YOU WEAR IT WELL!

When nothing much appears to be happening, most things run smoothly.  The calm that came over everyone a couple of weeks ago, as the sun started to shine, and the winter appeared to depart, again, but being that March was roaring around the corner, perhaps for good this end of the year, was very much evident.  Smiling faces replaced those that could not be seen as they were behind scarves or winter face coverings.

My plants were taken from their indoor vacation site and replaced outside.  I hoped they would appreciate a little bit of fresh air and sun.   Some flourish inside, others just tolerate the different environment.  Edgar, our moringa tree, who insists on disguising himself as a stick, had lost a lot of his blossom, but grown a few leaves.  If he were in a fairy tale, in a couple of years, there would be a giant somewhere in the vicinity!  He is not strong enough to have Jack climb him, but he keeps growing!  We have grown very attached to Edgar!

Going from boots and heavy coats to sandals and light jackets is a way of life.  It was nice to see some familiar faces, as most had been hibernating during the less than clement climes. Last week dogs looked like they were ready to run a couple of miles, and their owners appeared to be glad to let them pull them along!  

Winning tickets to a show for a Thursday evening was exciting.  Despite being the cool, hip woman that I have become, I was willing to give them away.  The email did let me know that the tickets were transferable, but only once.  I asked Jerry if he would like to take my place, and he jumped at the chance.  "How did you get....never mind...I will take them!"  I have been asked how, as a (relative) newcomer, do I manage to get so many invitations.  Of course, it is because I enter the contests!  "How did you find out about them?" is a harder question.  I can't remember how I first became aware of them, but when I did, I checked for more!  I often say it is like 'street signs'.  I once heard someone say that locals don't necessarily notice new signs, as they know the area.  Visitors pay more attention.  Although not strictly a visitor, I was a newcomer to the area, and found out everything I could about the local scene!  I responded to the email and asked if they could be transferred.

The week continued and it was, as mentioned, totally uneventful, in terms of exceptional excitement.  The weekend was totally uneventful as well, but that was also not such a bad thing!

A new week started, and with the weather being warmer, I knew there was going to be an upsurge in tempo.  I was also going to have a late night on Friday evening, which I was broaching with a level of anticipation.  

There were going to be things to do!  Having, once again, determined on which day my grandson's birthday fell, (my son called me when he was born, but it was still the previous day here, due to the hour difference,) I bought a card, but then realised it would arrive later than I had originally anticipated, as I had also miscalculated the days!  February ends, and March always catches me off guard!

The winds picked up again on Wednesday, and by Thursday night they were howling.  The debris was not too bad on Friday, and as the tempest quelled, so the temperatures rose.  "I am making Yorkshire Pudding!" announced our postman.  He had previously told me that his father's family came from Cornwall, and his father was born in Oxford.  His mother is American, and they ended up back in Texas after a brief time in Blighty.  He, the postman, is himself American but quite proud of his ancestry.  He asked me if I had any tips.  After going back and forth sharing a few experiences, I gave him a couple of chefs to consider 'checking out' when making traditional British fare!  

Deciding what to wear was a bit of a problem, and I am quite pleased I opted for jeans and boots.  I was also pleased (after having left it in the car, and going back to retrieve it) that I had taken a jacket, as our seats were directly below the air conditioner vent at the venue!  Samantha and I shared a pot of chips (fries) which cost almost as much as the tickets!  "No!  She did not win!" was her response to everyone who asked how we managed to get tickets to Rod Stewart's final tour!  My daughter had booked seats and presented them to me as a Christmas present.  I had once mentioned that the only time I would consider going back to see the Formular 1 race, after seeing Elton John, was if  David Bowie or Rod Stewart were performing.  Obviously, the former being deceased would not be an option, but the latter may have considered the post!  As Rod was coming to town, she (thoughtfully) decided I could not miss the opportunity.  

Cheap Tricks was the opening act, and although I didn't associate them with any songs, I knew a few they performed.  An elderly lady sat at the end of our row, and when they came on to the stage, she suddenly started 'strutting her stuff' like a teenager.  The couple who sat next to Samantha were it would seem, on a ffirst (or second) date.  He explained that he went 'a bit wild' at concerts, and his girlfriend acknowledged that she could see that!  

As Rod Stewart came on to the stage, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.  We listened to him sing and sang along.  He explained that he had been concerned about cancelling as he had not felt very
good when arriving form Florida.  He had become a victim of Texas' cedar fever, but with the help of a medical professional and a local ENT clinic, he was now in great form!  The crowd once again went wild, as we all know how the cedar trees affect us!  

The young man next to Samantha was being rather aggressive in his dancing and shouting, and was told to turn it down a notch or two!  His girlfriend, who had appeared to be a little embarrassed by his behaviour, then decided to stick by his side, and got up to dance to "Do you think I'm sexy!"  It would appear that the old fashioned sentiment of 'nots' on a first date (or second) did not apply!  We had a separate 'x-rated show' of our own!

I forgot that Maggie May was released as early as 1971!  I stood and sang to the whole song.  I remember so clearly seeing it being performed on Top of The Pops, an English television show, all those years ago, and being mesmerised.  The then young singer, picked up the microphone stand and strutted across the stage, twirling the stand as he sang and danced.  The following week he was still 'Top of the Pops' and I was in love!  It was probably then that my mother decided I was going to be a problem teenager!  (I wasn't, she just assumed I would be because of my abominable taste!)  The following Christmas I received two albums.  One was 'Every picture tells a story' and the other 'Never a Dull Moment'.  Although my parents, at the time, could not see the allure, years later my father told me that he had bought an album.  "You will never guess what" he said, and after telling me that he had never seen the attraction, I guessed.  It was the first Rod Stewart singing love songs, which was full of 'golden oldies'.  That Christmas I presented my father with a second Rod Stewart album, as he had done me so many years ago!

The concert was amazing and we stayed until the very end!  We weaved our way through the crowds, and got to the car quite quickly.  I got home and was 'buzzing'.  At eighty years old, he has still 'got it!'  I only hope I can 'move' half as good when I hit his age.  Having been able to attend concerts on a fairly regular basis, I revel in the fact that I have seen some of my teenage favourites live, performing songs that I used to dance to.  Watching THE Sir Rod Stewart performing Maggie May live, was one of my life's amazing pastimes!  

I was exhausted Saturday morning, but drove to my daughter's.  We went shopping and I returned home and went to relax by the pool.  The weather had been beautiful for a few days, and I actually got in the water and swam!  A little on the chilly side, but warm enough to get some laps in!  The wind had increased the amount of leaves in the skimmers and I cleaned them out twice!  I love that job!  It reminds me of the blessing of having access to a pool!

The clocks went forward on Sunday, and I called my sister two hours early, having got totally confused with the time!  We are now only five hours behind.  We got to look after our youngest grandson as his mother went out for lunch with some friends, and were thoroughly exhausted after he left!  Two is such a fun age!

I do not think I will have anything to match this past week's events in the forthcoming seven days, but who knows, there is always something just around the corner, and I have been promised a picture of the Yorkshire Puddings, but all that will  have to be put into ........... another story!