Punkt Rock ... and was Jesus Real?

I slept in until 650am fully intending to work from home. Downstairs Jacob had presumably just left for the bus stip. I completed calisthenics then delivered Mindy's coffee. Back downstairs I was enjoying coffee and internet when my blackberry rang. It was a customer needing my help. My head was still a little foggy and certainly not in work mode, but I did my best to listen and transition. Bottom line, my work day started earlier than I anticipated.

Mindy soon left for school but not before making sure that Bella was up and getting ready for school, too. I was on a conference call when bus time came around. I asked Bella if she was OK heading to the bus stop on her own. She was. She had Ms. Leahy's birthday present in tow.

I heard the bus pull up out front just as my call ended. I stepped out to see all the kids getting on the bus. I hollered down a hello to Chrissy and all the others so they knew I saw them. I headed back inside and back to work. Didn't get to leave for a run until almost 930am. By then I was more than ready. I still took the time to do a good stretch beforehand. No sense in selling myself short.

It was a lovely morning for a run - sunny and 57 degrees. I ran three miles. Felt a lot better after a run. I was ready to tackle whatever the day offered. Spent the rest of the morning working on the issue that started my morning. It was resolved around 1145am, and that's when I headed out to cut the lawn. Took just 30 minutes to do both the tractor and push - record time. With the two ash trees out back gone, that shaves at least 5 minutes of the total mowing time, maybe even more. Still wanted /needed to blow and fertilize. Didn't plan to trim and edge. Come autumn it's not necessary to do each week. I planned to take care of the rest later. I headed inside and back to work.

Worked for a couple more hours. I planned to knock off completely around 3pm so to keep my total weekly work hours somewhere close to 40. Just before Jacob arrived home I headed out again to fertilize then blow the clippings. That took 20-25 minutes combined. No more. Happy to have that done. That's it for the fertilization this mowing season.

Unfortunately, there were a couple more work issues begging my attention. I wouldn't exactly call them urgent but still necessary & important. As luck would have it, I ended up working until after 430pm. By then Mindy & Bella were home. The kids were busy packing their stuff for an overnight with their dad and his girlfriend at Fort Rapids, an indoor water park. They were excited, especially Bella.

Mindy and I planned to go to Barley's later that evening. Around 5pm I headed out back to water the newly sowed grass seed and then all the deck flowers. Still blooming and looking good considering that it's mid October. I'll take care of them until the first killing frost.

Jimaken and Molly showed up to get the kids around 530pm. Molly seemed reluctant to come in, but eventually did after Mindy greeted her warmly out front. I understand how she feels, but we've gone to great lengths to make her feel welcome and comfortable. Bella absolutely adores her. We just hope it all works out. Don't want Bella to be crushed.

As soon as the kids were gone Mindy asked what time we might be leaving for Barley's. I suggested near 6pm. She headed upstairs to change and freshen up while I played on my computer and listened to music. Didn't take me long to freshen up. I put on my ESMZ t-shirt. We left for Barley's around 610pm. Eiknarf was disappointed that we were leaving. I waved as we pulled away.

Arrived at Barley's about 10 minutes later. There were a couple up close spots coming free just as we entered. I was going to park in the back 40 but turned around and took one of the recently vacated spots up close. We grabbed two stools facing the entrance. I opted for Barley's new Punkt on the tower - a pumpkin imperial porter. Mindy had the same but from the firkin and with a kick of vanilla to boot. Good stuff!

A handful of peeps showed up. Always fun to be at Barley's on a Friday. Mindy's teacher pal, Kerianne and family showed up for dinner a bit later, too. My only thing was I wanted to hang at the bar since we didn't have kids. Mindy understood and was agreeable to that.

With those around me, I shared the article I read earlier that evening about a Bible scholar who's prepared to provide convincing evidence that Jesus never truly existed. Rather, he claims that Jesus is a fictitious character manufactured by Romans politicos who were fed up with zealot Jews who were constantly causing a stir as they eagerly awaited the arrival of their messiah. It was their way, he claims, of creating a competing religion that preached peace rather than violence. He was simply a political tool used to keep the people in check. Very interesting premise.

Through the evening I enjoyed three beers, a Punkt, a Centennial, and lastly a Creeper, that quite frankly I was surprised was still available on tap. The only thing I ate was a few bites of Mindy's corn chowder, which was absolutely delicious! Former bartender April stopped in shortly before we left for home. I only recently learned that she quit and started a new job. Can't recall what she's doing. We left for home around 930pm.

At home, Mindy asked if I wanted to walk over and visit the Shultz's. I did, but wanted to eat something first. By then I was near starving. I whipped up a wrap using what was left for the rotisserie chicken. Man, was it good! By the time I finished my wrap, Mindy changed her mind about going to the neighbors. Instead, she was ready for bed. She headed up around 10pm. I stayed up a while longer watching TV. Once the food settled in my stomach I got sleepy, too, and headed up to bed. Eiknarf followed.