One of the sea glass photos I took yesterday in the morning light. Two more photos are below.
I was on the phone Friday with a neighbor, talking about a funeral for another neighbor when my son called and called. I got off the phone, called my son back and was hit with the news that his surgery had been moved up. He asked if I could change my flights and hotel and come up to help him.
The level of panic and stress I immediately felt was due to the chaos at our Phoenix airport. We’re number three in the country for delays. Plus I’ve read that they may need to cancel 20% of flights.
I talked it over with my husband who decided to go with me. I called Southwest and they quickly changed our flights and it was at no additional cost. I also made sure they had Waffles the Pug on their guest list. Arranging new dates for the hotel was a little more difficult because of a poor connection and the person helping me had an accent that I struggled with.
I was relieved to get everything all arranged. But we are scheduled to leave in a day rather than two weeks. So, I’m feeling overwhelmed.
At our neighbor’s funeral on Saturday, we turned off the ringers on our phones. (It was an amazing service and it was an honor to be included for a celebration of life for such a unique, kind, intelligent man. I’m glad we got to know him during the past few years.)
We forgot to turn the ringers back on. My friend from Santa Barbara was stranded at the Phoenix airport and wanted to spend the night, but we missed her call and her husband’s. She was traveling back from the East Coast after visiting her mom. Her Phoenix to Santa Barbara connection was cancelled.
This doesn’t bode well for our upcoming flight to Oakland. But hopefully, we’ll make it in time to be helpful post our son’s surgery. The reason why they moved up his procedure? The nurses are going on strike the week he was previously scheduled. Oh my! What could go wrong on this trip?
The sun reflecting in the pool behind my mountain of sea glass.
Do you have any flights to be concerned about in the next few weeks?
Which sea glass photo do you like and why?
Wow EA, I now see what you mean about a trip NOT connected with surgeries. I’m with you on the heightened stress levels given the way flights are changing but I also see the safety issues and concern about the workload of the controllers. No one I know is traveling right now and of course DIA is among those who are dealing with issues. I’m not a huge fan of our airport to begin with so…I really wish the Colorado Springs airport was a bit larger and had direct flights to/from Seattle. Hope all goes well!
Between the nurses going on strike and the airlines, it’s a lot to process. I do know it’s for safety issues. I just wouldn’t travel now if possible. I think things would have been back to normal airport wise with my son’s original surgery date. I feel the same way about Phoenix Sky Harbor that you do about DIA. It’s big and super busy.
Sounds to me like a flightmare might be unfolding for you. I hope all goes well.
That’s an accurate word to describe our trip. I’m feeling a bit anxious…
Lovely sea glass photos. But I don’t envy you flying in these uncertain days. My fingers will be crossed your trip goes smoothly and without those horrendous delays.
My friend from Santa Barbara said she couldn’t make the last connection because of delays from the east coast to Phoenix. She thinks I’ll be okay with a non-stop early in the morning. I hope she right! I’m glad you enjoyed my sea glass photos.
My in-laws are about to depart out of Sky Harbor this morning (probably boarding now). They say TSA was quick and the terminal was fairly empty of passengers, so hopefully things go smoothly for you, too!
I like the final sea glass photo with the sun peeking out from behind. What a great shot!
That’s so good to hear that Sky Harbor was fairly empty. Maybe people are opting to not fly if they don’t have to, until things settle down. When I flew to take care of my daughter, the airport was mobbed. I was excited to get that capture of the sun reflected in the pool!
It is stressful to go 2 weeks early. But I pray that all goes well, including the flight. Hugs and lots of love
I appreciate your thoughts and kind words. It is stressful to go early without much notice. Thankfully, it’s a short flight without any layovers.
Hopefully everything will be easy by the Grace of God.
Thank you so much! 🙏
Take care my friend
Well…first…safe travels, of course. Keep us posted…I’ll think good thoughts for you and a few other dear ones who are facing challenging travel circumstances right now.
Appreciate your gorgeous sea glass photos. Oh my goodness. I’d be hard pressed to pick a fave. Sending love! 💝
Thank you for sending your love! I’m praying my son’s surgery goes well and I’m thankful they moved up the date so there will be nurses with him. Plus, he’s been in pain, so early is better — even though it made me anxious. Thanks for the kind words on my sea glass photos. My professor said they are improving and I’m moving in the right direction.
I’m so glad your husband’s going with you. Waffles is a trooper, but good to have a human companion along, given all the nonsense. Sending good wishes for all of you – most of all your dear son. Keep us posted, deal? xo! 💝
I was so relieved when my husband said he wanted to go, too. It will make travel days easier plus he hasn’t seen our kids for awhile. It will be special to be all together. I will definitely keep everyone posted! 💕
xoxoxox! 💝
🥰
Beautiful photos! And, oh my gosh the stress! I hope things go well and that your son will be well. 🙏🏻❤️
Thanks for the kind words about my photos. I used my macro 105 mm lens, which I’m learning how to use. Thanks for the well wishes! I appreciate it.
You are welcome my friend! I haven’t done macro photography in a long time.
😊
Sending you so much love. It’s chaotic right now, but hopefully all will go well. 😘
Thanks! Once we’re all checked in and boarding the plane I’ll feel much better!
I understand that completely.
Yay! It all went well. 😊
Beautiful photos. Dr. Scott Peck defined loved as, ” The will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.” I see that in what you do all the time. Fingers crossed all the travel, surgery and recovery goes well.
Thanks for the kind comment on my photos. I love that quote! Thanks for sharing. If all goes well travel wise, we should arrive before our son is discharged.
Hope all goes well with your son’s surgery. We are not flying anywhere for the holidays but my daughter and her fiance are supposed to go back to Kansas to have Christmas with his family. Maybe things will be better by then.
Oh, and LOVE the sea glass. Especially the last pic.
Thank you! 😊
My son is having surgery at UCSF. I was surprised to hear the nurses are going on strike there. I don’t know if it’s more widespread, but it’s great they are getting him in before the strike. I think air travel will be better in the next week or two.
Hope all went well. Kaiser nurses were going on strike too. Fortunately we are not in need right now!
We keep some sea glass outside in a fountain. It is pretty. Sorry to hear of your changes and stress. Best wishes for your son. Glad your husband is going with you!
Thank you! Yes, it will be relieved to have my husband with me to bring Waffles back to Berekely. Also, in case there are travels snafus, I won’t be facing them alone. Thank you for the wishes for my son’s surgery.
Good luck on the trip 🤞 things seem a little screwed up over there right now. Love the final shot is my fave
Thanks for the good thoughts about our travels. I think that shot is my favorite now, too!
Safe travels Elizabeth. Hope all the worry is for naught and everything works out fine. Hang in there!!!
Thanks, Brian. I was all set to leave at a different date. All the airport stuff got me losing sleep at night – as well as the hospital being short handed! I appreciate your positive attitude.
My husband is currently away on his buddy birthday trip. Hoping he makes it home tomorrow. I like the bottom sea glass picture…the way the light bounces off is ethereal. Good luck on travel!
I hope our husband has an easy travel trip and we do too! The bottom photo with the sun reflection seems to be everyone’s favorite that has one.
Yipes! I don’t blame you for feeling stressed. I get stressed anyway before a trip but then to have it moved up? I’m getting twitchy just thinking about it.
Beautiful sea glass photos. Hopefully you can relax a bit while away and take some nice pictures (in between care giving duties). 🙃
You described how I felt exactly — twitchy! Thankfully, travels went well and the visit is so nice to spend time with my kids. I’m glad you enjoyed my sea glass photos.
I hope it turns into organised chaos Elizabeth. I am one who forgets to turn the phones sounds back too 🙄 The sea glass photos are lovely
It’s turned pretty good. Not much drama and lots of time with our kids. I’m glad you enjoy my sea glass photos.
Oh that sounds incredibly stressful!!! I’m glad I made it through my flight delays in October without serious mishap. Would not want to be flying now, for sure.
That last photo with the sun is excellent!
Hope you made it to Oakland okay.
Thanks for your encouraging words about my photo. We are on our way now. I’ll have to give a recap on how the travel day went.
I like the first picture, the dof appeals to me. I avoid DIA like the plague. I fly out of COS, direction flights are nice but I’ll accept a layover before DIA…
Thanks for your comment on my photos. As for picking an airport, I choose Oakland over SFO because of its size and it’s closer to my kids. So I do understand why you avoid DIA.
The glass is beautiful, light behind it will add composition then add the depth of field – it will amazing.
Thanks! I’ve been trying to get light behind the glass with the morning sun.
All of your photos are beautiful, and I’ll keep good thoughts for smooth travels. And hopefully, your stress will fade. Don’t forget to breathe!
Thanks! The travel day was easy and although taking care of my son post surgery isn’t easy, he’s doing well!
That’s great!
😊
I’m sorry for the loss of your kind neighbor.
Wow, when it rains, it pours! I hope you have save (and timely) travels and that your sons surgery goes well!
Our neighbor was amazing. Last November he was diagnosed with glioblastoma and given four months to live. He survived almost a year.
Not only did he write two trail books for Oregon, he saved tens of acres of forest there. He was an astronomer for NASA and made discoveries about asteroids. Plus a loving husband and father. He will be so missed.