Packing the packhorse’s paraphernalia
I was going to compose an Enterprise article about technology — just how much it has exploded in my lifetime — in music, in video production and in other areas. Maybe next time. Something happened as I was wondering what to write about that I felt was more pressing — and it concerns traveling. More specifically, traveling with my wife and how we differ in our travel habits. And boy, do we.
Let’s take the last week in July as an example. Judy and I decided to go back to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, where we lived for 10 years before returning to Texas, where we live now. Judy was scheduled to have a cancer checkup at the Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock, Arkansas, and we also wanted to return to the church we were members of and see old friends.
The trip was for about a week, leaving on a Friday, returning the following Thursday. Not long. Not one where lots of functions would require many changes of clothes — nice clothes for church on Sunday, but the rest of the time, very casual and comfortable. Since we were driving, most clothes could be hung on a bar in the car, and a small suitcase would do for socks, underwear and such. Because I had the opportunity to golf on our trip and also play in church, my clubs and flugelhorn were packed. Judy was not planning on golfing, so that eliminated dragging her clubs along.
When I pack, I usually start the night before — and, sometimes, not until the morning we leave — unless it is very early, since I can be fully packed (for any length of trip) in about 30 minutes. Judy starts to get ready weeks before a planned trip, ironing everything she owns at least once — sometimes even her socks. For most driving trips, I like to depart home around 9 a.m. My wife grumbles, but usually makes that deadline, if not just 10 to 15 minutes late.
The night before the trip, Judy transitions to semi-panic mode, and the day of the trip, full panic envelops her. Once I get her up and fully awake, it is best that I not speak to her in the middle of her effort to get ready. I get up the day we are to leave, and my stuff is in the car by 7 a.m. much of the time. My attention then focuses on the wife.
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