Mt Carmel Coloring

 

 

Up just after 6am, I was quickly downstairs prepping morning coffee. Outside, it was clear and cool, only 59 degrees. Quite pleasant, really. I exercised then logged onto work via laptop. Double checked my calendar to see what calls and meetings I needed to join later. If my calendar was any kind of indicator, it was going to be a rather easy work day.

I enjoyed coffee, played on the internet, did a little work, and even spent a few minutes enjoying the morning sunshine from the deck before breaking away for meditation, a stretch, and finally a run. Took off on a run at 805am and ran the usual 4.1 miles. Nice run. Ideal summer morning.

Back at the house near 845am, poured another cup of coffee then walked the pug, who Mindy had just recently freed from our room. Mindy wasn't up until sometime after 9am. She poured coffee and headed immediately out on the deck. I joined her for a few minutes but needed to head back inside and get back to work.

Mindy had plans to run Father's Day errands that afternoon. I stayed busy with work all morning, but headed out to cut the lawn around 1230pm. It was quite beautiful, sunny and 73 degrees. While mowing the front lawn, Mindy headed off to run errands. I finished the mowing in about an hour then headed back inside to finish off my work day. I joined a conference call at 2pm which lasted about an hour. Mindy came in while I was on the call. She greeted me loudly not realizing I was on the phone using my bluetooth headset. By the time the call ended she was gone again. Headed off for yet another shopping spree.

I was attempting to wrap up my work day around 330pm when friend Ben stopped by for a brief visit. Actually, just before Ben walked up, a fat kid selling cleaning supplies was at the door. I had to shoo him away. Ben said he was in the neighborhood so he decided to stop by, Brought his laptop. Thought we might exchange some music. I appreciated the visit but needed to finish out my work day. He stayed for about 15 minutes.

After Ben departed, I finished off my work day by taking care of a few administrative tasks. Wrapped up around 420pm then headed out to put the finishing touches on the yard work. I trimmed, edged then blew. The lawn looked fabulous when I finished. It always feels good to get all the lawn work done on Friday versus having to squeeze it in over the weekend. I headed in for a much needed shower.

By the time Mindy got home, I was showered and dressed. We planned to visit Dad in the hospital again and then go to dinner. I suggested Barley's, but Mindy was pretty adamant that we go to CBC. I figured she'd say that and really didn't mind. We walked the pug together before leaving the house for Mt. Carmel around 6pm. Didn't take too long to get there, though we missed the West Broad exit off 70E busy talking. Had to take 315N then exit at Town St. Actually, that might be faster. Pretty much dumps you out within two blocks of the hospital. We parked in the same garage I parked in the day before and entered through the emergency room entrance again too.

We knew dad was moved out of the ICU until but didn't have the room number. We walked to the front desk to ask. When I gave his name I told it was Glenn O. Wright. Told 'em the O stood for ostrich. :) They laughed and quickly guided us to his room on floor 5, I believe.

Dad seemed caught off guard a little by our impromptu visit, but quickly warmed to our presence. Shortly after we arrived so did Uncle Kenny. We learned he was in the neighborhood attending a funeral for a longtime friend. He was quite chatty reminiscing about old times with his deceased pal. We'd been there for about 30 minutes when Tom and Charles showed up.

We stuck around for another 30 minutes or so. During that time a nurse stopped in to remove these large sticky pads fixated to dad's chest. Their removal become the source of some serious humor for everyone present. The nurse played along too. Mindy & I left shortly after Uncle Kenny. It sounded like Tom Charles were leaving soon too. They were heading to the Funny Bone. And if all went well, dad was set for release Saturday morning.

Mindy & left the hospital and made the short drive over the river and then south to CBC. We got one of the three up front parking spots. There was a decent crowd but not full. We took two stools at the corner of the bar next to Bruce, guy we often see both at CBC and Barley's. Kate & Vince were working the bar. Vince brought us two Bodhi's.

Struck up a conversation with Bruce. From looks alone, you might think that Bruce is homeless - wild unkempt hair, as well as an untamed beard and frumpy clothes. To paraphrase Bruce, he's just a hillbilly. However, one would be foolish to stop there. Bruce is a retired college physics professor and a whole lot of fun to talk with. He does, however, have a strong West Virginian bent about him. We enjoyed his stories. Not so surprising, he and Mindy seemed to share a common belief about educators.

Bruce left about an hour before us. Vince asked if he was bothering us. Not at all. Mindy eventually ordered dinner, the tuna special. I skipped dinner but did partake in half the risotto balls and bread. I even stole a bite of tuna while Mindy ran to the restroom. The owner, Doug was in with family and friends celebrating his wife's retirement. We introduced ourselves to his wife, who's also Jennifer's mother (can't recall her name). She seems really nice. A little later, we talked with Doug. He invited us to his family 4th of July celebration.

We left for home around 930-940pm. Just before we left, Mindy made a Father's Day brunch reservation for 1130am. Arrived home near 10pm, but we weren't done partying just yet. Instead, we grabbed a beer and walked over to visit Pat & Lisa who's deck lights we could see were still illuminated from our own yard (lights on means they're up and partying).

Pat & Lisa were sitting quietly enjoying each other's company but preparing to head to the airport to pick-up Alena who spent the last week or so in Arizona with her paternal grandparents. We hung out long enough to enjoy one beer together (one rum rink in Lisa's case). Pat shared bits and pieces from his long term battle with his immediate neighbor. Pat & Lisa needed to bolt for the airport. Mindy and I headed for home and to bed.