If there could be one truism about my life, it is that there is never a dull moment. I arrived home around 6 o’clock via an unexpected cab ride, following an unexpected bus ride. I got caught in a snowstorm this afternoon.

See, earlier in the day I decided to take my cousin Tosca to Stroudsburg/Delaware Water Gap, which is the last stop before New York, where she would take the shuttle to JFK to fly home to Vancouver. I took Allan to the bus terminal here in Scranton this morning because he wanted to be in New York by 1 o’clock to catch a bus from there to Boston to continue north to Maine for the weekend. He returns to Vancouver on Tuesday via Newark.

The weather reports said there was a 60% chance of snow, and I knew I didn’t want to go as far as Manhattan because I’d spent New Year’s Eve in Times Square before, and it’s asking for trouble to try and drive in. Not to mention the weather wreaking havoc on the roads. But I thought a drive to Stroudsburg would be alright, since it wasn’t that far — less than an hour — and conditions here were fine.

When we set out in the car to Stroudsburg (43 miles to the east) the roads were dry, but within 20 minutes or so it began to snow, starting with light flakes but gradually becoming thicker and blowing briskly. Eventually we had to slow to a relative crawl because it was turning into a whitewash. I’m very glad I bought snow tires last week, because we would’ve gone off the road otherwise. We passed accidents and cars in ditches — notably, a truck UPSIDE-DOWN in the highway median. Tosca was getting nervous, and I was gripping the wheel tightly, making sure I had plenty of room in front and behind me, and staying as far away from the shoulder as safely possible.

The highway around the Pocono Mountains is winding, with twists and turns and elevation changes. I changed my plan of aiming for Stroudsburg to exiting the highway near Mount Pocono, the stop before Stroudsburg. The last thing we needed right now was an accident — Tosca had to catch her plane at JFK, and it left at 9:20pm. We had no idea if the buses were operating on schedule, and there were fewer buses from Mount Pocono than Stroudsburg.

I took the exit at Tannersville because it seemed closer to the Mount Pocono terminal than exiting at Tobyhanna, then continuing along Route 11 from there. It was a real gamble, and the roads got whiter and whiter… I began to second-guess my decision because everything was obscured and the drive seemed interminable — why did it seem so FAR??? Was I going the right way??? Route 11 was in even worse condition than I-380, and if I was going the wrong way, could we even go back? The clock was ticking, and I hoped I made the right choice.

I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I finally spotted the station and a bus was waiting there. Turned out the weather was creating problems for all highway traffic, and Tosca got a reservation for the 4:05 bus, which should get her into Port Authority with enough time to make her flight. She also bought me a bus ticket to return home, after I made arrangements to leave the car at the terminal parking lot and pick it up the next day. Both of our buses were late, and we ended up leaving at the same time. (The last I heard she arrived in Port Authority late, the airport shuttles were not operating, so she took the subway and AirTrain to JFK. I can only assume at this point that she made her flight, or she would have phoned Mike or me right away.)

I had a bit of trouble getting a taxi home — after all, it’s New Year’s Eve — but now I’m here with Hugh, and we’re safe and warm. I’ll leave 2005 behind with one of David’s favourite songs by Billy Joel. “You’re My Home” is one of the songs in a birthday compilation CD that David made for me in June.

YOU’RE MY HOME (Billy Joel)

When you look into my eyes
and you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
it always comes as a surprise
when I feel my withered roots begin to grow.

Well I never had a place
that I could call my very own
but that’s all right my love
cuz you’re my home.

When you touch my weary head
and you tell me everything will be all right.
You say use my body for your bed
and my love will keep you warm throughout the night.

Well I’ll never be a stranger
and I’ll never be alone
wherever we’re together
that’s my home.

Home could be the Pennsylvania turnpike
Indiana’s early morning dew
high up in the hills of California
home is just another word for you.

Well I never had a place that I could call my very own
but that’s all right my love
cuz you’re my home.

If I travel all my life
and I never get stop and settle down
long as I have you by my side
there’s a roof above and good walls all around.
You’re my castle, you’re my cabin
and my instant pleasure dome.
I need you in my house
cuz you’re my home…
you’re my home.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year ~