Alone I sat, again, on Sunday afternoon. It was hardly surprising as the water was the coldest it had been, and although the temperature was set to rise to 90, it did not do so until very late in the afternoon. I found it hard to languish in the pool, looking up to the sky, and lament the passing of the summer, as it was so cold! I could deteriorate in the sunshine! I departed from the area before the sun as there seemed little point in shivering and actually making a point.
The highlight of my day was the squirrel race. It appears that the animal kingdom has joined forces and have a 'dare' contest running. Of course, it is aimed at frightening the human race, or more to the point, one member of the human race, who likes to languish in the pool, looking up to the sky, and lament the passing of the summer! After the coyote failed miserably, (that is my story and I am sticking to it,) and the large toad who attempted to keep me from my morning swim, I found myself being watched by a couple of squirrels. Out of the corner of my eye I could see something that resembled a cat. Of course, it looked nothing like a cat, but it was out of the corner of my eye. One was at the foot of the chair, and the other at the back. All they needed to do, it would seem, was to make me scream, which I did not! Not exactly! I made a high pitched sound that might, just might, resemble a scream in squirrel language, but it was not an actual scream. I did jump! They found it hilarious. I have never, up until recently, heard a squirrel laugh, but they seem to have an ability to do so. They ran up the side of the path, laughing!
The cicadas had set the scene as I entered the area. They were making a tremendous noise as I walked down the path, and then, as I stood by the edge of the water, silence. I thought I heard one whisper, "Will she?" but it could have been my imagination. There was silence until I jumped in. Jumped is probably not the right word to use, it was more like a slide, accompanied by a small screech and a loud hum. I wondered if I would get to the languishing bit later on!
I chose to wear my wet suit on Monday. More haste, less speed, was not my motto for the day, and I struggled to get the one piece in place. The zip would not pull up. I pulled and tugged at the strap, but it seemed to be stuck. I had one option left. I walked down the stairs, along the path, towel wrapped around me, and headed to the basketball court, (which is a small square of concrete with a hoop on the side, so unlike everything else in Texas, but we don't want to let the side down, and we do like to boast,) and waved to my daughter. Her laughter was not warranted. "I can't do the zip up", I said, quietly. I had interrupted her workout, but apparently my plight was worth stoppage time. "What?" she said. "I can't do the rotten zip up. It's stuck". This was highly amusing to everyone but me. I just wanted to go for a swim!
After being dressed properly, I went on my way. The wind was rather fierce. The suit has a certainly buoyancy about it. I found that not only was I able to glide almost on top of the water, but the waves that had been created were causing me to float towards the middle of the pool. I am not being overly dramatic when I say waves. They were not the Patrick Swayze, Point Break type of waves, but for a small pool, they were significant! Charlie arrived as I was fighting to get out! I headed back to my condo, and spotted one of my neighbours. "We were going to go down to the pool yesterday, but....", she said, and pulled a face. "Too cold?" I asked, although formed as a question, it was rhetorical. "Hmm", she said, looking at me as if to say, "Haven't you languished yet!"
I did not warm up for some time. Although warm enough on the outside my bones felt rather brittle, and I started to rethink the whole 'swimming in the morning' idea. I fought battle after battle before lunchtime, and obviously I won, and obviously I lost! The 'pro's' were met with as many 'but's as the cons! Obviously, if I did not swim on Tuesday morning, I would gain twenty five stone and my clothes would not fit me anymore. Obviously, if I did not swim on Tuesday morning, I would not gain twenty five stone and my clothes would still fit! I would feel totally lethargic. I would not feel totally lethargic. I decided to change the channel!
We left work a little later than usual on Monday, and I fought the urge. I did not swim. Perhaps I should drop the evening performance first, and then consider a walk in the morning. What a complicated life I lead!
Although the temperatures were staying steady, the water was rather pleasant. The wind had dropped and the sun was starting to rise. I had made a chocolate swirl cheesecake, which turned out to be more of a chocolate blob cheesecake, and was feeling quite energetic. I was even more energetic when I read my emails. It appeared that I had won a 'whaddya wanna do for lunch' contest, which consisted of, among other thing, a six pack of beer! Yes, the virtual teetotaler, (the word virtual being applied to pre Y2k!) the one who drinks twice a year and only one glass, had won two lots of alcohol in the space of a month! I found it highly amusing! What was more amusing was that my second bottle of salad dressing arrived shortly after. I say this was more amusing, because when someone asked why I went in for the contest if I did not drink, I gave them the speech about the thrill of the win, even if it was a jar of mayonnaise! The contest for National Avocado Day had said that the prize was for two bottles, but I had only received one, several weeks ago. The postman came into the office and dropped off a box which contained the second. What a day. Beer and chipotle ranch dressing. All I needed now were the chips and skittles!
I drove to Joe on Wednesday. I picked up a supply of coffee, as we were all out in the office, and after a chat with Gail, headed back across town to the radio station. The roadworks were worse than I remembered the last time we attended a function there, and the exit from the Interstate was a little way down from the entrance, so I had to loop around. I drove into the familiar car park, and walked to the window. The pack was quite heavy, and apparently there were some breakable objects inside, as I could hear the 'clink' of glass.
Once back at the office, the spectators came to revel in my prize. I gave out five of the six beers, and kept one on the off chance I may have it at sometime in the future. I will probable end up giving it to someone who comes for dinner, and upon asking for their beverage preference, they say, "Have you got a beer?" There was a cap, two pint glasses, a stylus, (who knows why,) a bottle opener, lots of stickers for the Texas Beer Company, and for Austin City Limits, and an Austin City Limits Radio mug. The latter was perhaps the most coveted as they do not appear to sell them anywhere. Also included were two large jars of specialty salsa. Not quite mayonnaise, but almost in the category of salad dressing. Of course, the biggest laugh came when I opened the small envelope and found a $25 voucher for the Texas Beer Company.
As I contemplated the swimming season coming to an end, I mused at the fact that I could have spent the summer getting quite tipsy had my 'spiked seltzer' and 'Texas Beer' come earlier in the year. Of course, it would not have happened, but the thought was amusing.
The day progressed, and I was getting ready to leave when I received a call on my cell phone. I responded in the affirmative when I heard my name. It was the man from the spiked seltzer company. At first, I went into a mild panic, as I thought he was going to ask my opinion on the product, and whilst I will no doubt sample it, I had not yet done so and would have to make an excuse. "Sorry, it's been a bit chilly", did not seem to be a reasonable justification. However, he continued. "I have a package for you". I was a bit dumbfounded. "Another one?" I asked. It was his turn to respond in the affirmative. I decided it was probably best to be honest with him, and told him that I had already received the gift earlier in the month. "Yes. But I have a package for you". I would be gone by the time he got to the office but he said he could leave it with anyone. I put down the phone and laughed. Two thoughts came to my head. Firstly, that the prize was a year's worth of seltzer, and the second was that they had found the original prize pack in the back of someone's van, the one that was meant to be delivered at the end of August, but did not arrive until almost mid September. I think the latter is more viable. I headed home quite dizzy at the thought of more alcohol. It is the fact that I get dizzy thinking about it that causes me not to actually drink! Well, maybe that is not the only reason!
I got home on Wednesday and went for a swim. Madness personified! It was really very, very cold. Perhaps it was the outside temperature being warmer that made it feel so cold, but I persevered. I had a committee meeting at five, which I would have to attend 'virtually' (post Y2k version) from my kitchen, as I had dinner to prepare! I headed back to the condo, got myself ready, set up my computer on my counter top and waited. Samantha told me that my package had arrived and as I was not there, she was having it!
The meeting did not happen. Apparently there were technical issues. I was not disappointed as my kitchen was rather a mess, and I did not want to have to discuss 'property management' whilst processing a sauce for my meat loaf!
My meat loaf was a success! Being an American staple, I decided to jazz it up a little. I lined the tin with tomatoes and turkey bacon, and drizzled same in balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Then I put in the meat mixture, which was also mixed with some non-traditional spices and herbs. It was a great success. However, Dana asked Grant what the verdict was, "Points out of a hundred", said my husband. I got quite a high mark. "As meatloaf goes, it is not the best I have had", he said, but then added, "Because it was different. As different goes, it was really, really good". That would do! "So, not better than mine then", said his mother, who had also come to join us for dinner. "Yes Well no. Well it was different. Maybe the same. Yours is not the best I have had...." I put up my hand, and said to my husband, "This is why you never ask a question like that of a son, when his mother is in the room...no matter how old he is". Dana did not get it. I changed the subject!
I opened my package on Thursday. Half a dozen spiked seltzers, a bandana, stylus, (it must be a thing,) bottle opener, and a hat, along with another restaurant gift card. Samantha took the hat. "You can't wear two". She was right. I was happy to give it away.
My meeting on Thursday was more civilised. The connection worked, and I sat in my spare room, and listened. My camera did not work, but that was not a problem. In fact it would not have been a problem on Wednesday! After a variety of topics were discussed and voted upon, we adjourned, and I went for a swim. "Last time, last time", I repeatedly lied as I took the first few strokes. I knew I would be back!
Jim, the local television weatherman who sends me emails, (I am sure they are not personal, although after a couple of beers, or spiked seltzers, I would believe anything,) told me that the temperatures were going to remain stable in the high eighties for the next week. The overnight lows were going to be around sixty. That meant not too cold. Obviously, that meant I had no excuse to stop swimming. I wish someone else other than me would join the discussion! Jim did not help!
Saturday morning started early. "You are not going to work today, are you?", asked my neighbour. I replied that I was not, but it did not stop the early day. "It's freezing", she said. I confirmed. She was on my side; she was not on my side!
Samantha arrived at my house, and we headed out for our Saturday ritual. It was a most uneventful experience, but we enjoyed ourselves. I arrived home and unpacked my shopping before heading down for my second punishment of the day. Why do I do it? At this point in time, I am totally unsure. There is the thought that once I stop, it means the season is over, and winter is here. There is also the thought that I am an obstinate person who refuses to give in. Another thought is that it really only feels cold and it will get colder, and I have endured worse. There is also the thought that I am an obstinate person who refuses to give in. I think the thoughts speak for themselves!
Dana and I enjoyed dinner, and then promptly fell asleep to a movie! It is sad to think that the youthful spree I undertake each morning and evening gives way to the fact that I am falling asleep in front of the television on a Saturday evening, like a pensioner! Another reason?
Once again, Sunday was upon us. The weekend is sliding to a close, and Monday morning will pop up without warning, despite the fact we know it is coming! The sun is shining here, but apparently it is rather cool and damp in Blighty!
At the present time, I am unsure as to what I might experience next week. I did have some 'not so good' news today that my friend Ian is in hospital. One of my oldest friends, and I believe a follower of my blog. I hope a mention here puts a smile on his face. So that being said, get well soon, mate!
The opportunity to win contests have increased, and I have entered many. Perhaps I shall get another email letting me know that I have won a magnum of champagne each week for a year, but I don't remember going in for one like that! Whatever happens, it will happen here, in ............. another story!
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