Packing, the art of

It's been a long time since "we" have packed a car to the hilt. And by "we" I mean Ray. Any of you with a spouse know that packing a vehicle is a one person job, no two ways about it. Don't even get near the packing zone if you aren't the one doing the loading up. Don't even dream of offering advice about that great little space under the folded seat where the CDs can be stashed. No suggestions solicited, and none taken. This is a thinking man's job. No, best to evacuate the area.

And that is what I planned to do this morning, when Ray spread all of Emily's thing out on the driveway and surveyed them... a TV, two boxes of painting materials, a shopping bag of mixing bowls and dishes, a wok, a large piece of artwork from the NY apartment, a bathroom scale, a wall shelf, a large mixer (left over from bagel-making times) and other things that just don't go on a jet. He looked at the stuff, and looked at the back of the wagon and looked at it all again. Emily had already disappeared and I left to gather up my keys and bag to escape to errands around town.

Not ten minutes later he had magically fit EVERYTHING into the wagon. What did I miss? How much coffee did he drink this morning? I suddenly pictured him in fast forward high speed mode, you know the way they show a room being done over on those home decorating shows. All that pre-thinking must have paid off. No injuries, no damage, nor cursing. Today Ray earned his PhD in packing!

He and I each have one small carry-on suitcase, a computer and our new camera. We're all set. Our luggage is on top of the car in a black Thule bag, secured with straps. This arrangement makes it look like we are hauling home a dead deer, but what the heck. That will probably get us points out west. We plan to leave by 7 am tomorrow, right after Emily and Ben serve us a hearty breakfast. Riiiiight. Or maybe we'll get a bite on the road. Destination: Youngstown, Ohio.