It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Two and a half months of enjoying hummingbirds, and it may be coming to a close. Here is the plant which brought them to the yard in May.

And here we are in August in our high desert.

A sure sign that the seasons are actually changing in spite of our stagnancy. And the little birds still visit me – clinging to their hopes! I’m going to join forces with them as we welcome another week.

Today is my daughter’s bridal shower, cause for celebration and opportunity to recall all of those family events I attended when I was around pre-teen age.

There were about ten of us girl cousins hovering around the same age, and we were ripe for serving as waitresses at the wedding receptions of all of the older cousins. Of course, we were first invited to the bridal showers with our mothers, where we were awarded our roles. Then, we were usually given a pretty apron which one of my aunts had made for us. I think I still have one somewhere? We thought we were ultra-important, offering water and coffee all around the school gymnasium to the wedding guests. (It may have gotten old by the fourth wedding or so?) It was a pretty good gig for all involved – esteem and free help!

I don’t remember the bridal showers much, other than that the uncles and male cousins were outside playing cards in the yard or barn and drinking beer. We women-folk were inside playing games and unwrapping presents, the youngest of us anticipating the end-of-the-shower when we could go run around outside and drag our dads into a game of softball. They were always happy occasions.

Today dawns on another such beautiful one. Thankfully, there is no softball game on the agenda.

This particular comic spoke to me, because it’s true, apparently. I am a “Plugger.”

I remember Saturday night watching Lawrence Welk, dreaming of being Sissy with Bobby, or Ralna with Guy. Singing or dancing – either one was good for me! I’m surprised I never had the desire to learn the accordion? I did stick with the piano and voice lessons in college though. And – I’m sure one day a comic strip will appear touting Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom.” (Another show that stayed with me and carried over to my love for Nat Geo.)

And a one, and a two….

Although it can be difficult to meet new friends while being socially distant, I have managed to ditch the face mask and distance with my two new besties. Hummingbirds have visited me daily for a couple of months!

We’ve heard them every day zipping around and spotted them frequently. At first, they were merely dabbling in the Indian Paintbrush I have kept un-mowed in the back yard, but recently they moved to the front yard and my feeder, and I think I know why.

While outside last week in my red painting sweatshirt – featured below – one hummingbird continued to fly around me. My spouse noticed the little guy drinking from my feeder. I was elated! The next time I was outside in my red painting sweatshirt – featured below – same thing! He was now dining at the front yard feeder, as well as the backyard flora. Who knew I was the attraction in my stunning gear and not a rotten banana or tempting flower?

Even though I’ve seen the pair every day, it was only yesterday that one of the little guys came over to say, “hi.” I just stood there talking to him. I think he enjoyed the attention – probably starved for social interaction, too. We didn’t wear our masks, and he was only a foot from me, hovering and chatting. We are now fast friends.

Obviously I can’t get rid of this sweatshirt now, especially while it’s in the prime of its life! I plan on donning it for morning coffee with my buddies.

Two droopy plants required staking, so I went in search of pantyhose to tie them up. I had about nine pair in every color stashed in my cubicle. Who even wears them anymore? Miraculously, not a single one had a hole or run!

That brought me to consider the nail polish in my cupboard. I really only ever used it to stop runs in my pantyhose. I tossed out four dried up bottles and found one pretty pink shade I might just don when I’m done painting everything. Right now, I’m sporting “Kilz White.” It goes with everything.

So, call me nuts, but I couldn’t sacrifice a pair of good hose just for two little plants. I used some old fabric and made a commitment to wear a pair of those magical stockings when it’s not so darn hot. I’m pretty sure I’ll go with the green pair. It goes with everything.

Once-in-awhile I come across something which causes an audible chuckle.

Of course, it’s still been a good year in spite of the travel deprivation. The people at Behr paint corporate headquarters have sent me a personal thank you for keeping them in business. And hey! I used up four gallons of old paint this past week! That is an extremely satisfying accomplishment in my book. It goes along with my husband’s determination to deplete the entire two freezer sections of our fridges before we restock. Another laudable goal I support.

To celebrate these remarkable achievements, I am going to go and paint a ceiling. Just a “heads up” kind of day.

Saturday’s word-of-the-day was, “Elflocks.” It refers to a tangled mess of hair. Such a cute word! It might make a person feel good about her unruly locks, boost her confidence, inspire her to search for different answers to the situation. My mom always called it, “a rat’s nest.” That totally uninspiring term meant painful combing and brushing to tame.

It’s true. I woke with a bed head mess often, so much so that my father actually noticed when I got my hair cut and styled in eighth grade – perhaps the first time ever in my young life. Those home perms also did nothing to remedy the situation, but they were a heck of a lot of fun to give and get! Of course, my mom brushed and curled my hair and it always looked good when she was in charge, but at some point I had to take over.

Then, voila! Layering and Farrah Fawcett waves! Oh my. That attempt “fell flat“ a few times, but the layering seemed to stick. My hair really is better without all of it joining me for the morning brush-and-roll routine. (Wait, wasn’t that the name of the painting company we hired ten years ago? Yes, it was!)

Perhaps all of the yanking and brushing stimulated my brain cells, allowing me to recall such important facts, like the name of a presumably-now-defunct painting company. I’ll keep that in mind as I tame the tresses yet again before throwing them atop my noggin where no one sees them.

Wandering through my photos, I found one sent to me by a friend, and it was of my very own al fresco dinner table. I found some other lovely place settings in my olio, and I set to pondering the beauty of a well-presented table.

As much as I enjoy a gorgeous spread, I do not often provide one. It’s a necessity of sorts to set the table, and really, who appreciates the water goblets and salad forks? I think my spouse is grateful that I unload the dishwasher and we have clean plates. However, I have decided that different areas for dining can be a new kind of tableau.

We have taken to calling the corner on the new deck, “Paris,” because I have a little cafe-ish table for two set there. The “Lemonade Stand” is the front porch, due to the myriad lemons adorning it. The dining room is still the plain old dining room, so it will have to up its game at the next event. Perhaps “The Dish Room,” from the movie “American President?” We do have a lot of dishes in there.

A new adventure awaits in renaming the dining venues within my own abode. Next I’ll work on embellishing them.

This is going to be my reaction whenever people tell me about their mundane daily routines…to which we all have attended since March. What? You are amazing! You did the laundry AND swept the floor? What? You dusted AND vacuumed in the same day? What? You folded the laundry AND put it away?

There are many amazing moments around us. What? You get to go to a bridal alteration appointment with your daughter?

Whoo hoo! Jackpot day!

This is us today! We shall boldly go forth to crown the day with many achievements. (I’ll think of some to accomplish after my coffee and dental appointment.) Forward, ye citizens! Golf with joy, relish visiting relatives, enjoy your new car, and brush your pearly whites!