Great day!

I love Saturdays when I don’t have to work. I get to set in front of the computer during my most productive time of day and write. Around seven AM I made myself spent a bit of time on the treadmill, and did some of the crunches I hate, then off to the shower. When I started to get dressed I found most of my clothes were a bit loose. I headed to the guest room closet and found something to wear from my previously too tight collection. Feeing pleased with myself, I headed out to the grocery, but somehow bypassed it and went to the Barnes and Nobel instead. I was strolling through the aisles, searching for books, and my lord, actually checking out the male population. I have had myself in housewife mode for far too long, but I think I remember how to flirt. Just like riding a bicycle, it’s all coming back to me. It’s sort of cool. You look at guys appreciatively and smile, and they look back and do the same. Magic, huh? I floated out of there with a few books, a new CD, and a quantum shift in attitude. The grocery was crowed with couples and women alone, so I got to the serious business of organic produce, wild salmon filets, and lump crabmeat on sale. I played my new CD way too loud on the drive home, windows down, because the hurricane’s aftermath has settled a wave of blessed coolness across our previously parched and scorching latitude. The sound system in my car is to die for, vibrating down my thighs and making the whole music experience semi-erotic.

I carried the three bags up the basement steps all at once, puffing only slightly at the load, still singing the music from the car. Mr. Gloom and Doom was up, pacing the kitchen with the news that we had no water. I was shocked to see him there so early, and then realized it was two o’clock. How long had I spent in that bookstore? I told him the power was off in a lot of areas and probably out at the pumping station for the community well, besides there was water, it was just coming out of the tap in a thin stream. I found him the number for the water company and put away the groceries. I was headed back to the computer when I realized I was a little hungry. Taking stock, I suddenly remembered that I had not eaten anything so far today. I was running strictly on caffeine and endorphins. I got a carton of luscious organic blackberry yogurt and started the electric kettle for a cup of tea. My British son in law got me hooked on the good stuff, with milk, no sugar, and I do enjoy it in the afternoon. I continued my earlier writing, but find myself bogged down in the story. I diverted to the damage that Peabody Coal Mine did to the pristine countryside of my native state and got on a rant. I sat down to read the books I purchased, The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson, and only pulled my head out of the book at seven with half of it already read. The water was back at full blast, so I ran the dishwasher, started the laundry, and decided I might need to have some food, although I still wasn’t hungry. I whipped up dinner and offered my husband a great piece of pan broiled wild salmon, stuffed with lump crab, on a salad loaded with fresh herbs and a fiery fruit salsa. He decided he would rather have frozen pizza. Pearls before swine, I thought, and called my son up for dinner.

Jason, my bright beautiful middle child, had spent the day getting ready for his date on Sunday. I am so excited for him. I actually introduced him to the 19-year-old daughter of a friend, a very shy, pretty little thing who is bringing out all of his protective instincts. The man is making her a picnic lunch and planning on taking her out to a park tomorrow! She had never been out on a date before last week when he took her to dinner and a movie, Japanese steak house and Snakes on a Plane. He asked my guidance on when to phone her again, then called his sister in London to ask the same. We both gave him identical advice, call the next day and thank her for a great evening, then suggest another get together later in the week. She is so very inexperienced and insecure, his relative lack of dating skills was not apparent to her. We chatted happily about his love life and I felt so blessed to have this precious time with my wonderful son.

So, life is good. Unfortunately, I spent the last hour reading the postings on my “family” blog and am very disappointed with myself for all the lies I told to protect the guilty. Man, I am so easy to deceive I can even fool myself. Do you hear the sound of the balls I have been juggling dropping to the ground? That’s all folks, the show is over. If I can’t say it straight, I’m just not going to say it anymore. Any questions? I didn’t think so.