NEVER START A SENTENCE WITH A CONJUNCTION!

And there we were.  A large bruised circle.  Two mistakes come within the first couple of sentences.  The first, obvious to those who are grammar students, the second will be revealed, although the answer could be sought from the third word.  However, 'cryptic' was not meant to be included in the scenario!  The first mistake, of course, is the lack of grammar, or the significant grammatical error, of starting a sentence with a 'conjunction'.  However, it would appear that this is not such a heinous crime.   Modern day scholars believe it is 'okay', whereas an older academic would, perhaps, argue that it was acceptable if used for the sake of emphasis.  Emphasis is my preference!  And, so, back to the story!  I made a mistake by not checking my surroundings.  Although I was wearing gloves, I did not completely cover my arms when pulling out the weeds around intended vegetable patch. I was bitten, presumably by a spider, and the dark mark appeared almost instantaneously.  The itching ensued, and the red ring around the bruise started to spread.  I was quite cross with my lack of protocol!  Long ago did I discover that whereas when living in England, if I felt a stab in my foot, I looked for pieces of broken glass.  Here, I look for scorpions, arachnids or ants.  It is Texas, and I am encroaching on the territory of insects and the like!  

So I continued.  I did not have much time to do a lot, as I had been 'collared' by a neighbour who was needing to 'vent' and I understand the need!  I sat and listened, and hoped I was just what the doctor ordered.  A doctor would have probably ordered some antibiotics for me, or a 'psych' assessment for failing to act with a modicum of common sense!  Perhaps I am being too hard on myself!  Perhaps not!  My dutiful husband prayed for me.  

Although it was a holiday weekend, we did not go anywhere exciting. We did look for a place to stay, one maybe two nights, but it was also Graduation weekend, and we had left it too late to book.  Dana took himself to the office, and after my general duties were completed, I went out on the road.  I picked up some more 'hedging' to complete 'phase who knows what' in the garden, and then to the dollar tree where I found lots of packets of seeds, at twenty five cents a pop!  Despite the bruise turning a deeper colour, I was not finished with the area at the back of my unit, and would be more careful with my weeding!

Because the weather was conducive, I decided it was time to get out the vacuum and tidy up my little sun room area.  I moved all the pots and other things to one side, and placed the larger items in the car port. After ninety minutes of hard labour, I had to give up.  I think the reason everything blooms and fades so quickly in my sun room is because it is like a sauna!  I left everything where it was and went down to the pool.  A swim was just what I needed, and I was not the only one to have the same idea!  The usual 'Memorial Day' number of neighbours came down for a quick dip, or a longer lounge.  I know that I am truly blessed, when we go away for a weekend and people lounge by the pool, because it is a treat.  I will never take it for granted!  A 'staycation' as it is referred, is enhanced by our pool!  I came home, spent another ninety minutes putting everything back in its place, and planted some more seeds.  I would not say I am obsessed with planting, but experimenting, and finding out what will and will not grow, depending on sun, shade and general 'fauna and flora' attitudes, is rather exciting.

And back to work on Tuesday!  Quite some time ago, I mentioned to Dana that we really needed a new front door. Ours was starting to show signs of deterioration.  He said that a good coat of paint would do the trick, but I had my doubts.  I was experiencing 'bits' on the floor when I opened and closed it, and believed it to be rotting from the inside out.  About a month ago, the inside just fell out!  We arranged with the local hardware shop for a new door, and the installation thereof!  However, it needed to be measured, and we needed to be put on the list!  Everything was completed, and the installation was set for Tuesday, between eleven and two.  I hoped they would arrive nearer eleven, but time plodded on and the 'fixer' landed on the door step at two thirty.  Dana sent me a message to say he was here!  "I know.  I just opened the door", I replied.  We had avoided using the door, and had taped it up to stop heat escaping.  Anytime anyone came to our front door, it was a bit of an ordeal!  I was hoping this would now be fixed!  "Is it this one you want changing?" he asked.  At the same time, I received another message from my husband.  "He said he was knocking but you didn't answer". I then realised he may have been knocking on my neighbour's door, which is rather swish, new, and obviously not in need of a change. Hence, the question, "This one?"  

Although I was not expecting the job to last too long, the mumblings and mutterings coming from the hallway were an indication that all was not right.  The person who had measured the door had not got it quite right, and the materials provided were not all there.  "I'm gonna have to.....", and "this will take ....", were followed by various other half sentences, all of which led me to believe I had quite a bit of spare time.  Of course, I baked!  Strawberry mousse was not on the agenda, but an idea of 'how' came into my head, and I set too.  Using almonds as an alternative to hazelnuts for 'something else' could be attempted as time afforded me the opportunity.  "I am going to have to go and get some more.....", came another incomplete uttering.  He beckoned me to the open hole, and showed me the door.  It was damaged.  Not badly, but in time it could cause a problem.  I had heard him on the phone to a third party, letting her know that he would have to go and get something from the store, but was not quite of the extent of the problem.  It appeared that he needed to get a new door, procure items that had not been provided, but had been paid for, and all this had to be done by four, as the installation department closed then, and he had to get there quickly, so was that okay?  Of course it was okay!  Well, it wasn't so much 'okay' as necessary!  

Even though he had left in plenty of time, the department had shut its doors early, and my 'fixer' came back without the goods for which he had departed.  The panic rose, and was soon quelled as he told me that he would complete the job with the damaged goods, and it would be as good as new, but would have to be fixed.  "It will last a couple of years as is", he said, "but you want what you paid for!"  Of course I did!  

Unlike the mosquito bites I obtain on a regular basis, the arachnid irritation did not flare up to its presumed degree.  It grew, and shrunk, was tender to the touch, but didn't itch as usual.  I was more irritated by my lack of judgment, again, in the making of my strawberry mousse.  The recipe was all mine, admittedly taking a few hints here and there, but I wondered if....!  I overwhipped!  I knew where the problem arose, but was in too much of a hurry!  I 'fixed' it, but it would not set.  Instead of throwing it away and starting again, which is not something I am accustomed to do, as the more I use to 'fix' the more I am aware of the added waste!  Instead, I served it with the almond biscuits, (the experiment which did not suffice, but the biscuit itself was quite nice,) and waited for the comments.  "This is", said my husband, as I held my breath (metaphorically) awaiting the critique, expecting criticism, hearing the words "not right", or the like, "Exquisite!"  All I could say was, "Oh good!"

And then just like that, it was June!  Six months just gone!  Six months since 'the' baby was born.  Six months since my mum passed away.  Six months into the year.  The June bugs had been out in force since the middle of May.  Having thought of them as a bit 'simple', I have since found out that the reason they run into the pool, like lemmings, but without a leader, is because they are nocturnal, and cannot really see during the day.  They are, apparently, clumsy by nature!  The males 'dive bomb' to attract the females.  I want to shout, "Hey, it doesn't work" as their little legs try to tread water.  A June bug attempting to swim is like a T-Rex attempting push ups!  And then they cling!  I have attempted to save many a drowning beetle, only to have it hang on with all its might to my finger, and then, if I do get it to safety, watch as it throws itself back into the water.  

But the week went by, as it always does.  A short work week, but a busy one at that.  Saturday came around, and I fell asleep in the chair in my favourite spot!  I was a little disappointed as I wanted to hang my fake foliage.  Once home, I could not find the nails with which to hang it, and I could not procure the soil for my plants that need repotting. I was a little disappointed but there is always another day!

Either it was going to be a constructive day today, or it wasn't!  Either way, I cannot dwell on it!  Rain did not stop play first thing, as despite the torrent that came our way, the electricity did not!  I spent a good while cleaning out the pool first thing, due to the storm being a little more ravenous than expected, but was quite pleased with my efforts.  We picked up some potting soil last night, and I found my nails!  Hopefully, I shall be able to get yesterdays jobs done today. The weather looks slightly inclement so a 'sit and read' may not be an option.  We all need a little time to ourselves!

So, I shall finish the way I started, with a grammatical error!  Just the one error!  The spider bite has virtually disappeared.  My mistake will be repeated not, in that area, I hope, or at least not in the foreseeable future, or nothing will be learned.  Grammar, it appears, is like everything else, and 'up for modernisation'.  My mother would have fought 'tooth and nail' for that to fail!  The June bugs will still be here next week, as presumably will I, ready to keep up the tradition of ..... another story!