Haley McLeod

My grandmotther and grandfather keep a lot of boats and trailers on their summer property. They stay in a nice cabin right on the river, and the rest of the family goes down on weekends throughout the summer to have fun boating, fishing, skiing and just walking the sand looking for shells.

This weekend is the last good weather weekend we are likely to have this year. So I am going to drive down and help them winterize the pipes and engines. It’s not hard to do but it sure goes faster and easier when you have an extra pair of hands to help out.

This summer I am determined to find a couple of weekends for a beach trip. I sometimes go to the lake, but it is not the same as going to the ocean.We went to the Lake a couple of weeks ago and it was relaxing but the water is a dirty brown and the flies and mosquitoes are awful.

I miss the sound of the ocean waves, the seagulls swooping down, the smell of tanning lotion, the fresh seafood and roadside stands on the way home to buy cantalopes and corn on the cob.The ocean breeze keeps the bugs away, too.

It used to take 5 hours to get to the closest ocean beach, but traffic keeps getting worse and I hear that it is a 7 hour trip now. That is hard to do for just a weekend – but I am determined. Not this weekend – but soon.

Today the inauguration of Barack Obama was history being made. The TV networks had complete coverage of every moment throughout the day. I saw a little bit in the morning about Barack and Michele going to church, and then I saw a lot of filler and commentary until the actual swearing in. They were supposed have the oath taking at noon but they were about 20 minutes late, but that was understandable with all the crowds and the extra security they had to deal with. I’m so glad that the whole day was peaceful and there was nothing but celebration and happiness for welcoming our 44th President to office.

After work I have to get home and pack my suitcase for my trip home. I always go home for Thanksgiving. My mom would be devastated if we didn’t come have dinner at her house.

Tomorrow I am getting a ride to the airport with one of the guys from work. He is a nice, fatherly type and I don’t mind asking him for a favor once in a while. He can drop me off at the airport at 8:00 and still get back to the office before they open.

When I get back on Sunday night I’ll just take a cab home. I know that Sunday will be a zoo at the airports with everyone trying to get back home. I wouldn’t ask a friend to go through that hell just for me to get a free ride home. I’ll take a taxi.

Thank goodness my cousin called me last night and told me that she was home again with her folks. Her new husband did not come with her and he caused quite a scene when she tried to leave, but her dad had driven all the way down to Louisiana to fetch her and he wasn’t leaving without her. If you’ve ever seen her dad, you know that he’s not one to mess with.

It stinks that she has to go through all this drama. They’ve only been married a few months and already are having serious problems. That’s a real shame, but I think maybe it is good that she has discovered this now and she can take steps to protect herself. At least right now she is home safe and sound.