Zee Write Stuff

WINTER BREAK ARRIVES!
And none too soon. Icky snow, ice, sleet, rain....

Today I'm doing the ALMOST THURSDAY 13

13 Reasons I'm Flying to California

1. Family
My entire family lives in California. Most of them live in Southern California, except my brother Hank, the maverick living in Aptos, near Pebble Beach. Ha! Maverick, you say? Never mind. Everyone else, siblings and mom and son, live in North San Diego County... except Joanne in Laguna, which is close enough to call it even. Haven't seen them, except Geoff's annual Thanksgiving trek/visit to Vermont, since July 2007.

But most of all, I get to spend some time with Mom and Geoff, two people I love most in the world (not counting Steve and Casou, #13). Mom is 83 this year and Geoff is 33 and I don't get to spend nearly enough time with them. Our relationships are GREAT, but I live 3000 miles away. You think that's why? Nah. But I do miss them so much and I'm excited to hang out and just be with them both for a week.

2. Sun
It's not that we haven't seen the sun. No. Sun was out in full force the other day -- clear and brilliant, but the temperature was -1 degree. Mother Nature's little practical joke. I'm really not going for the sun, but the residual benefits will be appreciated.

3. Beach
I probably won't go to the beach, but just being in the environs of the ocean has a wonderful quality of peace and rejuvenation.

4. Shopping
Yea, verily, I say unto you the holy word, "Nordstroms." Enough said.

5. Mexican Food
I cannot write of this without my mouth watering in anticipation. I do miss REAL Mexican food.... you know... the little hole-in-the-wall joints with the paper plates and orange/red sauce dripping down your arm from that juicy burrito loaded with guacamole and salsa that you just plowed into your mouth. Roberto's, Estrada's... hell... I'll even throw in a Rubio's fish taco or two.

6. Convertible
I went to priceline and got a deal on a Mustang convertible. Only in CA would I drive a convertible in February. I've been sacrificing to the Weather Goddess every day just for warmth. I have convertible hair. Ready to go.

7. Friends
Gotta have lunch or coffee with a few old chums. We are getting older, aren't we?

8. Pedicure
Silly, but true. I pull into my mom's and no sooner have I unpacked my bag than we head out to get a pedicure. Here in Vermont nobody will see my toes 'til after Memorial Day, but in CA anything is possible. Oh, you might ask why not get a pedicure in VT? I do when I get desperate, but pedicures here are waaaaaay more expensive than in CA. I figure they're trying to make up for the months we don't bother.

9. Flying First Class
Yeah, I upgraded. Found a great fare. Paid for that. Used my mileage to upgrade. Simple. Leg room and service. Very cool.

10. Sisters
That's sort of like "family" only with constant talking over each other and laughing. I have three sisters. And add in mom. And then we all go to Starbucks (oooh! #11) and once the caffeine kicks in, we start yapping and rarely stop for a couple hours.

11. Starbucks
I nearly forgot. We only have two (or is it 3?) Starbucks in all Vermont and none in this area. I do think Starbucks is overrated (see post below) but every now and then, it's fun to see what they've come up with to make us part with $5. I'm such a sheep. Sheesh.

12. Memories
I won't be able to escape my past. In fact, I'll probably go looking for it, right down Main Street, Escondido, USA. Maybe Mom and I will go to Cruisin' Grand night? No matter. I'll be driving through Escondido and oops! High school days will wander through my mind, and I'll remember so-and-so (probably some guy I dated) and then a story will pop into my head and run like a major motion picture until I see myself with heartbreak all over again. Hey, that is great fodder for the writing mill, isn't it? Especially since my WIP takes place in 1968. Like Geoff used to say when he was a little kid and we'd drive though Escondido and I'd start telling him a story about what used to be in "that place they just tore down." He'd moan, "it's gone. Stop dreaming, just drive." Oh well... in 1969, it'll be 40 years since graduation. Oh. My.

13. Coming Home
And I do mean the LOVELY welcome I will get when I race through the metal detectors (huh? no.... they won't check me on my way back) .... when I race through those barriers and run into Steve's arms. He'll cry. He always cries. And then I'll kiss him a zillion times and wipe away his tears and he'll hold me like he's never gonna let me go. Ah. And then, I'll get to the car and have to do the whole scene all over again with Casou who loves to kiss me and wiggle for a scratch until we're both cuddled up in the front seat, riding home where we'll all love each other and promise never to travel alone again.