BLUEBERRY HILL!

 

My sabbatical was not planned, but for me it was also not too unexpected.  I had family over to visit!  My son, his wife and the two boys arrived late on a Wednesday afternoon and stayed for a little over two weeks.  We had a blast, and suffice it to say, my house is now empty and very, very quiet.  

Fixing up the rooms and making sure everything was ready for the visit was, of course, a priority, and as mentioned, more than necessary, pieces of furniture were built, moved, removed, replaced, and when I finally thought I had everything where I wanted it, moved again!  Dana was quite concerned that the futon in the boys room would be taking up too much space, but the first thing my elder grandson said when entering the room was, "Oh wow, we have a sofa in our room!"  

To detail just the highlights would probably take more than a day to write, and I am not sure I am ready to 'close the door' on the adventure!  However, a few may find there way into this post.

Temperatures soared, and whilst England had its hottest ever day, at 103 degrees Fahrenheit, the day before they left to come here, our temperatures were reaching 107, 106 and settling around 104.  Yes, we had air conditioning, but you have to go outside sometimes!  My garden was suffering and tomatoes were ripening as soon as they were formed.  No longer did I have cherry, or grape tomatoes, but they looked more like blueberries!  I was farming a new variety of fruit which I have decided to name.  I now have my very own 'blueberry hill!'  Edgar, the moringa, lost most of his downward leaves, but is now reaching for the sky.  So much for a dwarf tree!  Of course, watering the plants was quite the challenge, as I had help!  Many hands make light work, or too many cooks in the kitchen, were the two proverbs that came to mind!  Taking it in turns worked well, especially when something else attracts the attention of young minds!

Having two little people running up and down the stairs, reminded me of when my kids were little, and either having a house full of kids or having an empty house.  All the friends were either at one house or another, and one of the mums had all whilst the others had none!  It was fun! The dogs had a different opinion!  It was rather chaotic for them and their routine was changed drastically.  

The two and a bit weeks were supercharged.  We visited NASA, they went to see the bats, or should I say 'The Bats', and Dana and I had some quality time with the two little'uns at 'Chuck E Cheese'.  The latter is probably an experience we are less likely to reiterate, but the boys really enjoyed themselves.  

Red 'blueberries' continued to fill the back garden, despite some of the leaves being badly burned.  Despite having a 'blueberry hill', there was little about the scorched array of plants that would derive anything near a 'thrill'.  Parched as it was, however, new life appeared to be growing, under the shade of the prematurely aged stalks.

Despite the boys having a good social life at home, enjoying activities in which my kids did not partake, either because of financial restrictions, or because they were not in existence, Texas offered new things.  Bucees was, of course, a must and they probably could have stayed in the large convenience store for hours, especially with the guest of honour appearing, 'just for them'.  

Breakfast at IHop was particularly wonderful, as was 'breakfast for dinner'.  Juggling the well being of children, along with their being 'on holiday' is something parents do all the time.  There was a plan!  Dinner at IHop was because it was 'on the way'.   IHop is something of a treat for out of country visitors, especially the kids, as an American breakfast is so much different to the English breakfast.  I still think you have to go a long way to beat the 'full English', but the French, Belgians and Dutch have equally as tantalizing a fayre!  (If my memory serves me correctly!)  Different is great!  However, I digress, and go back to the plan.  A trip 'downtown' to see the bats (sorry, 'The Bats') fly out from under the bridge, was the plan.  Dana and I did not really want to venture downtown, and on every occasion when I have either gone to see the event, or taken visitors to enjoy the spectacle, the creatures have decided to have a night in!  Steph was driving a rather luxurious Chevy Suburban.  Their original vehicle had been making odd noises, and they wanted to swap it out.  I had called a local car rental place, to see if it was possible to exchange it there, rather than at the airport, and they had willingly obliged.  The newer and improved model was rather swish.  Following us along the road, with Samantha in our car, and Edward with the visitors, Dana noticed a truck with a trailer and unsecured debris.  The unsecured debris was flying out of the bed and the truck was swerving.  I checked to see if Steph was still behind us, as cars were swerving out of the way to avoid the mess.  As Samantha read my mind, her phone rang, and Edward asked if she could get the number of the truck, but it was too late.  A large metal pole with a sharp edge, had flown out of the trailer, and hurled itself under the Suburban, slicing through a back tyre.  Edward called the police, and we circled and pulled off on to the hard shoulder, as they arrived.  The response was amazing, and the Austin Police Department, once again, showed how invaluable they are to the city.  Taking a note of Dana's registration, and calling it in, the officer asked if we were just good Samaritans or if we knew the 'stranded'.  I explained what had happened and they were most sympathetic.  We took the boys out of the car, and watched as my son and the policeman attempted to find the spare tyre.  Once located, they had to find a way of actually releasing it.  All the tools at hand, ready to remove the slashed rubber, and replace it, were null and void, as getting to the tyre seemed to be an impossible task.  Eventually, they managed to find the screw that held down the bolt that secured the panel that covered the apparatus holding the tyre in place.  A magnificent piece of engineering, but not much good if you are in a hurry!  The policeman took care of the whole procedure!  We took the boys to the restaurant with mum's blessing, and her suggestion that they 'order what you like'.  The second car arrived shortly after we had been seated, and the boys had decided pancakes for dinner was a good idea, especially as grandma had ordered 'chicken and waffles'.  "What were you saying to the policeman, daddy" came the question.  "I was telling him how to do it properly", came the response.  This was accepted as gospel and two very proud little boys looked at their father in awe!  Suffice it to say, it was now dark and the 'bat' tour was no longer viable!  

The new and improved, spectacular Suburban had to go back to the rental place, and another vehicle was provided, albeit the same version as the first model.  What a shame!  

A trip out to 'Coopers', the barbecue extravaganza, was also fun.

Sitting on long tables, with paper for plates, was part of the fun, but the highlight was the butter in a bottle!  Squeezing butter like ketchup was probably the one story they would tell from the adventure.  Something new!  The experience of eating barbecue, eating at a traditional basic, chaotic, but amazingly Texan restaurant, would pale into insignificance compared to 'butter in a bottle'.  Dana's daughter, and another friend joined our party, as well as Grant, whom the boys considered to be somewhat of an older brother.  "Pantsman" got his nickname before the boys found out that 'pants' in American is actually trousers, rather than underwear.  Grant once commented that he had to put his 'pants' on, when wearing a pair of shorts (short trousers) whilst we were on a facetime call, and they could not believe he had come to work without underwear.  Of course, an explanation was given, and they found it highly amusing. The name stuck!  Grant said that he had always wanted a 'nickname' but had thought it would be something more adventurous, or indeed socially acceptable!  

The blueberry tomatoes were picked and put away for consumption at a later date.  The heat continued to rise, and we were thankful for the pool!  Jamie, who had been rather fearful of the water on day one, was now 'cannonballing' in at the deep end, without wanting supervision, despite getting it!  Ollie was racing Grandma, who was not racing, but played along nonetheless.  Slow and steady wins the race!  

A 'romantic' dinner was planned for 'mum and dad'.  Richard and Steph had wanted to have a night out, and the boys were wondering why they could not go along.  After all they were on holiday!  Samantha and I explained that they wanted to be alone, which did not really satisfy the young boys, but she added the possibility of much 'kissing' and that seemed to be enough to make them want to be 'out of the way'.  Edward joined us at Dairy Queen for a fun night out.  Dana had undergone dental surgery, and was not really 'with it'.  I had taken him in the morning to his appointment, and picked him up at midday.  Whilst he was adamant that he was okay, after having been put out for about forty five minutes, I knew better.  Arriving home, after dozing off at his desk all afternoon, again insisting that he was compus mentis, he sat on the bed, turned on the television, and sat in the same position for three hours, pointing the remote control at the goggle box!   The five of us had a great time, eating hamburgers, and 'blizzards', and telling 'knock-knock' jokes.  Going to and from anywhere in their aunties enormous truck was enough of an adventure for the boys!  

I had dropped Richard and Steph 'downtown' earlier in the evening and they had planned to get a cab home. However, as we arrived home, so they called.  'Downtown' was empty.  It was Wednesday!  Of course it was!  It was also very hot, something they had not taken into consideration.  It does not cool down in the evenings to the extent you would expect.  Whilst Samantha went to collect them, I took the boys and the dogs out for a walk.  "Boys" I called, and the two little humans responded.  "Not you boys", I said.  Armed with flashlights, they helped me walk the quadrupeds, and was blinded by the pin point glare that they insisted on pointing upwards instead of down.  Upon arriving back at my condo, I realised that I was reasonably proficient in handling kids, and also dogs, but not at the same time!  Now that is a challenge!  

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and they flew home, after a glorious and wonderful visit.  I came home to an empty turmoil.  Part of me wanted to keep the chaos, but I knew that would not last.  I left most of the clearing away until Monday.

Deflating 'floaties' took a long time.  There were so many!  I did start to clean one room on Sunday, and felt a sense of accomplishment.  However, there are always items left behind, and that reminded me of how empty my house was, again.

Last week was something of a blur.  I worked a full week and was quite busy.  I missed the little helpers that had insisted on coming in and being 'postman' and 'deliveryman'.  I have an abundance of drawings all over my office, and a great deal of disarray, as I introduced them to the 'Southby' memorabilia.  There was a lot of fun to be had with that particular stash!

I spent Saturday afternoon reminiscing and chatting with some neighbours, one of which is about to become a Grandma, and cannot decide what she wants to be called.  'Grandma makes me sound old', she said, and apologised when I told her that was what I was called.  I did not take offense.  I rather enjoy it!  

My breakfast was full of blueberry tomatoes, and they were as sweet as the cherry or grape variety.  I just hope the temperature drops just a tad to allow the next round to grow to its proper size.  My blueberry hill was fun for a while, but it would not sustain us!  

Things are almost back to normal, with still a few floaties staying filled should I wish to indulge.  The bedrooms have been tidied and even the abyss resembles a reasonably habitable room now!  I have cupboards to store!  Next week is hurtling towards us, and it appears that the schools here are starting their new term at varying days. It is always funny to think that the middle of summer holidays on one side of the ocean is different to the other.  Hopefully, I will have something exciting and new to report next week in ........... another story!