Waters from Wateree

Up and downstairs by 630am, I promptly started a pot of coffee then completed Thursday calisthenics. It looked like a gorgeous day in the offing - clear skies and a high near 80. Enjoyed coffee until 715am and then did meditation, a stretch, then dressed for a run. Out the door around 740am. Ran 4.1 miles with no trouble.

Figured I would drive the BM’er. Couldn’t think of one good reason not to. Made the usual breakfast – fried eggs, reheated grits, fresh fruit and toast. Off to the shower near 840am. Took Mindy a cup of coffee. Showered, dressed and ready to leave near 910a. David sent a text near 9am letting me know that he and Anita were on the road. I sent a quick acknowledgement also asking if there were wants/needs food/drink-wise.

Before leaving for work I pulled the Accord to the curb then drug the tarp of dirt down the drive several feet to allow for backing out the BM’er. Lovely drive in. Arrived at the office around 935am. Didn’t plan on taking lunch and stayed busy all day long. David kept me posted on their I-77 whereabouts periodically throughout the day.

Sometime near 3pm David sent a text sharing that they botched their I-77 exit to 33W. Instead of taking ##w they took the exit for 33E which comes about 5 miles before 33W. Sounded as though they were happily taking the scenic route to Rt. 33W along the Ohio River.

I left the office for home around 430pm fully expecting to log into work from home. I stopped at the post office to mail a 2013 tax package to the city tax department. Happily there was next to no line. In and out in the matter of about 5 minutes. Arrived home by 5pm. As expected, Mindy and the kids weren’t there. They were at a dental appointment and then dropping Jacob off at soccer practice on the way home.

Thinking Mindy and Bella were home by 530pm. Guessed David and Anita’s arrival near 615pm. Ahead of their arrival Mindy whipped up snacks while I watered flowers. They really needed it. Suddenly and for the first time really all summer we were in grips of a dry spell. Hadn’t rained for 5 days straight and there wasn’t any to speak of in the forecast until the following Monday, either.

David & Anita arrived closer to 6p instead of 615p. I was in the middle of reviewing important pension documentation. Mindy headed out to greet our guests while I finished reading the pertinent data. I set the document aside and headed out to greet our guests and help carry in their gear.

David was fired up. Wanted a beer before anything else. Apparently the I-77/Rt. 33 mishap got under his skin more than I had imagined.  We had tentative plans to do dinner at Barley’s, but sat around the house for about an hour or so before we agreed to head out. Jimaken was picking Jacob up from soccer so the plan was simply for us to bring home his dinner.

Even though the lot was only about half attended, I still parked in the back forty. Habit, I guess. Fairly promptly, we were seated in the booth in the SW corner of the front restaurant bar area. Chelsea was our server. David ordered a St. Nick’s (still some left from Xmas in July). Mindy went with a Dogfish 60 minute IPA and I went with a Pale ale. And I’m pretty sure that Anita went with a soft drink, as did Bella.

We shared a basket of fries before ordering food. The St Nick’s David ordered was served in a small brandy sniffer. Couldn’t have been more than 10 ozs. He ordered a 2nd when we ordered dinner. David and I went with burgers while Mindy ordered a quesadilla. Not sure what Anita went with with. Bella ordered a kiddie burger.

I ordered a 2nd beer mid-way through dinner, this time a ZIPA. It was delicious. Mindy switched over to water after finishing her beer. I picked up the check, though David handed Chelsea a $20 bill. I tipped her well, too. She did a very good job. Headed for home around 845pm.

Jacob was home and eagerly awaiting his dinner, the usual, chicken tenders with buffalo sauce, gates on the side. While Jacob attacked his dinner, David and I relaxed on the deck spending, I don’t know, maybe 20-30 minutes out there. None of us were up for any heavy partying. I had to work in the morning and David and Anita were exhausted from their 500 mile drive. Thinking we secured the home and headed for bed near 10pm.