THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE DANUBE

I don't want to think that I was just lying around the last few weeks- I was getting ready to take a trip! That's a big decision to make, for me at least. It all started at Christmastime, 2008, which you will remember was when we first became aware that the country's finances had tanked. My daughter and I decided we would go to Europe - one last time for me. But when we looked at our brokerage statements, and read the news, we drew back because who knew what would happen next? I felt sorry for our travel agent, who sat alone and mournful in his office while Oro Valley oldsters cancelled their tours, right and left. But as the summer approached and there was no absolute disaster (other then my GM bonds) I thought "Why Not?" Things couldn't be much worse. So we re-engaged with the travel agent and now we are set for a river trip on the Danube.

I chose the river boat for several reasons -first, you can leave all your things in your cabin for 21 days, no packing or moving, or having your luggage outside the door at 7:30, and all your meals will be right there. Secondly, I have this image of sitting in a deck chair, with a plaid rug keeping out the breeze, drinking hot chocolate with whipped cream on top, and gliding past quaint German towns with people dressed in ethnic clothing. Sound good? Does to me. Is the Danube really blue?

I hope my daughter and I get along in a small cabin. Usually about three days is our max, but I think there will be a lot to do on the boat that should minimize friction. Then we have to stick together, to manage in strange countries where people speak languages totally unfamiliar to us. I hope for the best. I always used to travel with my husband, and he was no trouble at all. As long as he got some orange juice in the morning, he was totally cool and laid back and you could rely on him. He knew how to start strange rental cars and how to drive on the wrong side of the road, how to tip wherever he was, and how to get clean shirts. Now I am on my own, but I would never, never drive a car on the wrong side of the road, don't worry

I won't be leaving until September 5 - More about packing to come. Also, should we visit a concentration camp? I think it will be terribly distressing for me, but my daughter says we must go to honor the dead.

I SEE A RAT

Hello Blog!!

Ive been absent for a while, but now I'm back and I promise to do better. Some of this was my fault because I have grown increasingly indolent. But most of it was the fault of my internet carrier (or whatever you call it) which stopped cold. I tried to get it fixed for almost a week, talking to these people in Pakistan or wherever with no results. Finally, after their last suggestion involved poking in the modem with a paper clip, anyone could see that it would never be fixed unless they came out from Karachi. I fired them and got the phone company instead. Now I am back in business except I have a new email address which involves a lot of work telling your friends and relatives. You probably know the drill.

Meanwhile I have a lot to relate, I will start with the wildlife. It has been very very hot here and very dry, so the animals are stressed. The last rabbit I saw was so skinny I was amazed that it coulds still run. But my bobcats look okay and they have become frequent visitors to my little patio. They lounge among the pots of cactus and take little catnaps. It started with a mother and two cubs. The cubs are quite large, I would think adaolescent. I'm sure mom would like them out of the house, so to speak, getting jobs or going to Pima Community College but they hang around. The last time they came it was just the two cubs so I think Mom must have dumped them. If I can ever figure out how to put the pictures on the blog, I will post them.

There was a little problem with the front door as well. On the mat was a very large black tarantula, big as a large salad plate. This terrified me at first, but I understand that tarantulas are not dangerous at all. I called my daughter and she came over and with a broom and dustpan, scooped it up and put it over on the golf course where it is probably scaring the golfers.

Now for the worst. Yesterday I looked out of my sliding glass door to see a RAT. This was not a tiny little desert mouse, but a real rat who had no business being on my porch. At first I was going to call the exterminator, but then friends urged me jus to go to Ace Hardware (what would we do without Ace Hardware) and buy some poison pellets. The rat ran into my beautiful bougainvillea, so I suppose I should have that cut back. My friends said the desert rats are stressed because of the heat and the drought, but to me that is no excuse. I am an animal lover but I draw the line at rats. I'll let you know how the poison pellets work.

I really miss my husband. If he were here he would know what to do, or at least act as if he did.