my mother was here for a few days

From my viewpoint we mostly sat around and talked. cattitude took her to the MFA on Tuesday, but I decided I needed a rest day. They had a good time, including looking at a Chinese scroll that I may have to go see myself. My mother thought she had lost her wedding rings and a necklace at the museum, but fortunately Cattitude found them under the bed this morning when we were helping her look around for anything she had forgotten to pack.

I was surprised to learn last night that my mother hadn't quit smoking when I was about seven. Or, rather, she had started again when I was somewhat older and she was working on a weekly newspaper. I hadn't realized this because, knowing it could be harmful, she never smoked at home or when I was around. My father did smoke in the house, so it didn't occur to me that my mother was being significantly more careful of my and my brother's health there.

I discovered today that it is possible to get a gate pass at the airport if you're with your elderly mother who is carrying a cane (I knew they still issue them for parents of teens who are flying as unaccompanied minors). She could have managed on her own—I didn't decide to accompany her to the airport, rather than taking her cab downstairs and waiting until the cab arrived until this morning—but the extra time together was nice. The gate pass wasn't my idea, it was suggested by an airport security person who we asked about the length of the line because we wanted to know if we had time to get a bite to eat before saying goodbye. The security person said "there's better food on the other side," I explained I wasn't flying, and she sent us back to the Jet Blue counter. There is in fact a Legal Seafoods just past terminal C security, so I had a lobster roll and Mom had a crab cake, and we were both pleased.

[more later, maybe, my hands hurt]