Edinburgh, Scotland

 

June 17

Approaching

 

I’m approaching panic.

I’m not there yet.

I’ve done something

I never thought I’d do.

I lost my passport.

 

I only have today and tomorrow

in Edinburgh, Scotland,

then our tour group moves on

and we’re not coming back this way.

 

Debating.

Should I give the airport

a chance to find it?

I think I left it in the seat pocket

of my last flight.

 

Or should I cancel it

and order an emergency one?

 

I’ve been emailing and phone calling all day

and going around in circles.

 

We trammed back to the airport.

The woman at lost and found sounded confident.

 

But she’s not the one who’d be stuck in Scotland.

 

I’m not at panic yet,

but I’m approaching.

 

Tour group met.

Walked to pub for supper.

Enjoyed the evening

Pushed passport problem from my mind.

Temporarily.

First Day in Scotland

 

June 16

Arriving Without Passport

 

Ten-hour ride stuck between a couple

Pain, squirm, thirsty, and watch a movie

London to Edinburgh short flight

Chat with a dad and time flies

Arrive in Edinburgh,

Uber to hotel

I settle in

Friend arrives

Passport?

No!

Flight Day

 June 15

And So it Begins

 

Check in

Play Canasta

Soup and sandwich for lunch

Son drives me to Phoenix airport

Take off

Last Day in Mesa

June 14

Ready, Set, Go

 

Sunday

Church down the street

Hubby, son and I go

Then countdown begins for my trip

Ready

Third Day in Mesa, PB On Track

June 13, 2026

On Track

 

Third day in Mesa,

spent a quiet morning,

having breakfast, reading,

praying and adoring.

 

Cleaned the bathroom,

made the meals, did the dishes,

watched the shows,

made some plans, prayed some wishes.

 

I’m on track for Scotland

for an eleven-day tour,

also England and Wales,

Couldn’t wish for anything more.

 

But for my long-time friend and I

to be filled with joy and peace,

and that our sense of adventure

and humor will not decrease.

Second Day in Mesa, UK trip

 June 12, 2026

Just Living Somewhere Else

 

Second day in Mesa,

I cleaned the microwave today.

It looked like something died inside,

And they used it anyway.

 

And then I swept the floor.

 So much cat hair that

When I was done it looked like

I had swept up a whole cat.

 

I kept up on the dishes,

And worshipped as music played,

Mopped the kitchen floor,

While I looked to God and prayed.

 

Daughter called from work.

Her battery had died,

So brother picked up groceries

While I stayed cool inside.

 

Brother brought in the groceries

And I helped put them away.

Daughter made it home

And ended her work day.

 

I made the supper,

Then we watched TV.

And we played Canasta

And she won over me.

 

Then I watched my shows.

Sometimes when I roam,

My day goes just like

It usually does at home.

First Day in Mesa, UK trip

June 11, 2026

Driving Day

 

In the morning, we packed up,

And left at 9 1 1.

Easy to remember,

Then we were on the run.

 

Towaoc construction

And a road full of dust.

Stopping at Shiprock

Turned out to be a must.

 

And then our regular stops:

Gallup, Holbrook, Payson.

Then we made it to Mesa

Which sits in a basin.

 

A very hot basin,

At one hundred and six.

But it’s nothing

A little AC won’t fix.

 

Both cars of our kids

Sat in the drive.

Son and daughter greeted us.

It’s good to be alive.

 

We ate and played Canasta.

I won by 35 points.

Now, it’s time to go to bed

And rest my bones and joints.