I've never flown first-class. I think it's been over ten years since I've flown anywhere. I like flying--it's the non-flying parts that go along with the flying that I hate. Oh, and in the average economy seat my knees are pressed against the seat in front of me, even with it being upright.

I've been taking trains for my long-distance trips, which I love (except that a sleeper car for one person is expensive).

I am such a homebody that I have only flown twice- once to Chicago for the first F2F and once from Rochester to NYC (which is really barely a flight and is just so much better than driving).

It would be exciting if I didn't hate just about everything about travel. Well, mostly, I hate not being sure where I am going. And if I didn't have to keep the plane in the air with the power of my mind.

My five-year-old twins know nothing of current events, save those that happen on Thomas the Tank Engine's Island of Sodor or in Griffin Rock, home of the Transformers Rescuebots.

But this morning one of them crawled out of bed, walked straight to the kitchen, and announced "I do NOT want Donald Trumpet to be our President!"

The other boy reinforced this view, "Donald Trumpet is very bad, and he should not be our President!"

I asked, and no, they don't know what the President is or how you become one. But they do know that Donald Trumpet is not the right choice.

The word is out on the street.

I've flown first class exactly twice, both under romantic circumstances.

The first time I was flying with Marti the Medical Student to NYC. Her first time there and our first trip together as a couple. We were obviously young lovey dovey couple and the woman at the desk upgraded us for no noticeable reason except that we were utterly delighted to drink champagne from SF to NYC.

And the second time was when JZ got us upgraded to First Class on our way back from the first F2F, which was fairly early in our relationship and a very lovely treat.

Smart kids, Rick!

Smart kids, Rick!

Seconded.

Well, okay then, kids of Rick. That's a strong argument.

I do love taking the train, but it is pricey and takes a long time. Sometimes that's fine, but not always, alas.

Right now I am in a mood to stay home and not go anywhere at all for a while, but that won't last, probably. I like to make the travelling to wherever part of the vacation and not part of the prep, if that makes sense, whatever my mode of travel. Sometimes that is easier than others.

I got a Sugar Pie Squash in my produce delivery this morning. If these are the Not!Pumpkins that we have been warned are in everything, I am totally not concerned. Looks like a pumpkin to me. I won't know for sure until I cook it up, but I am betting it tastes like a pumpkin, too.

I really feel like any winter squash is pumpkin-y enough when you eat it. Butternut, acorn, buttercup, whatever.

Agreed.

Pumpkin is just another winter squash, isn't it? Is there something special about it botanically?

His name should be Donald Trumpet. I'm calling him that now.

Minor surgery accomplished. Surgeon complimented me on how brave I was, which I think means, "you didn't flinch and nearly knock a scalpel in your eye." Having numb eyes feels weird.

I took the whole day off, because I knew I wouldn't feel like working with my eyes all wonky, and it's raining, and I may just go back to bed and sleep off the effects of my nervousness.