Blog Posts by Susan Egner
Inspirations, thoughts by Minnesota author and flight attendant
December 29
The holidays are over. Like many of you, I attended school concerts, church concerts and services and Christmas brunches with friends. But now the part I like the least is starting to happen. Many begin taking down their colorful holiday lights. I wish they’d leave them up until March when it starts getting lighter earlier. It’s so dark.
December 20
Since I can’t really run around Christmas shopping, I’m grateful that I can do most of my shopping online. That leaves lots of time for writing.
December 15
It’s strange having the holidays off. Usually I’m flying and my family is very understanding and willing to coordinate family gatherings around my schedule. This year, although I’m hobbling around a bit, I get to enjoy them all.
December 12
Took this picture from the air. What does it look like to you? It’s the sun, but what a strange view.
December 11
To make sense of my last post, I just found the picture. But I think I could expand on this concept for a great mystery.
December 10
Way, way back in 2015, my last trip before our house burned down, I had a great trip with a great crew. We had a long layover in Boston and went to Frost. Ice walls, ice furniture, ice bar, ice glasses, ice decorations. Thanks Carolyn, Faz and Keith for a special experience.
December 5
I’ve started a holiday based mystery but I’m having a hard time, since Christmas is my favorite time of year. It’s hard to think of evil deeds in the month that means so much of the opposite. Guess I’ll pass.
December 3
I really miss flying. Did I mention I was having a knee replaced. Lots of fun. Not.
December 1
Bette Midler was born on this day. What a talent!
November 25
Don’t panic but it’s a month until Christmas. When shopping, scale back just a bit and buy two of everything. One for the person you bought the gift, and one for someone else, possibly a stranger. It will make you smile big.
November 23
Today most people in our nation are taking time to be thankful. For me, and probably most, it’s about family. How blessed I am that they all live closeby and we can be together. But for everyone, there should be gratitude for the privilege of living in the United States of America. If you’re complaining, try living somewhere else. See what you think then. If you like it better, stay there.
November 15
What a great gal to fly with. Thanks for a great trip, Wanda.
November 11
There are 50 days remaining until the end of the year.
November 8
I did it again. For some reason this date is stuck in my head as the birthday of a very dear friend. The actual birth date is November 2. Sorry Bob. However, missing dates could be the basis for a mystery. I’ll have to think about that.
November 5
I’m still working on a novel based on the life of a very dear friend of mine who is now 98 years old. It’s a fascinating story but very difficult to write because she lived in a time that I never witnessed. We’ve had many conversations and I’ve taken volumes of notes; but it will still require massive research.
November 1
This month is considered the last month of autumn. For most of us in the Midwest, the bright colors are gone and if we don’t have snow yet, we will soon. But it’s also National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month; a nasty disease that took my mother. Know as much as you can about this disease.
October 31
It’s Halloween again, the second most decorated season of the year. I’ve never written a mystery tied to Halloween but I think I will for this year.
October 20
I just learned something interesting about Daylight Savings. According to one expert, there are approximately 24% more heart attacks the week after Daylight Savings start, than any other time of year. It appears the brain does not react nicely to changing the fixed times. Hmmm.
October 17
The aforementioned flight attendant who is also a hypnotist shared a quarterly journal from the Hypnotists Guild. It is fascinating. I can see all sorts of stories. Thank you Colleen.
October 14
Did you know that as glaciers melt, bodies from past generations are being found. Read “Ice Flight” to find out more.
October 12
Flight attendants are full of stories and I’m a copious note-taker. Much of this information will find its way between the pages of my books. I’ve flown with women and men who are former teachers, nurses, lawyers and corporate executives. I’ve also flown with some who are currently interior designers, furniture re-finishers, hypnotists, essential oil experts, florists and musicians. The stories just keep coming in.
October 1
Remember the flight attendant who showed me the Unknown Destination on the airport monitor. Well, I just found out I’ll be out of work for a few months starting in November. Knee replacement. Sounds like a good time to write a book.
September 25
We’ve enjoyed a beautiful fall. I’ve had flights out to the East Coast that give me the opportunity to see a New England fall. It’s still a little early for peak colors, but won’t be long. Flying around America allows you to fall in love with this diverse and fascinating country. I think it calls for a New England mystery, don’t you?
September 21
Continue searching for funding for my book based television series for children. What an extraordinary path I’m being led down. Who would guess the wide variety of people I’d meet who have offered encouragement, suggestions and, best of all, contacts. These contacts will eventually provide the key to the success of this series. I’m convinced.
September 14
Did you know that three passengers completely covered in black fabric led to my story “Groundstopped.” I hope you’ll share your thoughts with me about this subject.
September 12
As I’ve mentioned before, the inspiration for many of my stories have come from passengers and crew members. One passenger, whom I’ve mentioned before, is a scientist from Montana, who does research in Greenland for three months every summer. His generous information inspired the book “Ice Flight.” I’ve received numerous comments about the authenticity of global warming. Some say definitely, others are doubtful. I’m on the fence, however, I hope I gave some reasonable arguments in my book. Thanks for reading it.
September 8
If you have any information that could evolve as a fictional mystery, I would love to hear from you. Email me us at SusanEgnerAuthor (at) gmail.com.
September 5
Another passenger told me of a true incident that happened in her home town. That story is the basis for “Chemistry for Revenge.” I hope you enjoy it.
September 1
The previously mentioned couple offered to share their information with me as a basis for a fictional version of the story. They generously provided court documents, newspaper articles and their personal story. I hope I can do the story justice.
August 20
Though all the mysteries are, of course, fiction, they are based on some very real realities of our world today. Some have been presented to me through airline training. Others through my passengers. For instance, one of my passengers was to be featured on the Paula Zahn show because his brother was the victim of a serial killer.
August 17
While I continued to seek funding for a television series, please see www.woodfin.cc for more information, I began to write mystery novels about a flight attendant; a senior, and I mean senior flight attendant, with grandchildren.
August 15
I decided to become an airline flight attendant. You know this from previous posts. It’s been an amazing adventure.
August 12
I had given up an excellent career in an interesting profession to pursue this extension of my dream as a writer. But how to meet appropriate people?
August 11
In searching for funding, I found a man who was willing to fund the full $4 million at the time. The week that we planned to sign contracts and checks, the stock market crashed. He lost $9 million and I lost my funding.
August 10
My deepest desire is writing. Having said that, a series of children’s stories I wrote received an offer of a television series a number of years ago. However, in order to have the type of animation I wish, I must raise funding for the first season.
August 2
My daughter’s birthday, exactly one week after mine. Hard to believe she’s in her 40’s. She looks more like twenties. Anyway I prefer to think of her that way. Makes me feel younger.
July 28
My husband’s birthday. Time to buy a Pendleton, his favorite brand of shirt. And books. He devours books.
July 26
Enjoyed a wonderful birthday with family. Tomorrow is my anniversary and the next day is my husband’s birthday. We make it a big family gala whenever possible.
July 24
Now we’re teaching my sister how to bake this bread through emails and text messages.
My daughter shared a home made bread recipe that requires no kneading but must rise 18 hours. It’s a great bread with a crusty outside and dense inside. It’s great for sandwiches on trips because the bread doesn’t get wet and icky like store bought bread. My husband is the baker in the house and he’s becoming a pro at this bread.
July 15
Had some great friends from Maine visit us this summer. They were our first guests since the re-build of our house after the fire in 2015, two years ago this month.
July 12
Didn’t have the Fourth of July off, but was able to have a few days after to enjoy my grandchildren at the cabin. Swimming, evenings by the campfire making s’mores, sleeping out on the screened porch, breakfasts out on the deck at the Yellow Lake Lodge. Summer is sweet in Minnesota.
July 4
The public has really no idea what flight attendants deal with. I’ve been bitten by bedbugs, as have many flight crew in various hotels. One flight attendant was bitten by a spider, possibly a recluse. The swelled up to the size of a golf ball so the captain sent her to the medical office in the airport of that particular city. When they notices red streaks shooting up her arm, they sent her to a major hospital (not in Minneapolis) that kept her waiting several hours, saying they had no beds. Eventually she left, managed to get a flight home where she received proper care.
June 19
Well, back to the orthopedic surgeon I met in May. I just flew with a flight attendant who had a rod put in her leg when she was 18. She gave me some new ideas to consider for the story. I love my job.
June 10
My husband and I went to dinner at TGI Friday’s and when a couple was called for a table before us; they gave us their table. I asked the waitress to let them order a drink on us. Later, just as we were finishing, a man came over to our table to thank us except it was the wrong man; but it was definitely the right man. The waitress gave the drink order to the wrong table but we’re so glad she did. The man was a Viet Nam War Veteran. What a great opportunity to say thanks.
June 8
The couple I mentioned in the last story has sent me all the information I need to write a fictional version of their story. Can life get any better than that.
June 4
You will not believe my next story. For a mystery writer, it’s a mystery. I was working aft and seated between a couple going to NY for their 37th anniversary. However, they were going as guests of Paula Zahn and would be taped on her show to be aired this fall. Subject: His brother was the victim of a serial killer. I won’t give the story away. You’ll have to watch the Discovery channel this fall.
May 27
Sat next to an engineer while deadheading (riding as a passenger) to my next flight assignment. He asked if I had ever visited the St. Anthony Falls Lab of the University of Minnesota. I said no. He said St. Anthony Falls runs right through the building and they give tours. He said it’s one of the creepiest places he’s ever visited and I should place a mystery there. Guess I’m taking the tour.
May 25
Haven’t been on my blog because I’m trying to finish three novels so that I can start three more. The ideas keep coming in. I had an orthopedic surgeon on my flight who said he always wanted a mystery written about something that would take place in surgery. If I would write it, he would help with the medical jargon. I can’t wait to start and hope to be ready by this fall. He lives in Boise.
May 20
If I can ever figure out how to put pictures on my blog, I will show you some of the sights and great people I’ve crossed paths with in the last few years. Hold on to that thought.
May 18
I have been flying with some of the greatest flight attendants. I just finished a trip with Wanda. She was great to work with, full of fun, very thoughtful and attentive toward all our passengers and a new treasure as a friend. Thank you Wanda.
May 17
I also forgot to mention my high school reunion in late April. I graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, FL. We were saddened to hear that the name is to be changed. Even though Lee fought for the south (he lived in Virginia), he was against the war and against slavery. He was a man of honor and history and deserves to have his name remembered. How can we learn from the past if we try to erase it.
May 15
I forgot to mention the very nice St. Patrick’s Day I experienced in Jacksonville, FL, my home town. My high school friend, Kim, took me and the other flight attendant, Julie, to the beach to hear live music while sitting outside. Needless to say, we weren’t sitting outside in March in Minneapolis, so it was a real treat. Sorry for the belated thank you, Kim.
May 12
Had a long layover in Montreal. Formerly we had to stand on the curb, no matter what the weather was like, to wait for the hotel shuttle. Not anymore. Now we stay at the gorgeous Marriott, right in the airport. Sweet.
May 10
Just learned of a new mystery author who is a NY bestseller of Christian mysteries. Terry Blackstock. Entertaining stories.
May 8
Looking for hummingbirds, visit the Desert Museum in Tucson. Go toward dusk and see all the animals that come out when the sun goes down. Even hummingbirds.
May 6
Interesting how many passengers I’m meeting on flights who know friends of mine in Jacksonville. Bruce and Gerry used to live behind my friend Billy S. Small world
May 5
Had a passenger from Berwick, PA, who said the town is famous for Wise Potato Chips. He also said its a town where you can get away with murder. Must explore that for a future book.
May 4
Many springs in Minnesota are still a long way from green at the beginning of May. Not so this year. It’s been an amazing spring. The depth of the color green all around us makes me want to take out my crayons and see if I have as many shades of green. Doubt it.
April 30
Looks like bumpy summer flying is starting early. We have really had some stormy skies. Today, after flying four bumpy legs around the storms, the captain informed us that we could no longer go around, that we would have to go right through the storm clouds. We decided to say a crew prayer. The captain later said it was the most amazing thing, the clouds literally parted and while we watched amazing lightning storms on both sides of the plane, our flight was as smooth as silk.
April 28
Did I tell you about the flight attendant who suggested I look at the monitor for flight information in the Newark Airport. Under U, it had two flights with flight numbers, gate numbers and times for departure. Guess where both were going? Unknown Destination. I’m halfway through my next book, “Destination Unknown.”
April 25
According to the previously mentioned pilot, it wasn’t the first time a gun interfered with a flight instructor’s lessons. It seems the student wanted to commit suicide by shooting his instructor while in the air. Stay tuned. That’s a book waiting to be written.
April 23
Flew recently with a pilot who told me that back in the 90’s when he was a flight instructor, a war veteran on the ground tried to shoot him out of the air. A bullet went through his knee. Can you imagine being the student who is told, “You need to land this baby while I work on stopping the blood flow.” The student successfully landed and the instructor was rushed to the hospital.
April 21
I am captivated by the studies on what receding glaciers/ice bergs are revealing. If you’ve never looked it up, I recommend that you do. Receding glaciers re revealing incredible ideas for mysteries.
April 19
Working hard to finish mystery that takes place in Greenland. I hope to submit it to an Amazon contest. This book has been so much fun to write. The research alone is fascinating.
April 17
I often read how writer’s are crippled by writer’s block. I’m not sure exactly what that means but if it means they have no new ideas, they should take a new job as a flight attendant. I could write 24/7 and not catch up to all the ideas presented to me.
April 16
I recently finished a trip with a former flight instructor, returned to her position as a flight attendant. She read one of my books during the four-day trip and found a blaring error. I was so grateful that she would share that with me, allowing me to go online and make a correction. Thank you MJ
April 15
I’ve received some responses about the title of my Greenland mystery, part of the Casey Click series, but will wait for more. Please let me know what you think.
April 9
It feels like an early spring in Minnesota. We’ve had very warm temperatures and I’ve been able to sit at a table on my deck and write. The warm sun seems to enhance my desire to write.
April 5
I recently flew a flight with a flight attendant who wants to come up with the next idea for a Casey Click novel. We chatted about ideas on various legs of our flights and then we’d each go to our own hotel room for the night. By the end of the trip, she had found perfect subject matter: the relationships between some pilots and some flight attendants. At first it sounded cliche, but the more she told me, the more I jotted down in my notebook. (All names changed to protect the innocent) .
April 3
I’m currently working on a mystery that I kiddingly say is based on a pilot I know. Of course it’s not because my character is a serial killer, but whenever I see this pilot, he (also kiddingly) asks me how many he’s killed so far. I know, it sound ghoulish but writers of mystery walk a different path than, say, your romance writer.
April 1
My mystery that takes place in Greenland is being edited now but the title has been changed. We have two and would like readers to respond by email to su@woodfin.cc with the one you like best. Without knowing the storyline, just as a title, which works for you? Ice Flight, Carved in Ice or Ice Landing. Look forward to hearing from you.
March 20
Sometime ago, I mentioned that a flight attendant suggested I look at the airport monitor in the Newark Airport. On the monitor it listed two flights with the destination listed as unknown. I loved it and immediately thought of a book I could base on that. It’s working title is “Destination Unknown” and is about half written. I’ve finished the mystery in Greenland with the working title of “Top of the World” and the pilot mystery I previously mentioned, which is also half-finished, has a working title of “The Wingman Killer.” Stay tuned.
March 19
I just returned from a 4-day trip and was it packed with interesting experiences. I met a man who works for a company that implants tracking devices in fish. Do you know that they anesthetize the fish before performing this 3-minute operation. Not a career I had heard of when finishing high school. Who aspires to operate on fish? I was flabbergasted. Then he proceeded to tell me about an expert on sharks who Disney consulted with while producing “Finding Nemo.” Surely there’s a story here. Since I write mysteries, that’s the genre I’ll use. The research will be incredible, as was the research about Greenland. I learned so much. I can hardly wait.
March 19
The next day I reported to the gate before the crew, envisioning the restful night they had had in their palatial quarters while my accommodations were, not to be un-kind, but dramatically less. Now I wasn’t mad at the crew but decided to get even by writing a pilot mystery. It should be finished by mid-spring.
March 18
Winter has been a mild one but that did not preclude us from ice storms. We were supposed to finish our trip by 8:30 PM, when in fact we weren’t finished until 11:30. The pilots were given rooms at the luxurious hotel right at the airport. I was sent to a motel outside the airport. That might not have been so bad if the hotel had sent a shuttle. By 1:30 AM, standing in the freezing weather, a Holiday Inn shuttle driver expressed his worry about me being stranded and offered to take me to my hotel. God bless Holiday Inn.
March 15
Day-three of our trip, we boarded our aircraft and the aforementioned flight attendant had come up with the idea. Organ trafficking. Wow. I never would have thought of that and when I researched it, I was blown away. I guess she’ll be on the cover.
March 13
I recently flew with a beautiful young flight attendant who commented on another flight attendant being on the cover of one of my books. I asked if she would like to be featured. She gave an emphatic “yes!” Well, I said there is a condition. The other flight attendant came up with the story idea. You’ll have to do the same. This was day two of our four-day trip.
March 12
Flying continues to be a source for many stories. I simply can’t write fast enough. For instance, on a recent flight, one of my passengers was a scientist who spends three months every year on the Greenland Ice Sheet. He suggested that I write a mystery located there. Well, I told him I no little to nothing about Greenland; to which he responded, I can help. He emailed me pictures, information about the ice station and the story began to unfold in my head. It’s now complete and in editing.
March 10
Wow, it’s March and I haven’t blogged in so long. Rebuilding, refurnishing and moving back into our townhouse we lost in a fire has been daunting. We still haven’t closed and our punch list is not completed, but it feels good to be home and I’m ready to move on.
End of December but holidays are not quite complete without teaching the young to make lefse. Backstory-when I was in my 50’s, I lost both my parents within 5 years of each other. A couple with grown sons at church asked if they could adopt me. For a while I had a mom and dad again. Now I only have a mom who is 96 but she came over to help my daughter, who she had also taught how to make lefse, to teach her two daughters, ages 12 and 8. Again, the video would help you understand how wonderful it was. Thanks Amy.
Christmas Day–We all gathered at my son’s house. My daughter-in-law had come up with a new game for us to play. Dozens of treasures wadded up into a ball of plastic wrap. When you roll doubles to try t unwrap and reach a treasure, hopefully two, before the next person rolls doubles. It was a boisterously loud and competitive game. Again, all ages competed and the seven-year-old granddaughter was incredibly deft at outmaneuvering her father. The house resounded with laughter.
December 18
I love flying during the Christmas holidays. Passengers are so thoughtful, quite often giving me chocolates of some other small gift and saying, “Thank you for helping us get home for the holidays.” Don’t you love people who are so big of heart that they recognize the sacrifice of others, even though it’s all part of the job.
December 1
My favorite month with preparation and enjoyment of Christmas. Even our burned out townhouse was included when my husband hung a wreath on both the front door and the garage door, just over the Fire Damage, Do-Not-Trespass sign.
November was also a month of additional loss. My daughter drove me to at least 25 rental townhouses to find one with a door that opened directly to the yard level for our aging 15 year-old-dachshund who can no longer climb stairs. Most had a minimum of 8 steps to the main level, many with 22 steps, but we finally found one and saved our personal insurance carrier $685 a month from the unit they found for us. Two weeks after move-in, we lost our dog to a massive tumor in her lung.
Thanksgiving
We’ve always spent Thanksgiving with our children but this year seemed so much more meaningful as we wait for the rebuild of our home. Instead of being surrounded by the sadness of the current catastrophe, we are filled with laughter. Our daughter planned a game in which all ages of family participate. I, with my son and daughter-in-law tied with my daughter’s sister-in-law an her two sons, under the age of 7. How did we settle the tie? We had a gobble-off. I wish I knew how to add the video. You would laugh, too.
November
The month of November is a blur, waiting for the insurance company to at. Here we have the warmest fall you could hope for, a perfect time for demolition ad rebuild of five town homes but nothing is happening. The charred remains stand there as if in monument to the past instead of being torn down in a timely manner and rebuilt for the five families displaced by one careless and inconsiderate smoker. Who is more careless and inconsiderate, the smoker or the insurance company? I wonder.
accommodations October 31
Halloween–when all the little kiddles dress up and giggle about their appearance and the candy they are soon to receive. Since we lost our home during a fire, I can’t help but wonder what the little children in the area will do. Should I put a bowl of candy on the front porch or maybe a sign that says, see you next year.
October 20
If you watch television news at all, you watch the yearly occurrence of homes involved in mudslides, fires or some other catastrophe in California and probably shrug your shoulders and say, “It happens every year,” never thinking about the displacement and loss each family is incurring. Everyday
October 17
I mentioned my daughter’s help. Today she brought her handy electric drill over and took down shelves that she had helped install years before. She also went through water filled dressers to sort out soggy clothing. This is addition to the fact that we are staying at her house and she is fixing us dinner every night while cooking for her own family of four.
October 15
I cannot imagine going through this process without family. My daughter and son have been tireless in helping us. My daughter has driven me to numerous rental places. We have to find something with a door that opens directly to the outside because we have a 25 pound Dachshund that cannot go up and down stairs. Many of the rental townhomes have as many as 18 to 22 steps just to the first level. Finally we found a place in Apple Valley that is very small but meets those needs and signed a rental agreement.
October 12
I never mentioned the firemen the night of the fire. They were unforgettable. Fire trucks came from Burnsville, Apple Valley, Savage and Bloomington. It wasn’t anything like on TV. They worked quietly, efficiently and respectfully. One asked if he could rescue a few things for me that night and proceeded to rescue my Bible and my airport ID. We also heard that the Burnsville Police entered the burning buildings looking for residents before the fire trucks arrived; before we arrived. What an amazing event to watch first hand.
October 12
Back to the work of sloshing through soaked items. Found a townhouse we liked but the agent never showed. This is obviously not a hungry market. But today a miracle happened. I was buying some plastic bins at Target to store things in until we get moved and telling the gentleman at the register about the calamity of our house. Suddenly a tall, beautiful girl wearing a University of Minnesota sweatshirt walked up and told the cashier that she would pay my bill. At first I protested and continued to protest until I was almost rude when she continued to say “Please.” All she would tell me is that her name is Bree and then she disappeared. Just Minnesota nice or the appearance of an angel?
October 11
As once was always the case when I was a child, today was a day of rest. We didn’t go near our charred and soggy house. We having beautiful fall weather. All the maples have turned and the Sumac has started. The sky is without a cloud. My daughter, granddaughter, dogs and I took a long walk. It was heaven. Just a reminder of how beautiful a world we live in.
October 10
Spent the day looking for a townhouse to rent. Not an easy proposition with two dogs. Some places were nice enough but some were really sad. Just a reminder of how fortunate we’ve been, even with our home in ruins.
October 9
I arrived this morning to find my couch in the dumpster along with both our bedroom armoires and a small, antique platform rocker. That brought a tear. “Soldier up,” my dad would say, “Soldier up.”
October 8
Packers are still working in the kitchen, diningroom and breakfast nook. They hope to get to the livingroom tomorrow. We can already see that many of our framed pictures are damaged by water. It’s a little like watching your life march past your eyes, remembering the memory behind each piece.
October 7
Packers are in the kitchen, going through each cupboard carefully. Pots and pans and silverware will be held aside for us to take to a rental townhouse. My electric teapot was toast as well as the toaster.:) A little jaded humor there.
October 6
Today we watched our mattresses and box springs from both bedrooms go into the dumpster. Evans Cleaners came and went through all our clothing, again, piece by piece, to determine what could be salvaged. Those items will be cleaned and stored. They will clean and return a few items for immediate use.
October 5
The town-homes Insurance Company sent a company called ServiceMaster that goes through each item, piece by piece, to determine what can be salvaged and what can’t. It is a long and tedious job but their compassion and humor has been awesome. These are specially gifted people who work in aweful conditions. Imagine if it was winter.
September 30
Still no sign of insurance adjusters but the fire department let us collect a few sodden, smoke filled items for immediate use. And though the reality is grim, the outpouring from friends, family and best of all, my fellow flight attendants, has been amazing. Thank you all. Delta and Endeavor Airlines have been incredible.
September 29
Daylight and the grim reality of last night’s fire. Everything burned to a crisp or destroyed by fire, and yet our flower boxes were blooming as if nothing had happened. What a ray of hope they were. I posted a picture on facebook www.facebook/egnerink. Now we wait for the insurance companies.
September 28
How life can change in just a few days. We were staying at my daughter’s house while our refinished hardwood floors were drying. Midnight, she brings a phone to us. It’s the police informing us that our townhome along with three others was on fire. We sat and watched from 1AM til 4:30AM. Big life change.
Sept 25
Had a wonderful layover in Boston with a great crew. Our Captain made sure we visited the Green Dragon Tavern where many early historical events occurred with Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and others. Then onto another pub for live awful and finally ended at Frost–everything was ice, tables, chairs, the glasses, etc. I’ll try to get a picture on later.
August 20
First day of recurrent. Three written exams. Aced all three. Even under enormous stress, the brain is an amazing thing. Thank you to good instructors.
August 18
Still in a little shock after last night but found out he has a heart condition called an musice or Atrial Fibrillation. Now that things are under control, I need to applaud the emergency room staff at Fairview Ridges Hospital. I was so impressed by their quick response and care. Husband was released today with some additional medications but doing well.
August 17
Only three days until recurrent training which involves numerous written and hands-on testing. However, today my attention took a dramatic turn when I took my husband to the emergency room at 10PM, thinking he was having a heart attack. I watched as they rigged him up with a defibrillator and stopped and started his heart three times. When all three times failed, he was admitted and I returned home at 3AM.
August 4
Flight attendants are required to be re-trained once a year on all the emergency equipment and procedures involved in flying. It’s always a little tense as we study to make sure we’re on top of things such as avionics, weather including turbulence, medical treatments, medical equipment, fire fighting and so forth. Today the studies begin.
August 2
What? Another birthday. My daughter’s. Exactly one week after mine. But it’s a great day for me. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe my daughter. One of a kind and truly a marvel. Always a reminder that I have been truly blessed.
July 28
As I mentioned, today is my husband’s birthday.
July 27
A double holiday; our wedding anniversary and the birthday of our youngest granddaughter. If you noticed, it’s the day after my birthday and the day before my husband’s birthday. Our family royally celebrates these three days all in one. What fun!!
July 26
Another birthday. It’s been fun to watch all my high school classmates posting on each other’s birthdays. Though only a thin thread of connection between many of us, it is filled with joint memories to be re-lived. Thanks for all the birthday wishes from my classmates.
July 4
My family always goes to the lake for the 4th. As usual I’m flying, but though I’m missing the fun family gathering, I’m meeting lots of Americans who define the meaning of the national holiday. I’m so grateful for the individuals who respect and honor what this country has accomplished.
July 1
I’ve worked with a lot of great flight attendants, but one in particular is one of my favorites. She’s very musical. No matter what the circumstance, she can find a song with lyrics to accompany the situation. It certainly makes for a light hearted work day.
June 23
I always enjoy talking to the passengers on our flights. On my latest flight, I mentioned that I write mysteries in my free time. One gentleman immediately pulled a card from his wallet and handed it to me, saying, “Call me if you need any help.” Turns out he’s a fingerprint analyst in Texas. How cool is that?
June 15
I’m currently working on a book that takes me to Jamaica. Remember Montego Bay? How many of you remember the song by the Beach Boys? The song makes you want to hop a plane and head for tropical waters, doesn’t it. However, I discovered an unusual tidbit of information that might sap your interest in snorkeling in the famous bay. It’s original name was Manteca Bahia or Bay of Lard. It seems in the early days of the Spanish acquisition, the largest industry was pork butter (lard) from the wild hogs found on the island. Care to take a dip?
June 8
Just experienced another wild and crazy moment with a shuttle driver named Joseph. The only other passenger in the shuttle was the Assistance Director of the Metropolitan Opera. That got me talking about my children’s animated television program and the need for funding. Joseph excitedly jumped in and said that his wife was in funding and that he planned on calling her right away. I wore a big smile today.
June 1
Our hotel shuttle driver today referred to himself as Special K. He greeted my fellow crew members and me with a smile and good morning. I asked him if he was always in a good mood. He replied, “Always. What’s the point in being any other way.” He said his wife once asked if if he was ever in a bad mood and his response was profound, “Yes, but you’ll never know about it.” What kind of grace pushes a man to rise above all the negative feelings we all experience and radiate happiness and contentment instead. Awesome grace.
May 27
My most recent flight offered a contrast in life situations. I had a passenger who was one of the policemen that arrested Susan Smith in Union, South Carolina. If you remember, she stunned the nation with the drowning murder of her two children who were helplessly strapped into their seats while their car was submerged. A heinous, horrible act. This gentlemen assisted is cutting their tiny bodies free from their restraints. I was gratified to hear that his belief in God and a better world steeled him for the task. As a child, I was a tomboy, never played with dolls and never thought much about being a mother. Was I ever surprised when I became one. This ferocious lioness climbed into my skin. Defending and protecting my young stormed into my soul demanding its acknowledgment and obedience. Thus, I’m at a loss to understand the hearts of the Susan Smiths of the world. Why are some given these strong maternal instincts while others are not?
May 21
Thank you to the captain on the Sioux Falls turn yesterday for sharing tootsie rolls.
May 21
I know I sound redundant when I talk about the joys of being a flight attendant. Don’t get me wrong; it’s hard work and very tiring, but full of surprises. Yesterday I was seated in the aft flight attendant jumpseat and seated next to me was a family from Norway. The woman, Ann-Karin, showed me beautiful pictures of Norway on her phone and promised to send me some. They even gave me their contact information and told me to call them when I travel to Norway. If that wasn’t thrilling enough; they became very excited when they heard my pen-name, Egner. It seems a well-known children’s author named Egner was from Norway. What a delight.
May 10th
Well it must be my year for celebrities. I was saying goodbye to passengers the other day on one of my flights and as a gentleman approached to exit, I asked if anyone had ever told him that he looked like Robert Mitchum. He replied, “They should; he’s my dad.” It was Chris Mitchum.
April 17
Another reason I was disappointed about not recognizing Arnold Palmer is because of my father. As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, he was a photojournalist for the Florida Times Union and an avid golfer. He even played in a couple of Pro-Am tournaments. One with Lee Trevino and I think one with Jack Nicklaus. My kids think he played with Arnold Palmer as well but I can’t prove that. However, I do know he took hundreds of pictures of Mr. Palmer and was one of his biggest fans. It would have been so nice to share that with my passenger.
April 16
I think I met Arnold Palmer. He didn’t identify himself and I’m sorry to say, I didn’t recognize him; or at the least, was not expecting him on my flight. He was travelling to Atlanta with whom I assume was his grandson. We started chatting about the Masters and I asked him if he was going. He said, “Not to play; just to watch.” His grandson added, “He’s a super guru of golf!!” Two nights later as our crew was checking into an Illinois hotel, I was standing at the front desk waiting my turn when I noticed the latest edition of USA Today. On the front page was a picture of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus at the Masters. “Isn’t that the man who was on our flight?” I asked the other FA. The answer was yes. If only I had known.
April 15 In a month I’m going to visit my close friend in Sioux Falls. I haven’t been in an age and I’m really excited. I think I’m going to miss all the spring colors. Ours are just starting in MN but SD is about two weeks ahead of us. That’s okay. The best part of the trip is getting together with a great friend.
April 12th I’m struggling with the use of social media as a way to introduce my books. Does anyone have any suggestions? I use facebook so far, haven’t figured out twitter and though I’m linked in, that’s about as far as its gone. There must be an easier way to reach the public.
April 9 I previously mentioned being late to the gate by 2 minutes. The captain said he was getting ready to send out the Navy Seals. I would like to add that we closed on time and departed on time. However, in flight, I think he felt bad that he had been so impatient with me and invited me into the flight deck to see the sunset. There it is. Pretty dramatic, don’t you think?
April 6
Just heard about a flight attendant that recently gave birth to her first child. What’s so great about that, you ask. Well, she’s 51. I think that’s omen of very good things to come. Her bravery and commitment are impressive. Well done.
April 5
A passenger gave me the new Greg Iles book, “Natchez Burning.” Can hardly wait to immerse myself in its 865 pages.
April 1
No April Fools Day. My daughter and granddaughters joined me at Macy’s flower show, an annual event that takes your breath away. Looks beautiful, smells wonderful and reminds you of all the beauty to come with spring and summer. Big thank you to Macy’s for providing this at absolutely no charge.
March 30
Winter is almost over. Spring is around the corner. You can feel the excitement all around you, even at the airport, where people are arriving wearing sandals and shorts.
March 26
I lost a post that told about a scary event. It seems one of the flight attendants was late reporting for the shuttle to the airport. When the captain called and asked how long she’d be, she said she couldn’t find her shoes. He went to assist. They searched the floor of the room, the closet and the bathroom. No shoes. He asked if she’d checked the drawers. “Why would my shoes be in the drawer?” she asked, clearly puzzled. They searched and found the shoes with a note that said, “I enjoyed watching you sleep.” Creepy.
March 25
It’s been a windy month, making some flights bumpy; however, one passenger said that he and his wife watched me. They said I seemed very relaxed and not concerned; so they followed suit. I was pleased.
March 22
I’m always amazed at how sarcastic some people can become when you ask if their electronic device is on airplane mode. People, it’s not my rule, not the company’s rule; it’s a federal regulation.
March 20
Rarely fly with any of the pilots I flew with in my first few years at Mesaba. Many have gone on to fly mainline or have chosen other companies. But I just flew with one of my favorites. He’s so full of fun while very respectful or his crew members. Thanks Doug
March 13
In one of those posts, I told you about a flight attendant who pointed out something very curious on the flight monitor board at the airport. It became the title of my next book. I’ve written 17 chapters so far.
March 11
Well I lost all my posts from January and February.
March 9
In working on my book, I discovered something interesting historically. I was researching Williamsburg, VA, and found that a plantation between Jamestown and Williamsburg called Berkley Plantation had written in their charter that the day they landed would be celebrated as an annual Day of Thanksgiving. That was two years before Plymouth, MA. did you know that?
I love march. It’s still wintery but there are those brief moments of spring every so often. People are experiencing spring fever, too. I can tell by the shorts and sandals coming onboard our flights.
I think our everyday lives provide plenty of material to be woven into our writing at a later date. Some of my memories may be a little different since I was the daughter of a photojournalist who brought home all kinds of stories, which he delighted in telling, usually at our dinner table.
In the late 1950s, I was still an elementary school student when my father received an assignment to cover President Dwight Eisenhower’s review of the Mayport Carrier Basin located at the mouth of the St. Johns River near Jacksonville, FL. The president’s visit would not have been complete without a visit aboard the USS Saratoga, pride of America’s carrier fleet at the height of the Cold War. Of course all the naval officers and enlisted men were on deck in their full dress uniforms, and top political and civic leaders were present for the occasion in abundance. Rocco Morabito, another photographer also employed by The Florida Times Union in Jacksonville covered this event with my father.
This was in the day of the Graphlex camera with its popping flashbulbs. My father was standing on one side of the president’s path and Morabito was opposite him. That’s when it happened. One of my father’s flashbulbs exploded. Secret Service agents quickly grabbed my father and escorted him from the event, erroneously thinking he had attempted to assassinate the president.
As I understand it, the picture my father took showed Ike standing tall while his Secret Service agents apparently ducked. Well, he had served as Supreme Commander of all Allied forces in Europe—one of the most powerful generals in world history. What would you expect?
Though I don’t have the picture my father took (family legend has it that it was confiscated by Secret Service; another version is that was sold to Life magazine), I do have this picture taken by Morabito showing my father just before the flashbulb exploded.
Needless to say, my dad was delighted by the entire event. He had a great sense of humor as well as a great respect for Ike as a historical military leader and President of the United States. In later years, I would hear the stories and see corresponding pictures of my father with President Ford, Johnny Carson, Paul Harvey, Lee Trevino, Elvis Presley, George Hamilton, Jack Nicholas, and Anwar Sadat, just to name a few. In fact, I’m in one or two of those pictures myself.
If you are a writer, possibly one of the richest sources of material at your disposal can be found in your own family’s stories.