Outside my window... The blinds are closed, but today I saw a four-legged creature sitting in the middle of one of my garden plots eating the chard. I’d been wondering about the culprit; I didn’t think it was caterpillars because there was no evidence of any hiding among the leaves. And then the carrot tops were eaten nearly to nubs. That destruction happened so quickly, I felt sure it wasn’t insects. When I raised my voice the critter waddled off into the shrubbery before I could identify it. Its coat was roughly the same gray-brown as an Eastern cottontail’s, but the creature was larger, moved differently, and seemed less skittish than rabbits ordinarily are. So, I only know that caterpillars don’t deserve the blame.
I am thinking... that it has been a L-O-N-G day—it felt like three days rather than one. I woke just before 3 am after a mere 2.5 hours of sleep. Despite the insane hour, I truly was awake. I emptied the fridge of leftover ingredients and ran the dishwasher, watered the seeds I recently planted in the garden, and breakfasted on two fresh homemade blueberry muffins and some tea before doing errands. I did crash for a 3-hour nap afterwards but, whew… man. A 24-hour day that’s somehow been 72 hours long.
I am thankful... that I have loving parents who bless me. I appreciate their financial help without which I’d already have had to default on my mortgage loan due to this lengthy period of unemployment.
In the kitchen... For lunch (and dinner) I made Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta al Forno to use up the mozzarella cheese I had on hand. It wasn’t amazing, but it was filling and substantial food which was satisfying enough.
I am wearing... the same pajamas I had on last night, but I DID get dressed today—khaki Dockers and a yellow, tan, and khaki print knit shirt. I even put on gold earrings. So there. I do own real clothes. ;-)
I am creating... an enjoyable Saturday evening. I purposely set aside other pursuits in order to have time to read.
I am going... Actually, I already went. I headed to the library, the pharmacy, my parents’ house, and the bank. I also stopped by the Dollar Tree just to browse. I only bought black ink pens which I need for the substitute teaching paperwork and some gift wrap for my dad’s upcoming birthday. $2.12—not bad. If I actually sleep (or if I at least rest tonight so that I’m not utterly wrecked), I’d like to get to church tomorrow morning. More errands coming up on Monday.
I am wondering... what I can come up with to celebrate my dad’s birthday.
I am reading... Carved in Bone. This time, the library did have it in stock just as the catalog promised. So far, I like it better than Jeffrey Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme series though both deal with forensics. Bass’s writing flows. The story is set in and around Knoxville, Tennessee, and the main character, a professor, uses words such as “reckon” in addition to more scholarly vocabulary. I declare, he makes me feel right at home with those Southern phrases!
I am hoping... to sleep tonight—an oft repeated wish.
I am looking forward to... reading more of my book. My preference is to read an entire book in a single sitting, but it’s really not practical; my muscles stiffen, my eyes tire, I stay up too late, and important tasks are left unfinished. I really am trying to show some restraint—really.
I am hearing... blessed quiet—only the a/c at work and the ticking of a clock. I live near a speedway, but thankfully they’ve wrapped up a bit earlier than sometimes. There is a noise ordinance in place so the races are supposed to cease at 11pm. However, in the past, they have not been good neighbors, always pushing up to and past the deadline. The events last for hours so by the end of a race day, I am usually ready to pull some hair out—preferably theirs! Not really, but it does get wearying. I am appreciative of the greater respect that they seem to be showing this season.
Around the house... I haven’t emptied or reloaded the dishwasher or done any laundry today. I ran out of steam and opted to rest—my nap wasn’t enough to energize me. A break is well and fine, but I need to stay on top of things so that work doesn’t pile up and overwhelm me.
I am pondering... who might be calling me at nearly midnight. A wrong number? I elected not to answer since it didn’t seem to be someone I know.
One of my favorite things... toddlers and preschoolers. An out-of-state friend posted pictures on Facebook of her three-year-old daughter performing a song with her VBS class on stage at their church. Funny and sweet but it makes me miss that precious girl!
A few plans for the rest of the week: fingerprints, TB test, and I really need to get my hair trimmed. I can’t recall when I last had it cut, but the ends are splitting and it needs to be neatened up. I usually go to Fantastic Sam’s or some other inexpensive walk-in place—it’s just a trim, not rocket science. But I always put it off because I hate waiting and twiddling my thumbs in the salon. It’s got to be done though so I need to just get it over with. School has resumed in our area, so maybe the wait will be short…
I am thinking... that it has been a L-O-N-G day—it felt like three days rather than one. I woke just before 3 am after a mere 2.5 hours of sleep. Despite the insane hour, I truly was awake. I emptied the fridge of leftover ingredients and ran the dishwasher, watered the seeds I recently planted in the garden, and breakfasted on two fresh homemade blueberry muffins and some tea before doing errands. I did crash for a 3-hour nap afterwards but, whew… man. A 24-hour day that’s somehow been 72 hours long.
I am thankful... that I have loving parents who bless me. I appreciate their financial help without which I’d already have had to default on my mortgage loan due to this lengthy period of unemployment.
In the kitchen... For lunch (and dinner) I made Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta al Forno to use up the mozzarella cheese I had on hand. It wasn’t amazing, but it was filling and substantial food which was satisfying enough.
I am wearing... the same pajamas I had on last night, but I DID get dressed today—khaki Dockers and a yellow, tan, and khaki print knit shirt. I even put on gold earrings. So there. I do own real clothes. ;-)
I am creating... an enjoyable Saturday evening. I purposely set aside other pursuits in order to have time to read.
I am going... Actually, I already went. I headed to the library, the pharmacy, my parents’ house, and the bank. I also stopped by the Dollar Tree just to browse. I only bought black ink pens which I need for the substitute teaching paperwork and some gift wrap for my dad’s upcoming birthday. $2.12—not bad. If I actually sleep (or if I at least rest tonight so that I’m not utterly wrecked), I’d like to get to church tomorrow morning. More errands coming up on Monday.
I am wondering... what I can come up with to celebrate my dad’s birthday.
I am reading... Carved in Bone. This time, the library did have it in stock just as the catalog promised. So far, I like it better than Jeffrey Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme series though both deal with forensics. Bass’s writing flows. The story is set in and around Knoxville, Tennessee, and the main character, a professor, uses words such as “reckon” in addition to more scholarly vocabulary. I declare, he makes me feel right at home with those Southern phrases!
I am hoping... to sleep tonight—an oft repeated wish.
I am looking forward to... reading more of my book. My preference is to read an entire book in a single sitting, but it’s really not practical; my muscles stiffen, my eyes tire, I stay up too late, and important tasks are left unfinished. I really am trying to show some restraint—really.
I am hearing... blessed quiet—only the a/c at work and the ticking of a clock. I live near a speedway, but thankfully they’ve wrapped up a bit earlier than sometimes. There is a noise ordinance in place so the races are supposed to cease at 11pm. However, in the past, they have not been good neighbors, always pushing up to and past the deadline. The events last for hours so by the end of a race day, I am usually ready to pull some hair out—preferably theirs! Not really, but it does get wearying. I am appreciative of the greater respect that they seem to be showing this season.
Around the house... I haven’t emptied or reloaded the dishwasher or done any laundry today. I ran out of steam and opted to rest—my nap wasn’t enough to energize me. A break is well and fine, but I need to stay on top of things so that work doesn’t pile up and overwhelm me.
I am pondering... who might be calling me at nearly midnight. A wrong number? I elected not to answer since it didn’t seem to be someone I know.
One of my favorite things... toddlers and preschoolers. An out-of-state friend posted pictures on Facebook of her three-year-old daughter performing a song with her VBS class on stage at their church. Funny and sweet but it makes me miss that precious girl!
A few plans for the rest of the week: fingerprints, TB test, and I really need to get my hair trimmed. I can’t recall when I last had it cut, but the ends are splitting and it needs to be neatened up. I usually go to Fantastic Sam’s or some other inexpensive walk-in place—it’s just a trim, not rocket science. But I always put it off because I hate waiting and twiddling my thumbs in the salon. It’s got to be done though so I need to just get it over with. School has resumed in our area, so maybe the wait will be short…
Butternut Squash Blossom in My Garden
It sounds like you packed a lot into your day! Do you think the mystery animal could be a hare - though that may be too obvious a suggestion. They can be very large - we saw one once that we initially mistook for a small deer. Lucky you having butternut squash growing in the garden, I hope you get lots of fruit from it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, Jo. We seem to have a bit of everything-- deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, etc. I think I need a fence or some RAISED raised beds. ;-)
ReplyDelete