Getting home

Azaleas in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

It was nice to visit family and a more advanced spring, even if by accident. Adventures in standby travel out of Antigua landed us in Philadelphia last night before the final leg to Boston this morning.

We spent the night at my father and stepmother's house. Taylor pork roll and pancakes for breakfast, mmm, and a visit out back to see the new bees (will blog 'em later).

There's no place like home, the old one and the new one. And there's no place like an awesome tropical vacation. But the in-between of airports I could do without. I will myself into a sort of suspended animation. I imagine I am Glinda the good witch traveling in a pink bubble. Reading a book. Waiting in line. Tucking myself into a small seat for four hours or so and trying to have no needs.

My bubble was almost busted when the three of us – airline pilot/ father, wife/ mother, and 14-year-old daughter with new freckles and mildly peeling sunburned shoulders – were pulled aside in airport security for a full search. In socks, with our possessions left on the belt, John was taken to one side and Laura and I to another. A stocky woman with a tight permanent wearing a uniform and rubber gloves patted down my daughter and I from our necks to our ankles. Then our carry on bags were pawed by the rubber gloves. I think I was making a very angry face.

Afterwards I swore and said to my husband, "Why isn't there any intelligence in airport security?"

"I know, I have to deal with this all the time," he said. "But you have to just do what they say. They're just trying to do their jobs."

I can think of plenty of examples when that excuse also didn't make it right.

Other than that, it was a great trip, which is I guess one of the reasons we all keep putting up with it. (More Antigua pics coming soon.)

Comments

[Tim McGuire]

Good to have you back - before long Amtrak passengers will also be searched, if they're not yet already doing it (one more reason I miss the past) - some nice photos a few days ago from your vacation...

[Amy]

Thanks, Tim. It sure does stink to be treated like a potential mad terrorist bomber.

[cal]

come to think of it, the three of you might fit the profile...

[R. Sherman]

Having just returned to St. Louis from Sacramento via Vegas, Phoenix and San Antonio, I hear your cry from the wilderness of airport concourses. I'm so glad I don't have to do that every day.

Cheers.

[Marie]

Bees! Are they native bees such as osmia lignaria or honeybees?Doesn't matter, I've raised both and can attest to the fact that playing with bees is much more fun that spending a day in the airport.

[Marie]

Ah ha! I see honeybees. What kind? Just wondering because down this way a mix of the russian strain has helped fight the varroa mite problem. I miss working in the bee yard. Hope your father enjoys his gals...

[brantley]

Welcome back. Love the photos. I am going to be on a vacation next week, but if anyone tries to pat me down before I can board my Toyota, they are going to get smacked up side the noggin.