The Lawn, Strader's & Big Fat

I was up at 7am. I went right for Frankie who was sitting quietly looking around from inside her pen. She was excited to see me, anybody for that matter. It was sunny and about 55 degrees – a lovely morning indeed. We romped around outside for about 10 minutes while she did her thing. Back inside I started some coffee then started my morning calisthenics while also poking around on the PC. I had lots I wanted to accomplish during the day, perhaps too much even. I kept a close eye on the clock not wanting to wait too long before leaving on a run. I knew Mindy wanted to go to yoga, but for that she didn’t need to be up until 11am or after. I was reluctant to wake her too early, however, but I also didn’t have the heart to re-pen Frankie while I ran. She spends enough time there. At 845am I took coffee and Frankie up to see Mindy. Mindy was happy to see her pug and to have coffee. I offered to take Frankie back downstairs if she wanted to keep sleeping. No, she stayed up. I left for my run just before 9am. It was gorgeous. I ran four miles. Mindy was up lounging around in her PJ’s and robe. We both headed out onto the deck and eventually the stone patio with coffee in hand. Of course, we took Frankie along too. We relaxed and talked through our day. I had thought I might head to Strader’s to get annuals after my run but decided it might make more sense to go later in the afternoon or early evening. This being the first Saturday after a wet Mother’s Day weekend, I knew it would be packed. Had I been there at their opening then maybe. I planned to cut the lawn and spread the rest of the mulch during the early afternoon. Mindy was going to yoga, although I had to encourage her as the time neared. Before she left, Mindy potted her twisted hibiscus while I got the deck’s chair cushions out of winter storage in the garage attic. That was all kind of last minute, but the weather was just so nice. We accomplished a lot between 10-11am. Mindy left for yoga around 1120am., about the same time that I got busy on the lawn chores. I whacked, edged, and mowed. Before getting out the tractor I took a brief break and visited with Kenny, who was out front planting flowers. I played with Woody while we chatted. Neighbor Becky came over asking if I thought she needed to bag her grass. Mentioned that David was out of town. I offered to mow her lawn provided she trimmed around the house and trees with the push mower. She liked the sound of that. It took about 35 minutes total to mow both yards with the tractor. After mowing, I blew off both walks and drives. Mindy went shopping after yoga – Target to be exact. I got started on the mulching after making a sandwich. I had about 25 bags still to spread. It went pretty fast, probably took about 1.5 hours beginning to end. Mindy got home about an hour into it, and even offered to help, but by the time she was changed into clothes suitable for mulching I was just about done. I took care of a few more small yard chores after mulching while Mindy cleaned the deck furniture. It was only in the low to mid 70’s but felt a lot warmer. Must’ve been the more direct sun and the crystal clear skies. Despite the warmth and sun, I remained in long black running pants and a long sleeved running shirt. I wouldn’t be sun burned, that’s for sure. I was dirty and itchy by the time all of my work was completed. I headed in for a well deserved shower. It was already approaching 5pm. The day had flown by. I emerged from a shower refreshed and ready. The plan was to visit Strader’s then head to dinner, although we hadn’t yet picked a venue. We must’ve arrived at Strader’s between 530-6pm. We were both surprised at the crowd. Moreover, they were all out of Wave pentunia’s, the main annual I came for this trip. Just a little over a week ago they had so many that you’d think they’d never sellout. Damn! I was disappointed but also knew I could get them somewhere else if necessary. There’s always Demonye’s, another favorite nursery of mine. But it’s a little further, out by the airport. I was ready to leave empty handed but decided to go ahead and buy the flowers for the large deck pots. I let Mindy pick the flora this year. She wanted to make sure and get some trailing annuals to complement new guinea Impatiens and spikes. Leaving Strader’s we still hadn’t agreed on a dinner venue. As I expected she would, Mindy suggested the Big Fat. After all, we’d be going right by. I wasn’t agreeable at first but acquiesced. It was convenient. I wasn’t in the mood for my usual scallops, however. That was more because of my stomach. I thought I might go for a gyro instead. As she often does, Mindy asked to be seated in Katarina’s area. On our way in, I spotted a feta crusted NY strip as one of three specials. I knew then what I was ordering. I kept it to myself, not sharing my intentions with Mindy. I ordered an Elevator Pale Ale in lieu of my usual Jack & Coke. Mindy went with ice water. I followed my initial instincts and ordered the special, Feta crusted NY strip. Mindy went with her old stand by, Salmon.. We both ordered a small greek salad too, that in addition to the pita and dip. Delicious! Neither of us could finish our meals –about half eaten, both of us. We got to-go boxes, figuring it Sunday lunch. I picked up the check. We headed towards home but last second detoured to the Grandview Strader’s on King Ave. thinking they might have the Wave pentunias we wanted. Nope, they didn’t have any. Still, the drive through Arlington was worth it – down Cambridge – just beautiful. Mindy sprung for a piece of yard art – a bronze gazing ball on a steel rod. We got home around 745pm. We shoved our leftovers in fridge and once again headed down to Kenny’s house. We already knew that Ryan and Ben were over for a visit. We really like them. Also over was neighbor Teri. Mike was on duty at the fire house. We had a good time hooting it up. I brought two beers initially but headed home to get two more after drinking those in a hurry. Mindy drank just one glass of wine. We headed home at 1030pm, or actually Mindy about 15 minutes ahead of me. Our clear sky was gone – a thing of the past. Expecting cloudy skies on Sunday, then rain for three days straight, Monday through Wednesday. Then again, it is May in Ohio.