Above you'll find an example of one model of plane I had the pleasure to operate - a Beechcraft Musketeer model 19, with fixed landing gear and a Lycoming 150 horsepower 4 cylinder piston engine, 146 mph maximum speed, 117 mph cruise, and a 60 gallon fuel tank. Its price brand new back then was in the under -$15,000 range. Though I never seriously considered it at the time because I was in college, and thus limited on funds, I've occasionally kicked myself in the posterior for not buying one brand new, instead of renting. The Musketeer was easy to fly, and though I did not do much flying after I got my license, every flight in the left-hand seat was a new and fascinating experience.
However, technology moves forward, as does inflation. The following beautiful Swiss aircraft turned up at a small airfield not too far from where I live. It has a single engine, but that's where similarity to the Musketeer ends. A turboprop 1200 hp engine, retractable gear, pressurized, 300 mph cruise speed, able to fly in known icing condition...and on and on. As for the inflation part; it costs upwards of $2.8 million - and holds 400 gallons of fuel. Both are guaranteed to put a strain on just about anyone's Master Card.
Upon researching, I was fascinated to see details of this beautiful aircraft, at www.pilatus-aircraft.com. They have some fabulous videos of it in operation, which I really enjoyed. Brought back lots of fabulous memories...
So whenever you see one of these beauties fly over, think luxury, speed, and (unfortunately) big bucks!
That black pendant necklace, which broke a while back (see it in the pic below) finally got some attention. I had just dumped it in the bottom of my purse, and one day when I came across a small, family-owned jewelry store in a nearby town, I checked in with them. "We can help you, Ma'am." They were very accommodating, and for $6, put a new clasp on it. The only downside is that the color is silver, but a little black paint will disguise it...and it's under my hair anyway, so it shouldn't matter. I particularly like this necklace, as it belonged to Mother. Getting it fixed means I'll finally be able to wear it again.
Necklace shown here...
The only other gender-related thing to happen lately (other than hearing 'Ma'am' when out-and-about), was a friendly discussion initiated in the post office lobby by a lady I didn't know (but obviously from town as she was picking up her mail.) All the usual pleasantries, and we both addressed each other as "Ma'am." A very nice interlude!
Cheers,
Mandy
I have a double strand of pearls that had been my mothers. The clasp is very shakey and I worry that the tongue will slide out so I do not wear it very often. I also have a double strand of fake pearls that do not readily fit on my neck. To make them work I had connected a rubber hair band, the kind that may be used to make a pony tail, to the slot side and the hook then goes into the hair band giving me about 2" of extra length which does the trick. I figure that the hair band will be hidden under my wig. I would not worry too much about the clasp on your black pendant not matching. No one but you will know it is silver under your hair.
ReplyDeletePat
You are so lucky to have those. My mom has a set of real ones, too, along with many fakes. I don't know which is which, and probably should go to a jewelry store to find out. Caution is a very good thing. With real pearls, you really do need to be careful. Maybe a small, family-owned store in a small town would help you, too?
DeleteAs for my (well, Mom's) pendant, it's only costume jewelry. But it feels so right to wear it, that I had to find a way to get it fixed. Someone (I believe it was Meg) suggested magnetic clasps and a couple places to find them. Those shops are all across the bay, and my next trip over there alone won't be till mid-February.
I simply couldn't pass up the little jewelry store, and it resulted in a chance to get a real clasp, installed, for a song. You are so right about "not worrying" about the silver color. It will be hidden most of the time!
Mandy
I will likely be passing your neck of the woods tomorrow morning. Yesterday the neuro/op gave my wife clearance to go to Florida for a week so we will be cruising down to Lorton tomorrow to grab the auto train to Sanford Fla. Form there we will drive to So. Fla for a week to warm up.
ReplyDeleteWe will have a roomette on the auto train so there will not be room for any dressing. Tonight I have the issue of what to pack. Packing the guy stuff is not hard but I want to figure out what girl stuff may make the trip.
I have told my wife that I would like to travel while dressed and she knows that I would need either the deluxe room or the family room to even consider it since the roomette does not even give space to turn around.
I am not sure if I will be on line much during our vacation.
Pat
Pat,
DeleteYep, sort of in my area...I'm on the Delmarva peninsula in Maryland.
So glad the Dr. cleared your wife to travel...its much better than having to cancel! And I'll be thinking of you, down there in the warm weather...
I know what you mean about the cramped conditions in the roomette (economy bedroom.) It's a little better on a Viewliner, though not much. At least Viewliners have the sink and toilet in the room, though!
If my summer Board meeting is in Chicago again this year. I'll probably route myself thru New York going westbound, on a Thursday...so I can travel en femme again. It was fun last year...
Have a great vacation! Looking forward to hearing about it!
Mandy