Music in the Fountain

I slept in until almost 7am and woke not feeling too well. I’m thinking it was that popcorn before bed. Ugh! I gave serious consideration to bagging calisthenics but ultimately did the right thing and cranked them out including the 50 push-ups.

It was mostly sunny and warm, already somewhere close to 70 degrees. Expecting a nice summery day, too, but with rain in the forecast for the weekend. I headed out on a run just ahead of 8am. Like most Friday’s, I ran only 3 miles.

Mindy was up fairly early in order to get things ready for her party which was set to begin around 11am and then end around 1pm. She enlisted the help of Jacob and Bella, Jacob for the muscle, Bella for kitchen help. I stayed busy with work while she made the kitchen, family room, and deck party ready. She was nervous, I could tell. The entire reason for the party was to meet the new principal. And in case you’re wondering why our house, a couple teacher pals who put it together asked that Mindy host it at our home in lieu of using a local park.

I joined two calls between 930 and 1030am. I planned on taking yet another online course shortly thereafter. I decided to wait until Mindy’s gathering started. That way I could do the meet and greet thing. I didn’t bother taking a shower, though I did throw on a t-shirt rather than sit around working barebacked. I didn’t think Mindy would appreciate me looking so slobby.

Her new principal, Marge was the first guest to arrive. Mindy handles those uncomfortable moments so well. The ice was broken almost instantly, and they struck up conversation right away. A couple minutes into their conversation I set work aside and walked in the kitchen to greet Marge. We joked a little about being crazy but then it was right back to work for me. Soon many of Mindy’s teacher pals were at the house, and many that I hadn’t previously met. I couldn’t help but notice how young a handful of them appeared – no doubt 20 somethings – cute too. That hasn’t always been the case.

I soon got busy with my online class which took longer than I expected. I’ll bet I spent the next 2+ hours focused on the training, which requires testing throughout and then a real test at the end. I took a couple quick breaks to meet a few more teachers and then also to grab a plate or two of the yummy food the teachers brought. There was quite the spread laid out. Lots of salads and lots of desserts. And having not eaten any breakfast, I was starving. I made a pig of myself with this meatless taco salad. It was crazy good! I ate a few chocolate chip cookies too.

Near 115pm, after the training class was completed, I took a much deserved lunch break, heading out to mow the lawn even though Mindy’s shindig was still going on. Hey, I always try to cut the lawn on Friday’s at lunch. We already had our vehicles at the curb so I was able to go right to work. Before any mowing, I did all the trimming and edging, which is the hottest, itchiest part. The tractor was next, cutting about 90% of the lawn. By the time I finished with the tractor cutting, all but one of Mindy’s teacher pals were gone. Kerri was the only one still there along with her two boys, Garret and Boyd.

Just as I was starting to push mow, Mindy came out asking if I would give Boyd a ride on my tractor once I was finished. Of course! It didn’t take me long at all to finish the push mowing and then blowing the clipping away. I asked Boyd if he wanted to ride on the tractor or in the cart/trailer. He wisely opted for the cart. Of course I can’t attach the cart without drawing all the little kids. His older brother, Garrett wanted to go for a ride too, as did Bella and Makayla. No problem. I took them around the block and through the islands back yards. They loved it!

By the time I finished all the lawn chores it was close to 245pm. I headed back inside and to my desk to finish out my work day. It wasn’t until almost 515pm when I put work aside and headed up for a much needed shower. That was about the same time Jimaken stopped by to pick-up the kids for the weekend. It would be our first full weekend without the kids in a while. I think we’ve had only two of those all summer.

Mindy and I were eager for a kidless weekend. We planned to visit Milestone 229 that evening, taking in their outdoor patio and the live music at Bicentennial Park,. As for Saturday, weather permitting, Mindy suggested we bike the new hilltop connector to the Scioto Trail (Valleyview to Bicentennial Park). She originally suggested Yellow Springs, but agreed when I shared that we really needed to make use of our summer toys (boat, bikes, and kayaks). We can do Yellow Springs once the boat is out of season. To date, we hadn’t even gotten our bikes down from the garage ceiling.

We wasted little time heading off to 229. We figured parking and seating would be a challenge given the free concert at the adjoining park. No nearby meter parking, so Mindy suggested we suck it up and park in the pay lot directly across the street. It’s usually only $3 but because it was a weekend and an event, it was now $10. We parked there anyway.

The water fountains were in full use. Lots and lots of small kids screaming in utter joy. We opted to walk around the park before heading into 229 looking for the Keebler elf door in a park tree (supposedly four in the city parks and one in Bicentennial Park). We looked at most of the trees but didn’t find it. Into 229 where we first scoped out outdoor bar seating but there was none. Instead, we asked for an outdoor table and our peep Stacy took care of us, setting us up at the patios edge with the fountains and stage in direct view.

We came prepared – both of us wearing sun glasses. Our server’s name was Alana. Guessed his ethnicity from Central America. Nice kid. He reviewed all the drafts available to which I selected the White Rajah. Mindy went with CBC Bodhi’s little brother, Dalton. It’s the summer version and only 4.5% abv. I gave it a taste. Yum!

While enjoying our beers we people watched – those playing in the fountains. And while the fountain was a big hit, the grassy field between the fountains and stage was filling quickly with folks too. Lot of camp chairs and blankets. A local band, Mojo Flo was slated to take the stage at 730pm playing lots of Mowtown hits.

We eventually ordered a pizza as an appetizer, their Crispy Pig: pork belly, bacon, provolone, white sauce, and lettuce. It was unusual but good. A bit later Mindy ordered their pretzel bread. At roughly the same time I ordered us both another beer. As promised, the band kicked into action near 730pm. Shortly thereafter I ordered Mindy a 3rd Dalton. I was drinking slower than usual thus had only the one.

Never intending to stay out too late, during the band’s first break, we opted to head for home. On our way back to our car, I happened upon an old pal and co-worker, Dagayla. Hadn't seen her for at least 10 years. She was taking in the music at the park by her lonesome, well, with her tiny dog. We hugged and chatted. Now works for Nationwide.

 At home, the island was beyond quiet with two of our four neighbors off to Florida for vacation. Across the pond neighbors, Pat & Lisa were gone too. They were in Chicago. I enjoyed another beer before we called it a night.