Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night

Nor delayed flights nor failed car bombs stay the Harrison women from their appointed travels, apparently. Mike’s mom and sister arrived in Glasgow yesterday, two days late and (thankfully) five hours before the now infamous S.U.V. slammed into the entrance doors of the airport terminal. The Harrisons were originally scheduled to arrive on Thursday morning, but their flight was cancelled due to severe weather over the Atlantic. They were successfully able to make alternative arrangements and arrived Saturday morning instead, a little tired but none the worse for wear. Imagine our shock to learn about the strange attack on Glasgow’s airport yesterday afternoon, at exactly the same spot where the Harrisons hired a taxi to take them to our flat.  After living in Washington, D.C., for several years it feels odd for something like this to happen here.  Glasgow is the least place that I’d expect terrorist activity–it feels so removed from the frenzied security concerns that are now routine in our nation’s capital. Thankfully, according to recent reports, no civilians were seriously injured and the attack seems to have been perpetrated by amateurs. Unfortunately, the recent outbreak of car bombs suggests a large-scale problem amongst certain Muslim groups in Britain. The homegrown element of this is what is especially disturbing. Still, there is not much that we can do except to remain calm and exhibit a certain amount of stoicism–and of course extend a warm, heartfelt welcome to our visiting guests.

It practically begs to get food spilled on it

Hooray, after an eternity of patient waiting our new couch has arrived! More of a chunky loveseat really, its soft cushions simply beg to be sat upon. And of course to have red wine or tomato sauce spilled on them. Although we promised to institute a strictly “no eating” rule in the living room, this promptly flew out the window as soon as we realized that we have no where else to eat unless we’d like to try it while standing up. Of course, the Romans dined while reclining on couches but I think that we bought the wrong sort of thing for that.