Busy night

I have to admit, there was some serious clock-watching on my part today. From 8:00 to 5:00 time seemed to stretch, but afterward was a different story.

My friend Hope and I had made plans to meet at the grocery store after work and chit-chat while we got whatever we needed for tomorrow. The stoplights were on my side, so I was there maybe ten minutes after punching out, but then I waited. And waited. And waited.

Turned out she waited too, but on the other side of the store. I'd been staring for almost a half hour at the gap I expected her to walk through, and thought GOD BLESS when I saw the back of her tiny self propelling a cart down the aisle. We figured out pretty quickly that we'd both been present but in different areas, laughed and decided we need a back-up plan for next time, then split because we were both running late.

Matt had IMed me earlier, "What are we doing with the chicken in the fridge? It's leaking," so I figured it was finally thawed and we'd have roast chicken tonight. I got home with an armload of groceries to find that yes, that fucker had leaked to all points south of its resting place.

That meant that before I could put the groceries away or the chicken in the oven, I needed to pull out the entire bottom half of the fridge - drawers, glass, frame - and wash it. I slammed a few things around in frustration, disinfected the surfaces, put it back together, and stuck the damn chicken in the damn oven.

While it was cooking I did the dishes, three loads of laundry, put away old laundry, put away new laundry, made rice and acorn squash, changed the sheets and blankets on the bed, and cleared the dining room table of every bit of clutter.

Not bad for a Wednesday.

Where the heck am I going?

There must be a game tonight and a lot of out-of-towners fumbling around, because driving through a 1/2 mile stretch near campus I avoided the following:

• Car stopped in the middle lane of Michigan Avenue, far from any stoplight. Just stopped, cars piling up behind him. The driver darted into the right lane when enough people gave him a wide berth and completed his turn about 200 yards up the road.
  
  
• Car driving merrily through a red light, oblivious to the blaring horns of those he nearly hit and the more polite WTF beeps from those wondering why he continued on.
  
  
• A car left dangling ass out when the light at Michigan and Harrison turned, blocking a lane and a half. Those trying to ease around him eventually took pity and let him halt two lanes of traffic in order to back up and drive to the next turnaround.
  
  
• Unattended car left in intersection of Grand River and Abbott with hazard lights blinking. No visible damage.
  
  
• Driver in the lefthand turn lane deciding he meant to make a right. Across two lanes of traffic.

Just checked a schedule and it appears we're playing Gonzaga tonight. Hope everyone driving made it safely to their seats.

Winter prep

Although I'm not quite ready for weather that requires preheating the car, swaddling myself in scarves, and leaving the warmth of the bed every morning, at least the yard is prepared. I raked and bagged the last of the leaves and clipped the faded peonies and hostas. I left some leaves around the roses to insulate them a little (did I read that or just get lazy and think it sounded good? are you supposed to mulch roses for the winter?) and am waiting for the final buds to develop just a bit more before cutting them and letting them bloom inside. I promised one to the neighbor girl, so I hope they continue to grow for just a bit longer.

Over the summer she asked to come over and check out my flowers a number of times, and it was pretty neat to discuss where they were in their cycle, why this one produced pods when it was done blooming and that one produced berry-looking things, why the one peony made buds that didn't flower, and what each plant is named. She came over twice today, once before the great clipping and once afterward, and helped me figure out where to move the dianthus next Spring.

Willy snuck out two bones to chew on the back porch while I worked, and it was a hard job getting the boys inside when I was done. They must know these warm sunny days are in short supply, and I think they wanted to make the most of it. I ended up leaving the back doors open for an hour so they could come and go as they pleased.

I'll be ready for winter when it hits (love the snow and sweaters and crock pots and gloves), but in the meantime I'm savoring days like today.

Tonight

• I witnessed Matt's pimp walk. It's jaunty but perhaps best saved for special occasions.
  
  
• Saw a movie that wasn't very good, but the company I saw it with? Stellar. Times two.
  
  
• Took my hair down immediately upon our return and the curls looked much nicer than they did when I'd banished them to a ponytail a few hours earlier.
  
  
• Will be going to bed before midnight with a clear head, full heart, and a book in hand.

A good day

It's been a good day.

A day of reflecting and reading and interesting dreams. A day of showering late, eating big, and loving the people in my life. A day of peace and prettiness and inhaling autumn air.

I couldn't ask for much more.