Well, then.

That didn't work out quite as I expected.

I'm immersed in technology. I live it, breathe it, rely on it, love it and curse it. But sometimes I forget that it's not really like that for everyone else.

Case in point: My trip to Michigan. I had intended, dear reader (I think there is at least one of you) to blog my way through the journey, but a strange thing happened on the way to the electronic chalkboard.

There ain't a lot of Internets out there.

My first stop yielded no open wireless access, and no one could remember the password to the closed network. On my second stop, I stayed with folks that don't even own a computer. On my third stop, I once again encountered the "no wi-fi zone", along with the strangest proprietary router I've ever seen that had me baffled. I was reduced to snagging free wi-fi from McDonald's periodically on the journey, but by that time I was too baffled to blog.

So I shall blog parts of the trip in retrospect. It was, after all, an interesting journey.

Can't wait to tell you all about it.

Places to go, people to see

I guess you can go home again...in a way.

People who spend any time around me are probably sick of hearing me wax rhaphsodic about my home state of Michigan. I think it's a very special place, and unfortunately it often gets painted with the same large brush that passes over Detroit (another place people know nothing about other than the "decay porn" that shows up on the evening news).

I'm traveling back this week for my High School class reunion (let's just say it's divisible by 10 and leave it at that). But really, it's an excuse for me to cruise the state and visit some people I haven't seen in a very long time.

One of those people was my friend Susan, whom I haven't seen since we graduated from Journalism school over 20 years ago. Sue was one of my best friends during a particularly challenging time in my life; I counted on her for professional and personal advice. I probably leaned on her a lot more than she knew at the time. We fell out of touch over the years, but recently reconnected on facebook; when I knew I was going to be traveling to Michigan, I asked if I could stop by and say hi.

Such "reunions" are often difficult and awkward. I'm generally a fan of leaving the past in the past where it belongs, but this friendship was (and is) more important to me than some, so I thought it was worth the risk.

As it turns out, it was. Susan and her family were very gracious in accepting me into their home, showing me around town, and even helping arrange for a mechanic when my vehicle started to make a horrible scraping sound that, I'm sure, terrified dogs and young children miles away with its incessant screeching. We chatted away into the wee hours of the morning over some wine I brought from New York (well, to be honest, I did most of the drinking), caught up on old times, shared some new memories, and renewed a friendship that now spans several decades.

During the tour Susan gave me of her new hometown, the conversation turned to author E.B. White, best known for his books "Charlotte's Web" and "Stuart Little", as well as the indispensable writer's reference, "The Elements of Style." Turns out, White used to hang around the area, and we remarked at how few authors could capture the imagination of both children and adults. It's another relationship that spans decades; the bond between author and reader. And I was reminded of one of my favorite EB White quotes, this one from "Charlotte's Web":

"It's not every day that someone comes along who is a good friend AND a good writer. Charlotte was both."

So is Susan. I'm blessed and lucky to have good friends like her in my life.

Pure Michigan

I'm heading back to my home state of Michigan tomorrow for a week-long (and much-needed) vacation; I'll be visiting friends, family, and attending my class reunion...something I said I would never, EVER do again. Apparently, time has dulled the miserable memories.

Anyway, I'll be blogging the journey as much as possible. Stay tuned, folks. Should be fun. I hope.

Pilgrimage

Went to church this morning with the family for a special service; we're sending 12 members of our congregation to Iona, Scotland on a religious pilgrimage that happens every few years in our congregation. The "pilgrims", nine teens and three chaperones, will spend two weeks in Europe, visiting a location that has held a special place in Christendom for centuries.It was hard to not be moved by the service, which was based in part on worship ceremonies conducted on Iona. The special connection to Scotland was not lost on me; my Great-Grandmother immigrated to the United States from Scotland, and my Father's side of the family included a long line of Presbyterians with Scottish roots. On my left arm, I have the triquetra (an ancient Celtic symbol used in Christianity to represent the Trinity) permanently inked in my skin. So you can say I have something of a connection to this ancient place.

It was also bittersweet to know I'm entrusting three of the most treasured people in my life—Connie, Andrew and Mackenzie—to this journey. I'll admit to some trepidation; I'm nervous about watching them board a plane that will carry them half a world away. I'm carrying a bit of jealousy that they get to go and I simply cannot, due in large part to the physical demands of the pilgrimage itself. But most of all, I'm excited that they get to participate in this journey and this ritual.

I was struck this morning by the tone of the service. In a world that is increasingly hostile to people of faith, where we often get painted with a wide brush that portrays us as intolerant, angry, selfish people, it was refreshing to hear a message of charity, love, tolerance and peace. It's far different from the caricature that I see daily in the press and in popular entertainment. This is the reality of my faith, and I'm proud to be a part of it. I hope those that are going on this journey can appreciate its larger significance, and not take it for granted as "just another trip".

I wish these dozen pilgrims well on their journey. I can't wait for them to return and to see their pictures, hear their stories, and share the experience vicariously through them. Godspeed, all.