I can't remember the last time something technical was so easy. Here we are on a new host site, all intact, everything saved. I am much relieved.

Just got back from a birthday party for Ed's former partner and good friend, Krishna. He was 70, we were a surprise, it was held in Hudson, NY and travel there and back was a challenge. Ed needed a wheelchair at the airport. We flew to LaGuardia airport in New York City and rented a car because there are no nonstops to their nearest airport city, Albany, and the layovers are up to 4 hours long.

Finding the Inn Saras, his wife, reserved for us, was really hard. We never got that straight. It's a HOUSE. We kept missing it. Finding Krishna's house went like this -- we tooled along his road, Cedar Lane, came to a fork, were going to turn right when I got a text from his wife who saw us go by. She said, "We are the white house." Well, it's on a hill and just to the left of the road we were going to turn on, there is a path going up the hill. It is a goat path. It is narrow and rutty and goes into the woods. Who drives on this? Apparently, anyone who needs to get to K's house.

His house at the top of a hill overlooks a wide expanse of meadow and woods and the views are lovely. About 60 people came to his party. Some other guests were also a surprise -- they came from Paris and India and California. What a blast.

We solved the navigation problem on Friday by leaving the car at Krishna's -- it was night by then and there was no way we could have found our way back to the Inn. Krishna drove us home and picked us up the next day for the party. When we left around 5, with directions, WE STILL GOT LOST. So we had to stop and get directions at various gas stations.

The Inn at 34 where we stayed was built in 1780, totally restored, full of furniture that is especially made for them in England. It is very authentic looking for the period. It was like going back in time. The only drawback: no elevators -- steep wooden steps going up to the rooms. I had to hold on with both hands.The hosts made a special breakfast for us every morning -- gourmet breakfasts at an elegantly laid table.

One other thing. We had our own bathroom but it was in the hall. I wanted to take a bath. The rooms were immaculate, and the bathroom was modern, but lacked a plug for the bathtub. So I made do by crumpling up a paper cup and stuffing it into the drain.

The owner of the Inn, Robert, helped us with printing out boarding passes and printed out directions for getting on to the highway. Ed wanted the interstate but Robert gave him directions for the Taconic Parkway. Ed blamed me for misdirecting him, but I was never in this conversation. Once we got underway, using a keyless Nissan SUV which Ed didn't like at all, he complained that he hadn't wanted to take the Taconic. He wanted the Interstate, but NO ONE WOULD LISTEN and he muttered darkly at my "interference."

His reasons were thus: The Taconic is a scenic route (spectacular, I will add, going past mountain ranges with twists and turns, rises and falls - breathtaking really). He said it was harder to drive, it was slower, although he did 70 for a good deal of it, and kept saying, "I hate this road. I'm not a tree hugger." So I said, "Well, that's okay, I love trees enough for both of us."

We left at 10:00 a.m. for a two hour drive and our plane left at 4:15. So Ed was on overkill re. being on time. We had to turn in the rental car at the rental place located in East Elmhurst and not in the airport because airport renovations are interfering. I can say that we wouldn't have made it without Siri, although Ed is still annoyed when I put my questions into that program. A lot of construction is also going on around the airport and the roads were strangled and cluttered with construction barriers.

We got Ed a wheelchair which was very necessary indeed. And the attendant pushing it got us through security without checking my suitcase. So, of course, it was inspected and my hairspray was confiscated. Really? You assholes think I am going to commit a terrorist act using hairspray? I didn't say that but I was thinking it. The only silver lining is that when you board a plane with a bag that can't go in the overhead space, they put it away for you but DON'T CHARGE YOU. Checking it beforehand costs $25 a bag.

Sol, our newly anointed registered nurse friend, was off work that weekend and we were delighted she could house sit and take care of kitties.

All's well that ends well.

xx, Teal