Carp Diem

I was up a few minutes late, or about 535a. Not big deal. Curled up at the foot of our bed was Bella, who joined us a couple times through the overnight due to another bout of thunderstorms. In fact, I remember her coming in at one point and Mindy rising up and handing her a pillow. Bella said, ‘what? I’m not sleeping on the floor.’ I chuckled even being half asleep. After rolling out of bed, I quickly headed to the masterbath where I brushed my teeth then gathered my running clothes. I was downstairs by 538a. The coffee maker was just about through its cycle. I glanced out back. It was wet but not currently raining. I headed to the livingroom to complete my sit-ups. I checked the weather next. It was 47 degrees, still fairly mild for mid-March. I fooled around online for about ten minutes before heading in to the family room to do my push-ups. You might wonder why I always do my sit-ups in the living room and push-ups in the family room. I like to lock my feet under the edge of the recliner in the living room while doing my sit-ups. On the other hand, I like to do push-ups on a hard surface, like the ceramic tile floor in the kitchen/familyroom area. I enjoyed a cup of coffee before checking on Frankie. She looked comfortable in her pen. I decided to do meditation ahead of our walk. At 615a I coaxed her out of her pen and took her for our walk. We walked two blocks. I was aggravating quickly since she wasn't going pee or poop. But just before I was about to give up, she finally did both. We headed back to the house happy. Inside, I settled in for a stretch wrapping it up at 630a on the nose. I prepped and delivered Mindy’s coffee a minute or two later. Of course, I left Frankie with Mindy. Despite it being a little cooler, after Monday’s profuse sweating, I decided to back off the layers and went with two wicking shirts but no jacket, ear covers, or gloves. I was a tad chilly at the outset but warmed quickly and then remained comfortable throughout the entire 4.1 mile run. I got back home around 720a. Mindy had my eggs ready and waiting. The kids were heading to Gloria’s for their second day of spring break. Both were in good spirits. They all left a couple minutes early. I finished my breakfast then headed upstairs for a shower. I was ready to go by 750a. Because I didn’t have to contend with the bus, I had oodles of time to prep my lunch and walk Frankie one more time. I packed a salad, fruit, banana, and cheese. Frankie and I walked again out front. She did nothing but sniff around. Hey, at least I gave her the chance. I left for work at 810a. Oh, I packed the VZW bill too, prepared to dispute a $9.99 “premium messaging” charge. I arrived at work just ahead of 830a. As usual, I was busy from the outset. Once again, I didn’t bother taking a formal lunch break. I'll get even though. Golf season's coming and I’ll most likely be leaving early once a week. Fore!!!! I enjoyed my packed food sometime around 1p. The afternoon was busy too. I wasn’t able to leave for home until 540p. I called Mindy on my drive home and we talked until I was fairly close. Said she was just leaving to take Bella to gymnastics. Jacob was staying home since he knew I was close. OK. Said we’d have our dinner once she returned. Having tortellini. I had just enough time to unload my work gear and complete my few little chores before Mindy returned home. In that short amount of time alone with Jacob he asked me to fix his fishing pole and play basketball. I agreed to do both but dinner would be first. Mindy quickly dished up dinner soon. The tortellini was delicious, but I couldn’t finish mine. We had a nice garden salad and crescent rolls, too. Mindy had asked if I would be willing to fetch Bella. I agreed to do it just so she wouldn’t have to. That changed, however, when Jacob asked again about fishing and basketball. Mindy said she’d prefer he & I have bonding time. Probably a good call. She left to fetch Bella around 645p. After quickly cleaning up the kitchen I took care of Jacob’s fishing pole. Needed a swivel, hook, sinker, and bobber. Speaking of Jacob, I told Mindy a couple days prior that I thought he might be starting puberty. She doubted me. But I could see/sense something. His face is widening, his hair color darkening, his eye brows thickening, and his complexion oily. Mindy asked him nonchalantly if he had hair under his arms. Wasn’t sure, but was willing to share that it was growing in other places. I gave Mindy an ‘I told you so’. I’ve noticed some subtle psychological changes, too. He’s acting more mature, and much more tolerable all of the sudden. I like that. He’s a still a young boy but change is in the wind, and he’s not quite 11 yet. Yikes! This time next year it’ll be all about girls. Just you watch. Jacob and I headed out to fish. I took Frankie along on her leash. Jacob used old bread as bait. Carp love it. He doubted my technique but tried it anyhow. Sure enough, a minute later he was reeling in his first fish of the year – a 16” carp. I wish I had my camera in my pocket but didn’t. When he asked for another slice of bread a few minutes later, I gladly went for it and returned with my camera as well. He struggled to free the hook from the carp but eventually did, and more importantly, without causing any undue harm to the fish. He fished for about 30 minutes. He didn’t catch another until he used the last piece of available bread. By then it was clouding over and getting noticeably cooler. It was fairly warm earlier – as warm as 58 degrees. He caught another carp, this one a tad smaller than the first. I got a couple decent pictures of this one. I had to laugh when it crapped all down his shirt and pants while he struggled to remove the hook. I didn’t tell him until he completed the task and released it back into the pond. I didn’t want him to drop the fish in disgust. We headed back inside where I had him strip to his skivvies while standing in the garage and just before heading in the house. Mindy quickly tossed his dirty clothes into the washer while Jacob headed up for a shower. I asked of Bella’s whereabouts. She was already down at the neighbors playing with Makayla. I worked on my blog for the next 30 minutes, or until Bella came home. All she said to me was that she had a bad time at gymnastics. I didn’t know why until Mindy shared the details a few minutes later. Apparently, her recital is on the same Saturday that we’re planning to be in Myrtle Beach. She’s bummed. Mindy offered that she could stay home if she desired. Sure we could make those arrangements. She’ll change her mind and want to go. I know Bella well. Like most nights these days, we tuned into the Science Channel watching a program about Ohio prisons – Ross County Correctional and then Lucasville. Gave an insiders view. Interesting program. Hard to imagine anyone coming out of there reformed/corrected. The kids & Mindy peeled off to bed around 9p and 930p respectively. Once again, I stayed up till 10p.