I don’t know if anyone longs for those early days of the pandemic. I certainly don’t. However, walking out to retrieve the printed news this morning did make me yearn for one effect of the lockdown. Highly reduced traffic.
I remember driving my sister to the airport with no one on the highway. Apparently she returned home on the cusp of locking down air travel. Then we had quiet streets for weeks, light traffic for months! Those little results I do miss as I listen to the constant buzz from the highway near us.
Lest you think else-wise, I appreciated the softening of traffic as it happened, too. It was one of those blessings in disguise allowing me undisturbed-by-rude-driver episodes, as well as long road-trip ease.
The Bourne franchise is a good one to while away an afternoon as you clean. Have you ever noticed Jason never sleeps?
I was beginning to think I was a Bourne identity player. However, eight hours of sleep over three nights was giving me a low productivity rating. I couldn’t have solved any case or eluded any scoundrels chasing me. Last night remedied the situation and today we have a clean mud room and garage. It’s so nice outside, I couldn’t get myself to that basement.
Heading out for supplies to finish some other tasks which have been on the list all week.
The only problem with this gem, is that sometimes it keeps you from doing something! You don’t want to ”redo” or ”re-place,” or anything along those lines, because you aren’t sure of what you need to do.
This comes to mind as we unpack belongings for my daughter and son-in-law, unsure of where everything goes in the new abode. My advice Just get it out and put it somewhere. You’ll end up moving it all once you live there a while anyway.
However, this should not stop me from cleaning the basement, a task on my plate for the past month. I just know what ”doing it right” entails!
Every time I read, ”Good Night, Moon,” I want to paint and furnish a bedroom the way the story illustrates the room. It’s probably because it’s a great room and painted green, but it does look cozy, inviting and comforting.
Obviously I’m on duty again, which is what made me laugh when I saw this lovely gem from the APB. We are venturing into the world of Dr. Seuss, too!
Eight years ago I went on an adventure to Alaska to celebrate my friend’s milestone birthday. ”Pom” and I chose every activity we could, including the rental of ATVs, replete with head-to-toe rain gear. We proceeded to inform the rental guys that we were quite capable of individually handling our own machines. ”We are from Colorado.”
As the only two females to take on the task, we geared up, donning this crazy attire. We soon learned the reason. There were mud puddles 100 feet long, gullies we were allowed to blast through with water higher than I’ve ever ridden through. My friend and I got to the point where we would wait for the four wheeler vehicle in front to be out of sight, then we would blast through the water at high speed, spraying us, the ATV, and creating a general white wave condition in the trench. (obvious exaggeration) We couldn’t believe our fortune. We were drenched, happy to have the outer protection from the company.
Our joy was complete when we noted that, ”There is no way we would be allowed to do this with our own ATV. My husband would not enjoy the restoration to cleanliness.” Belated apologies to the rental company. I hope they are still in business.
First of all, this is the second edition of the blog. The first I accidentally deleted, thus inspiring me to even greater heights of creativity!
It was a glorious weekend beginning with our arrival in Steamboat Springs on Friday. The first congregation met at the property of friends who provided a fantastic safari-like experience with alfresco dining and trekking through the wilderness. To top it off, they ordered the beautiful moonrise over the mountains.
Saturday morning dawned with other friends hosting us at their beautiful home. We had a spread to rival the best in European bed and breakfast establishments. And the view? It is stunning from their dining hall window. The top of this next photo shows a black line, which is the trim around the window…I couldn’t even get the entire scene in my frame.
After filling our bellies, we did the ”divide and conquer” routine. Each couple chose their fun while our hosts prepared the cenatory event for the evening. My spouse and I, along with our moonrise specialist friend, decided to test the ”all-terrainness” of our ATVs. It was a glorious afternoon of challenging and beautiful riding. Mother Nature did not disappoint. The weather cooperated fully, and we returned dust-laden and happy, ready for the evening feast.
The annual get-together at our hosts is referred to as the Viking Dinner Extravaganza. Friends enjoy a sit-down dinner in the atmosphere of conviviality. We properly celebrated the Norse heritage with our stories, laughter, memories, and toasts. The dining hall resounded with joyfulness.
Aside from the misplaced canvas bag, (Who left that there? Moi?) this partial photo gives you a glimpse into the glory of our experience. We return with fuel to take us to the end of summer, begin anew our ordinary days, and look forward to future reunions. Thank you to the SB crew for the fabulous experiences.
Song is effective and can also result in unintended consequences. Apparently I had a habit of singing at the dinner table. It was so irksome, my father made me eat a meal in the bathroom. I’m fairly certain I was of high school age, so ”knowing better” was an option.
In spite of the exile, I do recommend bursting into song whenever appropriate, humorous, thoughtful, or required. Today’s song in my morning brain was, ”One Headlight,” by the Wallflowers. My waking playlists are never very inspiring. I need to work on that.
Usually it feels that way after the holiday weekend – time to regroup and think ahead to the fall season. However, the phrase took on a new meaning with the arrival of my little charge yesterday and today. She is opening and closing doors. I can no longer sequester her from outside temptations.
When I was a young girl, a particular episode at my grandmother’s was to become a hero for such a one as my granddaughter. A little cousin had locked himself in the bathroom and the only way in was through a window onto the washer and dryer. Either I was the only kid around or I was volunteered to be the ”squeezer through” and release the prisoner.
Thankfully we have doorstops which prevent this new skill from being applied. For now.
Labor Day takes on a few meanings around here. 31 years ago I informed my doctor that I needed a baby by Labor Day since my parents would be visiting. Since I was already a week overdue, she agreed and we celebrated the labor that weekend.
The past 33 years have also been a ”labor of love,” as we married on this weekend. And of course, we do celebrate this weekend each year with yard work in preparation for winter. We found the chainsaw!
Out of curiosity and an abundance of sneezing, I researched the number of calories burned in a sneeze. Ever hopeful, the answer stunned me. Two. Maybe.
Now I will beg to differ that my louder than a sonic boom sneezes burn only two calories! They are a total physical involvement. Neck strain, stomach doubling over, foot stomping, head bobbing. They are lovingly inherited from my father, with a sneeze that could clear the room. Nothing petite or pretty here.
Anyway, it’s allergy season and this year the ragweed blooms quite unchecked. And sneezing is not an exercise option for weight loss.
