VACATION by Rita DoveI love the hour before takeoff, that stretch of no time, no home but the gray vinyl seats linked like unfolding paper dolls. Soon we shall be summoned to the gate, soon enough there’ll be the clumsy procedure of row numbers and perforated stubs—but for now I can look at these ragtag nuclear families with their cooing and bickering or the heeled bachelorette trying to ignore a baby’s wail and the baby’s exhausted mother waiting to be called up early while the athlete, one monstrous hand asleep on his duffel bag, listens, perched like a seal trained for the plunge. Even the lone executive who has wandered this far into summer with his lasered itinerary, briefcase knocking his knees—even he has worked for the pleasure of bearing no more than a scrap of himself into this hall. He’ll dine out, she’ll sleep late, they’ll let the sun burn them happy all morning —a little hope, a little whimsy before the loudspeaker blurts and we leap up to become Flight 828, now boarding at Gate 17.
I love the photos and the poem. It’s really a lovely place, even when it is overcast. I guess your vacation is drawing down. May you all feel refreshed.
Have a safe trip home–whenever that is.
okay! a poem i love and understand. love the pics to go along with the poem. it’s so nice of you to be active on your blog while you are on vacation with your family.
enjoy!
I love the poem. I could so relate to the writer’s observations. She describes the typical moments before boarding. I always wonder what is going on in the lives of my fellow passengers. I love to know their stories – are they traveling to see family, a new love, sign a business contract.
The photos are so calming. They brought warmth to this cold, dreary New England day.
Have a safe flight home.
Nothing like beautiful photos to fill a girl with vacation envy! I love the look of the sky in the first photograph.
Gloria, just read your post. If you live in New York, or one of the cities with the recent snow, perhaps your puppy could have an irritation from the salt put out for the snow.
Marilyn, this may sound tough, but no matter what condition your daughter is in, it would appear that your EX husband is trying to, at the least, worry you, and possibly panic you. If you really want to know the truth, pop over to Maine. I know that’s a lot easier said than done, but then you will know. Just show up and see. And if you find that your X has been less than truthful…You are in a difficult position.
I love the pictures and the poem…
Note: did you get a tan?
Look at those clouds rolling in! Hopefully you won’t be looking at those vinyl linked seats for long at the airport if there’s a weather delay.
It just looks lovely. I miss the Bahamas. Thanks for the rejuvenating photos during your escape!
(Escape. It sounds like you guys are convicts….LOL)
If you are coming home, welcome back to…a lot of rain. Are you sure you can’t stay another 3 days?
Cyn, vacation envy, what?? This from the lady who is just back from vacay herself and off on another adventure…sheesh. (xoxox)
KC, it’s the sunshine and the beach I envy. When I planned the ski trip, I didn’t realize what it was going to be like living in an area with snow…and more snow. Like you said, we need to take a tug boat trip to FL, and I shall drive the tug boat.
I don’t know why the font is so funky whenever I copy a poem from someplace else now. Also, I can only post photos taken with iphone because MY OLD COMPUTER CRASHED (like you guys haven’t heard that enough from me) and with it, my photoshop software. I can’t reformat photo from regular blog until I BUY ANOTHER PHOTOSHOP!!! Okay, I’ll stop shouting.
Had another lesson with Leo today. At one point he threw up his arms in complete exasperation and said, “Perhaps you should do a shot of vodka before you play tennis.” It seems that in all his 30+ years or teaching, he’s never had a student who is as hyperactive and “tightly wound” as me. Will actually blog about it tomorrow, when it will seem funny. Tragedy + Time = Comedy.
Ann, it seems pretty funny right now. Zen-Tennis-Man is so impressed with your energy level he advises shots of vodka!!
I read this article in the NYTimes last month about a very extreme case of fainting spells.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/magazine/28FOB-diagnosis-t.html?scp=1&sq=fainting&st=cse
Marilyn, I think your daughter being young will bounce back, and put this behind her (though stitches and chipped teeth are no fun) — but I would urge her to remember how it felt before she blacked out, so if she feels it again she can brace herself, and minimize any accidents that could occur.
My dad had an episode and fell off scaffolding when he was 70 years old. He had a bad concussion, cracked vertebrae and other injuries that nearly killed him. He was able to learn to walk and talk (and read) again, and his intellect came back, though physically the accident did take its toll.
Every body is different. The situation I’m dealing with doesn’t seem to follow what I’ve read online. I was getting dizzy (the spins) when I laid down, sat up, looked up, tilted my head a certain way, climbed a step ladder, walked, or for absolutely no reason at all (sitting down, not moving).
The first day I was nauseous and didn’t eat. I thought I could just sleep it off, like a very bad hangover. When I didn’t improve the second or third day, I started getting really worried, and almost called 911 a time or two. I reminded myself that I didn’t faint, and I didn’t fall (I hugged my walls, leaned on all sorts of things, and used the grips in my shower quite a bit though).
I have health insurance, but there is $1,000 deductible, and lots of co-pays, and unfortunately it is a miracle if I can cover rent these days.
For a month and a half at least, I shouldn’t have driven at all, but I am lucky that I work only a few miles from home — so I limited any time behind the wheel to that only and the shortest possible trips around the hood.
I figured my gymnastic, pole dancing, and trick riding days were over, (not that I define myself by those pursuits), but all good things must come to an end.
Slowly, but surely things have improved . . . on the upside I lost weight, improved my diet, drink alcohol only at home now, and have started working on my stair climbing skills. I certainly don’t take my health for granted, and simple things like a clearheaded walk to get my mail are cherished.
I still don’t move my head suddenly, and can’t even imagine playing tennis or dancing, but maybe someday I will be able to swing my leg over a horse’s back again and take a little ride.
I like to think that all the lovely little “balance crystals” in my head got dislodged and in time they are finding their way back into their proper places to guide me safely through my days and nights.
I love every aspect of traveling, even things that annoy other people like waiting in lines at the airport. I feel a poem of my own coming on.
Ann, I lost Photoshop last time my computer crashed, and I haven’t been able to find my disc. So, I loaded the office version of Photoshop (borrowed from work) on my scrubbed clean (I still pine for all my lost treasures), yet still dying computer, and it is COMPLETELY different! It has put such a damper on so many of the things I used to do! I feel your pain — vent all you want.
Your Tennis instructor seems like quite the teacher, and so much better than learning athleticism, teamwork, assertiveness, and ethics from THIS guy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caeITRkDrtg&feature=related
Lupe, All I know about Long Beach is the Queen Mary and Snoop Dogg (warning, explicit lyrics in “Welcome to Long Beach”) — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE_Y8wh-wOs
L.A. is a trip . . . I hope you find a nice place you feel good about, and can settle in.
Arliss, Ann, everyone, I read very carefully all your experiences with syncope, panic attacks, and related stuff, and it is very heartening to know no matter what we have to endure others are around who have been through similar things and will share their experience and well wishes.
Ann, if you ever do get that TV show, I’m sure “Health Corner” will be a popular segment.
Ann:
Maybe a little red wine… but vozka?. I dunno.
And yes, Mary Lynn the talk on the video, the look and the feel is very familiar…
Ann, I love the beautiful photos — to me the overcast skies have a lovely, meditative feel. And what a very pleasant poem. While at an airport just recently I was reminded of how I enjoy some of those aspects of traveling that the poem captures. Though I hate the hassles of security checks and having to hurry through terminals, isn’t there something a little bit cool about being part of and observing that group of strangers we’re randomly thrown together with as fellow travelers? I get a kick out of overhearing bits of conversation in the seats in front of and behind me and wondering what the people look like. Sometimes the final reveal, as we all stretch, stand, and awkwardly reach for our carry-ons, is such a surprise. I also love how, in traveling, one is sort of temporarily suspended from the real goings-on of life and is more of a detached observer: as we take off, the cars on the highways below proceed along, oblivious, business as usual. It’s like being part of a huge, delightful metaphor, really, isn’t it? I find looking out the window of a train or airplane to be wonderfully meditative sometimes.
Happy traveling to you, Ann, and I hope you fully enjoy the rest of your time in that beautiful place.
Mary Lynn, I am so sorry to read of your problems with vertigo. I’ve had this a lot and completely sympathize! About 20 years ago was the first time. It came on all of a sudden one day; one minute I was fine, the next I was so dizzy that even the slightest movement of my head or eyes made the room spin unbearably and made me nauseous. So bizarre. I fumbled my way to a phone and called my then-husband at work, and he drove me to an E.R. It was diagnosed as labyrinthitis, inflammation of the fluid-filled canals in the inner ear that establish our sense of balance. Ever since then I get that same acute vertigo maybe once a year. Like the first time, it can come on all of a sudden, then takes days or even weeks to completely go away. The first day is sometimes pretty bad: can’t bear to read, lie down, watch TV, anything. Motion-sickness medication helps somewhat. A milder dizziness can linger for weeks, and it can worsen instantly if triggered by sudden movements — any kind of quick turn, bend, or spin of the body, and especially any rapid turning or tilting of the head. My understanding is that labyrinthitis and another similar condition called positional vertigo (this involves the crystals that you mention) are common, benign causes of dizziness similar to what you describe; those are two things you might research on your own and find a little reassurance before you can see your doctor. Anyway, I just mostly wanted to say how I feel for you, sister! It is an awful feeling and can be very limiting while you’re dealing with it. Hang in there. With both of those conditions, if either are what’s causing this for you, the brain slowly adapts to accommodate the signals that are causing the dizziness. It might be a good idea to keep away from alcohol and caffeine; those both worsen it for me, at least. Finally, resist the urge to go on any carnival rides, however you might be tempted! : )
Ann, perhaps a yoga class before the tennis lesson might help? Some deep breathing exercises, maybe? Failing that, a Mimosa with breakfast might do the trick.
Mary Ann,
Thank you for the article. As soon as I opened it, I remember that I had read it in the NYT too. I spoke to Carly yesterday and she sounded so much better than described… I will plan on seeing her in the next few weeks, as Cynthia suggests. I deeply appreciate all the comments and concern. Since we moved to the Chicago area, I don’t have any really close friends here yet to call and get support from and you all helped to fill in the gap, along with some of the women from my class at school.
Thank you all so much. Hope we all have a sunny and mild weekend.
Arliss, you are a beautiful writer! Your description of travel, I felt like I was right there. Although I’m that girl who will turn around and talk to the person having the interesting conversation, if it’s *really* interesting.
Hey. No one is so rich as to throw away a new friend!
Marilyn, so happy to hear Carly is improving. I think your plan is a good one. She sounds like a stellar young lady.
As for a sunny and mild weekend…not here, sadly. Buckets of rain and howling wind. And my first riding lessons were scheduled for tomorrow!
Although that means my students, arriving next weekend, will get one of the first chances to learn here at Thunder Moon. And they are….our own lovelies Kim and Aislinn!
Mary Lynn-
Ditto to Arliss’s comments on vertigo. My first (and, thank God, only) attack came as I was boarding a flight to Paris. No Paris trip ensued. Spent a night in the hospital in Boston instead, afraid I was about to die! It took almost a month before I was well again, after two weeks flat on my back. My doctor said she used to dismiss vertigo complaints (ie., you’re dizzy, get over it) until she had one. Then, she crawled to the phone, called 911 and vowed to never dismiss this again! Only thing that helped me was time, so rest up!
Arliss, Thanks so much for telling me about your experience — ding, ding, ding! I think we have a match — positional vertigo, and labyrinthitis. I read online about different things, but it helps so much when someone who has actually felt them and has been diagnosed, can articulate the situation so well. (I was frightened the first week to do any research at all for fear it would turn up “inoperable brain tumor”.)
And yes, I am saving my first roller coaster ride for the Grand Opening of Ann’s Amusement Park. I’ll have to resist the urge to visit a Carnival until then.
I have been spending some time in Casinos if I have some free play, as they are so dizzying with the crazy carpet, and lights, to help me re-hab. Some of the slot machines should come with warnings that they can cause epileptic seizures.
Maybe I should watch “Vertigo”, actually there is a Hitchcock slot that shows that famous scene in the bonus round.
I hope my stair climbing will help stregnthen my body in general, and ease the fear of heights that this ailment causes.
Thanks again everyone!
Paula — I felt silly for NOT calling 911 or visiting the doctor, but now not so much. Again, many thanks for sharing.
Paula, no Paris trip — how sad!
KC, you are so sweet, thank you. And I so love it that you’re that girl who’s not afraid to turn around and jump into that conversation! What a neat way to make a new friend.
Sorry that there are buckets of rain forecast for your lesson day tomorrow! I hope Zeus is doing better with his rain phobia. I’ve been thinking about that, by the way; I wonder if at some point in his life, there was a big, loud lightning-strike very close by that terrified him, and since then he has associated rain with that? I don’t know what you can do about that, other than comforting him as much as possible, and maybe doing something to the roof of his stall that might dampen the sound of the rain. Maybe it would be good to be especially prepared if a thunderstorm is forecast.
Mary Lynn, I am so, so glad if my post was helpful at all. I hope that it completely resolves for you very soon. I forgot to mention, by the way, that it can help to sleep slightly propped-up, as opposed to lying down flat. Maybe that might help a little.
Aislinn, I think the pre-tennis yoga is a great suggestion for calming Ann’s energy! Though some Grey Goose probably wouldn’t hurt, either.
Oh, Paula, that was you? I’m teasing a little here, but it may have been you. I’ll always remember as my hubby and I were waiting on our flight to Scotland at Logan one year, a bit of commotion as a lady was taken off a boarding flight and eventually onto a stretcher and out of the terminal, I assumed to a hospital. I recall how bad I felt for her to be missing her flight, and what was wrong? Don’t recall the year, late 90′s I think.
: )
Hi Ann
I got a great laugh reading your observations on your fellow holiday makers .I love people watching .Trying to figure out what they are all about .Everybody has a story to tell,the real fun is figuring it out . Thats one of the reasons I would be a fan of Denis .If there was ever a man with a story to tell thats him!! I hope you enjoyed your break ,I am off to England tomorrow with a few of my brothers .We are having a St Patricks party in another brothers house at the weekend .We do it every year .Its a great laugh .We get Kevins English friends drunk and watch them try and become Irish for the night . There is nothing funnier then watching drunken English people try and sing Irish songs and do Irish dancing .You guys have to allow me this one it is one of the few pleasures left to me ha ha .Hope you all have a great weekend!!
Ann, don’t you fall for the old ‘shot of vodka’ before you play tennis trick. Next thing you know, Leo will be asking you out for drinks! (I hope you know I am trying to be funny.
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Yea me! I understand the poem. I am making such progress in poetry!!!
Just wanted to add about the vertigo.
I was struck with it in 2008 I was on the sofa for 3 months I could not move, they did a lot of tests, the thought it was meneier’s disease I had to cut down on my salt… It was so scary and so upsetting I lost 3 months of my life,
In all the tests I went for allergy testing and they found that being allergic to basicaly the whole of New England I also had allergies to animals, dust mold some food, so for 2 years I have had weekly allergy shots, have another 4 more to go… My vertigo slowly went away…I find now if I miss a shot it does come back….. Don’t know if that helps anyone but just a thought.
Good Luck!