I'm not a migratory creature. At least not in practice. In theory, I love to move around. And once I'm doing it - once I'm in the midst of ramble - it feels good and right and true. I mean, there's nothing better than a little change of environs, right? But in practice, I'm served a good helpin' of lumpy stress right before I travel a long distance for more than a couple of days. I become possessed by an irresistible urge to tie up every possible loose end I can think of - even if it's something I've been putting off for weeks or months. Shit! I have got to paint the bedroom. Right now. If I stay up all night, I'm sure I can get it done, and still have an hour or so left over for packing. Okay, maybe the painting example is a little extreme. I mean, I'm not crazy - I'd never actually attempt anything more than a small bathroom the night before a trip.

One thing my pre-travel angst usually does include is a good tidying-up. And what it all really boils down to, you understand, is a putting off of the packing process. Because that's when things get hairy. So the longer I can find something to do that is not packing, the longer I can stay somewhat sane. And sober. Because, for me, nothing spells a-l-c-o-h-o-l-b-i-n-g-e better than an empty suitcase and a morning flight. This is the moment of truth, brother. Where you must face the cold reality that, despite all your planning, you will forget something. And, chances are, it will be the-one-thing-you-absolutely-did-not-want-to-forget.

So I will begin that journey now. I hear a glass of Dewars calling softly to me. If you're in Big-D. I look forward to seeing you soon. If you're not, I will miss you. Especially C, who won't be making the trip to Texas until later. Baby, without you, I may become a quivering lump of jello by the time you find me at Christmas.

By the way, one loose end I did tie up this afternoon, even if I didn't paint the bedroom, was a changing of the header graphic above, which has long needed rotation. I meant to change it for the fall, but now that's come and gone. So time to do something for winter which, after all, is my favorite season.

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