BUSY BODY!

It poured, and poured, and poured on Sunday.  "It's just started to drizzle", said a neighbour as I tentatively headed down for a Sunday afternoon of relaxation.  Texas drizzle is slightly different to drizzle on the plains of Hertford, Hereford and Hampshire, as it does not stream down in tiny droplets, but descends like rockets in huge bubbles, that splatter all over the pavement, or anything that is in the way before it hits the surface.  Texas drizzle means you can dodge the incoming pellet, and remain somewhat dry as you run for shelter.  Texas drizzle can mean one of two things.  It is either a short sharp burst, or it is leading to something far more sinister!  Sinister was the word for the afternoon.  Barely had I made it to my front door, than the lightening bolt forked across the sky, from the east to the west, with prongs going both up and down, and then the thunder roared.  The drizzle became rain, and the rain became a storm!  The small piece of blue on the horizon (and in England if there is enough blue to make a sailor a pair of trousers, the worst of the storm is over) was a brief lull of false security, as it quickly turned grey, and was then engulfed in the dark clouds that overtook the skies.  Suffice it to say, I was not going to be making much headway with my new book today!

Thankfully, the raging storm finally petered out into some more Texas drizzle and I swam at the end of the day, just because I felt like I needed to move a little!  Instead of taking the opportunity to do some 'winter' projects, I sat!  Dana and I spent some time sitting and watching the rain, and chatting about things we wanted to do, and household projects, (which generally stay in the 'chat' arena for months, sometimes years,) and I think he was happier than me when the thunder finally stopped rolling!

It seemed almost impossible that it was Monday again.  I know it is common thought that the older you get, quicker time seems to fly, and that is exactly how it felt.  "How are you, today?" I asked one of our clients when they called.  "Oh, it's Monday", she said.  I had only just spoken to her at the end of last week, and she had exclaimed, happily, "It's Friday!"  What happened in between.  Tomorrow will be Tuesday, and so on and so forth.  The world does not stop turning!  It was Monday!  It was dry.  It was very dry!

"What do I have to do to get something delivered in Louisianna?" someone asked.  It was interesting that an attorney should be asking me such a question, but they seemed to think that I would know.  I explained the procedure.  Trying to explain that receiving certain things in one state from another, was the same as receiving something from a foreign country, was rather enlightening.  They had never contemplated that getting a legal document pursuant to laws in one state mean nothing in another.  "If it was federal....", I continued.  I found myself on a roll!  Little Miss Busy Body!  "Of course, you can domesticate the case", came out of my mouth, like syrup pouring from a spoon!  I was suddenly the fountain of all knowledge.  The obligatory preamble of "Of course, I am not an attorney and cannot give you legal advice", is always relevant, but when saying it to an attorney and then explaining legal procedure is somewhat empowering!  It made a difference to talk to someone who actually believed that I had a brain, unlike the lady last week!  (Take the way this is written whichever way your like!)

Pottering around the kitchen the following morning made me smile. I was in my element!  I had been in my element giving pieces of advice the previous day, but this was my domain, completely!  I wanted to make hazelnut pastry, and did not have enough hazelnuts.  I made up the difference with pistachios and it was quite good!  Can one be master of all trades, rather than a jack?  Of course not, but it is good when things come together!

Realising that we were almost at the end of August, I decided to go through some paperwork that had been calling out to me for some time.  My car needs and inspection before the end of the month, so that needed to be organised, and I had a gift voucher for a restaurant in South Austin, that needed to be used.  I had been under the misunderstanding that it expired at the end of the month.  However, when I looked on the 19th, I saw that it actually expired a year from the date of issue, which was the 21st!  With three days in which to use it, the obvious choice was Thursday.  There are not many things on my 'foodie bucket list', but one was definitely fried alligator tail. I can hear the varied sounds ranging from 'horrified' to 'interesting', and beyond, but the many Cajun restaurants offer this and although Texas has its own food specialties, this is quite common around these parts! I put in my order for what might be considered a 'heart attack' lunch, of fried alligator tail and fried pickles.  Grant, Samantha and Dana went for the more stew like items, etouffee and gumbo with a side order of rice and beans.  It was fun to try something new, that has been a 'want to' for so many years.  It was also nice that lunch was provided courtesy of a gift!  The office smelled wonderful!  Another first!  It is always a delight to have a 'first' after seventeen years!

Although there was a storm brewing on Wednesday evening, only the lightening was seen.  It must have been quite a distance away, and the chance of rain for the week had dwindled to nothing.  Each day, I checked the weather, and there was the usual 'ten percent' possibility. I know the lake was reasonably full at the beginning of the season but with the hot weather prevailing, it may have receded slightly!  Our local lake is the focal point when deciding if we need rain!  Apparently, it rose three inches on Sunday!  My garden was soaked! Obviously, the lake has far more area to fill than my little grow boxes!

Dana joined me on Friday for a swim after work.  As we walked through the gate, I spotted some familiar faces.  "How was school?" I asked the little girl who shares her secrets with me.  ("I am going to a sleep over with my friends, but it is a secret.  My brother doesn't know", kind of secret!)  "It was great.  I got the teacher I wanted. My friend is in the same class.  It is perfect!"  I showed sufficient enthusiasm.  "Hey water babies.  How's the water?" I asked the two little girls who were with their mum in the shallow end.  Their mum responded with a big smile and we chatted for a few seconds.  "Hey, how are you?" came the shout from across the pool, from the mother of the young girl who has the teacher she wanted!  I responded that I was doing well, and heard of the good news regarding the teacher.  Dana looked on!  I will never make it to the rank of 'Forces sweetheart" (no one wants to hear me sing) but he sees me as somewhat of a matriarch!  I don't!  I am more of a busy body!  

"You are on the board.  Can you tell me how to....", my newish neighbour had asked on Friday morning. I responded as best I could, and when I announced, on Friday evening, that I had passed the problem by Raul, who was going to speak to Mike, to see as to how best to deal with the problem, I earned a gold star!

Once again, we reached the weekend.  "How are you?" I asked the same client who phoned on Monday morning.  "It's Friday!" she said, very enthusiastically.  I did not like to say, "Yes, but in three days it will be Monday!"  

Friday was also 'birthday' day!  My elder grandson turned seven, and my younger doggie grandson turned two!  Both seemed to have a nice day, but you can never tell with a dog!

Of course, Saturday followed on and Samantha and I did the rounds.  I bought a tube of 'smarties' from the Indian supermarket, just to see if they were like the English smarties, or if they were made under license somewhere else.  English they were!  I shall return!  I have found another outlet for my 'supplies' that is nearer than going downtown to the large supermarket on the Interstate, which used to be my 'go to' place.  Some things I live without, but 'smarties' are quite the 'must' for me!

Without a cloud in sight this morning, I wondered quite how much the chance of rain would be!  '10%" said my phone!  Of course, it could not say "0" as no one seems to know, for certain.  

As a busy body, I could probably make a prediction and be right!  I have gathered enough information by looking out of the window to see what the next hour is probably going to bring.  We are in the latter part of August, there are no clouds, and it is hot!  For the foreseeable future, e.g. the next couple of hours, I predict heat, and no rain! Easy. However, this is Austin and all could change at the drop of a hat.  I shall keep mine firmly on my head to make sure that does not happen! It has been an eventful week of sorts, and I have enjoyed the banter and patter for the most part.  I am looking forward to what next week might bring, because who know what will be available for .......... another story!