Eating a Flip-Flop

I didn’t sleep all that well, but good enough to get up and out of bed just a little after 7a. The sky was clear and dappled sunlight was already splashing against the sides of the houses I could see out the masterbath window. It’s always good to see the sun. I quickly brushed my teeth and head downstairs with running clothes in hand.

I started a pot of coffee then went to my PC. I didn’t to do any calisthenics since it was Sunday, my weekly day of rest. As always, I did plan to run. I downloaded the pictures I took Saturday and played on the internet for a while. I took Frankie out for a walk around the backyard at 8a. She eventually took care of business.

Back inside, I started the arduous task of cleaning a handful of puppy pee stains we found under the diningroom table from when Frankie and Woodie were puppies. They used to hang out under there, and they were nearly impossible to see with the table in place (still in the livingroom after Saturday's lighting fixture install).

I did some writing until 930a when I stopped to go do my Sunday run. It was still cold, only 27 degrees, but calling for the low to mid 60s later. I ran 3 miles. Mindy was still asleep when I got back. I worked on those puppy pee stains a little more. Mindy was up a short while later.

I had some more coffee and spent a little more time on the internet. Mindy and I briefly discussed the day's plans. We needed to be at Jacob’s first soccer game of the season at 330p and then from there we planned to head straight to throw back Sunday dinner at the York Steak House. I wanted to put down some fertilizer and do a few other yard chores too, but also wanted to wait for it to warm up a little bit more. With time to kill, I decided to install the second new lighting fixture in the foyer. That proved much simpler than the dining room fixture, but still required an on-the-fly modification. We flipped the switch to on. Looked good, but there was one small problem. As we marveled at our new fixture all aglow we realized that there are two fixtures in that downstairs hallway. Suddenly it was obvious we’d need to replace the other now, too.

When Mindy headed up for a shower I went to the sofa to take a nap. I fell asleep rather easily. I’ll bet I slept for almost an hour. It was 1p when I leaped to my feet. Mindy was showered and busy doing some laundry. I headed out to fertilize the lawn. It finally warmed to near 60 degrees, sunny and very breezy. Rain coming Monday. I really wanted to get the fertilizer down then.

I put the Scotts with Halts down everywhere save for the thinned out area around back where my sod all but died out. There, I put down a bunch of grass seed a few weeks back. The Halts would prevent it from germinating. I used starter fertilizer over that area instead. After the fertilizer was down, I tried starting the tractor again. Still no joy. I may try charging the battery before replacing it. Why not?

And since I had the shed opened, I stowed the three sleds the kids used all winter. Jacob was sledding as recent as last Wednesday when we got the 2”. Mindy came out to provide a time check. Said we’d need to leave in about 40 minutes. I appreciated the heads up. I asked for her help tightening the patio table base to the top. Over the last couple of years it’s worked itself loose.

It’s a very heavy table. I slid it over the edge of the deck steps exposing the bottom bolt enough that I could get a socket on it all the while Mindy supported the entire table from falling over the edge of the step. I tightened slowly not wanting to risk snapping off the bolt. Our teamwork paid off. Snug as a bug!

Before heading inside for a shower, I grabbed the grill’s propane tank and put it in the Trooper so I could get it replaced during the upcoming work week. While at it, I also straightened one of the grill cabinet doors and cleaned up the magnetic closure contacts before recovering it. The little things.

I was showered and ready 20 minutes later. Mindy had drinks and camp chairs ready to go. I threw a bag of pretzels in with the drinks. We hadn’t eaten anything of substance yet. We both wore jackets, and heavier than the weather at home would typically dictate. We learned a long time ago that it’s always 10 degrees cooler and much windier at the Hilliard soccer fields.

Mindy shared that she invited my dad to join us at both Jacob’s soccer game and later at the York. He was a maybe for dinner. Like we predicted, it was crazy windy at the soccer field and much cooler too. We met Bella and Jimaken at the sideline. I ran a wicking shirt out to Jacob. He didn’t want to put it on until I told him his mother insisted. The sunshine was brilliant and warm. The stiff breeze was downright cold. The one good thing, the wind was at our backs. Jacob’s team played well. I’m thinking that they won something like 4-0. Bella and I walked around the soccer park late into the 2nd half. She was getting bored. We had fun.

The crowd at the soccer field thinned ahead of our departure. Don’t know that I’ve seen it that barren before. In any case, we exited heading west to Alton-Darby planning to take that all the way down to West Broad St. Along the way we passed Mindy’s old subdivision. I asked if they wanted to swing by their old place. I got a car full of no’s. Mindy suggested we wave to Linda as we passed. I one upped her and asked if we could make a brief stop. She agreed. It took us a minute or two to get our bearings once in the cemetery but we found it. As I suggested, her plot is right on a sharp corner and right out along the cemetery road. Not exactly an ideal spot to be buried. But then again, does it matter? We didn’t stay long.

Off to the York Steak House. Driving east on Broad St from Alton-Darby took some time. I think we were stopped at every traffic light. We still arrived on time, and maybe even a minute or two early. Didn’t spot my dad’s minivan. We headed in where we met the others already in the chow line.

It’s been 30-35 years since I’ve been in the York. The menus are still plastered to the wall complete with pictures proudly displaying baked potatoes and the extra-large dinner rolls. And you still grab a tray cafeteria style. In fact, I think they have some of the same golden brown soft drink glasses they had back in the 70’s (smallish). I ordered the twin filets w/baked potato. Of course, all their entrees come with the salad bar. Mindy ordered the same. Bella ordered a hot dog, and Jacob the chicken tenders.

As we wound around the chow line the grill came into view. My mind drifted back to days of yore when David Waters used to work there grilling steaks. If memory serves, he was fired for spitting on steaks. He worked there a long time too. Also remember how much he regretted his lapse in judgment. Tried unsuccessfully to get his job back.

Our steaks weren’t ready at checkout. Seems to me they were almost always ready back in the day. In fact, no one in the group left the line with their main course. They promised to bring them to our table shortly. We were seated in a reserved party room area - an off shoot of the main dining hall. There must’ve been 15 of us.

I enjoyed the salad bar, had two helpings. The contents were very fresh. Must’ve been about 20-25 minutes before our steaks showed up. By then, I was all but full from the salad bar. Good thing, too. My steak was bad. Twin filets – really? They were more like two burnt moccasins (dry and brown through and through) Mindy’s was cooked slightly less than mine. She shared a bite or two. I chuckled over the whole thing choosing not to make a scene or even bring it to light. And honestly, I went in expecting subpar quality and wasn’t disappointed.

The plan all along called for dessert at Gloria’s. To that end, everyone caravanned to her place after leaving the York. Along the way we passed the Westland mall as well as the proposed casino construction site. Nothing going on there for a while now. As I understand it, the city is fighting with the casino developers over annexation issues.

Arrived at Gloria’s around 630p. It felt much warmer than it did at the soccer fields. According to my DroidX, it was 65 degrees. Most of the family sat around talking for a solid 30 minutes ahead of dessert. Dessert was served at 7p, orange fluff and chocolate frosted cupcakes. I had two cup cakes and some fluff. Both good. Jacob asked me to play HORSE. I headed out bent on teaching him a thing or two. :)

We played two games. For the first few minutes, I couldn’t make a bucket to save my life. But lucky for me I came roaring back and found my groove. I won both games against Jacob. My luck soon soured, however, once Larry joined us for the 3rd and 4th game. I was 2nd in the third game and last in the fourth.

It was starting to get dark. It was already after 8p. We head inside where we quickly readied for home, this a school night for the kids and a work night for me.

Once home, Bella asked if she could run down and play with Makayla. No. Too late. It was already 830p. Bella took Frankie out for a walk. Afterwards, both kids headed up for showers. We watched a little Science Channel, a program about Earth’s oldest forests and trees, and then the wildlife therein. Fascinating. We watched until 10p, our bedtime.