It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Today I was forced to do laps in the lap pool rather than walking against the current in the activity pool. It would have been better if I’d had my floral bathing cap, but I managed to keep my head above water and preserve my messily thrown updo. (Notice the terms related to swimming which apply to life?)

What I discovered in that pivotal exercise is that I really do like swimming laps. I used to go for an hour just mindlessly letting the water do the work while I participated. Today I noticed the sign which read, “No long breath holding.” What? That was my entire goal each and every summer when the city pool opened!

Probably in my teens I mastered the length of the pool in one breath. The width of the pool was highly achievable at some point, so I went for length. I can still feel that pressure from thinking you’ll explode before you reach the wall. But when I did it, I knew I could survive anything an ocean could throw at me! I’d never been in an ocean, so I had no clue what that was like, but it did build my confidence. Perhaps that’s why I feel so very comfortable under the sea?

Summer thoughts for an end-of-summer month. Just keeping my head above water.

A dear friend reminded me that I had suggested the name, “Curtain Rods” for our little four-girl clubhouse moniker. Apparently eccentricity may begin at an early age? Either that or I was wishing I had curtain rods in the bedroom my sister and I shared in that first home we rented!

The cool thing about that un-draped bedroom was that we each had our own twin bed, and we could run a string with a bucket on it from one end to the other, five feet away. We passed messages and dumb stuff back and forth to avoid sleep. I can only imagine what will happen soon enough with the twin granddaughters who have already managed to understand the meaning of, “delay bed time.”

The little gifts of an idyllic childhood.

For some reason, probably because of the therapy session yesterday, I was thinking about how we weren’t financially rich as a family when I was growing up. Then this pops up in my daily reading!

My siblings and I spent hours entertaining ourselves with non-toys and our make-believe stories. Since my father had a playhouse built for my sister and I when we were just three and four years of age, that mini-domicile moved with us to two different towns and became our go-to haven for fun. It was a library, restaurant, school, hospital, and one evening, an attempted sleep-over unit. (That didn’t work. My mom was too worried about us in the yard at night so in we went!)

We did make our own fun and were truly rich in the ways that mattered.

If you happen to have a baby grand lying around, it can successfully be used as a fort.

Yesterday’s domicile resulted in an excellent nap for one elder granddaughter and her grandmother, even though our legs were unsheltered. Nice and dark and cozy, it also doubled as a viewing room for a brief “Frozen” showing on the iPad for all three pipsqueaks.

Luckily I do not have to rehearse any selections for church.

Apparently my admonition only served to gently disturb my guests.

This morning the visitors from last night who were nibbling on my shrubs were once again lounging in the backyard. When I saw them yesterday, I tried to move them on to the neighbors’ smorgasbords with an emphatic, “Get!” They lazily eyed me and sauntered about ten feet away. I gave up. Then this morning, I find they have taken up residence. Perhaps if I mowed those lengthy weeds they would find the premises less desirable?

Even though uninvited, it’s nice to have such noble visitors.

Years ago I went to an inspirational speech by a man I have since learned was on the beginning of his Vietnam story tour. I was wearing a POW bracelet at the time. His words have since influenced my thoughts and actions. Captain Charlie Plumb.

And let me back up a bit…Mrs. Hamilton.

The local librarian steered me into historical fiction. She saw my sister and I every weekend, for the most part, and aside from the dime she gave “Pindy” to buy her a donut, she navigated me to the adult literature section. She knew and understood I craved more. I read biographies and autobiographies. When I heard Captain Plumb speak, I had an individual bringing horrific history to life. Since then, my heart was and has always been drawn to stories of those who survived. I think about odd stuff…like, what do I know by memory that could sustain me in a prison? Could I recall anything worthy? I think about the scraps I discard that prisoners and others died for lack of. Cherishing. Even in the small, cherish. I am happy to have those thoughts.

So, Charlie Plumb….I’m not sure how you came to mind today? And thank you and everyone else who served us.

That word is not my favorite. It implies one thing trumps all other choices which I find to be untrue most of the time. Unless, of course, it’s favorite food we’re discussing. Hands down, a grain-fed excellent grade of beef hamburger, medium-well with raw onion, tomato and lettuce.

Yes, looking at yesterday’s list I realize I have preferences, but really, they are options only in certain instances. Let’s look at coffee or tea.

If I am in the country of Turkey, it’s that wonderful Turkish tea which I can still taste. It might be worth a trip back just for the beauty of being served from an exquisite samovar. I love it. Of course, a cuppa is proper when visiting our British friends, and I have actually deemed to have it “properly” with milk. Perhaps I will have the chance to comment on tea in China one day?

However, when I am homebound – coffee it is. Time for a jolt.

Every good writing coach has a list of prompts to get you started. This one popped up in some feed – probably Pinterest as I was researching my latest flit of fancy – a “she shed.” We shall be delving into these questions and further inspecting the mundane thoughts of this diarist. But not today. Today is just the “borrowed” list.

Feel free to share with your friends and family.

Yesterday afternoon, warm with a gentle zephyr, my visitor sat under the pine trees, barely visible in the shade. He is a majestic deer who enjoys the slope of the hill under the pines. As I sat outside on the brick wall tanning my lily white short-sleeve-clad arms, we had a quiet conversation.

He knew I was there and kept checking on me, even when I went in to retrieve my sunglasses. When I returned we were joined by a ruby-throated friend. The stand of Indian Paintbrush has grown with the moisture, though the flowers are still small. He checked me out as he found the best fare, said his piece, then continued on his journey.

What a wonderful gift.

The sound of clumps of snow melting from the overhead decking. It’s rather fun early this morning after a “snow day” of epic proportions. Actually, the falling ice clods are rather dangerous looking. It’s not even 7 am and things are vastly improving from yesterday.

However, a snow day? The roads were clear and it didn’t get icy. We hadn’t had a good dump day all year though, so I know every kid and teacher delighted in the announcement. Every parent sighed.

Thankfully it will be warm again and the BCAN walk should be delightful this weekend. You continue to amaze us, Mother Nature.