Cool Nip on Hot Dayz

I'm not sure if an 85 degree day constitutes a break in the heat wave, but regardless it seems to be one of the few days that no one is griping about how hot it is... these same people will be bitching come February about how cold it is... but whatever... I love it. Even if it means that the cats have to stay in and the AC is on -- they don't seem to understand that 95 degrees will melt their fur and singe their whiskers and generally lead to my having to clean vomit off the rug, the latter of which causes me to shut the balcony door and leave the air on. But their reward for today, aside from an open door is cat nip fresh from my run on the bike trail. I returned with three stalks and Jake has comandeered all of them; greedily lying on two while chewing on the third--his eyes rolling back in his head. But, Vinnie has emerged from the bedroom, and will put the smack down on Jake to claim what is rightfully his.

What I would really like today, is to turn on the ceiling fans, but I know I will never get Vinnie out from under the bed if I did, and he could have a heart attack. Last weekend, on my trip to Chicago, I left HGTV on for the kitties... upon my return, I found Vinnie sitting on the ottoman watching it. Upon mentioning this to mom, she said HGTV shows are always taking down ceiling fans and he was probably quite enthralled with these wonderful people. I'm not sure about that, but I wanted to leave the TV on for them and HGTV seemed the safest bet.

This morning found me at the Farmer Market. Since my cucumber plants produced only 3-4 cucumbers and died, I bought several--and tomatoes too. Now, I do have about 8 tomato plants in the garden on the verge of producing ripe tomatoes, but who can wait--and are there ever too many tomatoes in the summer? I also picked up two bouquets of sunflowers. They are lovely around the apartment. The cats could seem less interested in them--especially with some greenery of their own now and they make me happy.

I was thinking about my move on the run, from which I am still sweaty and in need of a shower, but I'm not sure I'm done just yet... I might have more run in me still today; I haven't decided... but I digress quickly. I was thinking about gardening next summer in Philly. I saw community gardens there, and it might be a good idea, but I also want to try gardening some on my balcony, and wonder how the boys might respond to large pots of dirt...? Will they be as disinterested in them as they are so much of what I do, or will they see them as convenient litter boxes outside? I guess time will tell.

In the meantime, Jake and Vinnie are about to get into a knock-down, drag-out fight over a stalk of nip... while two remain off to the side, alone, the two of them are both in need of the same piece, and apparently, there is only one quality leaf on the stalk and they both must have it. Perhaps more running is indeed in store.

Mahalo.

Where time ends...

Looking back, it's hard to believe that it has been over a week now since I've posted. Surely, there have been many a thing happening worthy of mention... but I forget all the relevant items. Mom came into town on Wednesday, which really explains where I have been; there has not been a whole lot of time to really sit down and write anything... we went shopping, to the Art Fair, cooked, went out for dinner, went to Monroe, watched a movie, moved a loveseat and table out to the trash, visited my garden, Farmers Market and generally just visited. It was a nice time and since she left this morning, I've gardened, did 5K worth of speed walking and very little jogging, made my 500th trip to Target, baked and cleaned. Now, I'm tired.

In the last week, I also started physical therapy. Seems that strained hip from the Avon 2-Day walk has not gotten any better. And I am really beginning to question a form of medical intervention that causes more pain. Thursday was my third session, and I left in some amount of aggitation to the afflicted area. By 5 p.m. I was physically ill from pain. I downed a few Tylenol and did some stretching, then went out for a walk with mom. I was sleeping by 730 on the floor and in bed by 830.

PT also provides you with exercises to do daily. What they fail to understand, no matter how much I tell them, is that this isn't new to me. The name for it might not be the same as what I call it, but once I learned what they wanted me to do, it was a no brainer. Try to do 2 sets of 10 they said, and if you can, do 30 total. I did 50 and still had no difficulty, no tiring, nothing they said would be an indicator to stop. Thursday, she said, OK I want you to walk at a normal pace on the treadmill for 5-10 minutes... no incline. Do at least 5, but 10 if you can handle it. I truly do not think they understand that despite this injury, I am very active and I am very good at not letting myself feel the pain. I've explained this in a few different ways. I've explained that I have spent the last 2 years training for marathon distance walks plus and have had personal trainers at least once a year to consult with and that I work out sometimes hours at a time... and they just nod and say yeah, okay, so can you walk at least 10 minutes a day? Very frustrating.

Aside from that bit of aggravation that will continue for at least the next 3 weeks; I did manage to splurge and buy myself a very sweet Wonder Woman purse at the Art Fair. Basically it is a box with handles and has vintage images of Wonder Woman from comics, promos featuring Lynda Carter, and other paraphenilia. A bit pricey, but entirely worth it.

On that note, I shall return later... possibly even this evening. In the meantime, I have yet to eat lunch and it is coming on dinner time.

A week in retro

Been a crazy-ass week and thank the schema of time that means tomorrow is Friday. And, as I see it, I desperately need a weekend. Today I finally made it to the gym, it's bad when even that release gets bypassed in lieu of meeting a deadline--or 10. I did learn today one of my benefits is research services, and they will actually help with apartment searching. The time slipped away to call today, but I am tomorrow for sure, just in case...

Tonight though, I made an effort to not stay absurdly late at work, and I came home after the gym and after a run to Fed Ex, and had some dinner, played with the cats and my new phone, made cookies, painted my nails, took a long shower, and now the Starter Wife is concluding for another week and I'm thinking about heading to bed... hoping that terrible and torrential night sweats pass me by tonight.

I'm also hoping that I can erase the conversation I overheard while prepping to get on the treadmill tonight... two women in their mid to late 60s were discussing their kidney stones. I could not turn my iPod on fast enough or loud enough... but when your gym is the county rec center, you get that from time to time--the same way men old enough to be my grandfather hit on me. The one today told me I didn't need to wipe down the treadmill cause "honey you look good enough, I don't mind." Ewww.

Then, there is the mulching police at the garden. SK beared witness to this phenom when she came by to help weed on Tuesday night. Cell phone guy from the plot nearby stopped by to again recommend mulching... and why I should. Moisture and all, you know. It's going to be a long summer if I don't mulch... but now I almost don't want to out of sheer contempt for the comments.

And on that note, it is nighty-night time.

Back, Baby!

I'm back from my trip to my mom and dad's for a long weekend. Mom's gardens are in fantastic blooms--my allergies are still also in fantastic bloom--I got a lot of pictures, and this is just one.

There were frogs in the pond this morning, too. Quite cute, just sitting there resting... the chickens (yes, the have chickens, turkeys and bunnies... I will have to share the saga of the bunny farm at another time) were also happy this morning clucking and eating watermelon rind. We got a nice boat ride in on Friday evening. My brother stopped in for a few hours also...

Saturday found us going to garage sales--it was, after all, Father's Day weekend as such, you subject yourself to the insanity of garage sales with my dad. There are rules and guidelines... first, there is ALMOST no point in going unless you get there early and on the FIRST day--otherwise, the "good stuff" will already be gone. Second, you have to drive for 20 minutes and then almost talk yourself out of going once there because of distance, the caliber of stuff that might be for sale, whether or not the sellers are "bums." Finally, and apparently, the last rule I had nearly forgotten, but was reminded of when dad veered into the opposite lane of the highway, turned around in someones yard and then sent me flying from one side of the backseat to the other is that the rules of driving are suspended when searching out garage sales.

Saturday wrapped up with my taking the folks to dinner to celebrate their 20th anniversary. They decided on the new "Greek" restuarant in Cheboygan. Actually, I have to say it was more "Greek fusion" that is, Greek fused with Cheboygan. Moussaka was good, and suspiciously more like eggplant parmesan than any moussaka I've tasted... Gyros from what I could see were served up on a ciabatta bun... the Greek salad description surprisingly did not include feta, rather, "Special Feta Greek Dressing." I had the veal, it was quite tasty, dad had the shish kabobs, which were also quite good. Mom and I veered away from the Spinach pie as it was described as having ricotta, parmesan and mozerella cheeses with Greek spices--it was concerning. Also concerning was that the waitress came to the table and informed us that they were out of baked potato... Er, baked potato? Well, okay... but I was a little surprised by their spicy feta hummus... which might have been good, but we passed. All in all, the food was good, but certainly not what I would really call Greek... perhaps Greek inspired. One bonus on the dining experience was that in the hallway to the dining room were a series of photographs of the building of the Machinaw Bridge. For those not aware, this is the 50th Anniversary of the Bridge... and in acknowledgement of that, Mike Fornes, a local writer and journalist I've admired for many, many years has a book on the Bridge coming out this August. Mr. Fornes was very supportive of me as a writer when in high school, and for that I will always be grateful. I look forward to his latest endeavor.

I did make it to Mackinaw over the weekend as well, and got myself some Oreo Popcorn from the Popcorn Factory... yeah, I know, how do you take a relatively healthy snack like popcorn and turn it into a snack worse than 3 Snickers? Glaze it with sugar and toss in crushed oreos... but it was yummy!

So, busy weekend... but I am back. The kitties have almost forgiven my absence--fresh catnip, lots of treats and even more air conditioning seems to have helped with that effort. And now, a little TV and then a little sleep before the craziness of a Monday sinks in.

Ambiguities, Anteaters and other things that are not related to the letter A

Part one: Ambiguities

To say astrology is, at best, ambigious seems to be rather redundant. But allow me to paint a picture: I get home from work, clean up a hairball, put my iPod on the charger, put my lunch stuff away, go into the bathroom, clean up another hairball and sit down to read my horoscope for the day, because apparently, it is only delivered via email after most of my day has past... to which it reads thusly...

Well, what was that? Frankly, you can't believe your eyes or your ears. But
after the initial shock wears off, you'll just have to laugh. Everyone has their
own way of dealing with things, and this definitely isn't yours!

I believe, wholeheartedly that this is a very circular horoscope and making any sense of it is really not possible. What I do find striking is that at least it matches in recieving it at the latter part of the day.

Part two: Anteaters

Today it was suggested to me that to allievate the ant problem I have in my garden, I should obtain and utilize an anteater. Shortly after this suggestion, SK was called in to perform some G2 gathering on this seemingly realistic approach to organic gardening.... and after dashing the hopes of this plan working, suggested several other alternatives... non nearly as exciting, but several on par with feeding a pigeon an alka seltzer. My mother, however, being rational and such merely suggested hiesting an anteater from the zoo... which obviously makes more sense than saving coffee grounds. Additional G2 may be required.

Part three: other things that are not related to the letter A

Officially, my time for the 5k yesterday was 40:17. Now, I have something to beat for the next time. Competitive? I know I will never be the one coming in with a time of 15 minutes or less, but if I could get to around 34 eventually, I think that would be sweet.

And in one of those things that make you stop and go... hmmm...Reuters reports today on how "mooing" ringtones, among other sounds, like sheep, etc. are being used to lure leopards that have infiltrated Indian villiages in the state of Gujarat. If nothing else, check out the article for the super awesome picture of a leopard playing on a tire swing.

That's it. I'm out.

The Not So Secret Cult of Mulchers

As has been the case since I started working my plot at the community garden, many, many peoples have come by and explained mulching to me. Apparently, my sitting there clearing weeds by hand was not something of the norm. But, as strange as it may be, I enjoy it and what's more, I don't care if I have to do it every week. Today in the garden was some more of the same with one guy coming over, eyeing my area suspiciously for my bale of straw and said, quite earnestly... you know, they are really big on mulch here. I looked up from my weeding, smiled and said... so I have gathered. And then, I learned a rather important lesson about what you should not even joke about in an organic community garden which is thus: NEVER joke about using Round Up. I do have to say, one guy came by and complimented me on my thorough weeding job. And I have to say, I'm a bit complusive about it. Now, now, I know that is hard to believe that I might get complusive about something... but since I am good at weeding and not so much the other aspects of the gardening scene... there you have it. Apparently, I am also a little crazy and now, in addition to my 4 tomato plants, I was compelled to buy and plant 5 more today. I have to stop buying plants just because I like the words in their names... Caspian, something Russian, PINK, etc... So you see, I HAD to buy the 4 pack of Pink Girl Tomatoes today.

And, if it wasn't enough that 4 different people came by to explain how I should be mulching, my dad called while I was in the garden and explained that I needed to get that cloth stuff for my garden--yet another form of mulch. We tabled the conversation for another time.

Mom warned me before I left out that there would be the paper mulchers before too long... and she was right. They were there today--Ann Arbor News scattered to hell and back. And I have to wonder... isn't there toxin in ink?

Where in the world is Blonde Energy?

Today finds me on the apex of having my garden completely planted. It is a momentous occasion. I find that my four lovely tomato plants while are not thriving, they are looking pretty damn good. It seems that my snap peas have sprouted and are happily awaiting a bunny to come and nibble away. I've cleared almost all the weeds out and will complete that and the planting today... possible even this morning still, if I can refrain from spilling more coffee on my laptop than what is getting into my system.

Let's see, other things that have happened this week... looks like my company is being acquired. Didn't I just go through that? This, however, will have a much different feel, I'm sure--what that is remains to be seen. Bottom line is that I am still moving to Philly this September.

The week, though a holiday made it only a 4-day work week, seemed oh so much longer. When you still put in 40 hours even on a 4-day week, well, that is what happens, I suppose. At one point on Friday, though, I did have the brilliant idea of suing Microsoft because Excel was making me cross-eyes and causing motion sickness. Not one of my most brilliant ideas, and probably not original when you consider how many people are fucking a spreadsheet on any given day at any given time. Which is, in my great and humble opinion, the real crime... I mean seriously, I've seen people get REAL excited over a pivot table and a line graph with 2 (that's right, biocth, count'em TWO) axises!!

It is time... that special time when I have to bid you all adieu for now and commence with an assortment of errands, drills and other maneuvers that will seek to astound and wreak its own special havoc on the world. In other words, I have to go buy groceries, cat food and gardening supplies... and follow it up with cleaning the lair.

Mahalo.

Adventures in Gardening

Yesterday was my first official day for gardening. I finished my fence, which isn't keeping much out, I have to admit and started cleaning out the weeds that permeated the plot. After four hours, I decided I was done for the day, I had gouged a hole in my skin from something had worked up the dirt and cleaned out a ton of weeds from nearly half the area and planted my tomatoes, peppers, carrots, spinach and peas.

In my adventure yesterday I learned the following:
(1) a kneeling pad or long pants are really necessary.
(2) spiders find your gardens, too.
(3) when wearing a tank top and bending over, do an occasional check to make sure your girls haven't "fallen out" of you shirt.
(4) the "community" part of community gardening also means random, unsolicited advice from random passerbyers in the park.

Now, I have to worry, will I recognize these plants as they start to sprout, or will I think they are merely more weeds come to ravage my efforts. And I have to wonder, as it hurts to type today--are weeds really so bad and wouldn't they make a tasty salad if left to flourish?

To be continued...

Yesterday was the last long training walk... the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is now just days away. I admit, I'm excited... looking for tent decorations for the Wellness Villiage, getting the last minute supplies, getting my sleeping bag laundered and ready... tonight, I will do a dry run on the gear bag to make sure it doesn't exceed the 30 pound limit and that the bag itself is large enough.

This week for me will focus more on giving my body some rest; shorter walks, strength training and time permiting, playing in my new garden... I also need to get the cats situated and all necessary supplies at hand for SK and Mal--despite SKs threat of refusing the boys treats, I think she will acquiese once a purring sweet faced Calvin or Jakey rub against her.

Despite my excitement about the impending Walk and vacation, I realize all too much that there is just not a lot of time to get all the things that I want done... and if the places I needed to go were open right now, I'd be there instead of here, writing about it. And really, yesterday might have provided more opportunity to get all these things done, except yes, I sat on my patio for 2 hours reading and soaking in too much sun after my training walk.

Vacation is a much needed escape and the first part will find me doing the Walk and visiting friends I have not seen--some for years! And then concluding with hiking in the Catskills and a stop by Niagara Falls on the way home via my Canadian neighbors--providing the US Government will cooperate and get my passport here as they indicated the would several months ago. Don't make me sense a conspiracy!

The time now is upon me to get dressed, get som hula hooping in and get going on some gardening supplies... there is an orientation today, and hopefully a little time for me to work the land--as is said... indeed a full day of excitement ahead.

Whadda week!! A migraine down and a week of crazy work... I finished my Friday off with a bout of cardio and strength training and am feeling back to normal! Which is just in time... tomorrow is my last long training walk... this time next week, I'll be in DC--probably having dinner with a friend and getting ready to get up BRIGHT and EARLY on Saturday. And by early, I truly do mean early as in 4 or 430.

I'm also taking on a garden this summer; and for those of you thinking... Did she just say SHE was going to garden. Yes, I did. I realize that is outside the realm you would normally picture me in... and it completely is. I've been asked what I am going to grow and really the only thing I've planned to buy for this garden so far is a hat, some gloves and those cute gardening shoes. If nothing else, I'll be properly accessorized--which is always my key to success in everything. CLEARLY with the right straw hat and shoes, veggies and herbs will grow in abundance. Isn't that how it works? Nonetheless, I'm terrifically excited about the prospects and look forward to my experiment with nature.

This week also found a sad--very sad--realization that Cocoa Krispies make me quite ill. I had blamed the migraine, but migraine-free, Cocoa Krispies make me very ill... bummer.

The highlight of my week, however, is that I have a brilliant new idea for a new story that I've almost worked through in my head to the point that I am ready to write. With any luck, I'm looking at a Pulitzer, but I'd settle for a movie deal.

Busy weekend

It has been all kinds of crazy-hectic... saturday was an all day crop to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.... Scrapbook Memories in Chelsea is awesome and donated the space and crop fees raising $500 for the Walk. They are also holding a raffle for a great prize for another month if anyone is interested... proceeds for that will also go to benefit the Avon Foundation and breast cancer. There was a lot of prepping for the event--but in the end, it was worth it. Several women came up and told me their stories about survival, family loss; there were several emotional hours.

Today, was a beautiful day after the brief thunderstorms, and Jake was able to come and go from the balcony to the apartment at his leisure. He sleeps now, a happy kitty. The sunshine was good for all of us. I finally made the decision/leap to fill the application to belong to the community garden program. Come May I will be gardening my little half plot of land and volunteering with the community gardening group. Obviously, I will need a straw hat.

I also managed to hit the rec center today... got in a great workout and then went grocery shopping. I remember when I was a kid, Friday was the day everyone went grocery shopping, as such, I've ignored Friday's in the grocery for forever... but it dawned on me this afternoon that Sunday afternoon really is the bad day for shopping. And it only took me months of Sunday afternoons of standing on line in Kroger to figure it out.

And now, it is time to shut down the laptop for the evening and start winding down toward another Monday.