August 28th, 2017 – Monday
This lobster needs a reprimand … as it’s been absent, missing, gone, away, errant, delinquent … you get the picture.
I started a post several times … maybe half a dozen … but then I sat. I haven’t had writer’s block, exactly, but either I was so busy that I couldn’t think or I thought nothing was worthy of writing. Just things. Life. Too much or too little. Feast or famine.
But what life doesn’t run that course? Haven’t we all had nothing going on and then all of a sudden you have several invitations or commitments that all fall on the same date? My life since becoming an island girl has slowed down and my social life has pared down—considerably—and yet I’m finding myself with not one, not two, but three activities I’d like to participate in on Thursday night. I have nothing—as in major cricket factory—going on for the next MONTH (and then some) and then 3 things on one night! Why does this happen?
My last post was July 4th … I was feeling all red, white, blue and sparkly… and I can say that really “nothing” has gone on since this lobster has been away. But I’d be amiss. Life as we know it—goes on. Exciting or not.
This is what has transpired in the last 55 days …
The Northwest experienced “Summer” … that rare season that falls between Independence Day and Labor Day—though it looks like we may be extending our summer for another week or so. Fine by me as I’m not ready for more coolness and the rains to start yet. “Summer” here is a scorching 72 degrees … on a warm day. Today was 85. Fabulous. It is going on midnight and it is still 68 degrees outside. That is a usual temperature for most of our summer days. My neighbors are all sweltering … I’m luxuriating in the warmth and the open windows and doors so late at night – or ever! We are to be warm again tomorrow and I can’t wait! I think I’ll be playing hooky as I have no guests (human or canine) and it is my one day for the next month that I can go play or do whatever I want to and it’s going to be warm and lovely out. So, I might just forego work and go have some fun! Maybe I’ll take big dog. Clara, to the beach!
In the past 55 days … my daughter’s flower business is dare I say—blooming, she drove out to the NW w/her co-pilot enormous-dog Brutus to play with me for a week (GREAT fun!) and her best friend had a baby girl. All wonderful things.
My son has been to Turkey, Israel, Georgia and the Gaza Strip (and probably somewhere else) and came home to a new job offer. In that time he’s been halfway around the world and I never got off the island!
Not wanting to get (too) political, I cannot even begin to take into account what has been going on in our country—on any given day, nearly every given day—abhorrent actions, hate, lies, idiocy, spinelessness, malice, stupid-ass Twitter rantings…and that’s just from our president. Too disgusting for words. It all makes for many sleepless nights. Wake up country! Do the right thing! Be nice! Love your neighbors! We are one family!
In the last 55 days, I’ve hosted guests for 42 of those nights (yeah, I’m tired of doing laundry!) … and have had 35 days of dogs (7 total on one crazy, crazy Saturday). One of my recent guests was from France. He was eyeing our local bunnies and slugs—commenting on ‘so many rahbeets (so tastee avec moustard) and escargot—oui?’ I didn’t have the heart to tell him these were more like pets to me than dinner fixings.
I’ve had 2 dogs in weddings recently, a Frenchie was a flower girl and a Corgi was a ring bearer. More weddings this fall—with dogs in them! People are so silly with their animals! (So says the woman who has a miniature sombrero that every guest chihuahua has to wear while getting its photo taken!)
My garden has already been harvested—thanks, completely, to Gertie (the pug) for doing that job. We had one tomato plant and 6 small tomatoes that made it this far into the season before succumbing to the jaws of death! Alas, she managed to climb up the vine and eat each last one whether it was green (most of them were) or slightly ripened. Way to go, Gert! I’ll never be known for my farming skills!
As far as my other “garden” … Mom Nature has had her way with us up here—she needs to even things out a bit. Sans the 17 raindrops we had one Sunday a few weeks back, we are now on Day 72 without rain.
While the south will have had 3-5 feet of rain in the last week (my heart is with those in the south. Scary, scary times for so many!), I’ve been watering my flower boxes and flower beds and am paying exorbitant water bills to apparently grow sticks. What flowers somehow survived the drought, my hydrophobic soil and feeble (though expensive) watering attempts have been devoured by the roaming deer and silver-trailing slugs— leaving sticks in their wake. I know they have to eat … and I really don’t mind sharing … but I wish the deer left some flowers behind as well as silver glitter like the slugs do and not snacks for the dogs in the form of bb pellets! Mmm, so tastee—oui?
Some time along the way, I managed to fall while moving my exercise equipment (yes – the most exercise I’d gotten from that machine in the past 6 months was while moving it!) and bruise the backs of my arms from elbow to shoulder. Pretty! I picked up bronchitis and walking pneumonia (feeling better now!) and discovered I actually have abs under this protective layer of blubber because I think I pulled at least 6 muscles while coughing. I also visited my dermatologist who went a bit crazy with the liquid nitrogen canister and let’s just say 39 “leper” spots on one’s face, neck and chest are not a pretty sight! However, those have faded, as will the black and blue arms… and my hair is growing in so that now I actually am having some bad hair days! I think I’m at the 3″ mark and gee—it only took me nearly 8 months!
The eclipse happened … not much of a difference for us up on the island. But, I’m sure if you were one of the lucky ones in “the path” it was quite exciting! Day to night, night to day. I’ll have to go to Carbondale the next time! The last time I was there, I was 17 on a camping trip with high school buddies and my best friend wore his boxers on his head to keep warm. Seems like several lifetimes ago!
I’ve also fixed my bike! As of late, one could find me zipping around along the cliff road with the wind rushing through my locks (well, kind of) and the small prairie gnats getting stuck in my teeth! Extra protein. I’m not complaining. I however know my limits and have been side-lined since breathing has been more important then biking. My dad, however, took himself off the sidelines and pedaled his bike 8 miles one day! In 85 degree heat plus humidity. On the shoulder of a rather busy road. This is a man who used to bike 1500 miles every summer but has been off his bike for some time. Due to an accident he tilts to the right. Due to being a month shy of 89, he also tilts forward. Whatever possessed him to get on that bike? I’m still trying to figure out if I should be impressed or really upset with him!
And somewhere in these past 55 days I’ve had my heart tugged and I’ve lost a little bit of it, too. My brother’s dog died and I wish I could give him a big hug in person. I worry about a dear friend’s cancer battle. Three friends here have recently moved away. And, the darling 3-year-old I was babysitting has also moved and I now have fewer pals and no one to play dinosaur tea party or have a gorilla dance party with. The dogs will have NO part in either!
And so those were the last 55 days. Filled with doings and happenings and yet, with all that, “nothing” really has been going on. Nothing to write home about. Nothing that any blog writing lobster would think anyone would want to read. And yet here I am. Nothing, everything, just things … just life.