BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX!

The day drew into evening, and I was waiting to hear what time I was going to get rid of the dogs.  In reality, I knew it was not going to be until Monday, but there was an element of hope.  The clocks had fallen back, and the extra hour gave me a sense of hope, but that just meant an extra hour of holiday for the vacationers!  

At around six in the evening, when the sun had already started to set, I sent a message to my daughter.  "Let me know what time you are on the road".  They had just left.  I was not surprised.  She had told me that they planned to leave as soon as they checked out, but of course I was not sure as to what time 'check out' was.  There was also the misconception that the journey would take half the time on the way back.  I was living in a fantasy world!

The temperatures remained steady, in the low forties, and whilst some of Arizona and New Mexico were going to drop to the high thirties, there was no snow.  I wondered if they were going to stop off and stay overnight in either state, but I was assured this was not going to be the case.  

"By the time she gets to Phoenix, I'll be rising", I sang, misquoting the Glenn Campbell song.  They were not going anywhere near Phoenix, but in retrospect, Phoenix was a lot nearer than home!  

I chose not to message during the night. The dogs had already sensed that their time of kenneling was coming to an end.  Any sound from my phone during the previous evening had sent them running to the door.  

"By the time she gets to Albuquerque, I'll be working", I continued to hum on Monday morning.  I went for my walk and got ready for work.  In reality, they had come through Albuquerque some time ago, and when I finally relented and messaged at five forty-five, she informed me that they had crossed into Texas about fifteen minutes earlier.  She was home!  As I have mentioned before, coming back into Texas is like arriving in England.  There is a feeling of well being.  Perhaps it is because we know (of) many people around the state whom we could call if there was an emergency, or perhaps it is just because you are on home soil.  However, in reality, coming back into Texas did not mean you were actually home.  Two thirds of the journey was driving through Texas!

Whilst the song continues with Glenn going into Oklahoma, they did not go via the Sooner state to come back, despite the detour on the way there!  I got a call when she was in Lubbock.  Edward had driven for some of the way, and was now sleeping.  However, with about two hours of sleep under her belt, my daughter was rather tired.  I stayed on the phone as she headed south east, and followed her path through the counties, as she drove towards home.

Jerry arrived shortly before they came into what I call the 'home counties'.  I refer to them as such because we take care of 'service' in those areas, 'in house'.  Jerry was smiling.  Our rivalry in the 'football' arena has taken on a different vein.  Instead of jibing and swapping insults, we have bemoaned the fate of the two teams which we support.  Neither have been successful in winning and we had settled into the negative humour regarding possible outcomes.  "Do you think if the Cowboys and the Texans played each other, they would both lose?" asked Jerry, as stepped over the gate.  "Nope", I said, quickly.  "It would be thirty eight a piece".  He looked at me, and asked how I came up with that.  "Nineteen safeties each!" I responded.  His laughter could be heard, apparently, all the way up the hall.  A 'safety' for those unfamiliar with the sport, or rules, is when a player is brought down in his own 'end zone', (goal area,) without the ball progressing past the line, or when it is 'forth down' and the play is dead, and the offensive team are still in their 'end zone'.  Whether I have the wording correct is a matter for experts to decide, but in English it is the equivalent of an 'own goal', or near enough.  The fact that I am familiar with these terms, and could come back with a retort for Jerry was considered more humourous than the retort itself!  

"I'm exhausted!" I told Dana when I got home.  "I drove four hours from Lubbock this morning!"  Samantha had arrived home at around one, and slept for a few hours before retrieving the dog crates from my house, and coming to collect said animals.  They were very pleased to see her.  The postman had just left when she arrived, and I thought he was coming back because he had forgotten something.  As she entered my office, I was unsure at first glance who it was.  She looked taller, slimmer and younger than I remembered, albeit a week ago!  The dogs spent several minutes showing their appreciation of her return, and I looked forward to a relaxing evening with no late night excursions to the grass patches!

The sun was shining through the trees as I neared the top of one of the hills on Tuesday morning.  It was a glorious sight.  The morning was crisp but not as cold as last week, and the need for boots and a coat was once again redundant.  Perhaps we have had our winter, albeit early!  I did not venture poolside, as the overnight lows were too low.  I would leave the challenges to the two football teams that appeared to need the encouragement!

"Did you see who may be starting for the Cowboys?" I asked Jerry as he came in.  It was more of a statement than a question, as I was sure he was suitably informed with anything 'football', and even moreso 'Cowboys'.  "Did they name him, or are they still thinking about both of them?" he replied.  Oddly, I knew what he was talking about.  The 'him' to which Jerry referred was a lad that had been 'thrown in at the deep end', many years ago, during a National Championship game.  A 'freshman', who had been the winningest (how I hate that word; it doesn't even slip off the tongue well) quarter back in high school, breaking all records, had been recruited by the University of Texas to play.  The current quarterback had been injured and 'Our Garrett' had to take his place.  It was all too much, too soon!  Texas lost!  The young lad appeared not to recover from this set back, and suffered injury and ridicule.  Hell hath no fury like a scorned fan!  However, he has obviously made a comeback, a decade later, albeit for a team that is not doing so well!  What can I say.  I live in Texas.  Football is a way of life!

Walking is in no way the equivalent to swimming.  Although I am sure the exercise is comparable, the pressure on the limbs is far greater!  However, the time difference is preferable.  Thirty minutes in the pool turns into at least forty five, by the time I have walked down there and back, and scraped off my wetsuit, or costume.  Half an hour's walk takes exactly half an hour!  I was ready for work (almost) on time every day!

Our outing on Saturday was pleasant.  We headed out fairly early and shopped.  Upon our return, I noticed two large boxes in my kitchen. "What has he been buying?" I thought to myself.  It seemed odd that he would leave the packages unopened by the back door.  I let myself in.  "It's addressed to me", I said in surprise. I continued to bring in my groceries.  "Wonder what the second box is?" I said, almost absentmindedly.  Samantha was standing beside the boxes, giving me one of her looks.  "It is addressed to you!" she said.  "It's the prize you thought you won!"  I was quite tickled!  Two folding chairs,  a cooler, some barbecue 'rub', a set of barbecue tools and a thermometer.  "Edward has wanted one of those for ages!" said Samantha, pointing to the thermometer.  "What is it?" I asked.  She explained that it could be connected to your phone and..... That was enough.  He could have it!  When I spoke to him later, he explained that you put it on the meat on the grill, and can watch the temperature rise from inside the house, on the 'app'.  Very clever!  

Still smiling, I went down to the pool.  It was about two fifteen, and the sun was already off most of the water.  However, I was feeling particularly charged.  I did not dive in, but slowly edged my way down from the side, and eventually, after about ten minutes, took the plunge.  Ice would have been tepid in comparison!  I swam two lengths and got out.  It felt rather good, but I could not feel my arms and legs!  However, the sun was still fairly strong, and I edged up the patio until I was on the steps to a closed entrance.  When I was half way up, I decided it was time to quit!  It was winter! I thought of the musical, "Hair".  "When the moon is in the seventh house", etc.  When the sun goes off the pool area by three...it's winter!

The evening was lovely.  We enjoyed dinner and a movie!  Well it is winter!  The University of Texas won its game, so the city was in a good mood!  

Swimming on Sunday afternoon was just as challenging, and the water just as cold, but I swam a little further.  I had to quit as I felt the heaviness in my limbs, and did not want to end up not being able to make it to the side.  I doubt it would have happened but I did not want to take a chance.

A wonderful weekend, without dogs, and with a swim.  This coupled with the prize that I had forgotten about made it very cool!  I wonder what could possibly be in store for me next week, as I head into ....... another story!