Reunited

We are back in London safe and sound, and as you can see, reunited with Olga. That little green object is an alligator chew toy we brought her from Florida. It squeaks, making a sound not at all similar to a real alligator, and she seems uncertain about what to do with it.

I've been so focused on getting resettled, unpacking, getting the house up to a livable temperature (it must have been 45º F in here when we got home) and placating the dog that I almost forgot to blog! We landed at about 10 a.m. this morning, London time, and we caught a taxi straight to the dog kennel. Unfortunately it's on the other side of town from Heathrow and there was heavy traffic due to a game of some kind at Wembley Stadium, so the taxi bill was exorbitant. And it got doubly so when the driver then took us all home, including Olga, panting and wheezing with excitement in the back seat.

That's what she looked like in the cab, saying, "Don't you ever do that to me again!" Even though the staff at the "luxury pet hotel" apparently adored her and exclaimed about how good she is with other dogs, among other things.

She's now snoring next to me on the couch and will probably sleep for a week.

The flight was more or less comfortable -- just eight-plus hours coming back, or two shorter than the trip over, which made all the difference. I didn't even bother with movies this time around. I read a biography of folk singer Buffy Sainte-Marie that I bought several years ago and never got around to before now, and I did one of several big crossword puzzles that Dave's mom gave me.

Home sweet home!