What’s on the iPod: Lonely Boy by The Black Keys
Rain. Lots and lots of rain. And then some more. That was our weekend. And it was good.
Having had an unusually dry July and a somewhat wetter August near the end, the heavy rain that washed over this long weekend was a welcome sight. We’re finally mowing grass again, everything is green, and only a few perennials bit the dust in the heat and drought – unfortunately, the lupine was the first victim, followed by a newer poppy.
It felt like a busy weekend even though I didn’t work through it. I was tempted to because we’re heading out tomorrow for eight days and I know of only two days where I’ll have access. I just was hired by a local company to provide them with some blog posts, but that has to be put on hold until I return. Plus I have the big project — stalled twice — that’s waiting for me. The client is very accommodating about my schedule since I’ve been waiting since April. In general, he’s just a terrific client.
Instead of barbecues, which we don’t normally do (there’s a limited audience for grilled tofu kebobs), we had an actual date night Friday. As we were walking to the restaurant, we came across a used book store. You know me. I walked out with four books, which I took right back to the car. One was a huge book called The Great Shame, about the Irish migration. It was written by Thomas Keneally, who wrote something else about a guy named Schindler…
We went to Monk’s Cafe for dinner, then saw a terrific movie –Beasts of the Southern Wild. If Quvenzhané Wallis does not get an Oscar nomination, I’d be shocked. She’s eight years old. She starred in and cemented that movie, which was well done all the way around. Fantastic.
But please, can we just tell directors that the shaky-camera effect is just overdone? I’m tired of listening to a movie because I’d hurl if I watched the screen. Either give us Dramamine warnings or stick with still shots.
Saturday was my errand day. I didn’t go to the farmer’s market because we’re not going to be home to eat it all and the kids won’t need that much. Instead, I went to Macy’s. I needed an extra set of sheets, and they had a set advertised for $29.99. That’s where things became interesting. I couldn’t find them in the store. Neither could two of the clerks, who decided if I liked the set I was holding (priced at $49.99) it was now $29.99. I didn’t take them because the color wasn’t right, but that’s good customer service. Solve it by making sure the customer walks away happy. Amen, Macy’s.
Back home I had a few things to do — clothing prep for the trip, which will include a wedding, a bonfire, a rehearsal dinner, and hiking. I’m taking tops that will do two jobs — casual and hiking (hiking, amen, is coming at the end of the trip). Also, I went outside to mow, realized we had no gas for the mower, then got caught up in weeding. You gardeners know how it goes — you pull one weed, which quickly turns into an hour and six piles of weeds.
Then I went out to get the pedicure and shop for dinner. Saw my English student, Hang, whom I’ve not seen in months. We stopped meeting because of the holidays and travel. It was a nice reunion and we gabbed like we always had. Her English has improved immensely over time, and she’s now commanding the language. That felt good knowing I’d helped.
Sunday was a blur of rain. We didn’t do much, though I did head to the mall to get the one thing missing from my clothing — a bracelet-length white sweater. The wedding we’re attending is on the cliffs overlooking the beach, and I hear it can be a bit nippy. Found what I wanted in minutes, then back home to finish packing.
Also spent some time on Ancestry.com. I’m chasing a particular line of the family – the Latchaws – who married the Leslies who married the Gallaghers who married the Widmers. If I have it right, and I think I may, I’ve found the first one who landed in America. One thing I did find beyond Ancestry — the graves of George and Rebecca (Rebekah) Ferguson Leslie. They are in a cemetery we used to pass all the time. A good weekend for “digging.”
Today it’s a huge marathon to get phone calls, writing, and scheduling in before I walk out the door tomorrow. I don’t expect to have it all sorted, but I have to at least have a game plan in place for when I come back. I’ll have to hit the ground running almost immediately.
How was your holiday weekend?
Have a great time at the wedding, Lori! Sounds like a lovely location.
Saturday was my version of a getaway – a getaway from work. I didn't clean (other than doing dishes, by hand), didn't do any work-work. The closest thing I did to work was start a pink sock monkey for my sister's friend. Of course, by midnight I felt as if I'd wasted the day. (Darn that Scandinavian work ethic!)
Sunday I wrote a column and transcribed one interview. Had tons of calls all weekend – more than on typical work days – so I didn't have the focused work time I'd expected. Monday I transcribed another interview. I had two more I could do, but that article isn't due until Friday, and it's not like they pay extra for me to work on a holiday. Had drop-ins and more calls Monday, too.
The world is conspiring to make you relax on a Sunday, Paula. 🙂
I have Fergusons on my mother's side, a couple generations back. 🙂