Author: Rene

It isn’t from little children, the rodents are back on my roof. And if I’m correct in gauging their behavior, it’s mating season in my pine trees.

Apparently they have figured out the solar repellants and have successfully navigated their way back here. We are returning to the humane trapping and relocation efforts. Maybe I’ll research and import “predators of squirrels.”

Sigh. Vindictive little things.

Back in a few!

Sounds like a lot of fun, right? I assume it was – for the owls who were conversing from four to five A.M. It is a pleasant sound, somewhat soothing, until you lie in bed wondering when the next hoot will pop out!

Frankly, there might have been three, as I thought there were three distinct voices I could discern. I tried to enjoy the confab, even though I had a sleepless night. Then, when I heard no more chatting, I attempted to drift off again, only to have the sound of the highway beginning to ramp up for its morning duty. Giving up all efforts to sleep, I rose early and shared my morning with Joe, ever faithful coffee friend.

This is why naps were invented.

As of yesterday, I was the unofficial tour guide for Savannah, Georgia. Having taken one hop-on hop-off trolley tour, it seemed I was quite capable of spewing back the information I gleaned from the drivers. I had two different opportunities to narrate as we drove from one square to the next.

My first passenger was my husband. I had to find the ever-important square where “Forrest Gump” was filmed while he was sitting on the bench telling his tale. Warren Square? Anyway, neither my first nor second traveler, friend Steve, questioned anything I said. And while I was able to recall many fine points and names, I did wonder how accurately I was assigning those points and names to the appropriate “city squares.”

Hm. This could be how history gets slightly mixed up – poor tour guides.

That’s okay. Neither I, nor my first tourist passengers will remember any of it anyway!

While researching Spanish Moss, that amazing bromeliad which grows on these southern trees, draping them in exquisite lace, I learned the moss also hosts chiggers. This amazing fact now explains the roadmap of bites I have on my body.

When I grew up, I think we might have said “jiggers” on occasion. This would have been incorrect, another fact I learned in my morning research. Jiggers are fleas. I didn’t even know “chiggers” was a common name for these tiny mites you rarely see.

It’s always interesting to experience the insects of other climates. Apparently I needed a vacation in order to do intense research!

It was upon the return from our luncheon adventure in Beaufort, South Carolina, that we encountered the forces of the wind and the waves. In our speedboat, it was a good half an hour of “wham, wham, wham,” as the boat hit the water. I’ll admit, it ranks up there with the other two things I’d like to avoid: wooden roller coasters and trail rides.

However, the bright side is that I did not get seasick! Years ago, the waves and my inexperience lead me to a miserable deep sea fishing excursion. Also, a stint in Australia waters had me on the upper deck with the captain in a major rainstorm, water lashing at the boat and swamping the vessel, as I couldn’t stomach going below. Another time, the Indian Ocean wanted to claim me as I thrashed about in the choppy blue, enduring the nausea, all in an effort to scuba dive.

To remain unscathed, with just three ibuprofen for the neck pain, is my accomplishment on this vacation day. It’s just good to be in new places with friends again. Happy Monday!

How do you know it’s time to travel again?

Your under-garments need replacing! And, it’s possible that you need to use airline credits that were given to you almost two years ago. Could it have anything to do with your sanity?

Whatever the reason, we are heading out to discover the gems of our own country this weekend, with the hope that we will be able to head out and discover the gems of foreign countries again.

Traveling to the fridge now. Happy weekend!

Look what came in my mail. I haven’t had any communication with this company for umpteen years!

My sister and I used to order pages for our stamp albums from this time-honored company. When we were very young, we would send in $1.00 for the stamps they were advertising in the back of a magazine or in the newspaper. We were philatelists of the highest degree, soaking our stamps off of envelopes in the bathtub. We’d dry them throughout our shared bedroom, and then lick the hinges and slap them on the pages. We had a blast, which actually continued into our adulthood.

It sure would be nice to have one of our “philatelic meetings” again! I hope Mystic survives, because I don’t think I’ll be in need of them. Unless…I do have a granddaughter to introduce to the joys of stamp collecting. Her parents are so lucky!

…the time it takes for wind-blown, chapped lips to recover, with proper lip balm application every hour.

Two weekends ago my husband and I rode our bikes around Lake Dillon. It was windy and I tolerated the sneezing, which always temporarily disables my vision. Can you sneeze without closing your eyes? Anyway, while my eyes and nose suffered on the ride and after, my lips paid the price. I could not get them hydrated. I rarely use lip balms, as they are just a bunch of wax which I end up chewing off, creating drier lips. However, I needed something.

The only reason I share this tidbit is because I found my missing lip balms last night, behind a chair and under the bed! Thanks to my daughter who saved me yesterday at Dollar Tree by purchasing a new one for me.

Now I have three for the next bicycle ride, provided I actually remember to bring them with me.

Things to schedule today: Colonoscopy, flu shot, dermatology check, dog grooming, cut and color.

The problem? The gorgeous weather is calling and I must follow. (Sorry, John Muir). And I still have a mound of dirt to move before it rains.

I’ll get those calls made during my coffee break.