Watching the forecast has become a regular occurrence. "Will, she? Won't she?" becomes a regular question. The pool water was quite cold on Monday, but I braved it, nonetheless. My season was not over quite yet! I had refused to give up the summer, and head towards the crisper, more comfortable days of autumn. Yes, I was in 'one of those moods', or 'phases', as I prefer to call it!
I had messaged one on my old neighbours on Sunday. One of 'the girls, who had lived next door for a year, had left some items with me as she could not fit them into her car when she moved, and had promised to collect them as soon as she was able. Although we have had a few messages passing to and fro, the items still remain in my possession. I sent a message with a gentle reminder, more to indicate that they are still with me, rather than a 'come and get them, now!" message. She responded very quickly and suggested we get together for dinner.
Monday morning came around too fast, and although I felt as if I had managed to achieve some level of recuperation from the previous weekend, I still felt slightly drained. I sent my ex-neighbour, Andie, a message, and asked if she would like to come for dinner on Thursday. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I watched the forecast for signs of rain, and seeing none, went home at lunchtime to swim. It was a little on the chilly side, as mentioned, but I remembered those bygone days when I swam in water that was far colder. However, as I am now less than a spring chicken (not necessarily in mind) I wonder why I am so adamant about 'proving' anything! As children, my contemporaries and I had no choice but to dive into icy waters because our teachers demanded we did so, but now I seem bent on proving I am still able! My daughter has no such need! She sat on the chair and enjoyed the sunshine, which was still quite warm!
The swim did wake me up and seemed to give me a bit of energy! Swimming always seems to dull any negativity. In fact, at this temperature it dulls everything! I went back to work and waded through the piles that had mounted! Monday did not seem to end!
I was feeling quite productive on Tuesday morning, and decided to clean out my pantry. I usually take on this task when I find evidence of some unwanted insect that has made his (or her) way into my house, and despite the modern day protest that the land belongs to them, I feel the verbal 'no trespassing' that I have reiterated to many of their (now deceased) species, is not only enforceable by a penalty which normally ends in their demise, but acceptable. With millions of acres of land to cover in Texas, why do they choose to congregate in my meagre square footage! However, I digress. The reason for my uncharacteristic want to clean out my pantry was because, plain and simply, it was a mess! I had piled in my groceries without much thought, and without order.
My sudden whim also encouraged me to clean the fridge, something that also carried out when there is evidence of something unwanted living in the cold, albeit not necessarily alive, but more of a live nature. Although there was no such evidence that anything was attempting to breed, and I did not have a culture brewing, other than my bread 'starter', it seemed to be rather full, and again, messy. I took out a couple of items that were in need of either throwing away or using, and decided they would be better off married rather than discarded. This was the start of a beautiful friendship, where I combined dried prunes and bananas, and made a variation on a theme. With the alternative banana bread safely in the oven, I continued with the pantry.
"Did you find a roach", said Dana, as he came into the kitchen,
before departing for the office. "Not yet!" I said, feeling confident that perhaps I would come across something before the process was completed. "Did you know those things can make 200 course re- directions in a second?" he laughed. He had mentioned to me that the dastardly beast was able to change direction 'so many' times in one second. This delightful conversation had taken place when he had heard a 'crack' and came running down the stairs to see what had happened. When I had indicated that I had terminated the life of a specific insect, he had given me the facts. I told him that just because they change directions, the direction in which they go does not necessarily mean it is away from my shoe! He left, smiling.
The task was completed before I had to go to work, and I had been messaging back and forth with Andie about Thursday evening, and dinner. She had wanted to make dinner for us, and I had said that I was happy to go to her, but just as happy for her to come to us. We did not make a definite plan.
Swimming was definitely on the agenda for Tuesday. Just before I left the office, for another round of self inflicted cruelty, I received a phone call. "I am looking for Tracie", said the voice on the end of my phone. I replied that he had found her! "You have won tickets to see Littlefoot, tonight....", he continued. I could bring three guests. This was quite the surprise as I had forgotten I had entered the contest, but I was in need of a 'detour from life' so it seemed like a good idea. I thanked him profusely, and asked Samantha if she and Edward would like to come. She said she would ask. We were not alone by the pool. "The water is perfect", said another neighbour, who despite being of pure Texan heritage, has lived in various parts of the world, and is accustomed to less than 'boiling' temperatures. She chatted to Samantha, who was making hats for premature babies, as I swam, and then jumped in the water, as if it were a tepid spring. I found it to be just a bit cooler than the day before, and just a little harder to swim. However, I did not give up! Rain was due 'stop play' at any moment, and as I said, I was refusing to give up summer!
Upon my return to my condo, I called the number from whence the call had come. I needed to clarify the time of the film. "In my excitement, I make a note of the time," I said to the gentleman who answered the phone; the same person who had made the original call. I had not really taken note of the time, nor the place, nor as to whether the tickets were for reserved seats, or if we had to queue. The seats were reserved. The time and place was repeated, and once again, a most emphatic gratefulness was rendered.
"Did you find a roach?" Dana asked again, when I questioned whether he would like to be my 'fourth' person to see the film. I told him that I had, and that he had taken too long to think about his 200 course re-directions before I had taken this choice, and every other one he was considering, from him, or her. "Hmm, a roach with an IQ. Not good for him!" he said. "Must have been a her, if it was a roach with an IQ", I said with an air of superiority!
Samantha and Edward arrived at the cinema before me. In fact they were there before I had left the office, and had received wrist bands and had taken their seats! Dana declined the offer! I had suggested they get me a wrist band so I did not have to wait when I arrived, but they didn't seem to think this was possible. I left the office, and took the wrong exit on to the highway. I was going to have to make a course redirection! There seemed to be a pattern emerging! This was not a good start. The highway was full of 'quitting time' traffic and by the time I was on the right road, I was beginning to think I would not make it to the cinema in time. The bus in front of me stopped at a designated stop, and it appeared that everyone who got on wanted to pay their fare in pennies! I sat and watched the lights change several times, unable to make a lane change. I would not a very good cockroach make, but then again, my IQ has been logged as 'high'!
Eventually, I swung into the car park and reversed the mini into a space. Samantha came out to meet me. "This is the official winner of the tickets", she told the man who was handing out the wristbands, and giving several to those who said, "My guests are on their way". He was a little confused as to how he had been duped into giving away the bands to non-winners, but had not thought to ask for ID!
The film was quite amusing. There was not as much drama with the audience as when I went to see the preview of 'Dunkirk' several moons ago, but the 'guards' overseeing the seating were just as rigourous in their duties.
My trip to Joe on Wednesday was not arduous and Gail was at the shop. We chatted for a while before I headed across the river to get my nails painted. The rain started just before I got to the office, and I did not get to go swimming on Wednesday. Messages were going back and forth again with Andie, and I had mentioned that a
technician was coming to review the state of my oven on Thursday, and I may be without a stove to cook. "We have a grill", commented Andie! This was one of the items she had left with me. She suggested that her boyfriend cook, and insisted that they bring all the ingredients. "I shall make dessert", I promised.
When I prepare dinner for guests, I have been known to get a little carried away. It was very hard for me to accept the thought of someone coming to my house and bringing dinner with them! I would be redundant in my own kitchen! I just could not help myself. I had made profiteroles for dessert on Wednesday and there were several left, so that would be one option. I had one egg white in the fridge, so I made a small batch of meringues. Sean, Andie's boyfriend, had been particularly partial to some trifles I had made in the past, and just in case there was any problem with the amount of food brought in (no matter how doubtful) I made a few (two dozen) amuse bouche quiches. Thursday morning was busy!
Swimming was not an option on Thursday as the temperature dropped as the lightening started to fork. Just before I received the call to say the technician was on his way, Andie cancelled. She had been given a 'project' at work, which had to be completed by the morning. As she works in 'childcare', I could comprehend the emergency, and told her that we could make another date. She was most appreciative of my understanding. She asked if we could do next week instead. The oven man, sympathetically, gave me a price for repair, and I resigned myself to the fact that I will have to 'break in' a new stove!
I arrived at the office on Friday with an abundance of desserts and quiches! It was a long day, and most of the goodies were eaten, much to my satisfaction. Rain stopped play again, and it continued all afternoon.
Saturday was going to be stormy. It was the sort of day where insects take their life in their feet and ignore risking almost certain expiration, if found. "Must be the damp weather" is a phrase that comes to mind, when an abundance are found in a short period of time. Word must have been passed around that 'almost' was 'never' an option in my mind, as they chose not to seek refuge in my house. After my Saturday chores were complete, I headed to my daughter's house, where I had an amazing morning cleaning her kitchen! Although not the most tidiest of persons generally, the last few weeks have been exceptionally trying for my daughter and son-in-law, and I know that stress and grief can add to lethargy. Some might suggest that these past weeks are no different to any other in her household, as regards the lack of order, but I just think of her as being artistic and creative, and housework does not fall into those categories! However, I promised I would not 'judge', and I did not! Instead, with gloves, wet wipes, and my bucket in hand, I went and made good all that I, yes I, considered bad.
We broke half way to go shopping and returned to continue where we left off. With the kitchen sparkling, and some of the living room somewhat better than before, I left to go home, feeling as if I had attempted to climb a mountain and at least seen the summit in sight!
Dana and I went to a concert performed by the Austin Chamber Music Centre. I had won tickets! The flood gates had opened over the last couple of weeks, an the prizes had poured in. I had emailed (in response to an email regarding parking options) to ask what was the appropriate dress for the occasion, as I thought it might be an opportunity to go 'formal'. However, this is Austin, and anything goes. I had received a very nice reply indicating that most people attend wearing casual to 'business' style. Formal wear and cocktail dress is usually only worn by those who are performing. I did not respond that I have been known to 'perform' in my time, as I thought it may be misconstrued! However, I dressed 'up' slightly, and Dana wore 'slacks' with shirt and blazer, and even donned shoes, rather than the usual flip flops. When we entered the building and I said I had won tickets, Maryanne, with whom I had been emailing, said, "Tracie?" and then commented, "You both look lovely!" We were not out of place, as there were some 'blazers' as well as jeans and t-shirts!
The concert was delightful, even amusing. We sat and listened, and then headed out for supper.
With no rain in the forecast, I may brave the water today. I may make a few course re-directions should it be too cold. I hope I do not get stamped upon! I will probably feel the need to 'prove' I have guts, grit and determination, when in fact I feel the word, 'stupidity' coming to mind! One day I may decide that the latter goes before the former, and stick with it! Who knows? Perhaps the roach with the IQ just wanted to 'prove' something, although if it was an 'enigma', to whom would it 'prove'? Too profound? Perhaps I should just get on with my afternoon, and leave you, my faithful readers, (to whom I am ever grateful,) wondering what on earth I can dig up for .............. another story!
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