The day began as usual with a quick visit to the garden, where we surveyed the plants to decide which ones to keep and which ones to discard. We pulled out four tomato plants that were on their last legs. As we uprooted them, they put up a bit of a fight, but we prevailed in the end!
We “sort of” had an appointment with Homeland Security to get our “Global Entry” paperwork. Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection service program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to receive expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports and via the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes by land and sea.
When you arrive in the U.S. at select airports, head for the Global Entry line—if there is one—and go to a Global Entry automated kiosk. All you have to do is scan your passport and fingerprints and fill out a customs declaration form. The whole process takes only a few minutes. Once complete, you’ll receive a transaction receipt to hand over to an immigration officer on your way out.
No more long lines!!
Getting the paperwork done online was a terrible experience. Although we had already completed the pre-check-in process, scheduling an appointment was a different story. After struggling to no avail, I paid $30 to a third-party service for assistance. However, even that did not go as planned. Frustrated, I decided to visit their office and speak to someone there.
We drove to LAX and found the Customers and Border Patrol building. They were on their lunch for 45 minutes, so we had to wait. We were hungry, so we went to McDonald’s. We went into the building and found a long line. When they opened up, the first fifteen went inside.
It’s a shame they cannot enforce the law!
They asked me to come inside because I was using my cane and didn’t want me to stand. I explained to the officials that at 80 years old, I wasn’t tech-savvy and couldn’t use the computer. I said I drove an hour to get here and had tried for two months to get an appointment. They took pity on me and allowed me to proceed with the interview, which went smoothly. I departed the building and headed to the car where Mary awaited me.
The officer who had interviewed me came out of the building, stopped at our car, and asked if “my daughter” needed an interview. I replied in the affirmative but explained that we didn’t have an appointment. The officer kindly offered to help my daughter and took her to the interview area. My daughter was done in less than six minutes, and we were cleared to go.
My daughter?
In and out in six minutes! Thank You, officer, for helping us!!!
Today, I marked the 53rd anniversary of my father’s passing. He was a remarkable man and an exceptional father. I can only hope to be half the man he was. He was only 65 years old when he passed; he was taken far too early.
Dad passed away 53 years ago today; I miss him so much!
Joe sent us a video informing us that his sand rail is operational! Mary and I have decided to rent a motorhome for the Christmas holidays and join Joe (our son), Zack (our grandson), and others out in the desert for several days! Mary loves to explore the wild and wooly world, and we are all set to have fun together!
We spent the rest of the day putting up Halloween decorations and still have more to do tomorrow. Today, we fixed and repaired decorations and replaced batteries in all the electronics.
Mary and I could not be more compatible; we relish opening up the decorations in storage for the past year and putting them in their places. When my wife smiles at me, everything else fades away.
I’ve tried so many times to think of a new way to say it, and it’s still I love you.
