Pink Pampas

I woke near 6am to a bedroom already full of daylight. As such, I could see dim blue skies out the half-moon window. And the fact that the sky was clear helped motivate me out of bed. Downstairs the coffee had already brewed, so after slipping into my house shoes I completed calisthenics which included sit-ups, windmills, and push-ups. My arms, wrist and hands all a tad stiff after so much activity over the past few weeks, but nothing to be concerned about.

It was 620am when I headed upstairs to wake Mindy with coffee. Downstairs in front of my PC with coffee a few minutes later. I spent no more than 10-15 minutes online before moving on to meditation, stretching, and a run. My preference would’ve been to wait, but I wanted to be at the office by 9am. And to make that happen I knew I needed to leave for a run by 7am.

Jacob was out the door by 650am. I was out the door for my run less than 10 minutes later. Knowing she’d be gone upon my return, I headed upstairs to bid Mindy farewell. It was chilly, clear and sunny, the temperature in the mid 40’s. I ran the full 4.1 miles and felt good and strong throughout. For the last couple months since the end of ski season, I’ve noticed my legs, namely my hamstrings tired at the halfway point. That wasn’t so much the case Monday. Perhaps we’re moving beyond it. I finished my run strong. Felt good as home was once again in my sights.

After catching a few breaths from the foot of the driveway I headed inside to leash up the pug. I glanced at the clock. It was 738am. She and I headed out and across the street but avoiding the side yard of the woman who scolded me on Friday for allowing Eiknarf to walk in her yard. However, in case she was peering out her windows, I kept an exaggerated smile about my face the entire time. As we all know, sometimes happy irritates the angry. 

Back home I zapped my eggs for a few seconds and put my toast back in the toaster for a minute or so. I enjoyed my breakfast then headed upstairs to get a shower. Bella passed me on her way out, gave me a hug and told me she loved me. How sweet! I heard the bus whiz by while I was flossing my teeth. In and out of the shower by 820am. Enjoyed another quick cup of coffee while also packing a lunch. Was out the door for the office by 845am.

Nice day, nice drive into the office. Parking lot was as full as it’s been in more than 10 years. Had to park far removed from the building’s entrance. Not to mind, it was a pleasurable walk through the lot. Took a little time to get settled, first day back in the office since the Monday prior. Soon engaged in preparing a presentation. Worked on that through about 1245pm when I left for a Home Depot/Lowes run.

Looking at ornamental grasses, I stopped at Home Depot first, but they had a miniscule selection. Again, it’s almost like they’re not trying to compete for the nursery business this year. I know that other local Home Depots have a far more reaching inventory. Onto Lowes. Lowes had a far better selection, but even they didn’t have as much as they have years past. I need to replace our tall pampas grass, yet another casualty of this year’s winter.

I never paid too much attention to the hardiness zone of the ornamental grasses in the past. Just assumed most of it fit for our zone, but most of the ornamental grasses are rated for zone 5 and below. We reside in zone 6, but our recent winter was more like a zone 4. Moreover, I noticed that most of the pampas grass was rated for zone 7. I went ahead and bought two small containers of pink pampas, which if they survive our winters will grow to 12’, which is similar to our old stuff. The difference being this stuff has pink flower heads versus brown. We’ll see how it turns out. Back to work.

I spent the afternoon on my monthly report and then a team call. Headed for home around 440pm. It was lovely, sunny and 71 degrees. Nice drive home. Got sleepy on the short drive home. All of the sudden felt as though I needed a nap. Greeted Mindy, who quickly shared that my dad would be joining us for dinner. The plan was to grill steaks. She also shared that there was plenty of time for me to get a quick nap. Great!

After putting away all of my work stuff I kicked back in one of the two living room recliners for a nap. But knowing that nothing puts me to sleep like reading, I grabbed my Kindle too. I started reading my latest book for the sole purpose of dosing off. Bam, out like a light. Slept for 10 minutes tops, but it was a very effective nap. I heard Mindy whispering my name, presumably to come grill the steaks, which is something I agreed to upfront.

I was slow getting to the kitchen and still a little groggy. Mindy must’ve given up hope of me living up to my end of the bargain and was out on the deck with the grill fired up and the steaks ready to grill. I took over so she could finish inside. While grilling the steaks I gave myself a little self-love by admiring my landscaping. 

Dad showed up a few minutes into the grilling. He joined me outdoors soon after. We chatted while the steaks grilled. Two of the four were really thick –about 2.5” thick. Took the two thinner steaks (though still nice and thick by most standards) off the grill 5 minutes before the other two. Steaks looked very appealing. And from my perspective at least, cooked to perfection.

Mindy dished up everybody’s plate. I often eat only half a steak, but holy smoke, she gave me less that even Bella! I didn’t complain, but a couple minutes later got up and cut myself a bit more. Along with the yummy steaks, we had baked potatoes, green beans, macaroni & cheese, salad and rolls. All really good.

As we wrapped up dinner Mindy shared that she and Jacob were running off to the Flower Factory where she hoped to find a couple retirement gifts. Jacob, I learned, was on Mindy ot take him shoe shopping. His recent obsession with expensive tennis shoes is annoying to me, never mind the fact that he’d offered to buy the with his own money. I think it’s a wasteful use of his resources. After all, since Xmas, he’s got no less than three other new pairs. At fourteen, I think it’s important for a kid to be a good steward with their money – save some, spend some. Buy somebody a gift - mom, dad, etc.

After Mindy left, Bella headed off to her room while Dad and I sat around chit chatting. I shared how helpful Bella’s been around the house with the annual landscaping, including learning how to operate the tractor, mulching, and planting. I also shared that she was eager to help in the basement too. I went to the basement to fetch one of the can light fixtures so he could see what we were installing. And shortly before he left for home, I shared our plan to have a concrete walk poured this summer. It was 750pm when dad decided to head for home. I walked out with him. Before he pulled away he glanced at the service walk dilemma the concrete guy presented, basically that it would appear raised on one side to keep it level with the existing garage side-access door pad. He recommended the possibility of having the existing pad wrecked out and re-poured only a bit lower. I don’t see it being much of an issue, however. And once we looked at the area in question against the natural slope of the yard I think dad agreed.

Mindy and Jacob were gone until at least 830pm, maybe even later. When they got home I was busy reading in the living room. I took my BP in there somewhere too. It was something like 134/78, which after tracking it for the past 10 days or so that seems to be the about average.

Not only did Mindy find a couple neat retirement gifts for her teacher pal, she also picked up a few things for out deck including 3 colorful pinwheels. Nice! I read until about 930pm then abruptly declared it time for bed. I was tired and eager for a good night’s rest.