Like most Saturdays, I ran just three miles, all of it in the dark. Despite a forecast calling for clouds, rain and cool temps, it was partly clear with plenty of stars overhead during my run. Hmmm?
Mindy was just finishing up in the bathroom when I got back, which was just after 600am. I hustled into the shower and was ready 10-15 minutes later. I was a little surprised that Mindy was in the kitchen making all of us eggs, but we needed a good breakfast. I had my phone and camera fully charged. I verified with Mindy that she had printed directions to the gym. She did. I didn’t bother programming my Navigation. We’ve driven by the Rio Grande Exit twice now over the last few months. According to Mindy, the Rio Grande College was less than a mile off that exit.
By the time we were headed out of the house it was 635am – about 15 minutes later than I wanted to leave. The directions said it would take 111 minutes. We figured we could shave 5-10 minutes off that by going 4 or 5 mph over the limit. The beauty of leaving so early was that there was next to no traffic. We were on 23 south in not time at all. There was a lovely sun rise but it wouldn’t last. Thick storm clouds were moving in quickly from the south and west. There was even some lighting off in the distance. The drive went faster than it’s gone the last couple times, but we were still pushing it. Bella’s first event was slated for 830am which left us only 4 minutes of wiggle room. There wasn’t anyway we’d be getting there by 8am. That was clear from jump. My prediction was 817am and we were pretty much dead on that. The only trouble we had was finding the gym once we entered the Rio Grande campus. The directions were fabulous for getting us to the campus but nonexistent after that. Bella’s coach celled mindy as we followed my hunch. Sure enough, the building we needed was just ahead. I dropped Mindy and Bella at the door and then went to park the car. I snapped a couple of photos as I made my way to the gymnasium.
Mindy was waiting just inside the door after sending Bella in to join her team. They had already called her group to the floor for the double-mini tramp. Mindy paid my admission, so I all needed was a stamp. I found a seat near the top of the bleachers. The only thing I didn’t bring that I should’ve was my book to account for the time between Bella’s 2nd and 3rd events, which would be 2.5 hours! She had an 830a, 9am, and 1130am.
She did reasonably well on the double-mini but managed only to finish 4th, though we didn’t immediately know how she did. Trampoline was next, the even she does best. No sooner had she rejoined Mindy & I in the bleacher was she called for event #2 on the far side of the gym. We watched her warm-ups which were darn near flawless. I was impressed with the heights she reaches as well as her form. But during her official turn, which there is only one, she lost focus and inexplicably stopped after two quick bounces. What was that, we wondered? There are no do-overs.
As you might imagine, she was a pill to deal with when she rejoined us. Wanted no part of me. And she definitely didn’t want her picture taken. She even went as far as threatening damage to my camera. Somebody’s not in a very good mood. It was still before 930am. We’d be playing the waiting game now until her third and final event at 1130am.
After people watching for the next 30 minutes, I decided to tour the gym. I visited all the trophy cases reading about the school’s athletic accomplishments. Amongst them, there was quite the to-do about this guy name Bevo Francis. Later, I found an entire exhibit dedicated to this one former student athlete, Bevo. Turns out, Bevo holds the all-time college scoring record for points in one game – 113 points. He actually scored 116 in another game but the NCAA later disqualified that record due to the opponent being a two-year college. I was intrigued reading about his record, career, and life story posted on the wall. Read about their national championship soccer team in 2003 as well. Who knew? I headed back to the bleachers glad I went for the walk. We still had an hour before Bella’s third and final event. Ugh!
In hind sight, I probably should have gone off exploring the buildings on the campus, like the art department but didn’t. Instead, did more people watching. Saw brother Charles’ twin again. Finally, Bella was called to her final event – floor – at 1115am. That ended up being her best event. The same event she struggled with in Point Pleasant WV, last month. All we had left to do was wait for her scores to post, get her trophy, and then get out of town. I had no idea whatsoever where she and Mindy headed off to. It wasn’t until Mindy came and found me once again wandering the halls. She wasn’t happy and was giving me an earful. Honestly, I wasn’t sure why. I had no idea where the awards room was. Mindy said something about me getting on her last nerve, almost as if I were Jacob. I could’ve chosen to be angry but was too tired to worry about it.
During the final event I had taken the time to Google map Dakota’s in Jackson. I was surprised to see that it was less than a mile off route 35W. As soon as Bella got her 2nd place trophy and then found her tennis shoes we headed for the Accord. By then it was a partly cloudy over head and had actually warmed to near 60. I called Mom before we pulled out of the lot to let her know we were heading that way.
We didn’t get five miles down the road before the partly cloudy skies once again gave way to complete cloud cover and chilly temps. Back in the mid 40s. Jackson is something under 20 miles from Rio Grande. Instead of taking the route 32 exit we opted instead for McCarty lane, which is a direct turn off of 35W. If my Droid was accurate, the restaurant would be just a ½ mile up the road. It was. Even Mindy was surprised at close it was.
We opted to head inside rather than wait in the lot and were quickly seated in a booth. I would’ve called mom but didn’t have her cell number. We sat there eating peanuts and drinking soft drinks for at least ten minutes before I headed to the entrance looking to see if mom might be waiting in the lot. Yep, there she was. I waved her in. She struggled mightily getting her keys free from the ignition but finally did. Said she’d been sitting there for 10 minutes.
Our server seemed a little impatient waiting for our fourth guest, but it’s not like there was competition for our table. Only scantly attended. We ordered appetizers: chicken wraps and an onion bloom at mom’s request. We placed our dinner orders too. Mom went with their fish trio (appeared to be all deep fried). Mindy went with prime rib, and Bella and I with burgers, though hers off the kids menu.
The appetizers were good. I ate only one tiny finger off the blooming onion. I did eat at least three of the mini chicken wraps. Soon our food orders arrived. My burger was decent. Mindy’s prime rib looked awesome. In fact, everybody seemed to enjoy their food. I’m guessing we were there for about an hour. Mom talked about her brother Chuck and then how her car’s failing her. Talking about getting a new one. I suggested a Honda Civic – the perfect car, both economical and dependable. She talked about a used Toyota pick-up. Uhhh – no! I insisted that was a bad idea.
Mindy got a text from Lindsey sharing that she was on her way to our house to start her laundry after taking the boys in for eye exams. Said both need glasses. Sounded like Lindsey would be at our place when we got home.
Walked mom to her car after packing up her leftovers in a GFS foam container. We opted to follow mom north east on rt 32 until we came upon the 35W exit. That was just a mile or so up the highway. By then we were under a full on thunderstorm complete with heavy rain, lightning and thunder directly overhead. Bella was a tad worried then said she was sure that Jacob's soccer game would be canceled. I explained how it might very well be sunny in Hilliard, still a good 75 miles SE of home.
The drive home went by pretty fast, but I was getting crazy sleepy passing through Circleville and Bloomfield. Taking a nap immediately in the door was first on my list of things to do once home. The sky stayed gray for the rest of the drive home and the temperature hovered in the mid 40s. Aside from all the green, you'd hardly know that it was spring. At some point I shared how ironic it was that when we were traveling the same highway back in December and two weeks before Xmas it was in the 60s and sunny. Now, here it was almost May and only in the 40s.
As soon as we got home I rushed up to our room and leaped head long into our bed. I turned on the TV catching the final round of the NFL draft just before falling asleep. I must've slept for a solid 90 minutes. I heard Lindsey loud exhaust pull away. I took that as my cue to get up. My plan all along was to take the Pilot and pay a visit to Strader's to buy some of the flowers for our summer gardens. With the weather being somewhat raw, I knew their wouldn't be a crowd and the pickin's still premo. Supposed to be sunny and in the upper 60s on Sunday and then the 80s all next week. That'll bring out the nursery hounds in a hurry.
Mindy was fine with me taking the Pilot and heading to both Lowes and Straders. She asked if I wanted her to come along. I didn't mind but figured she might enjoy the alone time. Going after flowers is one of the most relaxing things I like to do. It's like a drug.
I headed to Lowes in Mill Run first, picking up a second 64quart bag of Scott's Miracle Grow potting soil, two 22" deck pots (burnt red), two grapevine hanging baskets, and yet another hose nozzle after snapping the handle off the brand new one I bought just a couple weeks ago. Don't ask! I was also very pleased to discover an entire wall of irrigation system supplies. I looked over the offerings feeling comfortable that anything else I might need to augment our existing system I can get there.
On to Strader's. The lot might've had five other cars. Now know this, had the day been sunny and 70 the lot might've been packed with more than a 100 cars. That's how fickle people are. Not only did I have free run of the nursery aisles, I had quite a selection to choose from too. I planned only to get hanging basket geraniums and vinca vines. I bought four giant geraniums, some the prettiest, most healthy looking you'll find anywhere. They're a little pricier than elsewhere but typically much higher quality. I picked up a new giant Hosta and another purple cone flower to replace the one I dug up by accident a month or so ago thinking it was weed.
It was already near 7pm. Mindy and I planned to do CBC for drinks and maybe even and appetizer. As it was, I was still pretty full from lunch at Dakota's. I quickly unloaded my haul into the garage. Mindy was still down visiting with the neighbors. She came walking across the yard just after I finished carrying everything in. After confirming our date, we readied for an evening out at CBC. I was looking forward to some Bodhi!
We drove the Accord and made great time getting downtown to CBC. Mindy agreed to drive and said she'd most likely only have one glass of wine. It was packed pretty full. Consequently, there were no bar stools to be had. But sure enough, a couple stools freed after a few minutes standing. Jamie & Vince were working the bar. This was Jamie's last night as a bartender. Starting Monday she's the new assistant manager.
Jen the manager stopped and talked to Mindy and I about her and her wife planning to have a baby in the near term. Ultimately, they may each carry a child, but they agreed that Keri would carry the first in fact, if I understood correctly, they've already selected the donor sperm. She shared her worry about not having a physical bond with the child. Mindy made sure to pooh-pooh that notion. Instead, insuring her that she'll feel attached from jump.
Vince kept the Bodhi's rolling my way ultimately serving me four. We brought in an empty jug too which I planned to take home full. We struck up conversation with those sitting near us. One woman looked an awful lot like Mel of Pat & Mel. I asked if she worked at Children's Hospital. Nope, but she did work at Riverside. We hung out at CBC until best guess, about 1030pm. Mindy picked up the tab and drove home.
Mindy was tired from getting up so early and ready for bed. Me, I was ready for one more beer. I didn't want to crack the jug of Bodhi, though, so instead I cracked open a Brew Kettle Winter Warmer and walked down to the neighbors who I could see were still up and at it. Josh & Rachel were over hanging with Chrissy & Kenny. I visited for about 45 minutes or until my beer was near gone. I headed home to find Mindy already sound asleep. I joined her in bed before 1130pm.
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