An uneventful but scenic drive “home” yesterday. Winding things down here and mentally preparing for my long journey which will begin Wednesday morning in Charlotte and end Friday morning in Angeles City, Philippines. Makes me tired just thinking about it.

Speaking of being tired, I’m still not able to sleep through the night. I can’t blame jet lag at this point, I think it is all in my head. More on that another time.

So, since I was up with the sun, I did my laundry and started the packing process. Went out to see one of those “doc-in-the-box” to get refills for my nine(!) prescription meds. They actually had a doctor’s office in the local CVS pharmacy which was pretty convenient. The most I could get were 90 day supplies and the doctor just tapped them into the computer and sent them straight over to the pharmacy. When I went to pick them up though they had only filled them for 30 days. Anyway, once the doc gets back from lunch I’m told they will sort it all out. I’ll have to make another trip to CVS later.

I ordered a replacement for my credit card which expires in January. It came today while I was at the pharmacy. Since I wasn’t here to sign, I’ll have to make a post office run tomorrow. No big deal except I’m not sure which post office services this neighborhood. I’ll figure it out.

While I was waiting for the incorrect prescriptions I headed over to the local shopping complex for pasalubong (Tagalog, “[something] for when you welcome me”) is the Filipino tradition of travelers bringing gifts from their destination to people back home.[1] Pasalubong can be any gift or souvenir brought for family or friends after being away for a period of time.[2] It can also be any gift given by someone arriving from a distant place). I’ll need to pick up a few more items to carry back so as not to disappoint my hometown acquaintances.

And finally, I salvaged some books to carry back with me.

Yes, they are all poetry books. Balm for my wounded spirit which has taken a beating when I wandered down memory lane.

One more book is on it’s way from Amazon. Guaranteed delivery is scheduled for tomorrow. It will probably come when I’m at the post office trying to retrieve my credit card. Ah well.