A hint of autumn

We slept with the windows open last night, with a light, refreshing breeze breathing over us.  There is a good chance of rain tomorrow, although I'll believe that when I see it.  I awoke to a temperature of 66 degrees; it felt a little chilly outside when I took the dog out.

Gabe asked to go out again a while ago at 6:15; daylight was approaching, so I went out to watch him.  It turns out all he wanted to do was track something through the dewy grass, probably a rabbit or opossum, so I called him back.  While out, I happened to glance up and see the moon, which looked exactly like the grin of a cheshire cat when he's almost disappeared, so I grinned back.  While looking up, I was proceeding toward the front porch on the sidewalk, glanced downward, and realized I was just about to step on three slugs heading toward their sleeping space under the porch for the day.  I squirmed at the thought of stepping barefoot on three slugs.  I've done it enough times to know how creepy a smashed slug feels.

I have been eating watermelon and cantaloupe almost every day lately, knowing they'll be out of season after this weekend.  Then they'll cost more and be less tasty, and I won't have any more until next summer.  Ah, but apple season approaches, and orchards around here are plentiful.  I used to look forward to oranges and grapefruits in winter, but because they are so acidic, I probably won't be eating them much from now on.  It's the same with tomatoes, although I have cheated somewhat and eaten some without suffering for it, so far.

I have been sleeping a lot better lately, in spite of the fact that my bladder awakens me four or five times nightly.  I've been going right back to sleep each time, and getting up at 4:30 A.M. instead of 3 o'clock in the morning.  I am so thankful for that, and I'm feeling better when I awake.  I had been in the doldrums for months, but now I am myself again... which may not be the best thing to be, but it's all I know.   So I celebrate myself and sing myself, as Walt Whitman wrote.

We have nothing planned for the weekend.  I do know we will have noodles, because I have a huge amount of chicken in its own broth that I intended to use for noodles in July when our son was here, but never got around to it.  I put pan and all, covered, in the deep freeze and I'm tired of it taking up room there.  Besides, we haven't had noodles for a long time.  My oldest granddaughter will gladly take some home with her if she comes out; it's one of her favorite foods. 

Today I plan to make stuffed peppers, since I've brought quite a few in from the garden.

I just heard my washing machine singing its song, so I have clothes to hang out on the line.  That will have to wait until I get my husband up, though, and fortify him with coffee and breakfast.

Peace.

Shopping day

We didn't go as far as Blue Springs today, since Aldi only had one real bargain on hamburger, and it was 73% lean for $1.99 per pound; I don't want anything fattier than 80% lean.  So we went to Price Chopper in Grain Valley and bought 80/20 ground beef for $2.49 a pound, then back to Oak Grove Walmart.  The mangos I bought a week ago are just beginning to ripen, so I put most of them in the refrigerator to slow them down.  I like to eat one every day and savor them.  Speaking of mangos, I just googled to find whether I should be spelling the plural of mango "mangoes".  Turns out either way is right, but the latter doesn't look right to me.

I took my walk before we went shopping, though; temperatures were in the 60's at 8 A.M. because of a front that came through yesterday and gave us about three tenths of an inch of rain; not much, but the garden was happy, and still damp this morning.  

I love the way my mind wanders when I'm on my walk.  For some reason the old Gospel song "I Can't Feel at Home in this World Anymore" came to mind this morning, and I thought to myself, "Boy, that's the truth!"

Since this pandemic came along, I've learned I don't even know people I once thought I once knew fairly well.  People I thought were apparently nice folks making fun of those who protect themselves with masks.  People saying, "You can either trust God, or you can get vaccinated."  

Really?  Why can't you do both?  Somewhere in the Kansas City area, two children under three years old drowned in a swimming pool.  Do you suppose those people decided they didn't need to put a fence around the pool because they trusted God?  Probably not, but that would be the same kind of situation if it were the case.  Anyone can choose to wear a mask or not, but why do people make make fun of those who do?  "Go get in your hidey hole with your mask," they'll say.  "I'm not afraid!"

However, I am not as upset about these things as I used to be.  I will do what I know is best, and I will survive or not survive, but at least I'll know I made some effort to protect myself if I end up on a ventilator for weeks, dying.  Meanwhile, this world only feels like home when I'm out enjoying nature or on our property.  As the Bible says, "We are all strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

And I will distance myself from people as I've always done, pandemic or not.  I know very well how to build walls.

Sometimes I just need to let off a little steam.  Thank you for listening.