I slept until 7:30am. Just before that, the kids invaded our room to snuggle with their mother. I felt somewhat like a side dish in the mix. I leaped to my feet and made my way downstairs to pick-up the pieces from the night before. I prepped the morning’s coffee, heated up my laptop, and began my exercise routine. Come 8am Ykraps and I hit the street for a glorious morning stroll. It was a lovely but chilly autumn morning. There wasn’t a cloud to be seen and the temperature hovered near 40 degrees. There was a light fog lifting off of the pond creating a surreal view looking back towards the rising sun. Very nice!
Upon my return I poured myself coffee and quickly checked work. We were looking eons better that Saturday. Suddenly, I didn't feel so rushed. I checked most issues that I managed the day before and all were completely resolved or just about. Happily I carried on with other less pressing tasks. Soon I was joined downstairs by Mindy & the kids. We sipped our coffee together and discussed the day’s plans. Mindy & the children would soon be dashing off to church all the while I dashed around the subdivision. I didn't leave for my run until Mindy was out of the shower and seemed to have things well under control. It was the least I could do.
I wore my warm running clothes and was quite comfortable through the duration. Truth be told, I was looking forward to some alone time back at the house. Once I got back I woofed down some leftover pizza, chugged another cup of coffee, and dealt with a handful of work related matters. By 11:15am I was working diligently in the yard. I whacked, edged, mowed, and blew. Mindy arrived home soon after I finished the major lawn chores. She had brought home Burger King and didn't forget me. Not all that hungry I kept at my chores knowing that we needed to leave for her brother's by 2:45pm. Over the next 1.5 hours I power washed the front porch and walk leading from the drive. In addition, I hit the oil stains left behind by Mindy's ailing rig.
Wanting to run the power washer out of gas I decided to hit the wheels on the Trooper that get trashed by brake dust rather routinely. The entire thing could use a good bath, however. But time wouldn't allow that. After wrapping up the power washing I had just enough time to check in with work & check the Vikings score before heading off to the shower. Work was under control and the Vikings were ahead 7-3. That didn't last, however. Before I could even make it to the shower they were behind 10-7. I headed for the shower.
By the time I reemerged, Mindy was ready to go. One more check of work & football. Work good - Vikings bad! We left with our cheese ball, veggie tray, and camera. We stopped to pick-up Gloria along the way. She announced that Aunt Teet canceled her trip into town earlier in the day so I wouldn't be meeting her after all. The family was noticeably disappointed, but we proceeded onto Mindy's brothers despite the news.
Everyone was there. We were the late arrivers. This is the first time that I've been to Mindy's brother's place. He gave me the grand tour early on. Nice place and a big spacious yard somewhat out in the country, but then again not. We socialized for about an hour eating appetizers before making our own plates of dinner food. It was a little crowded eating out in the sun room, but cozy. Jacob insisted that I join him for football toss out back even after my appetite for football was squished by a Viking loss. They lost 23-16. Slackers!!
We left Mindy's brother's around 6:15pm. As soon as we arrived home Jacob and I walked Ykraps. Some time just after 7pm I checked my phone and saw a missed call from Glenn. He and I had made loose arrangement to visit the Keg Room for one last beer before he leaves town early Monday morning. I had just told Mindy that I felt too bloated to do anything other than sit on my behind. I listened to his VM. It sounded like he still wanted to go so I gave him a call back. He did. I told him I'd pick him up in ten or fifteen minutes.
I went back upstairs and changed out of my PJ pants and back into jeans. I drove to my Dad's to fetch him. Jacob went along for the ride too. I would drop him back off at home, of course, before moving on to the Keg Room. He & Bella both wanted badly to say goodbye to Glenn. I visited with dad for about five minutes, my first time inside his house since Sheila passed. He's consolidated quite a bit.
We headed back to my house where I dropped Jacob and Glenn gave goodbye hugs to Mindy & both kids. Onto the Keg Room. We only assumed that it was opened never caring to confirm upfront. It was. However, there were only three other patrons inside each sitting about as far from one another as possible. It looked almost completely unchanged save for the repair after two fires over the years. All three patrons, including the bartender were completely focused on these two strangers who just walked in. I had my camera bag and Glenn had a purse type bag in which he was toting around his pummie. A long haired fellow who would soon befriend us asked if we were selling something. We denied such activity. They all then asked if we were the smoking police. Nope. They all then lit their cigarettes, even the bartender despite Columbus having a no-smoking policy in public places within city limits. I was very surprised and really forgot just how awful it smells and how easily it sticks to you.
We bellied up the bar and ordered their only dark beer offering - Shiner Bock. The long haired fella - Bill, I think - asked to try it. Begging a small glass from the bartender whom he addressed often poorly obliged him and simply laughed of his less than pleasant advances. He thought our beer horrendous and tried to buy the two of Budweiser's to try. After turning him down he then reached over the bar and helped himself to two more small glasses and proceeded to fill them both with his new Budweiser. He then offered them to us to sample. Not wanting to hurt his feelings we gleefully accepted. He went on and on about his girl friend, often switching from calling her a damn beautiful woman, and then just as quick, a bitch. Of course, she wasn't there to defend herself. He said she was wandering West Broad St. making her way there. He was entertaining, if nothing else. He kept the energy high. I cringed when he asked Glenn what type of music he liked, offering up the internet fed juke box. I knew that Glenn would utter something that would throw him a curve - the very thing that can start a fight in a west side bar. Instead, Bill reached down deep to try and draw correlation to his own life speaking of a friend or cousin that plays organ music at church and "loves Jesus". Not quite the music Glenn was describing but even he (Glenn) knows when to stop.
I had two Shiner's (probably 1.5). Glenn had the rest by design. Not only was I feeling bloated, but I had to be up at 5:30am and I don't like to drink on 'school' nights. We were there only about 45 minutes. Our new friend Bill cut out just before us. We said goodbye to the folks still inside and headed out to the Trooper. Bill was still outside apparently discussing some business with some of his counterparts.
We headed back towards home. I dropped Glenn at dad’s place and said goodbye. We briefly discussed our next encounter which in all likelihood will be in February. However, I had almost forgotten about his possible trip home the week before our almost certain trip out there. He’s planning to come home for cousin Brian’s wedding mid-February – literally three day before we’ll most likely fly out. Too funny!
I headed back home where Mindy was already in bed and the house closed up. I headed to bed where Mindy and I talked for a few minutes before dosing off.
Upon my return I poured myself coffee and quickly checked work. We were looking eons better that Saturday. Suddenly, I didn't feel so rushed. I checked most issues that I managed the day before and all were completely resolved or just about. Happily I carried on with other less pressing tasks. Soon I was joined downstairs by Mindy & the kids. We sipped our coffee together and discussed the day’s plans. Mindy & the children would soon be dashing off to church all the while I dashed around the subdivision. I didn't leave for my run until Mindy was out of the shower and seemed to have things well under control. It was the least I could do.
I wore my warm running clothes and was quite comfortable through the duration. Truth be told, I was looking forward to some alone time back at the house. Once I got back I woofed down some leftover pizza, chugged another cup of coffee, and dealt with a handful of work related matters. By 11:15am I was working diligently in the yard. I whacked, edged, mowed, and blew. Mindy arrived home soon after I finished the major lawn chores. She had brought home Burger King and didn't forget me. Not all that hungry I kept at my chores knowing that we needed to leave for her brother's by 2:45pm. Over the next 1.5 hours I power washed the front porch and walk leading from the drive. In addition, I hit the oil stains left behind by Mindy's ailing rig.
Wanting to run the power washer out of gas I decided to hit the wheels on the Trooper that get trashed by brake dust rather routinely. The entire thing could use a good bath, however. But time wouldn't allow that. After wrapping up the power washing I had just enough time to check in with work & check the Vikings score before heading off to the shower. Work was under control and the Vikings were ahead 7-3. That didn't last, however. Before I could even make it to the shower they were behind 10-7. I headed for the shower.
By the time I reemerged, Mindy was ready to go. One more check of work & football. Work good - Vikings bad! We left with our cheese ball, veggie tray, and camera. We stopped to pick-up Gloria along the way. She announced that Aunt Teet canceled her trip into town earlier in the day so I wouldn't be meeting her after all. The family was noticeably disappointed, but we proceeded onto Mindy's brothers despite the news.
Everyone was there. We were the late arrivers. This is the first time that I've been to Mindy's brother's place. He gave me the grand tour early on. Nice place and a big spacious yard somewhat out in the country, but then again not. We socialized for about an hour eating appetizers before making our own plates of dinner food. It was a little crowded eating out in the sun room, but cozy. Jacob insisted that I join him for football toss out back even after my appetite for football was squished by a Viking loss. They lost 23-16. Slackers!!
We left Mindy's brother's around 6:15pm. As soon as we arrived home Jacob and I walked Ykraps. Some time just after 7pm I checked my phone and saw a missed call from Glenn. He and I had made loose arrangement to visit the Keg Room for one last beer before he leaves town early Monday morning. I had just told Mindy that I felt too bloated to do anything other than sit on my behind. I listened to his VM. It sounded like he still wanted to go so I gave him a call back. He did. I told him I'd pick him up in ten or fifteen minutes.
I went back upstairs and changed out of my PJ pants and back into jeans. I drove to my Dad's to fetch him. Jacob went along for the ride too. I would drop him back off at home, of course, before moving on to the Keg Room. He & Bella both wanted badly to say goodbye to Glenn. I visited with dad for about five minutes, my first time inside his house since Sheila passed. He's consolidated quite a bit.
We headed back to my house where I dropped Jacob and Glenn gave goodbye hugs to Mindy & both kids. Onto the Keg Room. We only assumed that it was opened never caring to confirm upfront. It was. However, there were only three other patrons inside each sitting about as far from one another as possible. It looked almost completely unchanged save for the repair after two fires over the years. All three patrons, including the bartender were completely focused on these two strangers who just walked in. I had my camera bag and Glenn had a purse type bag in which he was toting around his pummie. A long haired fellow who would soon befriend us asked if we were selling something. We denied such activity. They all then asked if we were the smoking police. Nope. They all then lit their cigarettes, even the bartender despite Columbus having a no-smoking policy in public places within city limits. I was very surprised and really forgot just how awful it smells and how easily it sticks to you.
We bellied up the bar and ordered their only dark beer offering - Shiner Bock. The long haired fella - Bill, I think - asked to try it. Begging a small glass from the bartender whom he addressed often poorly obliged him and simply laughed of his less than pleasant advances. He thought our beer horrendous and tried to buy the two of Budweiser's to try. After turning him down he then reached over the bar and helped himself to two more small glasses and proceeded to fill them both with his new Budweiser. He then offered them to us to sample. Not wanting to hurt his feelings we gleefully accepted. He went on and on about his girl friend, often switching from calling her a damn beautiful woman, and then just as quick, a bitch. Of course, she wasn't there to defend herself. He said she was wandering West Broad St. making her way there. He was entertaining, if nothing else. He kept the energy high. I cringed when he asked Glenn what type of music he liked, offering up the internet fed juke box. I knew that Glenn would utter something that would throw him a curve - the very thing that can start a fight in a west side bar. Instead, Bill reached down deep to try and draw correlation to his own life speaking of a friend or cousin that plays organ music at church and "loves Jesus". Not quite the music Glenn was describing but even he (Glenn) knows when to stop.
I had two Shiner's (probably 1.5). Glenn had the rest by design. Not only was I feeling bloated, but I had to be up at 5:30am and I don't like to drink on 'school' nights. We were there only about 45 minutes. Our new friend Bill cut out just before us. We said goodbye to the folks still inside and headed out to the Trooper. Bill was still outside apparently discussing some business with some of his counterparts.
We headed back towards home. I dropped Glenn at dad’s place and said goodbye. We briefly discussed our next encounter which in all likelihood will be in February. However, I had almost forgotten about his possible trip home the week before our almost certain trip out there. He’s planning to come home for cousin Brian’s wedding mid-February – literally three day before we’ll most likely fly out. Too funny!
I headed back home where Mindy was already in bed and the house closed up. I headed to bed where Mindy and I talked for a few minutes before dosing off.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.