As I write this, I'm sitting in the Charlotte Airport waiting to get on my fifth plane since I left Tampa yesterday morning.

Once again I am about to board a prop plane (my third so far this trip) and it is raining.

It is amazing the miracles of inventions we take for granted. Not just airplanes and all the possibilities of travel that they provide but the convenience and all weather protection jetways give us when we board most of today's modern jets.

All it takes to appreciate this wonder of technology is to go outside in the wind and rain, make your way across the tarmac with your carry-on luggage and climb the steps to your plane.

My trip today has so far been uneventful compared to the craziness of yesterday. If getting soggy and windblown is all that happens today that will be terrific!

Yesterday morning when I left Tampa, security was high and everyone was asked to step to the side and wait as inspectors went through their baggage and purse and wanded you from top to bottom. *Note, to all ladies wearing a short skirt...the security measures may provide a sense of protection however the procedures when dressed in a skirt feel a bit embarrassing as the wand goes up and down between your legs.

The flight to Atlanta was uneventful until we were 20 miles from the airport. The pilot came on the microphone and announced that due to heavy congestion we would need to circle for 20 minutes.

a smooth landing and 35 minutes later I was in terminal C of the Atlanta Airport. Unfortunately, no one at Air Tran seemed to know where US Airways flights departed. Three people later I found a gentleman who told me it was in Terminal D. A short train ride and I was there. Unfortunately, the plane wasn't. Seems it was still circling.

Better late than never, we took off for Charlotte. (Yes, I know with was a circuitous route from Tampa to Cincinnati but the fare was over $300 less.) Soon after take off the pilot came on and forewarned us that we were likely to experience turbulence between Atlanta and Charlotte and to be safe he requested that the flight attendants remain seated for the duration of the flight.

It was as though we were on a roller coaster in the sky, up and down and back and forth bouncing through the clouds. I am at best a white knuckle flyer.

No one was sitting next to me on the flight which was very fortunate for the other passengers. If one had been sitting next to me I would no doubt have gripped tightly to their hand. Instead it was the armrest that took the squeeze. A couple more bounces and I fear I might have squished the metal

Safely we landed in Charlotte, gate B1 but because the flight was late leaving Atlanta and the weather conditions were stormy, we arrived only 10 minutes before my next flight was about to depart, and it was leaving from E7.

Long ago before the tragic death of Nicolethere were commercials featuring O.J. runninbg through airports. Today it was me.

Out of breath I made it. I arrived at the gate just as they were making the final call for boarding, BUT what's this...a prop plane. Oh my gosh, in my haste to make reservations I never checked for the type of equipment.

Soaked and soggy I boarded the plane, hence my appreciation of jetways began. Strangely as the flight took off the flight attendant fell asleep. Passengers kept looking at each other as she slept and started to slump. There were moments we thought she might fall from the jumpseat if it weren't for her seatbelt. About 30 minutes prior to landing she awoke.

Landing we found a beautiful chilly afternoon in Cincinnati. I was lucky and had no problem finding a taxi to the hotel.

The Tradeshow I was participating in was being held at the hotel. Quickly, I checked in. I noticed the people behind the desk were distracted. I turned around and there was Elvis. Honest Elvis!

I had met this most remarkable Elvis impersonator when I did a show in Minneapolis. He does an excellent job portraying the young thin elvis in his white skin tight jumpsuit.

It was fun to see the looks on faces as Elvis remembered me and said, "Hi Judy." he was excited to be in Cincinnati as his sister and nephews lived close enough to come to see him perform.

The hotel room was fabulous. The attendance at the Tradeshow terrific and certainly worth the craziness of the flights.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm in the Charlotte Airport. My flight from Cincinnati here was smooth and although it was prop plane all and all very nice.

The rain is coming down harder now and although I am sure my flight to Atlanta will once again be bouncy, I am confident the pilots will do their best to find smooth air. Worse comes to worse I have so many butterflies in my stomach they should help fly me home safely on the next two flights back to Florida.

There are moments in life when you miss someone
so much that you just want to pick them from
your dreams and hug them for real!


When the door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often times we look so long at the
closed door that we don't see the one,
which has been opened for us.


Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
because it takes only a smile to
make a dark day seem bright.
Find the one that makes your heart smile.


Dream what you want to dream;
go where you want to go;
be what you want to be,
because you have only one life
and one chance to do all the things
you want to do.



May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong,
enough sorrow to keep you human and
enough hope to make you happy.



The happiest of people don't necessarily
have the best of everything;
they just make the most of
everything that comes along their way.



The brightest future will always
be based on a forgotten past;
you can't go forward in life until
you let go of your past failures and heartaches.


When you were born, you were crying
and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end,
you're the one who is smiling and everyone
around you is crying.

An adventure to me, is a new day. No matter what you have outlined there is always - yes always - an unexpected twist or turn that will be thrown into the mix.

I can say always with conviction because each day there is interaction with unpredictable circumstances, spontaneous weather and often people, interaction with people.

I enjoy new things. It makes me nervous and the butterflies nest in my belly but exploring possibilities is invigorating.

Some experiences will fit like a glove and others not at all.

Right now I am learning new things and interacting with people whose values differ from mine. It is a learning experience. Learning is enriching.

Take a chance to expand your comfort zone. Even if you fall short of learning it all or you discover the experience isn't a good fit, you will expand your knowledge and discover even more possibilities are on your horizon.

Great people, very kind.
Lots of emotions flowing...will the Cubs make it into the World Series?
A young man touches a fly ball as it passes the outfield stands.
Is he the next "goat", the next jinx?
Marlins win game seven.
Downtown Chicago...wind off the lake. A man dressed as a gorilla passing out fliers. A lady starts yelling in the middle of the street imagining someone bumped her. Tall buildings. Travel agencies located high - not in store fronts.
Great dinners.
Learned alot from suppliers and hotel managers.
Amazed at the courage and creativity of the travel agencies that have survived.
Home, sunshine, convertible top down, a walk on the beach - a most excellent day.
Chicago is a nice place to visit. Florida is home. Home for now.

A very special friend shared this story with me. It was written in 1912.

It stirs the imagination even today and can put a smile on your heart.