Departure Lists

I feel like I’m bursting with writing ideas for this blog, but at the same time, I’m trying to stay focused on my upcoming trip and all the prep work I need to do in order to leave town with a peaceful mind.  I’m finally done with all my trip-related errands (bank, Target, library), and I’ve even stashed a post-trip meal of brown rice and okra in spicy tomato sauce in the freezer.  It’s good that my errands are all done and all that remains is packing because I’ve been exhausted this weekend.  So exhausted that I felt only a twinge of guilt about watching six episodes of Friday Night Lights in two days (but in my defense, that show is so good!).  I started packing today, and though I’m far from finished, I’m feeling pretty pulled-together this week.

In the interest of staying focused on my trip preparations, I thought I’d share a few travel-related lists with you.  I like lists, and I hope you do too!

* Packing to wear: lots of clothing that can be easily layered in different ways.  After a summer of Texas heat, I think Michigan’s 60-70-degree temperatures are going to feel blissfully cool, but I’m sort of afraid of being cold!  So I’m packing smart layers, including my favorite green Five Bamboo dress (as seen here), tights, jeans, some light cardigans, and a few tops.

* Planning transit day meals: I’m going to try to get away with not buying any food on my way up to Michigan.  I think we can all agree that airport food sucks, so I’m going to pack minestrone (to be eaten at Houston Hobby Airport before going through security), a big salad, some chopped vegetables, a sandwich, some fruit (dried or fresh—whatever I’ve got), a peanut butter bar (yum!), and some nuts.  It sounds like a lot of food, but that will be lunch and dinner, I hope.  I’ll probably buy tea and water at the airport—the tea because I like tea and water because it’s absolutely essential.  Also, drinking my tea gives me something to do to fend off airport boredom!

* Hoping to read: my new library books!  I’m really excited about this set of novels, which you can see above.  I love Edith Wharton’s style, and I’ve heard great things about Michael Chabon’s writing.  I don’t know as much about Joanne Harris, but Chocolat is on my reading list for this year.  In fact, all three authors are on my reading list, but most of these titles are not.  What can I say?  In my defense, the library didn’t have the Michael Chabon title I wanted (all copies are checked out right now), and The House of Mirth was recommended to me by Matt.  Sadly, I’m missing him a lot right now, and it’s going to be a while before we see each other again.

* Ready: for a few days off.  It’s been a long, hard summer.  I miss my family, especially my niece, and I’m hoping to bond a little more with my baby nephew.

I may be MIA around the blog world for the next week or two, so please don’t be offended by my absence.  I’ll be back before you know it, yammering on about how much I love fall and how happy I am about the autumn harvest.  Until then, be well, sweet readers.