Sleep Tight

"Good night, sleep tight.  Don't let the bedbugs bite.  Wake up bright with the morning light to do what's right.  Good night."  I heard that almost every bedtime as a child just before my mother turned out the light.

Going to town took more out of me than I thought.  I fell asleep in the chair in the late afternoon and didn't wake up until five this morning.  Talk about sleep tight!

Kathy V. messaged me yesterday.  She'd looked up that ratcheting sound the crows make on a website called Quora.  It's called a rattle call and told me it's used when a crow is interested in something or someone but is uneasy about approaching it.  Ask, and you get the answer!

It sure saves time when you wake up fully dressed.

Light And Shadow

Michael did get his trip to town yesterday, but not until afternoon.  No, I wasn't procrastinating again, there was a valid reason.  Unless the sun is at a certain point, the trees along the road create a strobe effect, light/shadow, light/shadow, that is deleterious when driving.  For a change, I timed it right and the trip was uneventful.  There wasn't even a lot of traffic on the road.

I had forgotten to dress Michael in his official ESA vest and was concerned about taking him into the two stores that we frequent.  I needn't have worried.  He was his usual gentlemanly self, and by now the clerks call him by name.  He does like the attention.

The bird population changes all the time.  Right now a large flock of crows has moved in.  Whoever thought to call it a "murder"?  Golly, they are noisy birds, and they lack volume control.  I wish I spoke bird because I'd like to know what that ratcheting sound they sometimes make means.  In contrast, the vultures, also here in numbers, are silent.  They're actually better neighbors.  The bold jays are helping themselves to Missy's food again.  That little girl has made herself right at home on the deck, although I don't think she's ever used the bed I put out for her.  She comes a couple of times a day, maybe for breakfast and lunch, and spends some time looking in the doors at the house cats.

With any luck it'll be a couple of weeks before we have to go to town again.  One can hope.

Will And Way

The saying goes, "If there's a will, there's a way."  For the most part it's true, and it is a two-edge sword.  If there's something I really don't want to do, I'll find a way not to do it.  I've got excuses I haven't even used yet.  Of course, there are the old standbys:  Oh, I couldn't do that, the cat was asleep on my lap; I was going to do that, but couldn't find the whatchamacallit; I fell asleep and then it was too late (that one is usually true).  Truth be told, I mostly find ways to postpone the inevitable, like going to town yesterday.  After all, it was trash day and heaven knows I didn't want to leave the house twice.  It was easy to decide I could take the bins across the road and make do with a quick trip to Gray's Corner (Michael has them trained to give cookies there, as well) and put off going to P'ville one more day.

The cat (Ralph) is asleep on my lap.  I'd like to get up and get going...but I can't.  You understand.

Pretty In Pink

(Pretty In Pink, 1986, Molly Ringwald, Annie Potts, Jon Cryer.)

Not all sunsets light the sky on fire, some are beautiful painted in pastels.  I never tire of the sight.

Michael got his trip to the Cookie Store yesterday and made out like a bandit.  There was a line at the register and I gave him one of the little treats I keep in my pocket while we waited.  Michael's effect on people, men and women, never ceases to amaze me.  A lady next to me lavished him with praise.  Chris, behind the counter, reminded me to get one of the freebie biscuits for Michael (like I'd forget).  Two gentlemen behind me began talking about Michael's decorous manners, and one asked if he could also give him a treat.  Let's face it, Michael is a charmer.

He's getting a two-fer because we're going to town today.  (Oh goody.)  At least the truck has a heater.

All About Timing

Boy, I am ever so glad that Mike cleaned the chimney when he did.  The temperature started dropping yesterday afternoon and I was able to (safely) light a fire.  Just so you know, it's twenty-seven degrees this morning, so I'm not exaggerating.

Back in the day when the SF 49ers were an up and coming team, they were so doggone cocky that I couldn't get on their side.  I bet against them every game...and I lost.  I was delighted yesterday to find that Dave was also rooting for the KC Chiefs (don't be haters) so I had somebody to text with during the game.  It came down to the last six minutes of the game for the Chiefs to score for the win.  That's okay...they won!

Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow yesterday, indicating an early spring this year.  Given how cold it is this morning, I have my doubts.  Bill Murray's car ad, reprising his role in Groundhog Day during the Super Bowl, was great, one of the few good ads I saw.

My mother would say I'm moving as slow as winter molasses this morning.  I'll admit I'm not anxious to get going, but it's time.

Let's Make A Deal

(Apologies to the TV show, originated in 1963.)

Mike came yesterday morning, showing up with a clipboard under his arm.  "I'll make you a deal," he said.  "I'll sweep your chimney for no charge if you'll do some typing for me."  Well, hey, that sounded pretty good to me and I agreed.  Then he showed me what he wanted typed and told me he needed it in maybe forty minutes.  Yikes!  Three pages of an estimate for a job he was bidding, with columns of materials and prices.

Some time back, I'd been switched from Windows 7 to Windows 10.  There were many functions where the only thing they had in common is the word Windows.  I've learned to cope, but had not had occasion to use Word, the word processor, since the change.  First I had to find the file, and I knew I was in trouble.  Believe it or not, I got it all typed up neatly, with columns and everything, and only five minutes over limit.  Mike rushed off to his appointment.

While he was gone, Helper Dude rode up on his motorcycle.  I haven't seen him in ages.  Seeing him was a nice surprise, but even better when he opened his wallet.  Maybe three years ago, HD had said, "I'll make you a deal.  I'll get the old Ford tractor running, sell it, and we'll split the profit."  "Heck of a deal," said I, "and a lot better than watching it rust away in my yard."  True to his word, HD had found a buyer and had come to give me my share (insert big smiley face here).

Mike came back positively beaming.  "I got it!  I got the job!"  "Congratulation, kiddo!"  Mike had swept the chimney in less time than it took me to type the estimate, so he got a good deal.  I mentioned to him that Ratso had killed the refrigerator.  "Let me take a look."  He opened the door, worked some kind of magic, and ta da! the fridge was running.  "How did you do that?!"  He was a little embarrassed to admit he'd turned off the refrigerator and had forgotten to turn it back on.  Duh, I didn't know a fridge could be turned off.  The things I don't know are legion.

All in all, I'd say that the day was a good deal for everyone.

That Can't Be Right

Instead of dragging into the day, I was full of enthusiasm yesterday.  The sun was shining and I was going to work on the deck stuff, clean the fridge, etc., etc., etc.  I had a plan!  As is my wont, I sat down to watch a bit of morning news before Michael's first walk.  "Good Friday morning!," chirped the newscaster.  Surely she must be mistaken, it couldn't possibly be Friday already.  Just to be sure, I checked my cellphone.  Nooo!  It most definitely was Friday.  I had yet to move appointments, et cetera, onto the new calendar, and thought I'd best check to see what else I'd missed, and it's a good thing I did.  Not only had I not realized it was Arden Friday already, I'd also forgotten I'd made an appointment with Candy, the traveling hairdresser, for the same time.  Mike had let me know he couldn't make it re. the chimney.  So much for my ambitious plans.

First things first.  I put the bench back where it belongs on the deck.  One of these days I might actually get to sit on it.  Michael and I went for walk #2, and I was able to get a few more things placed before my guests arrived.  One reason for Arden's visit is that she can catch up on MSNBC newscasts, a channel she doesn't get.  I had barely plonked Arden in front of the TV before Candy was at the door.  Candy worked her magic and gave me a little style instead of looking like I'd stuck my finger in a light socket.  Arden, I fear, got short shrift.

Company gone, Michael got walk #3 (believe me, he can count).  Later, I went to get something from the outside freezer, only to find it had completely melted.  I should have known that Ratso wouldn't be satisfied with a couple of cans of Mountain Dew.  Either that or he was wreaking revenge for having blocked his way to more.  I don't think I'll be replacing the fridge.

So much for Friday.