A Treat to Combat the Heat

 

 

Despite having the AC running for the past couple days, our room was still a tad warm, and as a result I didn't sleep all that well. Anymore, I view Tuesday's as an opportunity to sleep in a few extra minutes since I typically don't run until Bella is off to school. That was true this particular Tuesday as well.

I completed calisthenics then enjoyed coffee and internet. Oh, I took Mindy some coffee too. Logged into work right around 7am. Kept busy with work and pleasure for the next 45 minutes or so. Mindy left for work at her usual time of 730am. Around 745am I pulled myself away from my desk to meditate and stretch. Decided not to take and record my BP until after my run. I walked the dog in there somewhere too.

Once Bella was off to school I headed out for a run. It was plenty warm and muggy, already 72 degrees with 85% humidity. Even a short sleeved wicking shirt was uncomfortable. Felt like a thick, extra layer of skin. The afternoon high, by the way, was expected to approach but not touch 90. I ran the full 4.1 miles. No problems and felt good.

Back home near 9am, I whipped up some eggs and packed a lunch. Fixed Eiknarf up with an egg, too. And after checking and recording my BP it was off to the shower. Something like 135/86. :( I was ready to leave for work by 10am. On my way across town I stopped at deMonye's Greenhouse again. What a great way to start the week. There I bought a mixed flat of vinca and spikes - filler for pots and baskets. I picked up some New Guinea impatiens too. Interesting. They had a large sign up near the regular impatiens explaining that a disease has attacked the plant over the past couple summers - downy mildew. So that's what killed ours last year. Used to grow voraciously out front in the shade, but the last couple years they've performed quite poorly. And usually the nurseries have tables and tables of these lovelies but not this year. Decided to buy a flat of Wave petunias too, which I'll use for hanging baskets, pots and then perhaps still sinking a few in the ground. Wanting to please Mindy's eye, I went with lavender, a color I might not otherwise buy.

Arrived at the customer's office near 11am. As soon as I was set up, I met with one of the managers about some technical stuff. Good chat. Stayed to myself for the next 90 minutes or so before the 1pm meeting. That meeting went the full hour. Decided to take a lunch hour and made the relatively short drive further east to the New Albany Oakland Nursery that I found the week before. I really like it. There I bought more flowers. Lots of cool stuff!

Back at the office near 245pm, I kept busy until our weekly staff call at 415pm. The meeting was short, no longer than 10 minutes. I wrapped up everything I had going on all day and left for home around 450pm. Instead of calling Mindy, I called my mom instead. As soon as she picked up the phone she wished me happy Mother's Day. her way of letting me know that she didn't appreciate not hearing from me on Sunday. We talked for the entire drive home. Not once did she talk about her own aches, pains, etc. Instead, we talked about Ronald's issues - addicted to Percocet's. Sounds pretty hopeless to me. Noticed how gaunt he looked at his father's calling hours a couple weeks back. Let mom know that she should be receiving a card soon. In it I also placed a check for a very modest amount, enough to perhaps buy a flat or two of flowers.

At home Mindy asked why I didn't call. Explained that I spent the drive talking to my mom. She and Bella were soon off to gymnastics. Just before leaving, Bella warned that Mindy was grumpy. Thanks for the tip, Bella! Mindy asked that I keep an eye on the chicken she had under the broiler. We'd be having dinner once she was back from dropping off Bella.

I could hear the timer going off while I was carrying flowers from my car to the deck. I rushed in to turn off the broiler and remove the pan of chicken. Already getting a little well done, at least on the outside. Mindy was back lickity-split, but not before a little drama out front. A girl was jogging by with her baby in a jogging stroller. At the same time a baby raccoon was running in the street and eventually made its way under her stroller. She was freaking out and so was the baby raccoon. Caused quite a commotion. I ran out to see what I might do to help and just happened to have my camera in hand. About the same time two cars going opposing directions stopped. One guy got out and without pause went right for the baby raccoon picking it up and carrying it back to the storm drain where its mother and siblings were hiding out. We could hear all of them shrilling.

In the meantime, the other guy that stopped was over the top, insisting that the other guy who helped the baby raccoon back to its momma should go immediately to the hospital. We asked why? He wasn't bitten or scratched. He then asked if I would call animal control. No! Why bother. It's a baby raccoon.

Inside, dinner looked scrumptious: chicken, was good. Looked better than it was. The chicken breasts were more bone than meat.

We went together to pick-up the peanut. Inside the gym it was like a hot house, warm ,sticky and still - Ugh! Not sure why the large industrial fans weren't on, but I plugged in the one near the small bleachers where all the parents sit. One guy thanked me. Mindy was so sure that it was a good idea for me to do so, but no one complained. There maybe 10 minutes before practice wrapped up.

I asked about a stop at DQ. Mindy said no, Bella said yes. Smiling, I said that I then held the deciding vote. Last second I made the turn. We all three got chocolate dippped waffle cones, Mindy and Bella with vanilla ice cream, me with chocolate. We ate 'em inside. I wore my sun glasses since i was forced to sit facing the bright sun looming low in the western sky. Mindy grabbed Jacob a chocolate malt before we headed home.

Jacob was already home from soccer practice and happy Mindy brought home the malt. Not much going on. Watched a little bit of the Cosmos from bed.