To Mother's House We Go...
Had an interesting trip to see Mom this weekend. Took the Acela, and decided to treat myself to the rare first- class ticket. Get to Penn station, find out the escalator at the 8th Avenue entrance is under repair! Not good. I may only be staying 2 days, but I pack like I’m going camping for a week in Yosemite.
I used to be a really light packer, something I took pride in. But for some reason, in the last couple of years, I seem to need more and more stuff. Could all those pills and vitamins and supplements REALLY weigh that much? Well, there seems to be more of them all the time. Hmmm. And do I really need ALL those skincare products and cosmetics? Well, frankly, yes.
And what about the five-pound machine for airbrushing makeup? Is that REALLY necessary? Well, apparently it is. Because that went into the suitcase as well. Mom had scheduled a dinner party for Saturday night, and ever since I showed her how my airbrush machine works, she wants me to bring it! Hey, anything for Mom. But all this does not make for lightweight luggage.
So you can imagine my distress when I discovered the escalator was not working. I just stood glumly at the top of those steep stairs going down to the main floor of Penn Station, thinking if I try to haul this baby down those steps, I KNOW I am going to end up hurting myself. Happily, a nice guy saw my predicament, and asked if he could help. I gratefully let him carry the bag, and I could tell that the minute he lifted it, he was sorry he’d said anything. I could see him thinking, what did this woman pack in here? Twenty- pound weights and some iron anvils???!!!! What???!!!
I felt a little bad, as I watched him limp off down the corridor, his t-shirt soaked in sweat.
Then, the train ride itself. First class! I guess the main difference between first class and regular is the meal. The minute you sit down you’re given a dish of mixed nuts and a bottle of water. Then, almost before the train starts pulling out of the station, you’re handed a menu that lists the drink choices for the day (booze, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks) on the left page and a number of food choices on the right.
And that’s where I experienced my first BISON meatloaf .On this train! Nice presentation, with a big white cloth napkin and real silverware. I could have picked Japanese sea bass with a light lime coulis (actually, I can’t remember exactly how the sea bass was prepared, so I made that part up.) Or a lovely platter of cold sliced chicken with an assortment of cheese and crackers. (I saw a fellow traveler ordering that, and it looked nice.) Or even vegetarian lasagna. But I chose the meatloaf, as I said. Two nice slices, served with fingerling potatoes and two slightly overcooked string beans. Just two. There must have been a run on string beans that day. Oh, by the way, bison tastes just like chicken.
And the glass of pinot grigio the nice attendant brought me! It was huge. In fact, it was in a large WATER glass! I guess for more stability because the train lurches a lot. You’re never more aware of the lurching than when you’re sitting there watching a big water glass of white wine splash all over the place. It is strangely hypnotic.
But imagine the havoc that would be wreaked if it were in a proper wine glass. These folks clearly know what they’re doing.
Darn it! I’ve run out of time. I have more to tell you about taking the Acela, plus some hilarious highlights of “My Visit With Mom.” I’ll save that for a future blog.
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Comments: 26
Kaity!
Thanks for yet another entertaining and truly
witty blog. I was ROFLOL.
You leave me wondering and waiting for your next blog. Scheherazade could take a lesson
from you.
Cheers!
Alex
Ha! You should play you in a movie! Nobody else would come close to capturing your wit & originality! Looking forward to "Part II" of "My Visit With Mom!"
Dear Kaity,
I am very Happy you returned safely from your trip. Did you travel solo? Seeing your Mom must have been wonderful. Do know, You were sorely missed all weekend,
Dear Kaity,
I am very Happy you returned safely from your trip. Did you travel solo? Seeing your Mom must have been wonderful. Do know, You were sorely missed all weekend,
Dear Kaity,
What a funny and cheerful blog. I think you are
one of the lucky ones who find humor in all
their adventures. What no husband or friend
to help you with your luggage? Your hair looked
especially pretty and attractive tonight, I like
what you have done with it.
Very glad you are back safely from your trip.
25. Very entertaining blog once again. I had to clean drool off my keyboard after reading about the meals and wine. Seriously! How long did the trip take from New York to D.C. via the train?
I second chuck's idea. If not, upgrade your blog to a vlog. That would be hilarious. Looking forward to part 2.
Kaity,
I think all us women over pack, especially when we're visiting family. The worse is when they have you bring stuff back to other relatives. Glad you had a nice trip and happy to have you back.
Love getting your comments! If you enjoy my blogs, please tell your friends and family, strangers on the street, people you wouldn't otherwise give the time of day to, and invite them to read my ramblings!
I need your help in getting even more hits. Jim and I are having a friendly competition, and we can't let him win! :)
This is not 1984. You are not a Valley Girl. Stop using that ridiculous inflection in your voice when you read the news or make a comment at the end of a story.
Great Blog so far.. remember that there is more than one entrance to Penn Station because I'm sure the escalator will be out the next time you go also. I normally would have chose the Japanese Sea Bass but in mass travel it always seems to be the fish that gets people sick. I never had Bison but it's funny how everything taste like Chicken!
Train rides are the best, aren't they? They have such a cache -like you'e in an old movie. Although I guess you didn't mind NOT being part of any murder mystery on the way :-)
Hi Kaity,
Nice blog so far. I am shocked you trusted someone to help you with your bags. Acela huh, nice choice. I never was on Acela but it sounds like fun. Where did you get the airbrush equipment so I can look at it for my wife? Glad you got over your cold so you can visit your mom.
Where are the new blogs ?
Hi Kaity,
i just returned from vacation and you are not on the news. Jim and Jennifer don't say Jennifer is sitting in for you or why you are out. I miss seeing you and hop you are OK.
Hi Kaity,
i just returned from vacation and you are not on the news. Jim and Jennifer don't say Jennifer is sitting in for you or why you are out. I miss seeing you and hop you are OK.
When I saw Jennifer Jodan sitting in for, I got scared. I thought she permanently replaced you. I thought I stop by your blog to see if everything is okay. I was ready to protest in front of WPIX station. Kaity, you're simply the best. I like Jim too, but he can't win this time.
Your Fan,
Rom Chy
When I saw Jennifer Jordan sitting in for you, I got scared. I thought she would permanently replace you. So I stop by your blog to see if everything is okay. I was ready to protest in front of WPIX station. Kaity, you're simply the best. I like Jim too, but he can't win this time.
Your Fan,
Rom Chy
You'd get along good with my wife !! I need a U-Haul truck for her stuff when we go away!! The last time I was on Amtrac was for the train ride home to New York after getting discharged from the Navy.I was stationed in San Diego and had a real good time hobbling around with casts on BOTH feet ! I was a cook and slid on grease and broke both of them. Got NO help from the conductor and had to get a cab from the L.I.R.R. station in St.Albans to get into the V.A. hospital to get my final discharge papersI will NEVER take amtrac AGAIN !!
When they let Kaity go from WABC -TV, they made a BIG mistake. You see, at the time, the station execs "forgot the formula for making ice. I wonder where that station manager is today??."
I love the charisma between Jim Watkins and Kaity Tong. They are the best at what they do.
Danny Kahn
"I need your help in getting even more hits. Jim and I are having a friendly competition, and we can't let him win! :)"
Write something new!!! :-)
You need to apologize for that bee comment you made. Saying you need to find your bug spray.
I think it's time that you updated your blog Kaity, since the big news is Sen. Ted Kennedy's passing. A blow hard in the senate, Kennedy had many things he should not be proud of. His first wife, mother of his 3 children, became, a drunk and I wonder WHY???? He was a cheating
miserable husband I suppose. Joan even helped him run for president. I feel sorry for Joan. Where did it it get her - no where.
I think it's time that you updated your blog Kaity, since the big news is Sen. Ted Kennedy's passing. A blow hard in the senate, Kennedy had many things he should not be proud of. His first wife, mother of his 3 children, became, a drunk and I wonder WHY???? He was a cheating
miserable husband I suppose. Joan even helped him run for president. I feel sorry for Joan. Where did it it get her - no where.
I think it's time that you updated your blog Kaity, since the big news is Sen. Ted Kennedy's passing. A blow hard in the senate, Kennedy had many things he should not be proud of. His first wife, mother of his 3 children, became, a drunk and I wonder WHY???? He was a cheating
miserable husband I suppose. Joan even helped him run for president. I feel sorry for Joan. Where did it it get her - no where.
By the way, Watkins is a wuss.
Me and my wife are in the lifestyle. Infact we meet on a site called CT, http://bit.ly/3qpOkN Anybody whom is thinking about or are in the lifestyle, I would recomend joining and trying the free trial membership.