Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Flying Back in Time


I just woke up and still feel a bit muddle-headed. Do you ever wake up early, and think to yourself, "I could get up now, but what's the hurry?" Well, that was me this morning at 5 a.m. (more or less my normal wake-up time). I wound up falling asleep for another hour and a half, and that second period of sleep was fantastic. I think I've read that's when we all do our best sleeping -- right before we wake up. It's certainly when the weirdest dreams seem to occur, or at least the ones we remember, though none stuck with me this morning.

As you can see, it's looking a bit crowded around our back door, with all the geraniums and a few other odd plants tucked inside. I don't think it got as cold last night as initially predicted -- when I woke up the first time my phone said it was 34º F (1º C) and I don't see any evidence of frost. Tonight, though, is supposed to be colder -- a predicted 30º F (-1º C) by tomorrow morning.

We even had a bit of snow yesterday -- more than flurries, but nothing that stuck. It doesn't feel that cold, though, because the sun is still springtime-bright.

Olga and I went to the cemetery for our usual walk. I noticed not too long ago that there seems to be a fair amount of random trash lying around there, so I've taken to bringing a small trash bag with me and filling it up with all the bits of broken plastic flowerpots and empty bottles and crisp packets and whatever else I find while walking the cemetery paths. I've filled two bags so far. Very David Sedaris, right?


Some of the trash has clearly been lying around a while. This lid from a can of Carlsberg beer touts a promotion called "It's Magic" that allowed people to redeem aluminum pull tabs for money. The offer ended on July 31, 1988. I was still in college!


In fact, just for the fun of it, here's a photo of me from late spring 1988. Yes, I am in mid-air. I was a 21-year-old reporting intern in Lakeland, Fla., covering an annual gathering of experimental aircraft enthusiasts, and one of them offered to take me up in his flying contraption. I'm not sure I adequately considered the possibility that I might die, but I do remember being happy when we landed. To make things even crazier, the pilot took the picture, holding up a camera and pointing it back toward me while flying the plane!

That wasn't even my scariest flying experience as a reporter. I once wrote about a group of pilots who flew ill people to medical appointments for free, and I accompanied a pilot and a woman getting cancer treatments on a flight to Jacksonville. As we were preparing to land (at night), we were struck by the most intense thunderstorm I've ever experienced -- or so it seemed from the back seat of that tiny Cessna or whatever it was. The wind rocked our little tin can and the rain came down so hard we couldn't speak or see a thing out the windows. I remember just breathing deeply and telling myself, "This guy is a trained pilot, and he knows what he's doing." Somehow he got us down and afterwards, when I told him I wasn't frightened, he said, "Well, I'm glad you weren't, because I was!"

The woman with cancer, meanwhile, was very sanguine about the whole thing. I suppose when you're fighting cancer a potential plane crash seems like a walk in the park.

Anyway, I didn't intend to embark on a journey down memory lane, but that's all much more interesting than anything that happened around here yesterday. Dave and I watched three episodes of "The Walking Dead" last night -- we're into season six, and we're loving the show. It's very binge-worthy.

42 comments:

Frances said...

I got up at 8am and couldn't see any frost, but the thermometer on the outside of the bedroom window was reading about minus 4. ! I guess certain weather conditions just don't produce frost....if the air is dry? Enjoy the sunshine.

Ursula said...

What a bumpy ride down memory lane! I also enjoyed your tale of Bubble and Burble the other day. And your no-frills mum, the slightly distracted tooth fairy.

As to picking up rubbish: I'll tidy after anyone, always have, be they siblings, spouses, friends, the Angel and other youngsters - in the vicinity of my own home. However, unlike you, I draw the line at strangers' rubbish. With one exception: Banana skins. When I come across a discarded banana skin I think it my public, nay human, duty to pick it up - and curse, with all my heart, the thoughtless shitter who dropped it. Who do these people think is cleaning up after them? Moi? Too right. I have nothing but admiration for street cleaners. Can you imagine spending your working day being faced with, and pondering on, humanity and its waste?

Our parks (and streets) are pretty pristine. Not least because the council has put up rather tasteful receptacles with a shaming poster on them, asking people to do dispose of their rubbish and if they don't WHY they litter? Because they don't have any pride, don't care, don't care about others, don't care about the city? The list goes on. Naturally someone ticked "All of the above".

Your back door vista is lovely,
U

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Excellent retort from the pilot when you made it back to earth in that heavy thunderstorm. When driving a car in exceptionally heavy rain, you can always pull over to the side of the road but unfortunately that is not possible when travelling in a light aircraft.

Anonymous said...

Pre COVID I would often pick up other people's rubbish to properly dispose of but I stopped and have not restarted. Intrepid reporter, putting his life at risk. I often wake at 4.30 or 5, go to the balcony to check the world is still there, go back to bed and have the most wonderful sleep until 7 when my alarm goes off.

Sabine said...

Thanks Steve for picking up the rubbish.

There's a young climate activist from California, who describes himself as autistic, who has been going out into this nature reserve every day since forver picking up trash and doing a brief twitter post about it every day. Ever since I first read about him, we've been taking rubbish bags along wherever we go and the amount of stuff we've picked up since could fill several skips.
You find him here: Edgar McGregor, @edgarrmcgregor

You certainly do not looked scared in that contraption. The life of a reported, eh?

Bob said...

Your path to the garden looks a little like our sunroom, with all of the pots and plants and such.
Good on you for picking up the trash, even the decade's old stuff!
I was getting a little nervous just reading about your horrible landing. I'm not sure I'd like flying in one, even in good weather.

The Bug said...

That is a fantastic photo of you! I think I'd enjoy flying in something like that, as opposed to regular planes which are just very boring & claustrophobic to me.

Ms. Moon said...

What a darling picture of Young Steve! I love it.
Small planes can be, well- an adventure, can't they?
Yes! You can be the new David Sedaris! He's picked up so much trash that he got some sort of citation from the queen. He is a bit OCD, I think. But he uses his powers for good so it's fine. I wonder what his boyfriend thinks of his compulsions, though.
That is a nice picture of your plants.
In answer to your question about waking up muddle-headed- definitely. Almost every day. It takes awhile for me to step out of dream world and into this other one.

Anonymous said...

That photo of you in the airplane is really great. What a moment!
Love the view out those windows into your very beautiful green yard. It looks lovely there.
I sometimes think about picking up trash, but forget to bring anything with me to get the job done. I have been thinking about bringing my Swiss Army knife out on our walks and using the little scissors to snip the ears loops off of all the random face masks that are scattered out and about. I've seen photos of birds with those masks wrapped around them. Bummer.

Linda Sue said...

I scan first and then I read- I thought "Oh Steve has posted a photo of prince William in the air for some odd reason"...of course I did read that is was you a while back- such a great photo!
Good on you for picking up litter, if all dog walkers were to do that , the parks and cemeteries would be cleared within a day. Beaches may take longer to clean up but what a great idea.
Your plants are magnificent. We have been nurturing sticks all winter, spring time does not look good either. I have sprayed for spider mites but , too late.

Red said...

Great memories and all prompted by a pull tab!

Moving with Mitchell said...

Your "secret garden" is charming and kind of magical, but I suppose it would be challenging to get around. That photo of you is an absolute joy. I would have loved those experiences. If I'm not the one behind the controls, I'm completely at ease. It's when I'm responsible for anyone else's safety that I get a bit nervous. I don't even like passengers in the car with me, but I'm completely relaxed and could drive forever on my own.

Sharon said...

Oh my, those "flying" stories are on the scary side. I've flown in big, passenger planes during storms but I can't imagine doing it in a tiny plane.
It looks so pleasant out your garden window. It's hard to believe it's that cold out there.

Tasker Dunham said...

Your phrase "and whatever else I find" is something of an understatement. When we've taken part in the village litter pick, some of the things we've found are simply unbelievable.

Ellen D. said...

Thanks for picking up the litter you see! I don't understand why people will just drop their crap everywhere. I would want one of those long-handled grabber thingies if I was going to pick up garbage, tho.

Margaret said...

I agree with you about the best sleep and the most vivid dreams. I'm retired so I'm always thinking that. (then my cat starts scratching on the door of her room to get out) I call her my Kitty Alarm Clock. I loved the memories of your reporter days since I didn't know that about you. I'm not a fan of small planes; my grandfather had one and I always got airsick.

Catalyst said...

I found flying in a small plane in Arizona terrifying because of the thermals that would cause the plane to jerk and rise and fall suddenly. My most memorable flying experience, I believe, was cruising in the Goodyear blimp.

Jim Davis said...

Hey Steve, I enjoyed your comments on your reporting assignments covering flying. I was a professional pilot for lot of my younger working life and I can assure you that any pilot that tells you he/she is not afraid of thunderstorms has a.) Never been in or near one, or b.) is lying. Loved the photo of you in the ultralight, great shot. And good on ya for picking up litter!

Debby said...

When I was stationed in Korea we choppered into the more remote camps. My first flight was rough. Flying close into those mountains , getting caught in the updrafts, plunging downward just as suddenly. I kept still and waited it out. I mean, the trip HAD to end at some point. When it finally did, there were two very disappointed pilots. They were sure they could make me throw up. When we got back to Seoul, one of them came by later to give me a rose.

Janie Junebug said...

Maybe the woman who had cancer knew it was wise to take valium before getting on the plane. My brother always referred to small aircraft as Barbie doll planes.

Love,
Janie

Steve Reed said...

Wow! I think it got colder where you are than it did here. Which is not unusual, I suppose. The city always stays warmer.

Steve Reed said...

I think being a street cleaner would be kind of fascinating, actually. I like cleaning and I never tire of seeing what people discard. I do, however, share your condemnation of the "thoughtless shitters."

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, you really are more or less trapped when you're mid-air in a plane -- though I suppose you could always get to another airport, as long as there's enough fuel.

Steve Reed said...

It's funny how we all wake up and check things out before going back to bed. I suppose evolution has taught us to be vigilant while we sleep!

Steve Reed said...

Edgar's Twitter feed is interesting! I disagree with his video about not being frustrated with litterbugs, though. My annoyance at people who litter actually motivates me!

Steve Reed said...

I will never become a pilot, that's for sure!

Steve Reed said...

It was wild, because it was just an open-air metal frame. I remember looking down and seeing the landscape flash by under my feet. Kind of mind-blowing.

Steve Reed said...

It seems like David and Hugh argue a fair amount! I guess that's to be expected in any relationship, but I imagine David can be fairly hard to live with. Not only is he OCD but he puts conflicts with his partner in the pages of The New Yorker!

Steve Reed said...

Or just pick up the masks! (And THEN snip the cords.) Yes, it's gross, but it's better than letting wildlife become entangled in them. I pick up masks all the time.

Steve Reed said...

Well, what better evidence of my English ancestry than a passing resemblance to royalty? LOL

(Never mind that they have German ancestry!)

Steve Reed said...

You never know what will inspire a blog post!

Steve Reed said...

I feel EXACTLY the same way. I would hate being a pilot because I couldn't handle the pressure of being responsible for other people. If I were just flying myself around I wouldn't care. And I have no qualms about letting someone else fly me.

Steve Reed said...

It's weird -- in the daytime it warms up enough that we can have the door open for short periods. (Which is why Olga is coming in.) But at night it's freakin' cold.

Steve Reed said...

I DO wonder how certain items wound up where they did. I've found stereo receivers, textbooks, bits of furniture, you name it -- all in the cemetery. It's mostly cans, bottles and plastic flowerpots, though.

Steve Reed said...

I take my gardening gloves and I sometimes use those, but often I just pick the stuff up. I'm very conscious about keeping my hands away from my face until I get home and wash them -- a side-effect of handling dog toys and poop bags!

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, journalism was my previous life! Speaking of which, on another flight I took as a reporter, I was accompanied by my editor, and he got incredibly airsick. It was so weird to be sitting next to MY BOSS and having him vomiting out a window. Good times!

Steve Reed said...

A blimp would be cool! Seems like probably a pretty smooth flight...?

Steve Reed said...

I'm sure any unpredictable weather condition would be scary. I admire anyone who could be a professional pilot. I just don't have it in me.

Steve Reed said...

You survived the hazing ritual, apparently! I have never thrown up on a plane, I'm happy to say, though I've been on some crazy flights. (None quite as crazy as yours, it sounds like.)

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, who knows what drugs she was on! They probably DID help! I just remember her being so placid the whole time.

ellen abbott said...

it's called Angel Flights and my brother participated when he owned a plane (with 2 other partners/pilots). He would volunteer in order to get his annual flight time to be able to renew his pilot's license. he flew his little plane down here one year before he sold his interest in the plane and gave us all rides, like being in the head of a dragonfly. I took half a dozen or so flying lessons the summer before I went off to college and that was the end of that.

and yeah, the weirdest dreams come in the hour or so before waking. at least for me.

The Padre said...

I Am So Thankful That You Still Have That 1988 Photo - Way Before Selfies Were Cool - Its A Great Shot Of Ya - Please Hand Out A Few Treats For Olga Girl As I Have Been Unplugged For Awhile - Big Hugs Brother

Cheers