If you have never flown on a busy day or to a busy airport, a holding pattern is a maneuver designed to delay an aircraft already in flight while keeping it within a specified airspace.  In other words, you fly around in circles until the control tower lets the pilots land the airplane.

I have found this technique to be very handy while at Costco.  For instance, I stopped by Costco on my way home from work (4:30 PM) to pick up a rotisserie chicken for dinner and there were none available.  The next batch was still roasting and wouldn’t be finished for 20 minutes.  Since I had time, I started wandering around the store.  Before long, I noticed I was following a zigzagging path through various isles.  After reflecting on the experience, I realized the path brought me next to each food sample stand.  I had meatballs, crackers with cream cheese and sun dried tomatoes, garlic bread, cup ‘o’ noodles, popcorn (3 flavors!), orange chicken, guacamole, and other yummy treats.    Mmmm…sample stands.  Sample stands are one reason I will keep my Costco membership, ‘cause if I am ever homeless, at least I won’t be hungry!

It’s hard to believe Adelle is almost 2!  She asked me to take this picture of herself a couple of weeks ago as she sat on dad’s computer chair.  We are really having a lot of fun watching her grow and develop.