Not Really a Homecoming

Just a few hours later we were claiming our checked bags, waiting for the airport shuttle and driving our incredibly dusty car out of the long-term lot. We stopped to get a few things like milk and greens for Asher on the way to the apartment. Then we were “home.” But this isn’t home. Air travel is always strange. You start in one place and end up in a totally different place. This time it was even more strange. We’d just spent two weeks confirming that we really like living in Louisville. Two weeks enjoying the places we know and the people we love. Then we left that all behind… again. Plus, we don’t really know Phoenix yet so it totally doesn’t feel like “home” in any way. The contrast between there and here was so strong. Almost palatable.

The next morning we were up and out of the house before 10:30. That’s early for us, but we had a mission: get our rabbit. Asher was there and apparently still in good health. When we got him home we both spend long minutes just holding him and telling him how much we missed him and how much we loved him. Then we gave him kale to eat and watched him run around the apartment re-investigating all his favorite corners. He seems a little thinner, but overall none-the-worse for his harrowing experience.

Our plants on the other, had did not survive two weeks without watering very well. Unsurprisingly, our cactus did just fine. The large basil plant is still barely holding on. The smaller basil (surviving all the way from Florida) and the zinnias Matt planted in California are a complete loss. Just crusty leaves. At least Asher likes crusty leaves…