Days to go

     Less than a week now before I set sail, or, more precisely, board the plane for Chicago and then to Paris. And then I'll be underway, on a way I've set for myself since last October. I wonder if I'm ready, but I also know that one can never be fully ready. I think I'm ready as I can be.
    Well, that's not entirely true. Six days before I leave, I'm still not certain about my backpack. The one I've had since last fall is a Deuter 45+10, and I do love the way it feels on my back. But it's not a very light backpack, because of its size. It's light for its size, but I got to thinking that maybe at 3 pounds 6 ounces, it might be heavier than another one. So I started researching online, and I found another pack, 40 liters, at 2 pounds 1 ounce. A great difference! So I've ordered it and I'm waiting to see if it has the support that the Deuter does, and if all my gear fits in nicely. If so that is so, then I'll be switching packs not midstream but at the last moment before going over the waterfall. The new pack arrives on the morrow.
    Meanwhile I've been winnowing down each ditty bag--the bag for the shower and laundering, the bag of clothes, the bag for nighttime, the bag for first aid and the one for medication, the little bag for electronics, for want of a better designation. It has my adaptor plug, my extra fitbit battery, my chargers. And then there's the bag for underwear, socks, etc. And miscellaneous, a bandana, liner gloves, a sarong. I also have a plastic envelope that closes securely, in which to keep important documents, like my plane tickets, a copy of my passport and other essential things, and in which I can keep anything of that sort that I collect along the way.
     I've called my credit and debit card companies to let them know I'll be out of the country for two months, I've stopped the newspaper and had the mail forwarded to Becky's house, I've written final instructions and last wishes, in case of the worst happening. I wonder what I still have left undone, left to do. I need to clean my house!