As I was living my ordinary life this week, I had several thoughts that might be good blog fodder. But, I didn’t really develop any of them. So, this week I’m just sharing a hodgepodge of random thoughts.
Shorter days. Yes, I was present during the month of June. Yes, I am aware that the longest day of the year is almost a month behind us now. But nothing puts a fine point on the matter like having to get up for work while it’s still dark outside.
My happy slumber was interrupted earlier this week by a tentative yip from my little Sunny dog. I cracked one eye open. “Go back to sleep,” I told her. “It’s still dark out.” Two minutes later my alarm went off. Not cool. This is the hardest time of year for me to get up and get going.
Rhubarb. In the produce section at Meijer this week, I saw rhubarb for sale. I didn’t know rhubarb was a saleable commodity. I think of it as something that a friend, or a neighbor of a friend, grows and then asks you if you want any. You say, “No, not really. But I have a friend whose grandma makes an awesome strawberry rhubarb pie.” So, you take some to pass on to her and you hope that you might get a piece of pie out of it. But no, it’s not something I ever considered someone would buy in a store.
A new journal. Also, while I was at Meijer, I saw a journal I hadn’t seen before. As you may know from previous blogs, I’m a sucker for a new journal. Hearts? Beautiful brights colors? Happiness? Yes please. The first thing I will write about in my new 300 Things To make Me Happy journal is about how much happiness a new journal brings me.
The definition of ‘little old lady.’ I’m reading Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. I’m not sure if Oprah or Reese are promoting this book, but it seems to be a popular summer read. According to the book description, Vera is a ‘lonely little old lady.’ Early on in the the book, Vera gets up from a table in her tea shop and ‘toddles across the room.’
I complain often about the overuse (in my opinion) of the word offended. It seems everybody is offended these days, and quite honestly, I feel that sometimes people are looking for a reason to be offended. However, I have to tell you that I was OFFENDED to find out that little old Vera Wong is a whopping 60 years old. Seriously? As a 59-year-old person (along with Lisa Kudrow, Mariska Hargitay, and Sandra Bullock) I clearly have a different definition of the term little old lady than author, Jesse Q. Sutanto. Interestingly enough, I was unable to find out how old Ms. Sutanto happens to be. I’m curious, but it was not indicated on Wikipedia.
Personal health information. There’s a new little baby in my life, so I made an appointment to get an updated Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine. I vaguely remember getting my last one in the doctor’s office a while back, but I have no idea when exactly that was. I asked the pharmacist at Meijer (I had a busy week at Meijer), whether I should have any concerns about having a booster ‘too soon’ to when I had my last one.
“Hang on,” he said pecking away at his computer keys. “Looks like the last time you had one was in 2010, so its time.”
I was a bit surprised that the info was so easily assessable. I didn’t get my last shot there, and I don’t remember signing anything giving them permission to my records. But I guess somebody should be keeping track, and clearly, I’m not doing it. Thanks, Meijer.
Hydrangeas. I’ve been trying to grow them for 20 years. I’ve had lots of advice over those 20 years. Trim them. Don’t trim them. Move them. They don’t like to be moved. Make sure the soil is moist. Make sure the soil is well drained. Not too sunny and not too shady. Avoid south-facing positions. I finally gave up and abandoned them on the south facing side of our garage. And guess what? Yup, best year ever.
That’s my bit. I hope everybody has a great week!
Once Upon a Willow 