Author: Rene

When the weather is warm in November, I install the lights! Too many chilly days of yore have taught me to seize that moment. I usually test them the prior year, mark them to tell me where I placed them, thus, making my life easier each fall. I didn’t do that last year.

No. Monday, I hauled up the bin and proceeded to unwind and untangle and replace bulbs. So when my friend sent me this pic from her travels, informing me that the residents of the town weren’t, “that bright,” I was really empathizing with them.

See if you can find the obvious problem. It’s exactly what my current strand looks like.

Yesterday was a whirlwind, beginning with spotty internet and then me leaving for my hair appointment, a necessity interrupting my day.

While I was at my hair technician’s home, where she moved her salon once Covid hit, I said to her, “You have a squirrel on your deck.” The little guy was quite frisky. She bemoaned the neighbor feeding them, and then I said, “They ate my cushions on the front porch one year.”

No less then five minutes after my comment, she looks out and goes, “What the heck?” There was white fluff flying and a squirrel staring her down, stuffing his mouth with stuffing. He was nonplussed, she was in shock. We brought the two cushions in that had holes, even though I encouraged bringing them all in. You guessed it….five minutes later, the guy was back and had ripped another hole in a new cushion. This time we brought them all in.

All of this was accomplished in between her cutting my hair – which turned out fine, as she apparently remembered where she left off. Eight years she had never had a squirrel damage her cushions, and then I happen to mention my squirrel trauma.

I didn’t comment on how vindictive they are and that possibly they were following me. It’s too difficult to find another hair magician.

Since last Saturday, I have had “That Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady” and “Good bye to Love” in my head. Great voices, Helen Reddy and Karen Carpenter, but not the most inspiring songs to have awaken me each day. I blame my brother.

Last week we had the 70’s radio going on the way to and from the game, and apparently, the product of my misspent youth was on audible display. I knew way too many lyrics and verses and songs from almost 50 years ago, some not heard since the 70’s. Keeping the volume fairly low was tough, but keeping them out of my noggin is proving annoying.

Time to change the channel.

The year will soon be closing with the penguin theme reigning only 57 more days. (If the sign in the store was correct, we only have 50 days until Christmas!)

Interestingly, when we arrived at my MIL’s home, she presented her son and me with our Christmas present. It’s a beautiful original work of art – of two penguins, by her artist friend! It’s a perfect tribute to those amazing birds.

Even though we have 57 more days, the theme for 2022 is being debated as I type. My sister and I require a lengthy voting process in order to achieve the proper representative for the year. Most meetings occur rather close to happy hour should you wish to weigh in. The choices are myriad as we begin to retire “the penguin.”

By the way, we are not choosing, “the joker,” and we accept bribes.

The rule: Never leave a piano unattended if there are musicians in the area.

Fellow travelers to Mendoza understand this, as I willingly played the grand piano in the wine cellar so as to stimulate the fermentation process. Seriously! That is only one instance in the repertoire of “un-tinkled” pianos left unattended.

However, I gave the duty last night to my son at Cokesbury Village, where his grandmother lives. He provided a concert in the cavernous foyer, commanding an audience. The crowning moment was a lively rendition of “Heart and Soul” with mother and son jamming.

Piano lessons last a lifetime.

Chihuly glass. Love it. My mother-in-law first introduced me to Dale and his out-of-the-box glass blowing technique almost thirty years ago at the Delaware Art Museum. I’ve followed and seen whatever I could since. A tiny exhibit in Golden, Colorado, the magnificent one in Colorado Springs, the Botanic Gardens exhibit, Vegas casino, the shows, the museums in Seattle and Tacoma, the installations at various institutions and train stations. I just love his creations. I love glass. If you look, you can find him! I am a groupie.

So, my son gives me a gift he got at the Denver Rescue Mission share-a-book shelf. He’s a volunteer there -something I’m prouder of than my new library acquisition. He thought of me when he found this book. However, he didn’t even know it, but it’s a signed copy, never opened by the recipient. It’s inscribed. For me, it’s like finding a Monet!

We all have treasures we either appreciate or share. Thank you, Son. I shall treasure this, because it probably was meant for me in the long run. And the recipient and donor deserve your generosity and my prayers.

Literally, this has not been done since the first day of mail-in ballots, twenty-some years ago. And yet, I might do it again!

Yesterday I visited the local library for the early bird voting as my ballot went AWOL in the mail. It was absolutely pleasant as could be, complete with fun conversation and an entire six-persons-to-assist-only-me table. Where else can you get a captive audience if it isn’t with people already bored, waiting for some opportunity to help? I regaled the crew with stories of my lost ballot, sudden need to get dressed for the public, and fortune at having met them but probably not seeing them again if the system worked correctly, but considering in-person as they were in need of something to do. I also had a five minute “apres vote” conversation with the traffic director woman.

Voting took me 30 seconds. Conversation, ten.

Besides, I’m not in a hurry anymore, right? I’m still furloughed from my Scholastic job!

My ears are still ringing from Saturday’s sellout crowd in Nebraska. 85,000 people vocally supporting their team is a bit loud. Add the fireworks, the incredible marching band, flyover at the beginning of the game, and it will take all week to calm the senses! What fun.

Thankfully, we were able to refresh with this view from my bro and sis’s home. Now it’s back to the chill and drill of pre-holiday mania. We haven’t made it to Thanksgiving yet, but every store is Christmas-ready. Happy November!

Hope you had fun yesterday! My friend, “Parbara,” made these while on her Hawaiian vacation. Isn’t she talented?

Okay, Parb did not go to Hawaii, nor did she make these. Just as I did not make this pie:

Farewell, October!

“You can’t tailgate without a tailgate,” my brother boldly stated.

Thus, we went through the beautiful neon-blinking color-blast car wash last night at 8 pm, leaving with a spotless red Chevy Silverado, ready for the road and the U of N parking lot. We know how to have a good time in my family!

To top it off, we went to Menards, my favorite home improvement store. 8 PM on a Friday evening is a great time to shop, by the way. My brother and his wife, husband and I, each found treasures.

So when Nebraska trounces Purdue today, you’ll know it was because two Coloradans made the trek to cheer them on in a spotless red Chevy, decked in our finery. It’s a great day for football, family and friends.