Preparations.

When people think of nostalgia, often it means images or feelings or memories associated with a place or a sensation. When nostalgia whacks me over the head with a 2x4 made of feelings, its generally attached to tangible, immutable facts; the presence of a picture on a mantle that has been there since the beginning of my earliest memories, the pattern on a blanket my grandmother bought that I could draw for you on command, the company of my friends where a single word turns like a key that unlocks more laughter from days long past but often recalled. Nostalgia is no gentle comfort in sepia tones and muted colours- it is a force, the echo that shakes down the mountain, the whisper that starts the avalanche. It is visceral and immutable, and it is entirely of myself. I am living memory. I am the reaching past. 

I am very carsick.

The day did not start poetically- I had great difficulty sleeping last night (though the ear is better, thank you for asking) and woke later than I intended. Laundry and packing for the Traverse City trip took up my time until lunch, which I had with my father and grandfather at the local pub, which was packed to the gills. Pictures later in the week, I forgot my phone for that outing. 

Dad and I poked through the antique store on the way home, found nothing interesting, and generally made small talk and puns at each other most of the afternoon. I busied myself with packing the car until Olivia and Kevin, sans their two little boys, arrived for a quick chat and some catch-up.

Kevin is made of cheese.

Cheese does not impress Olivia.

They could not be more wonderful, and I could not be happier for them. They are the most excellent couple of my acquaintance, and I love Olivia like a sister. Which is a good thing, given that Kevin is basically my brother. So she'd be stuck putting up with me regardless of whether or not she likes me. 

Wait...you do like me, right Liv?

Shortly thereafter, it was time to hit the road! But not before we stocked up on provisions...

These are the best donuts in the world. If you don't believe me, google it. Google will back me up on this one. 

I may have pre-emptively snacked on some provisions.....

Its a four hour ride to the cabin, most of which consisted of me forcing everyone to listen to the musical I want to produce this winter. The reaction was thus;

I take this to mean approval.

My mother put an air freshener in the car at some point. One of those smells that is relatively innocuous at first, and then grows hulk-like to render your other senses meaningless until eventually you must roll down the window or retch in your sister's lap (and as quick as I am, in close quarters, I'm useless at hand fighting with the beast that is my sibling). Suffice to say, it was an unpleasant three hours for Leigh. But the sun did this cool thing-

-and I like it when nature decides to be awesome. 

We played some cards, had some snacks, I lost, and was relieved to head to bed and talk in what way I can to you my friends. 

Nostalgia has to do with the love of things that are past. 

But I live in the present. 

And as much as I love the past-

you should see how much I love and live in every moment with them. 

Get ready to really meet my family.