Favorite Daughter (and my only daughter) recently had a birthday.  Among her gifts was an introductory flight and flying lessons.  Flying runs in the blood.  Both grandfathers flew while young.  One was a pilot cadet in the old Army Air Corps and another a young enlisted Airman in the subsequent Air Force.  Both flew for leisure in old-style tail draggers, Luscombes and Piper Cubs.  Favorite Daughter's father flew sail planes and Cessnas in high school and college. Though the demands of subsequent families kept all her predecessors from flying in recent years, there is something about doing it yourself that can never be taken away.

 

When Favorite Daughter was young, we often watched Air National Guard jets from the blue lights area along the north fence of the airport.  That observation spot is now gone, but the memories are not.  We've shared airshows along the way and often flown commercial together.  Being in the front seat is better (even if the Instructor is Pilot in Command).

 

Favorite Daughter observed there was a lot to remember.  That's why checklists exist.  The ability to learn complex tasks and the expectation to undertake at least some of the difficult tasks proffered  is one of the gifts we inherit with adulthood. 

 

I watched the pre-flight from a distance.  It was immediately familiar in outline, even though details have faded.

 

She took off into a beautiful fall sky.  An hour later she was back.  She'd done touch-and-goes at another nearby airport and tooled around under a scattered high overcast.

 

There was a certain satisfaction in seeing her walk back to the hanger after parking the Cessna 172.  Was there a certain swagger to her step?  I think so and hope so.

 

 

Halloween remains a fun, family holiday.  My daughter, now technically an adult, still has enough spirit in her to carve a pumpkin and revel in seeing the younger neighborhood kids in their costumes. 

The Des Moines tradition of requiring a joke to receive a treat is carried on at our door on Beggar’s Night. 

Said one five-year old ghost, “Why did the man throw the clock out the window?” 

Punch line, “Because he wanted to see time fly.” 

I’m not throwing any clocks.  Time flies too fast on its own.  It wasn’t that long ago the favorite daughter was a five-year old in a ladybug costume.