SHORT AND TO THE POINT!

The wind was quite fierce and kept the temperatures down to slightlyabove sixty on Sunday.  I decided to brave the elements and sit down by the pool.  After all, there was not much point in hoovering the garden, as the leaves were tumbling in faster than I could vacuum them up.  It was pleasant.  It was too cold to swim, which was rather a shame, considering that I had a week of relatively easy exercise.  However, around three o'clock, it clouded over and the rain began to pour.  It was, quite literally, a 'cloud burst', (although I am not sure as to how qualified I am to identify a 'cloud burst', and announce, categorically, that it was 'quite literally',) but I am English, and come prepared for all (or most) eventualities.  Everyone would know it was me on several counts. Firstly, the temperature was around 63  degrees, so who else would be sitting outside. Secondly, it was raining, so who else would be sitting outside. Thirdly, who else would have an umbrella in their 'poolside' bag.  If there was a possibility of it being someone else, sitting on a lounger, next to the body of water that was now filling up fast, due to huge droplets falling down, the fourth count is probably the strongest contender for the declaration.  Who else would be under a Union Jack umbrella!  The 'cloud burst' did not last long, as it was a small, albeit angry looking cloud!  I stayed outside for a couple of hours, and then came back to check the 'garden'.  

Ideas are quite numerous.  Putting them into action are not always so easy.  After planting my potatoes, in a bag, as seen in a book that I had been loaned, I moved the remaining soil back to its container.  The container split, and whilst I was able to stop most of it from spilling, a sliver of earth spilled on to the stone floor.  Having spent so much time cleaning my stones and not having done anything to seal them, I argued with myself about how to deal with the mess!  Of course, I would have to hoover!  Out came the vacuum, with the extension lead, and the bag to catch the bits, and so I set about cleaning the area, again.  Of course, anyone with a garden knows that it is a never ending job, but I never thought a handkerchief would take quite so much work!  

With everything put away, plants watered, and bag of mulch emptied, I marched upstairs to get cleaned up!  

As I woke on Monday morning, it felt as if it was 'groundhog' day.  It was not that I was repeating everyday the same, but the past couple of weeks seemed to have whizzed by very quickly. I remembered waking two weeks ago, on Monday, and getting my housework done, then the next day seemed to be Friday, and then Monday again!  Dana had gone into the office much earlier than usual, and I had an earlier than usual start.  However, I did not appear to gain any time, and by the time Samantha arrived, I was not particularly well advanced in my tasks.  We were late walking, and did not do the full quota!  I felt somewhat cheated, as well as a bit of a cheat, but then as it is self-imposed, I suppose I am the only one who has to 'own up' to myself! It was the beginning of a very strange week!

Perhaps, 'strange' is a term that is exaggerated.  It was more unusual.  The problem was that no one could quite put their finger on the problem. There was nothing 'extra' good, or 'extra' bad, but everything appeared to be one degree 'off kilter' for the first part.  Perhaps I was in a parallel universe.  Probably not!  No doubt, for my part, it was because my routine had been dealt a blow and whilst I thought swimming season was back, it was not.  As you know, it does not take much to push me slightly overboard!  Everyone seemed to be affected.  Grant was affected by the seemingly single brain my daughter and I appear to possess.  We were 'in sync' a little more than usual.  I am not sure how it affected my daughter.  She is, as has been said more than once, the ultimate 'enigma'.  On being tested for dyslexia when she was seven, the 'professional' said, "Once in everyone's career, we hope to meet an enigma!"  She felt extremely blessed to have been 'that person' and the enigma was apparently my daughter.  When sent to a speech therapist (although as to why I am unsure, it just seemed that if there was any inexplicable anomaly in a child, they were sent to the speech therapist in the early nineties,) the 'professional' told me, "She finds it hard to do simple things she should be able to, but can do things she isn't old enough to do!  (Story of her life!) She is an....". I completed the thought!  Her year six teacher said the same thing!  Suffice it to say, how this week affected my daughter is still unknown.  Our 'guys' all said that they were experiencing a feeling of 'difference', and of course my husband was oblivious!  However, by Thursday, all was well!

The week, itself, was steady. We worked, and came home.  I had taken on an administrative task for one of our clients, that was quite time consuming, but rather rewarding.  I managed to successfully negotiate with courts, where others failed, and whilst I did not 'crow' over the victory, I did feel rather good!  I had clerks returning calls, and even making impromptu calls to speak to, "I don't remember her name.  She had an accent?"  It was always said in the form of a question.  

There were a couple of times when I was asked, 'How did you do that?" when I did some research and came up with solutions.  "I have lived here all my life, and didn't know how to do that".  It is hard to explain sometimes, that it has nothing to do with your 'nativity', but more how you apply yourself!  Of course, I am always gracious.

Obviously, there was no accounting for the anomaly of the 'shared brain' syndrome that appears to have befallen my daughter and me.  The fact that we both enjoy baking, and think like bakers, occasionally, is not enough of an excuse for Grant to become overwhelmed!  Samantha had suggested a recipe she had seen.  "I could make the lemon cream", I said, at the same time she said, "You could make the lemon cream".  Grant was standing holding some papers for me to prepare affidavits.  He stood still, and his eyes darted from one to the other.  We both thought.  "Lemon might curdle", we said in unison.  I thought about it some more.  "Lemon syrup.  Where could I get that?" I asked.  Then, as if on cue, we both said, "I (you) can make lemon syrup".  Grant threw the papers in the air and disappeared back to the office.  "What's up" asked my (oblivious) husband.  "You don't want to know", said Grant.  "Did they do it again?" asked Dana.  "Not telling!" said Grant.  I am sure we are not unique! (Although I have been told my that my daughter may just be!)

By Friday, all seemed well.  We had another couple of 'shared brain' experiences, to which Grant responded on all counts, "I don't know nothing about lemon syrup!"  Everyone agreed that the weather, and terrible storms that came through on Friday, must have caused the anomaly during the first part of the week.  I am not sure if it is the same elsewhere, but Texas is the only place I know that has twelve months of allergies!  No doubt I will be corrected! Everything can be blamed on 'allergies', and it is for the most part, very convenient!

Our usual Saturday morning was quite usual.  We shopped, we came home. We had a lot of laughter and both know that a lot of the 'shared' thinking comes from years of being together and being family!  Much as we sometimes disagree, Samantha is my daughter, and it is obvious there will be some likenesses!  

I finished my book on Saturday, and dared to test the water.  It was still too cold.  My legs did not regain absolute feeling for a couple of hours!  "You swimming yet?" asked a couple of neighbours.  "No, maybe tomorrow".  They smiled.  "Let us know, and we will start our two week countdown!"  It has become a 'thing'.  I am officially living in a 21st century Peyton Place!

Beautiful as the weather is today, the wind is quite strong.  I walked around the complex this morning, tears streaming down my face, as if I had been confronted with some terrible news, or news of great joy!  I hoped I would not see anyone, as they may not believe it was the strong breeze causing the tearing.  

The April showers have been rather torrential, and the May flowers are yet to show signs of blooming.  Most of the foliage survived the freeze, it would appear, but the buds are feeling a little shy.  Life finds a way, I believe is the phrase used when something grows in what seems like impossible circumstances!

Despite the peculiar start to the week, all's well that ends well, and whilst there was nothing really astounding, it came to an end all rather quickly.  I am expecting a slight difference next week, but that will have to remain a secret until I write ............. another story!