It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Yes, yes. I know it’s been a bit of a break. It was a learning curve excursion, complete with a two-year old and pregnant woman. Travel must definitely be adaptable with both of those considerations! It’s a skill I haven’t had to employ for thirty-plus years.

In between naps and parks and eating, we did manage to have family get-togethers and properly celebrate the graduate, our reason for choosing to uproot and fly away. The weather was most cooperative, even keeping the Midwest humidity at bay. Apparently it all stayed here at home, where I am now having to reschedule yard work due to the rains. Thankfully, I did not book the trip to Ireland as I feel I am abiding there.

After arriving home last night, we are once again out of here, this time to visit the Botanic Gardens, where I’m assuming the moisture has resulted in a riotous bloom fest. Then, even eschewing my weekly bridge game, I shall hope to return home and unpack.

As my mother oft said, “There is no rest for the weary.” Hm. It’s too early to nap anyway.

Many times I have stayed in a VRBO or Airbnb….I think we are the first for this particular home. How do I know?

There is not a ding or scratch anywhere on the paint. That’s my first clue. It smells of new carpet and there is a remnant of new carpet in the garage. Second. Third, they advertised a charcoal grill which was not here, but promptly delivered and assembled about an hour after I inquired as to its whereabouts, along with a small refund. Lovely owner, by the way. Gorgeous “First Aid” kit which has never been opened.

This is the perfect second home for my family as we await the celebration of my youngest nephew’s high school graduation. Luckily, it’s not even humid here in the Midwest, nor is it blisteringly hot. For many things we are grateful.

“Pomp and Circumstance” on the menu for the weekend.

The benefits of rain and wind in the spring: healthy flora and pollen-draped outdoor furniture. Yellow is a lovely color.

Drawbacks? My nose is a wee bit tired of dripping and itching and my sneezes have not become more quiet and refined. Remind me of this lovely rain and beauty when we have returned to desert conditions.

“Bless you!”

In the era of TikTok videos, the “Get Ready With Me” theme is apparently a hit. Viewers can see what it takes to get someone prepared for a meeting, dressed for a special occasion, etc… A person may garner thousands of viewers and even earn money should they be seen as influencers.

I’m thinking of making a video. We would begin with the camera at my back, watching as I trudge down the driveway to see if the carrier did his job. The next frame would feature a cup of coffee and an old-fashioned print media item called a “newspaper.” We would then see my stubby little fingers inking in the answers to the NYT puzzle, possibly with a second cup of coffee.

At no time would we see my visage. We might see me donning an over-sized, long-sleeved shirt that my son used to own as I head out to do some weed whacking. That would pretty much be the norm of a “Get Ready With Me” day.

No need to worry. It’s only a pipe dream to remain unfulfilled. Well, really, just a dumb idea. Time to retrieve the archaic means of consuming news.

“Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

How are you? I am fine. I hope you have a good day.

Love, Rene”

That would be the gist of the letter-writing campaign my mother had us kids do from the moment we learned to write. “Send your grandparents a note. They will love that.” So we did! They always started out the same way until we actually had lives of interest later on. The best part? Grandma and Grandpa would write back! You had to send a letter to get a letter and receiving mail was always special.

That was the reminiscing my spouse and I did last night as we checked emails and texts. We have taken the anticipation out of correspondence, something of a loss. I miss those letters from family and periodically reread some of the ones I’ve kept. We are losing that art. I think we should bring it back, even if it means a periodic painful trip to the Post Office.

Besides, cursive is so much prettier than fonts of various sizes and styles.

When you open a can of sauerkraut for the brats, you are left with most of a can of sauerkraut, having needed only two tablespoons or so.

In the interest of learning what else I could do with my leftovers I did a Pinterest search and found 34 different recipes/uses/ways to eat sauerkraut. Furthermore, the benefits of the fermented cabbage are endless. I’ve been eating it daily in an attempt to properly make use of its health aid and no not waste it. It’s fortunate I’ve always liked it, favoring the Reuben sandwich recipe, but also enjoying it in the plain variety.

If you have to be stuck on a deserted island I’d recommend a healthy supply of sauerkraut to keep you going.

My bread machine bit the bullet. It’s my second one I’ve owned, so you know it gets used. I’ve spent two weeks in mourning before considering the options on new models.

Last night my husband and I sat at the kitchen table as we reviewed the choices. He was kind enough to read me reviews and features. One review had updates to it and was about five to six pages in depth. It did the trick. I had to go to bed.

If you have trouble falling asleep, my advice is to have someone else read reviews on some mundane appliance. The gentle lull of a lengthy review being reported to you is soothing.

FYI, this is also why I can’t listen to books-on-tape in the car. I just get sleepy.

Oh, the possibilities of exploration continue with a grandchild. It was “Touch a Truck” day at the library. Super cuteness all around.

Quite frankly, the plow on the truck we admired was HUGE! I was in awe, as were a hundred other toddlers. Our granddaughter could stand under its height. Actually, the kids were more enamored with honking a horn. But the trucks provided by the public works department were cool. Grandpa and I enjoyed exploring the beasts with our little pup. It was a great activity to keep us entertained. (Us being the grandparents)

Maybe today I can “touch a car” and get mine washed. A laudable goal for the pre-Memorial Day weekend.

‘Twas satisfying to dispose of these old gallons of paint in a responsible way. As I sifted through the colors I considered all the rooms I’ve painted and repainted in this house and the colors we have lived through. In my calculations, there are only two spaces which I have never touched, both closets.

The winning color in the disposal activity was green. I probably had ten different greens in gallons and quarts. Surprise!

The thought of painting and changing a room’s demeanor so easily is very seductive. Musing on a slow week:

I love to paint, however,
one thing I shall endeavor,
avoid the color green,
Even though my name can be found in its beauty.
              - Me 

This comic strip cracks me up.

It’s a slow day here at the ranch, and the smoky haze is doing nothing to improve the speed at which I accomplish anything. I’m on day four of mowing and hoping to finish the process with the brand new Toro push mower I received yesterday. It was an early Christmas present from myself.

Thankfully I have a bridge game to keep my brain occupied today. Small blessings, but they add up.

Time to check my 401k plan for kicks.