Week 16

Today is another beautiful day. Last night I got home from work and convinced myself that an hour’s nap was appropriate after having gotten up so early that morning. I never work up. I slept 15 hours straight, which is a record even for me.

On Tuesday I had a stalker. The dish network guy who came to fix my dish on Monday (yes I cut the line in half while gardening) called me six times in a two hour period on Tuesday. I think he was drunk. I notified the sheriff’s office since he was really freaking me out and bought mace.

Aside from the dish network stalker, I live in Pleasantville. In my little cul-de-sac we have mostly young military families. We have a new baby and another one on the way. We are outside, playing with each others dogs, taking turns holding the baby and discussing the lawn. Together we hang signs and plant flags to welcome husband’s home from war. The older woman across the street brings cakes over to enjoy. This is how neighborhoods should be.

Week 18

Red-winged blackbirds balanced gracefully on the reeds along the lake. I come down the hill towards the water around the curves faster faster, little engine revving, wind blowing, hip-hop blaring. The car is covered in a fine dust of pollen and filled with many things of the day, paperwork, coffee-cups, used Tupperware and high heels high heels high heels. I hold a mug of hot tea that sloshes about as I bump along. Late late late again. I come to the first red light and hurriedly reach for my mascara. I have just enough time to finish the left eye. The right eye will have to wait.

Week 20 Revisited

Last week I had 7 tons of topsoil dumped in my front yard. Literally, 7 tons. The dump truck got stuck in my front lawn, so the driver and I hung out while we waited for the tow truck to pull him loose. Had the schmuck listened to me and rocked the truck like I told him he would have gotten out, but no. Men.

When the tow-truck driver, aka the boss who I had ordered the dirt from arrived, he laughed. I introduced myself and he said that based on our phone conversation he did not expect me to be holding a shovel. I told him that I called him from work where I were dress slacks and heels and that I spoke to him in my work voice, which is certainly not a shovel holding voice, but now I am at home wearing gym shoes and yes, holding a shovel. How else is the dirt going to get moved and the yard leveled?

After two and a half days of hard labor I succeeded in spreading the dirt around. Several times I filled my wheel-barrel too much and it fell over or the wheel went flat on me. That was very upsetting. Now that it is all done I am very proud of myself.

Week 19

North Carolina is being attacked by pollen. While I am not allergic, the gritty yellow that covers every inch of space and wafts through the air in clouds is uncomfortable. The 90 degree weather mandates open windows, yet the yellow dust prevents it.

The past week and a half has been filled with family and I am always particularly lonely when my house goes silent. First I miss Joe because he is clearly missing when the house is filled and lively. Then I miss Joe because I am alone.

Joe is becoming increasingly frustrated at work and I know that the time is wearing on both of us. The trees exploding in green tell me that the season has come for Joe to return and tugs at my heart, yet I know we have weeks and weeks ahead of us.