With the 'lost' hour still very much at play, the water is not warm enough until slightly later in the day. I have long since decided not to pick up the gauntlet, so to speak, and go forth with the challenge. If someone else wishes to become the 'thermometer' then so be it, but no one appears to want to take on the task!
The wind picked up again on Sunday night, and Monday morning was quite chilly. However, the sunrise is getting a little earlier, and it is worth the walk up the hill to watch the early morning sky start to brim over with yellow and gold. The birds (despite not being quite as raucous as 'at home') were very vocal, and the sighting of a small grey rabbit with a brilliant, almost luminous, white fluffy tail, made my morning. I was ready to start the week.
I was ready to start the week until the week actually started! It was one of those, 'if it can go wrong', type of days. Admittedly, most of the 'calamities' were 'user error', which culminated into a crescendo. "Rush" was the word of the day, and getting myself 'locked' out of computers, printers, and anything else electronic was purely due to more speed, less haste! It was like trying to wipe out a small stain with a black marker pen! The more I attempted to resolve the problem, the worse it got. Eventually, as I was about to pull every plug in the building, I came to my senses, and resolved the very simple initial problem. Before sending to 'print', check how many pages you have in your document, and do not ask for duplication until you have put in the preference for 'page one' only! Those of my era will understand what I am saying. In my day, "A I" were the first and third vowels in the alphabet, and were usually accompanied by 'E', 'O', and 'U'. I can tell you, "A I" were not the first letters that came to mind! "Eee, ohhhhyooo" could be heard in screams rather than harmony! "I" was not doing very well, and "A" was not the grade I would be achieving!
With Monday coming to an end, I vowed I would do better in the coming days! Spring break meant less traffic on the roads, and perhaps a quieter week. The problem, or perhaps issue, or perhaps consequence, of a holiday, is that it is an opportunity for families to spend time together, (not a problem, or issue,) which means that there is perhaps less pressure from 'the top' and more time to spend 'catching up'. Of course, when the cat is away, the mouse will cause much oppression upon those who are not on vacation! 'Catch up' could be put into a modern day term, and perhaps, the way we can deal with it would be to call it 'cAItch up'! I wonder where 'EOU' will end up! Having said that, the 'superfluous' 'U' had been dropped by the Americans a long time ago. Obviously, not all the 'U's! "Team -SA" would be a bit confusing at the Olympics!
My week continued, as always, and I spent a considerable time making dinner for a small group, which became smaller by the minute! My 'usual suspects' each have their favourites, which I rotate, but there are some meals where I do please all the people all the time! Anything with puff pastry is always a winner! I made several 'pockets' hoping that I would have enough for left overs, and maybe a portion to freeze. My 'group' dropped to one extra! I was rather pleased when my one guest went back not only for seconds, but thirds! My freezer gained a couple of meals. We had enough for leftovers. I was able to 'give away' a couple of meals. We all probably gained a couple of pounds!
"You have won" came up in all three emails. Another 'meet and greet' was up for grabs, and we had all gained a spot in the 'lounge'. Pizza for lunch! Samantha could not make it, but Grant was having to watch his eleven year old nephew for the day. He had brought him into the office, as the 'cAItch up' brigade were marching at full force, and our 'In box' was being bombarded! We headed out to the radio station, and arrived early. Greeted by the DJ, Grant's nephew was amazed that his uncle was being called by name! We explained that we have known her for a long time, and gave him a brief history of how we got to know her so well. I think he got lost after the first sentence, but it did little to dampen his amazement. Being invited into a room, with just two other people, and having several pizza boxes put in front of us, with the one word, "Enjoy!" being proclaimed, made the young lad think his uncle really was a VIP! (No 'A' in that!)
The artist was late. Apparently, his plane was delayed! Despite all the technological advancements in the world, a delayed plane can bring things to a screeching halt! We were not unhappy. We had pizza! One member of staff came in, very cautiously, and apologised profusely for the wait. We all shrugged our shoulders, not able to talk as our mouths were full, but somehow managed to infer that it was all good! After all, this was a prize, and we were being fed!
The weekend was calling, metaphorically, of course. Samantha had told me that her local baseball stadium was going to have an 'Open Day' on Saturday, and wondered if we could 'change up' the usual routine. "Of course!" I said, as I contemplated all the ways this would mess with my routine! I would have to drive to her house, which would not be a problem. We would take the little one around the stadium, and then drop him off before going to the shops. Again, not a problem. I would arrive back at my house later in the afternoon than I had anticipated, which would not be a ...... Okay, perhaps I had a slight problem with that! As I took the umpteenth 'spam' call of the day, and thought about how AI would do well to 'vet' its subjects before calling and offering nonsensical things to me, and then thinking, "Oh my goodness, they are now going to vet the calls ...", I thought about my dilemma. How precious was my time, but more to the point, how much more precious was time with my grandson! I miss my boys in England and relish the thought of spending time with them. Here I had that opportunity and I was concerned about finishing my book! The new me had arrived! No, it did not mean I would be talking like a GenZ, or next generation GenZ (I would not understand myself - I would need AI to interpret ME!) I would not be asking my phone for directions, or Siralexa how to make an apple pie, but a 'me' that would not so constrained by time! Well, maybe one step at a time!
We had a great time at the Dell Diamond stadium. We had our picture taken with Spike, the mascot. (I hope they pay that guy well!) I queued to have our caricatures drawn, while Samantha took Teddy to the balloon stand. It appeared to take as long for the balloon lady to twist the balloons into a shape as it did for the artist to pen the likeness of three people! "You might need to give her a lesson" said my daughter, remembering my (short lived) days as a children's entertainer! Captain America and Snow White were waiting to have our picture taken with them before we left!
There was a lot more we could have done, but a little boy needed his nap, and he was just a little bit too small for some of the adventures! We dropped him off with his dad, and went on our way to the shops, where we wandered around and enjoyed the freedom!
I managed to get a couple of hours R & R at the pool, but did not swim. It was just a little too chilly for me. "Do you want me to push you in?" asked our chairman! I retorted with a definite "No!" He would have to restart his countdown if I didn't swim!
Dana and I had a great evening. We watched a selection of old British commercials, which happened to pop up on our television. I do not want to think how that was considered an option that we might enjoy, but enjoy it we did! I must say that most of the 'because you watched' categories are rather less than inviting, but it brought back some fun memories, and made me smile.
Sunday morning was a little dull, but the birds were quite vocal. I did not get to see the sunrise in all its glory as the clouds were too dense. However, the birds sang loudly and there was a promise of a brighter afternoon. I spent a lovely hour chatting to my sister, and then set about finishing my current book. Another friend called, and my book would be set aside to have the finale read another day! It wasn't a regular weekend, but I am all for change, on occasion!
Another week looms, and I am aware that the year is moving a lot faster than I would like. I suppose that is an 'age' thing, where things seem to go faster the older you become. Life continues on and again I look at the fact that I am her, in Texas for yet another spring. Another week of unknown with a vague promise of ....... another story!
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