Taking a Bite out of Terrorism...

So since we are flying this weekend I decided to check in with our friends at the TSA to see what the latest security procedures might be. Here is what I learned:

1. Cranberry sauce is a liquid
2. Gift baskets with food items are prohibited. Wicker is a liquid, aerosol or gel?
3. Snow globes may be secret terrorist weapons and are not permitted in your carry on


But have no fear:

"You can bring pies and cakes through the security checkpoint, but please be advised that they are subject to additional screening."

Additional screening? I think my mom used to do this when she'd steal a fry and tell me that one might have been poisonous, she was just protecting me.

Up and Down

So this past weekend was supposed to be taking Frank to New Mexico to meet Mom and Dad, but the universe had other plans and unfortunately they were of a very sad nature.

On May 16 his grandparents were in a terrible car accident and neither survived. Frank got the call Saturday night around 11 PM and the whole family was in shock. Over the next few days we got more information on the accident and the arrangements and made some changes to our plans. Happily it was not a case of elderly drivers making a mistake. The opposing driver drifted into there lane while coming around a curve.

So last weekend was the viewing and the memorial mass, and I think I've now met all of Frank's extended family though I wish it could have been under happier circumstances. In an effort to look on the bright side I inadvertently started a rumor we were engaged, so that was kind of funny. And of course there were the kids. Frank's niece Audrey has more energy than our ferret and is twice as cute at least. It's hard to stay sad around kids. And Frank got to meet his nephew Jonah finally. That is one adorable baby, let me tell you!

I think the highlight for me was at the luncheon after the graveside service on Saturday when Audrey asked for my ice cream and when I said no picked up a butter knife and started playing with it. I told Betsy and Josh their kid was trying to mug me for my dessert!

But the great thing about the weekend, no matter the sad reason, Frank's sisters, brothers-in-law, mom, dad and brother were together. And with a family spread out between PA, NJ, TN and Ireland that can be quite a trick. There were cookouts, late night chats and since his parents were staying with us we got to spend our mornings chatting over coffee before starting on the visits of the day. Very nice indeed.

If I sound too light about this past weekend forgive me. For me the thought that these two people died together was a kind of a blessing. No one had to be left behind. The family could focus on their grief and not worry about the state of mind of a grieving parent. John and Nancy Green lived very long and full lives. They had 8 children, I don't know how many grandchildren, two great grandchildren and judging by the filled church will be remembered well by many, many people.

So this weekend we are making the trek to New Mexico. Sadly with changing flights now we are leaving Friday morning at 7 which means we have to be up at 4 AM, but I'm hoping Frank will forgive me for that one.

On to the next adventure!

Great Moments in Economics

So NPR's program "Market Place" is doing a series on The New American Dream. Basically it's about how the American Dream (home, car, 2.5 kids) is happening or not happening in other countries. They seem to be focusing on car and home ownership. Yesterday was China and we learned that there isn't enough room to have suburbs, much less homes in them for all the people there and that even if money weren't an issue that many folks driving cars would be a disaster.

Today was India. The guy they had on was great. Now you'll have to imagine the lilting Indian accent as he responded to the question of car ownership in India. "The wealthiest top 5% will follow the American idea of having a car as a status symbol. The next 10% will want to have that and work towards it. The remaining 70% don't have a chance in Hell." I had to laugh.

To me it really does seem silly and of course ethnocentric to try to apply a cliched American goal to the rest of the world. Why would they want the same things we do? Their economies are different, goals are different and opportunities are different. Perhaps that is what this series is pointing out, because it really does seem unusually naive for this program.