Author: Rene

Appropriate headline today for yesterday:

While walking with “The Winks,” we three stopped and stared at the trees lining the nearby road. The trees have been there for many years already, and we just noticed them. They had gorgeous gold leaves and little burgundy berries. None of us had taken note of them before, and we made a comment about how this pandemic has slowed us down, allowing us to see things we normally breezed past.

So while we were appropriately awed, I am looking forward to being able to breeze past those trees again. Later, gators…I’m heading out to be odd. Awed.

My sister, brother and I were bemoaning the fact that we didn’t have cool nicknames. None of us have names that lend themselves to shortening, especially my one-syllabled brother. However, around my town of origin, there are cool names that just seem fitting and right.

Boots, Bones, Twig, Pinkie. There are others, but those stand out.

My sister and I decided it would be cool to have a name like “Pinkie.” I shan’t divulge her given name, but the real “Pinkie” is as cute as a bug, as tiny as a pinkie finger, and the name seems like her God-given right. None of us knew her real name until we saw the church directory with her photo. She is a bridge buddy of my mom’s, and she sings in the choir. I have never heard anyone call her anything other than, “Pinkie.”

Quite frankly, I don’t know what I would want to be called. I always thought my name was rather cool. It comes from the word, “Renaissance.” Rebirth. When I went to college there were two other Rene’s, both male. (I was actually assigned to the men’s dorm back in the 70’s, because they assumed I was another guy. My parents were thrilled.) It was only in college that I learned I was given a masculine form of the name, and that people who weren’t paying attention would forever stick an extra “e” on the end.

So, no cool nickname, but gratitude to all who don’t stick the extra vowel on the end. And if I could have a good nickname, it would be the one that’s already taken by my friend, “Pepper.”

The Hogwart’s Express is not for me, and I don’t think I would have done well in an Agatha Christie murder story. Freight trains are my love.

When I traverse the Plains I am always awed by the length of these beasts transporting our nation’s resources. While most people probably give thanks for missing the RR crossing bars when they clang and bang down, I am excited when I get to sit and watch the train go by. The coolest train view I ever had was the BNSF route through El Paso, as viewed from the top of Mount Cristo Rey. You could see the lines snaking for miles and miles through flat land on their way to the southernmost end of the line.

Years ago, I used to count my blessings when I missed the train crossing because it could make me late for work – it was one that slowed through the city and you never knew how long you would sit! You could sigh a bit, and then you would go, “Oh no!” The train would stop and reverse. All I could do was turn off the engine and relax. That was before a person could track online schedules and know exactly where and when the crossing bars would be doing their job. Pre-GPS and cell phones. Those days did exist, didn’t they? Oh – more about maps another day!

I can’t count the cars well anymore. That’s a good thing – because I’m driving. The road really should take precedence. (That was always a game for the kids to make the event worth noting.) And I can’t see the graffiti as well when the tracks are in the distance – so I can’t wonder who had the gumption to crawl between cars and tracks and tag those big boxes with their monikers – or what in the world their symbols mean? But if I get to stop for one, I relish the opportunity.

Freight trains are great for the imagination. As my Mother-in-law says – a little “razzle dazzle” in the day.

It’s off the grid I go!“ Thus, I felt it was important to give you these critical updates before I return in a week. These extraordinary uses for common household items are courtesy of “Reader’s Digest,” October 2020.

When packing an emergency kit for someone you love, include the following:

• Tennis ball…When cut in half it can be used as a plunger for clogged drains. (The imagery on that one is the best)
• Vick’s Vap-o-Rub…It can be placed on wrists and heels to repel insects.
• Chalk…Will take stains out of collars with perspiration issues.
• Duct Tape… Of course, it can be cut to the length of a shoestring, ripped in half, folded in half, and used to lace your shoe. Just be sure to have a roll on hand when you’re hiking. And, I’m sure it would look better than taking the broken lace and putting a knot in it until you can replace it properly?

Okay, I fabricated the part about these suggestions being an emergency kit, but I did borrow these useful tips that I felt needed to be urgently preserved. Why? Because the internet goes away for a few days around here as we transition to new living quarters with the matriarch. (Unfortunately, the water will also go away for a bit tomorrow as a two-year project request finally comes to fruition!!@!@!!)

We return to a simpler time as we haul water from the village well and are forced to read hard-bound books rather than email. (Okay…we still have our cell phones. It’s not that dire.)

I guess we’ll make duct tape shoelaces tomorrow in our spare time, just to have emergency supplies on hand. And if the water situation causes a plumbing issue, we have an old tennis ball on hand for that!

In case you watched the debates, read a newspaper, or experienced grief in your day…here you go:

Driving along the interstate I was met with the exact same road closure that has been instituted all summer. (In Colorado, btw) The road narrows to one lane, speed drops from 75 to 55, and NOTHING is occurring on either side of this major road.

However, I got excited when the flashing sign read, “Caution. Various Crews ahead.” What in the world could that mean? Was I actually going to see something of interest? Various? Not just one kind of crew, but different types all going about the business of reopening this road, which they have had all summer to do for the 12 miles that have been slowed. (Previously we went to 45 mph, so we are doing a little better.)

I was getting in another snit, when it occurred to me that this is how things operate at my home, too. We thought about replacing the deck three years ago. We talked about it for a good year and a half. We got some estimates. We finally decided to do it ourselves. Perhaps this road is still being discussed over coffee and rolls?

For Christmas I think I will give family members orange traffic cones. This will be our way to say, “We’re thinking about a change, but haven’t quite committed or decided. Please don’t bother asking about it. Slow your ruminating on this subject.”

I wouldn’t charge $22 for them either.

That is exactly the tune for airline travel these days. As everyone is masked up from the point of entry into the parking arena of departure until arrival at the hotel in the chosen city, all a person does with fellow human beings is wink a smile, blink a smile, or nod in a communal understanding mode.

I have perfected the head nod, having had practice with that Midwestern driving technique. Blinking my eyes seems to be easier for me than winking, since I usually have one eye shut in squinting mode anyway. And as a recent airline passenger, masks do make conversation nearly null and void. Great for you in the event you aren’t a chatty person that day. So what additional means have we to communicate other than winking, blinking, nodding and yelling through our masks?

If you’re walking along the Mount Vernon Trailhead, which parallels the highway, you can wave over the concrete walls to passing motorists and truckers. Lots of honks and others waving back can give your little heart a boost. Or, you can also dance through the international terminal at Dulles without any repercussion, as there is absolutely no audience available.

Go forth waving and dancing is our mantra for today.

Even my spell check wonders about this word! It happened to be in my feed for the day, and it happened to be what we experienced at my nephew’s wedding last night.

Yes, it feels like the wedding feast at Cana may be coming to an end after this weekend. We have had such a wonderful time celebrating two marriages in our family in one week. And such beautiful new members have joined our clans. To celebrate last night’s event, the dining menu was truly pantophagous. I find it impossible to list all of the delectable appetizers and desserts served. My salmon was outstanding though!

Once again there was swaying and gyrating to some wonderful tunes, and once again, the familiar, “Snap, crackle and pop,” of my joints has been my alarm. With over 20,000 steps for yesterday, I look forward to continuing the march as we head out to tour the sights, whether they are open or not.

I hope to dance through my day again.

Watch the furniture commercials. EVERY single female actress hawking furniture does the EXACT same maneuvers. Walk forward while making the introduction or wrap-up, stop, put the right or left leg slightly up with the knee bent. It really drives me NUTS!

I’m just assuming the same film crew and director are in charge. There is a little difference in hand motions. Either the arms are at the side, or folded together in front. I guess that’s what helps them stand apart? Ha!

Obviously, I have to find a new project. I’m just biding time until I tackle the ones awaiting me in the storage side of my garage. My husband deserves a bit of a break.