. He is okay with it. He feels connected with every dog, every fire hydrant, every lamp post. Every smell is a cousin. He is keenly aware of DNA deposits all over the 'hood. His family tree is any and every tree.

We are all connected cousins
Happy Birthday Charlotte Prunty.

Woof, Woof