It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Many moons ago, (21 years!) our family spent the Fourth-of-July watching Wimbledom at a private golf and tennis club in England. My husband had business there and the children and I were left to self-entertain. The kids were off limits in the fine dining room, so we made the best of it!

We watched quite a bit of tennis in the bar, like the entire women’s finals, with my children kicking back baby bottles of Schweppes sodas. They were cute – the little bottles. The bartender loved them – the kids – and upon departure, gave my offspring all of the bottle caps so they could play with them, trading and bartering with the different colors. There had to be over 100 of them as we were there for a few days. (I didn’t keep my Stella bottle caps. No need to have that tally.)

We enjoyed our weird stay there, and I’m sure the Brits were happy to see us go. Venus took the championship that year, we took our private gloating back home, and that’s what the Fourth-of-July brings to mind for this American. No better place to celebrate than in Britain!

Happy Fourth Weekend!

Some things you knew all along!

Although I did not know this year is the bicentennial of William Herschel’s death, and quite frankly, do not know his music, I do share his intuitive knowledge of the benefits of music. I’m quoting out of the paper today and not citing the reference properly. (Gasp.) ”He was the Einstein of his time.”

He was the scientist who discovered Uranus, Saturn’s moons, mapped the night sky and accomplished a host of other scientific wonders. He also composed music. And, he held a belief to which I ascribe and employed with my children: music and math go hand in hand.

Who knows? Maybe it helped my daughter in her Mathematics and Astronomy degree? Or my son with his Master’s in Engineering and Computer Science? They are still musical, and can be heard singing or playing under duress with the famous, ”Tipsy Trio.”

It’s a small sample, but one with a 100% proof of validity.

Remember that song by Kiki Dee? It keeps playing in my head now, but with different lyrics. ”I’ve got the Covid in me, I’ve got the Covid in me, I’ve got the Covid in me.” We have succumbed.

Since my daughter and I both tested positive yesterday, it was a given we could hang out together. Her husband had to stay home as a precaution, so we used the free babysitting day to head over to their townhome to finish cleaning and painting it. We accomplished our tasks in five hours and then left.

Returning my daughter to her abode, I nearly ran a stop sign as I exclaimed, ”Oh look! That little girl is selling lemonade. Should I flip around and help her out?” She looked so forlorn in the heat with no customers as I slammed on those brakes. My daughter chimes in, ”We can’t. We have Covid.” “Oh, yeah.”

We laughed our heads off the rest of the way and I’m still chuckling. Thankfully, we are not suffering, and I hope it stays that way. We’re also not going anywhere fun, yet a small price to pay.

Personally, I don’t think I ever thought about running away as a kid? It does seem like a tempting option these days.

Happy mid-year!

Why do I like hockey? Because at the end of the battle, fiercely fought, the teams respect each other enough to congratulate one another. The coaching staffs congratulate the opposing teams. The teams both give compliments to their opponents. Defeat is felt, victory celebrated, but what reigns is the ability for gentlemen to shine. That is tremendously appealing and laudible.

My only question after the Avalanche victory is this: ”Will ’Makar’ replace ‘Orr’ in the crossword puzzles?”

Congratulations, Avalanche!

Today I employed the weed whacker, push mower, and chain saw. To top it off, I also played barber and gave my spouse a haircut.

Now, I am resting, looking forward to sharing in the joy of the Stanley Cup returning to Denver. Some days are just riddled with accomplishment. Go Avs!

Dandelions. God’s creation for which the sole purpose is to entertain little children.

My little charge honed right in on those fluffy weeds, probably because I have a meadow rife with them. It was delightful to watch her pick them and have them fly away, and yet, she remained determine to ”catch one.”

Okay…they do have other purposes apparently: tea, nutritious greens, wine, and other fine qualities. One little seed from a dandelion can start 200 or more plants. I’m pretty sure we aided in that production yesterday, dispersing puff balls on the wind. I probably should cultivate them? Be adventurous, as my worm garden pal.

Nah. I’ll just enjoy the entertainment value for now.

So are worms!

My dear friend, ”Panita,” has adopted some friendly guys to help her with composting. I don’t think she’s named them yet but they are working hard for her. What impresses me most is her constant search for new adventures – and this is one adventure I admire, though have not adopted.

Wiggle on, little buddies.

As long as we’re considering fun words, here is a rather interesting list, complete with an interrobang?!

Okay. There are lots of other “coolest moms ever” out there. Apparently foosball tables burden other homes, waiting for that magical day when children will return to retrieve them.

I’m just taking consolation in being a cruciverbalist for now. (Person who enjoys or is skilled at solving crosswords.) I don’t claim the skill, just the enjoyment.

What a delightful word to throw into conversation. Off to attempt a little cruciverbalism as I gaze upon the beauty of the arcade game gracing the front porch.