POPPY APPEAL!

Firstly, I would like to express my appreciation to the Veterans.  This
week saw the 102nd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice.  I wore my poppy throughout the week, with pride.  I was saluting, not least, my husband, and my grandfather, and family I knew not!  The ante-penultimate was an air traffic controller, the penultimate came home from Flanders, and the last, but not least, those I knew not who either didn't come home, or were willing to give their lives for future generations.  My husband's family, including his father and brothers, all served!  Thank you.  

Life goes on, thanks to those mentioned, and not mentioned above.  After receiving my prize on Saturday, I was on somewhat of a high.  It was exciting.  I was still smiling on Sunday morning, and still found it amusing on Sunday afternoon.  I swam one length up and one down and then floated for a few minutes before getting out of the water and reading a few chapters of my book.  At just after three o'clock, I gave in and came back to edit last week's post before publishing.  It was a beautifully sunny day.

As I was sitting, editing, my phone rang.  I did not recognise the number, but tried to answer it, nonetheless.  However, after having a week without sticking, it stuck and I could not swipe the bar across the screen.  I checked the number online and little information was given.  Suddenly, the phone pinged, and I had a voicemail.  "Hey, Tracie, this is....".  It was someone from the radio station.  I called back, but half way through leaving a message, received another call.  It appeared that someone had won the contest for a 'zoom' meet and greet, but had to cancel, and my name came up, and as I had done it before, etc., etc.  Would I like to meet (via zoom) Josh Grider.  Well of course.  Why else would I have gone in for the contest, other than I go in for any contest because it is the thrill of the chase!  I left out the latter part of the last sentence.  A phone call, personal phone call, on a Sunday afternoon, from the host of the morning show on the radio, is for me, quite the thing!  My smile, if possible, grew bigger!  Dana smiled.  He always finds my tenacity regarding contests amusing.  He finds my success amazing!  However, as I have said, I do enter a lot of contests!

I walked with vigour on Monday, and was happy to go into work.  "Did you have a good weekend?"  Did I ever!  Everyone smiled, and despite me knowing that they did not need details, and they were asking out of politeness, I could not stop.  I was excited!

We got home on Monday evening, and I set up the computer so that I was ready by seven.  I hovered a while, unloaded the washing machine, continued with boring everyday tasks, and returned to the screen several times to see if there was a change.  I was sure the meeting was at 7.  At five minutes until the hour, the screen displayed the message that the meeting would start shortly.  At a minute to seven, I went to get a glass of water.  I did not want to be caught with a dry throat, or be unable to speak.  Perish the thought!  

"Are you there?" I could hear, as I walked back into the room. Having been ready for an hour, I missed the opening scene!  I found my speaker and clicked.  "I'm here!" I said, and saw the host and country singing star.  "We can hear you, but can't see you", came the response.  Eventually, I worked it all out!  "Where is that accent from?" came the first, yes the first question.  That is how the interview started!  It was fun.  Like the first 'zoom' experience, with Drew Fish, this was a 'one on one'.  I went to ask a question, but the host asked one first.  I went to ask another question, but the host asked one first.  He apologised.  "I am so sorry.  I cut you off again", he said.  I shook my head and reminded him that it was his show.  "No, it is your meeting", he said.  It was so different to the call we had with Ava Max.  We chatted.  Being adoptees of the Lone Star state, we could relate to each others experience, now both being a resident.  We spoke of how when we said we now lived in Texas, when visiting other states, the residents of the state we were visiting would raise their eyebrows and mutter, "Hmm Texas".  Originally from New Mexico, Josh Grider married a Texan and has two sons, whom he is proud to call Texans.  We discussed music and life.  We discussed living in the self proclaimed Music Capital of the World, and where else could I play a dozen pianos in a park!  The host, Haven, was most gracious and allowed us to chat.  Josh asked me if I wanted to hear him sing anything.  Although I love his song, One Night Taco Stand, because it reminds me so much of my adopted state, I asked him to play American Anthem.  It seemed appropriate!

Unfortunately, the zoom connection broke as he finished the song, and I was unable to say "Thank you".  I emailed Haven and asked him to pass on my thanks, and also expressed my appreciation for the opportunity.  Dana and I went and got some pizza, even though he did not attend the 'meet and greet'!

I was delighted on Tuesday, when I received an email from Josh, apologising for the abrupt 'cut off'.  "I got a personal, yes personal email from Josh", I said to my colleagues.  I emphasised the word 'personal', and they laughed.  They know me too well!  "Hobnobbing with the stars is one of my favourite pasttimes", I said with a (sarcastic) blase air!

Dana went into work a little later than usual on Wednesday, and after my walk I went to Joe.  A day off in the middle of the week is always a little disorientating.  However, the day off was for a reason, and again, I was aware of those who allowed me to be able to go to Joe, pick up some coffee, and come home to work in the kitchen, tidy my spare room, and generally do what I want to do!  I wore my poppy with pride!

My roast potatoes were the best I have ever made!  Even if I do say so myself, but what was even more amazing was that my Yorkshire puddings rose, and rose, and rose!  I did not set fire to the oven. I think I have finally worked out how not to do that.  However, the heat of the oven and the amount of oil to the amount of batter, etc., etc. has always eluded me.  Although I nearly got it last time, I did get it this time!  I also made a lemon meringue pie!  I was on a roll!  Admittedly, I had all day to do it all!  Dana came home around two, and I was still preparing.  I wondered how I manage when I do not have all day! It is an enigma!

I took the remainder of the pie into work on Thursday.  It disappeared very quickly.  I had to laugh.  I remember my cookery teacher telling my parents, "A cook she will not make".  I was determined to prove her wrong from that day forth!  It is true that I would never make it to the 'tent' in the Great British Bake Off, because asking me to make a dozen of anything the same size would be an improbability, (never say impossible, as my Yorkshire's were pretty even in size,) but if it looks good, and tastes good, does size really matter?  I suppose a baker's window would look less appealing if all the cakes were not uniform!  

It rained, slightly, on Saturday.  It was still warm, and I swam a little more.  Ollie called me to show me his missing tooth.  He read the note he had written to the tooth fairy.  Samantha suggested that he add a 'thank you' in anticipation of some extra money, and Richard was very quick to say that the tooth fairy was 'furloughed'.  Ollie was making a surprise for Poppa Dana.  He was very proud of his effort.  He saw I wore my poppy, and was quite well versed in his education of 'The Great War'.  I was impressed!  

The temperature dropped a fair bit on Saturday night, and I had to wear a jacket when I walked on Sunday morning.  I made breakfast and Dana and I enjoyed a morning together.  I had planned not to go down to the pool as the high was going to be 70. However, I decided that I would give it 'one more go'.  I swam my usual amount of laps, and felt wonderful.  Perhaps the season is not over.  All that languising I did in September!  

It was a very interesting and thought provoking week. Advanced technology allowed me to chat (almost) face to face with a celebrity, and the simplicity of a field full of poppies to show that life will continue without said advanced technology!  

I finish as I started.  Thank you to all veterans, and to all those who gave their lives.  Through all of you, I can continue with writing .......... another story!