Hammer & Holler

I slept in until almost 6am but not before waking near 4am to what sounded like someone hammering on something and then hollering at a dog. It woke Mindy, too. She finally got up and closed our bedroom window. That helped. Downstairs I quickly completed calisthenics (sit-ups, windmills, and push-ups) then poured some much needed coffee. I glanced out sidelite of the front door and noticed what appeared to be a huge old woman sitting on the neighbor's front steps across the street rocking and praying. Suddenly it hit me, perhaps it was her that was making all that racket. It was still just before dawn so it was difficult to see. I wasn't quite sure what was up.

Add to all of that, a police helicopter was circling nearby. I could hear the unmistakable sound of its blades cutting the air. Morning drama! I woke Mindy and shared what I saw out the window. Back downstairs, I carried on with my morning routine meditating then stretching.

Dressed for a run and headed out the door about the same time Jacob headed out to catch his school bus - just before 7am. That woman was still on the front porch of the neighbors but now had a host of folks gathered around her. At the same time the recycling truck came by and when he saw the commotion on the neighbors porch, he immediately jumped from his truck to see if he could help. I was very impressed. However, they must've dismissed his help because he was back in his truck just seconds later.

I did my 4.1 mile run under partly cloudy skies and seasonably warm temps. Mindy was gone by the time I made it home from my run. With dad's trailer still attached to the Pilot, Mindy took the Accord again. Inside, I leashed up the pug then headed out for our walk. Back at the house near 750am, I fried three eggs. Just like that, it was time to head to the bus stop.

Met Chrissy and Makayla as well as the new family. Chrissy said she was sick. She looked and sounded awful. I sent her back home and agreed to see Makayla off to school along with Bella.

My plan was to drop dad’s trailer at his house on my way into work. By the time I showered, dressed, and loaded my gear to leave, it was near 9am. Dad was up and outside with Archie. I’m guessing about ready to head to breakfast. I gave Archie a treat in an effort to strengthen our relationship. 

Chatted briefly with dad, him showing me some of the yard work he’s completed over the past few days. And when I suggested coming by to borrow the trailer again over the coming weekend, he shared that he would use it to clean-up yard debris sometime during the week. It was already 920a. I needed to head off to work.

I back tracked to Wilson and Trabue preferring to take 270 in. It was cloudy and spitting rain when I arrived at the office. A decent chance of rain throughout the day, but also expecting brief periods of sunshine. I spent a large portion of my day working on monthly reports. Joined a regular team call at 11am.

Left for lunch around 1230pm stopping first at Target where I picked up a couple Mother’s Day cards for Mindy along with some more almonds and a black storage box for all of our printer paper. Leaving there I headed next door to Home Depot to briefly checkout their plant offerings. Quickly unimpressed, I left for Lowes, which is another ½ mile down the road.

At Lowes I picked out 6 mini-hibiscus just like we bought last year from Strader’s. The only difference was price. They were and still are $20 at Strader’s but only $7 at Lowes. Friends, that’s quite a deal. I grabbed three red spikes and two giant bags of potting soil. It started spitting rain again while I loaded my plants into the Pilot. I helped an older gentleman parked next to me that dropped his plastic tarp. Back to work.

Stayed busy all afternoon. Each Monday I have a customer team call that starts at 5pm. I thought about heading home early and taking the call from there, or simply participating from my car. However, that didn’t happen. I ended up joining from the office. I warmed Mindy so she wouldn’t be expecting me any sooner. Most of the call participants are either in Chicago or Texas, which is in the central time zone. Not the end of the day for them. Unlike last week’s call, this one was quick. We were done by 520pm. I quickly wrapped up my day and headed for home.

Talked with Mindy. She shared that my dad was coming for dinner. I didn’t confirm, but we talked earlier about her making tacos. Dad pulled up just seconds before me, and waited for me to walk in. I greeted dad and Mindy and then went out to unload the plants from the back of the Pilot.

The first 5 minutes at home has always been tough for me. I think it’s the transition. Turning off work mode and turning on family time. Always feeling a little on edge. Dinner was soon ready. As expected, tacos, which I was thrilled with. They’re always one of my faves. Mindy put dad’s burrito together. I did my own. It was big and delicious. I ended up having just the one along with a side of Mexican rice.

During dinner I told dad about my latest mower repair issues. He can easily relate. We joked about it not starting my next time mowing, which incidentally would likely be Tuesday or Wednesday. The grass is growing really fast this time of year. He also shared that he hasn’t been spending a lot of time at the casinos and hasn’t for a while either. Said his next losing day would be putting him back to even – square one so to speak. I reminded him of what he already knows, they’re a business and businesses stay in business only by making money, not giving it away.

He also shared that he’s having some issues with osteoarthritis in his back, and then explained the difference between it and the more familiar rheumatoid arthritis. He asked about mom, too. Shared that we met her for lunch a couple weekends back. Mindy broke out her mom’s fudge along with leftover birthday brownies. A bit more weight conscientious, I didn’t have either. Dad and Mindy had the last two pieces of fudge. The kids made a serious dent in the plate before heading out to play. Dad left for home near 7pm. I soon headed upstairs to change into my PJs. I used the blue sunburn lotion with lidocaine. Felt excellent.

I could already tell it was going to be an early night for me. I was really tired. I headed up to bed even before 9pm, but I did turn on the TV. Can’t recall what I watched. Mindy soon joined me. It must’ve been around 910pm. She was tired too after waking multiple times the night before with that commotion at the neighbor’s house.