Two weeks from now, I'll be most of the way across the country on JetBlue flight 89 to San Diego. Lots of things to do in the interim, from clearing up my apartment and office to getting a physical, procuring a visa, using up or giving away the food in my larder and choosing what to take for what will be a whole year away. Lots of people to see, things to do as well! I take it as an auspicious sign that it was just today that the plant on my landing (I rescued it from the street two years ago) decided it was ready to bloom: do you see the flower getting ready to unfurl?!