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Monday, March 18, 2024

#sol24 March 18 I Needed Potting Soil

 

I had not been there in many, many years; yet, I needed potting soil, seeds, an 8 X 8 pan, and tissues and the prices would likely be better.  So, I parked and headed towards the entrance of the great big, in person version of Walmart.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a windswept empty cart was headed my way. It was either stop it or it would do damage to someone's car!  So, I braced myself for impact and stopped the wayward cart taking my breath away if only for a moment.

I turned that cart around and headed towards the entrance.  I was not yet inside the store when I felt a sharp pain in my ankle that was certainly someone else's shopping cart. It took my breath away, if only for a moment.

I headed to the crowded outdoor area, but on the way there, I noticed a great price on an organic vegetable broth, and grabbed 2 boxes. Then, I saw a great price on paper towels and grabbed a package along with a roll of parchment paper. I made a short detour towards greeting cards and bought quite a few for upcoming events. I picked up a package of markers and one of construction paper and eyed the brand new porch rockers. I debated. They were new and shiny but I certainly did not need them.  Mine would be fine with some fresh paint. 

Finally I reached the outdoor area and loaded a small bag of potting soil into my cart. I walked over to the huge seed area. There were so many to choose from and my mind wandered to four years ago when there were no seeds to be found anywhere! When I returned to reality, my cart was gone! Nowhere around! Certain someone had wandered off with my cart and then abandoned it, I search with no luck. This made me mad, for more than a moment.

I headed all the way back to the entrance to get new cart, seeds in hand. I was almost all the way back to the cart area and there was my very own cart with the potting soil, assorted loot, and my distinctive Stew Leonard's shopping bag! This led to me taking a very deep breath before I headed to the nearby check out.

"I think I should stop while I am ahead, " I thought to myself confident the trek to find tissues and an 8 X 8 pan would lead to more unnecessary purchases and new challenges.
 

Sunday, March 17, 2024

#sol24 March 17 No Flix

 

"I cannot get to Net Flix," she said sadly, "after that wind storm. Do you think you could help me?"

Now, to be honest, I am a technology novice who embraces, but struggles with this foreign language. In years past, I would just defer to my techno-savvy spouse.  Now-a-days, I bravely attempt to solve problems with computers and cables. Not too long ago, I reactivated a Gmail account for a friend and that action earned me a problem solver status among peers that to be honest, I do not deserve!  

I stopped by the home of the No Flix friend and did what I have learned to be the Holy Grail of technology: turn off and then turn on.  I did it three times. It did not work. Then, I talked to a Verizon Representative who had no idea of how to solve my problem. Then, I unplugged and re-plugged, again. Finally, I searched You Tube trying different wire combinations and configurations. 

On the plus side, I got in a lot of steps going up and down those stairs as her internet source was in the basement!

On the negative side, she still has No Net Flix and I will no longer be known as the problem solver, a moniker I did not deserve anyway!


Friday, March 15, 2024

#sol24 March 16 Thanks, Google

 

The rainy weather gave way to warmer temperatures this week and for the first time in a very long time, some of my grands came to play outside (or pass the time waiting for their mom to return from a far away trip).

I have been outside to bring in the garbage cans and walk in the neighborhood, but not to carefully survey the damage the long rainy winter wrought, until today.  I picked up a huge pile of sticks and pulled a huge pile of weeds while we embraced the warmth and sunshine. Then, as their vehicles rapidly traversed the chalk driveway drawn roads, I noticed the homebuilding activity in the rafters stopping me in my tracks.  

There it was, at least a foot long, nestled in the highest eaves of my house. There it was, a hive of busy activity with guests leaving and arriving within seconds. There it was, busier than Newark and Kennedy Airports combined.  There is was, a clear home to a growing and expanding clan of some sort of winged insects that was not going to mesh well with warmer weather and living on my patio. There it was, a hive of epic proportions that was going to need a professional removal.

I went to make a call appealing for professional help when I realized I did not know what kind of insects these were.

"I think they are bees, but ask Google," the grand suggested.

So, I asked Google describing the huge umbrella appearing nest with clear layers and the intense activity. 

"These are wasps," Googled responded immediately without ever coming to my house or seeing first hand what was going on in my backyard.

I called. The pest removal company answered. They needed to know if it was wasps or bees.  I explained my Google research.  They were clear of an estimate and a plan and will be here likely before you read this.  

Thanks, again and again and again, Google.

#sol24 March 15 Brighter

March is a busy month 
For daylight expanding daily,
For buds becoming flowers day by day,
For trees that bloom and re-leaf, every year,
For confused seasons colliding and changing,
For parents with afternoon practices multiplying,
For Slicers who squeeze words out every day,

Perhaps it's the combination of sunshine, flowers, and words, 
Perhaps it is all the cleaning I am doing, but
The world seems a lot brighter!




Thursday, March 14, 2024

SOL24 March 14 Clean Enough

 

It has been a dark and rainy winter and to be honest, my place was "clean enough."  I had been on a serious schedule of aquacise, Zumba, and yoga at the Y; thus, there really had not been many days when the sunshine begged me to wash smudges from the walls and cabinets. I washed the sheets and ran the vacuum when needed. Plus, I live alone and there are very, very few people who ever enter my home; thus, my place was "clean enough." 

But then, the sun came out in all it's springtime glory about two weeks after I had surgery that has improved my vision dramatically! The surgery must have caused dirt, cobwebs and dust bunnies to appear everywhere. My switch plates suddenly became smudgy and the kitchen tile looked as if no one had cared for it in a long, long time.  Don't even ask about what was happening inside my oven and fridge!

Yes, my great vision transformation has resulted in a need to do serious spring cleaning because now, my place is no longer, "clean enough!"

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

SOL#24 March 13 If You Give a Child a Story


I was going to reflect on the Dawn of the Pandemic,
But this real life slice begs to be told, today.

"Again?" the little girl implored.

"Yes, we can read it again," her Mom smiled as she turned back to the cover of If You Give A Mouse a Cookie. The little one leaned into her Momma clearly finding joy in the rhythm and rhyme of the classic. 

Meanwhile, I was playing Sudoku on my phone as I had left my Kindle at home. I had not expected a crowded waiting room or a long wait in this Post-Covid era where the classic People magazines have disappeared.

Again?" the little girl begged as they finished the second read.

"Of course we can read it again," her Mom sighed, clearly having put this book on a regular, waiting room-auto-read.

I wanted to hop across the seats and join this reading experience. I didn't. Clearly, this was reading a partnership that valued the captive season of waiting rooms.

Without staring, I observed the duo through a 3rd read. The Mom's phone dinged softly, suggesting she was getting texts or emails from someone. Yet, the duo became one as they embraced the moments waiting, together.

As I write this, I do realize I could end this SOL here.  But, there is a bit more to this story.

Not too many years ago, that experience would never have happened!  Not too many years ago, little ones diagnosed with Downs Syndrome were sent to institutions at birth.  Not too many years ago, this little one and her mom would never have known that If You Give a Child a Story, They Will Ask For More

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

#sol24 March 12 I Wish I Had


 This month, I am participating in the SOL Writing Challenge.  
I'm reading some incredibly reflective posts.

I find myself growing increasingly reflective.

1. I wish I had begun taking better care of my body when I was younger. I let the demands of my family and career dominate and did not put my needs first, ever. I got up early to iron and clean rather than exercise! I am doing much better in this area, now, but it's much harder with achy joints!

2. I wish I had taken more trips learning first hand how others live and work rather than just reading about life outside my own.  I did not advocate for first hand explorations. I am doing better in that area as well, but it too is much harder with achy joints. 

3. I wish I had enjoyed every day of baby snuggles, toddler tantrums, and teenaged angst. It went by in a flash and while the memories are powerful, those days disappeared while I vacuumed and cooked. I have tried to soak up as much as I can with grandchildren, but they have their own busy lives, already.

4. I wish I had been more respectful of the challenges of aging with relatives and friends. I remember being tired of talking about illnesses and pains. I remember how upset my mother was when I forgot her 48th wedding anniversary. It was the last week of school and all, but I really could have called! I am trying to be a more compassionate friend and relative now that my own discussions focus on health and my calendar is filled with appointments!

5. I wish I had known when I was younger, what I know now.  Life will be filled with bright sunshiny moments followed by sharp turns that knock you out of your seat. Life will be filled with happy days and many challenging days. Life is amazing but does not turn out the way you thought it would. 

6. I wish I had been less judgmental and more open to diverse viewpoints. Religion, politics, lifestyle choices, living arrangements. Now I know that the only value that matters is caring about others, even if they do not know of or care about you!

7. I wish I had known how much I would miss those who have gone from this earthly life. I wish I could take back those years of stress and name them what they really were: an opportunity to give care.
Hold on tight to those you love as the days are long and the years short.

I wish I had known we grow too soon old and too late smart!

Monday, March 11, 2024

#sol24 March11 Water, Water, Everywhere

 

I grew up under the influence of a Rachel Carson embracing civil engineer who found his niche in protecting our water supply.  Water was not something we took for granted. We knew those man made "lakes" in upstate NY made NYC possible!  

We learned early to turn off the water while we were brushing and to take environmentally responsible showers. We heard tales of a bathing just once a week and learned to take only the amount of water we would drink!  We knew early on that watering your lawn would prevent the grass from developing the deeper roots it needed!

It seemed that every year we were in some sort of drought emergency and water was being rationed. It seemed like brown, burnt lawns and dirty cars were just a way of life.

As I listened to the rain and the bone chilling winds the other night, I was pretty sure my basement would once again take on water.  It did.  Something about the water table being too high, they say.  Mop and bleach again, I say.

I still take short showers and only use water to rinse my teeth, but I sure wish my dad was around to see how much water we have now!  


this picture was from earlier this winter, but the scene was the same
waterfront property, again


Sunday, March 10, 2024

#sol24 March 10 Years Younger

 

I wore glasses most of my life; although, I did wear contact lenses for a few years. To be honest, my image of myself is with glasses and I reach for them even when I awake in the middle of the night and when I look at myself in the mirror. 

Yet, all of a sudden, thanks to the miracle of cataract surgery in just one eye, I no longer need glasses to drive or walk through life!

To be honest, I have been concerned that I look much older without my glasses that I thought hid my wrinkles. I have been concerned I look much older without mascara (which I must give up for a few while). To be honest, I have been missing my glasses and my old life, until today.

"You look 10 years younger," she began, "with your bright eyes dancing free of your glasses."\

"Are your serious?" I asked, as I felt old, naked and exposed in this new format of me.

"Oh yes, she added," you look great without glasses!

In my desire to be honest, I will likely be wearing glasses again to work on computers, to see up close, and to circumvent parts of my world.  

Yet, today, a friend made my day!  

Too bad that she too needs her eyes fixed!

Saturday, March 9, 2024

SOL24 Marc 9 Aqua High School

 

I've been out of the pool for the last week as my eye has been healing from surgery.  I miss my friends and the exercise,  But, today, I saw an ardent aquacise enthusiast. 

"I have to tell you this story," she said smiling with an urgency I had never seen before. "SO, I was at aquacise and this newer person to the class was in my usual space," she began, "and so I moved to a spot behind her.  Then one of the regulars came in and told her she was in their spot. Moments later, they were splashing and attacking each other with pool noodles. It was a splash fest for sure. I decided to be the adult and moved between them stopping their fight and getting my hair wet. What a day!

"I muss aquacise so much," I smiled. 

As we  went our separate ways, we simultaneously responded, "It's like high school all over again!"