Momentarily sidestepping, I now know why Northwest Airlines is called Northworst. *sigh*

But back to the beginning. I drove down the mountain to go up to Nashville last Thursday. BTW, I get my ups and downs all confused here. :) I planned to spend the night with my aunt and uncle before flying out the next day to visit David in Ithaca for Easter. Thursday night as I slid between the sheets, I noticed my cell phone had a message. It was Northworst cancelling my flights for Friday and rescheduling me for Saturday. *okay* Looking at my glass half-full, making lemonade out of lemons, I looked at my extra day in Nashville as an opportunity to spend extra time with my splendid relatives – notwithstanding frantic calls to extend my stay in Ithaca one more day by changing my return flight and motel reservations. All went well with no penalties. I had been worried because I’d gotten a smokin’ deal through priceline.com and online deals are usually pretty rigid, no matter who’s at fault. Everyone readily accommodated the changes.

***************************************************************

Side rant: Why is it that college towns have the nastiest and most expensive motel accommodations? At least Ithaca does, for the most part. The first year Brian and visited Cornell for Parents’ Weekend, we were *stunned* by the abysmal conditions of our room – our host will remain anonymous. Our non-smoking room’s carpet was pocked with cigarette burns. *nasty* As I eased myself on the bed, in utter dismay, Brian hollered, “Don’t!” Wishing he had latex gloves, he peeled back the bedspread to reveal a pathetically pilled and holey blanket. Enough said, except we tried to touch nothing but each other that weekend. heh.

***************************************************************

I happened to choose a Super 8 this time. I was very pleased. *surprise* One doesn’t conjure 5-star accommodations when thinking about Super 8 motels, but it was, well, super – clean, courteous and professional.

***************************************************************

My days and evenings with David were divine. I love Cornell – I love my son even more.

Most meals were taken at very fine restaurants with some of David’s very fine friends. There is nothing more flattering than progeny “showing-off” a parent. I was so very humbled and grateful. Our luncheon fares were as upscale as our dinners – so was the company. One of the best vacations ever.

One of David’s closet friends is a lovely woman, Sarah B. I met her two years ago during one of my visits. She is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. She’s beautiful and bright and an Orthodox Jew. After our initial meeting two years ago, I took her hand, looked deep into her eyes and proclaimed, “David has my permission to convert.” He still does. Below is a photo of David and Sarah. She graciously allowed me to take the photo though unbeknownst to me it was not permitted during Passover. Boy Howdy, did I ever get a crash course on the dos and don’ts of Passover. David is so accustomed to Sarah’s tenets and rules, that he doesn’t even have to think about days and nights and foods and cars and phones and cameras. Hmmmm. Maybe he’s already converted. :)

The “forbidden” photo is taken at a restaurant where Sarah could walk to meet us. She’d already dined Kosher at home, but joined us with her bottled water. I adore her.

To be continued…


Sarah & David