So this morning I was sitting on the back porch, reading blogs and so forth and Mr. Moon was in town and it was raining a little and suddenly I heard a cracking noise.
Now. I know what that is. I've lived here long enough. It is the sound of a tree letting go a part of itself. The question always is- how big a part, and also- where is it going to land?
I heard another crack.
"That doesn't sound too big," I thought.
And then came the "whoosh" of leaves falling through other leaves and then a thud and a bounce as a pretty durn big limb detached itself from a Bradford pear tree right beside the back porch. Some of the smaller limbs attached to the main limb even landed on the porch steps.
We're talking maybe ten feet away from where I was sitting.
Ooh boy.
Ooh boy.
I went out to check the damage and miraculously, it did not take down the wisteria arbor or even the ferns I have hanging on it. It did not smash the air conditioner which is about the same distance away from it as I was. It did no damage at all except to flatten my beautiful ginger that I have growing in a pot that was on the steps. Hopefully, it will pop back up. I've moved it and the sprouts do not look broken, just bent. We shall see.
We were incredibly lucky.
We were incredibly lucky.
So that's how the day started out.
I have gotten some things done. I got my suitcase down and started rolling up my dresses and putting them in there. I picked up yet another dress I'd ordered off of eBay from the post office. I swear- this will be the last dress I get this summer.
Unless I see another one I really like, of course.
Unless I see another one I really like, of course.
I took library books back and did a quick Costco trip, mainly for liquor because it's expensive in North Carolina. I got some gin for Jessie and Vergil and some Tito's for us and a bottle of something I'm not going to name because it's for someone that Jessie is going to give it to and although I doubt she reads my blog, on the off chance that she reads today, I don't want to ruin the surprise. If it is a surprise. I also got Mark some frozen pizzas for him to make easy meals of.
And then I went to Publix where I got more easy-meal stuff to leave and cherries and grapes for us to take on our trip. Now let me stop here for a second. Something has happened to my taste buds when it comes to grapes. I just can't stand them anymore. Have any of y'all experienced something like that?
I got Mr. Moon's favorite pita chips and I got some rice cakes because as you know, one must snack on the road. It is imperative. I'd rather eat Cheez Its and potato chips than rice cakes because I'm a human being but I'm already round enough. I bought laundry detergent so that there will be plenty for Mark and Rachel and Hank to do laundry if they want. I got two boxes of animal crackers to take to the boys because I had to.
I asked Jessie to please ask the guys what they would like Mer to bring from her house.
Levon said, "The TV" and August asked for the game "Life".
Probably neither are going to get their wish. My version of Life is so old and it drives me crazy because of how long it takes to set up although that very fact pleases Mr. Engineer, Jr.
I got Mr. Moon's favorite pita chips and I got some rice cakes because as you know, one must snack on the road. It is imperative. I'd rather eat Cheez Its and potato chips than rice cakes because I'm a human being but I'm already round enough. I bought laundry detergent so that there will be plenty for Mark and Rachel and Hank to do laundry if they want. I got two boxes of animal crackers to take to the boys because I had to.
I asked Jessie to please ask the guys what they would like Mer to bring from her house.
Levon said, "The TV" and August asked for the game "Life".
Probably neither are going to get their wish. My version of Life is so old and it drives me crazy because of how long it takes to set up although that very fact pleases Mr. Engineer, Jr.
Then I came home and sorted everything out, putting things we're taking in two different bags. One for when we get there and one for in the car. There will be so much more packed tomorrow.
I started a focaccia and sliced tomatoes and they are salted and resting, draining, between two dish towels on the counter to go on the focaccia. Then I did some more laundry and a lot more ironing.
And I am tired. Just pure-T tired.
I did pick out a book to read to Mr. Moon on the road. I think we're going to go with Mark Childress' book, Crazy in Alabama which I read a very long time ago and enjoyed. They made a movie of it with Melanie Griffith in it in 1999 and I think it did well. The other book I was considering is Tara Westover's Educated which is an amazing book but a bit heavy for a road trip. My husband would probably rather listen to a book about a woman who has her husband's head in a Tupperware lettuce keeper than a book about child abuse, child sexual abuse, and many other horrific things in that vein. Crazy in Alabama does involve domestic abuse and racism in the south so it's not all fun murders and the startling ability of Tupperware to preserve a human head.
But anyway, that little but very important detail has been taken care of.
Time to go figure out whether I want to put mozzarella on the focaccia or just serve it topped with a nice green salad with vinaigrette dressing and goat cheese.
I'm thinking goat cheese.
Love y'all dearly...Ms. Moon
What a wonderful trip you will have. Heck, I might just keep on up the costal route. When you finish the book, visit a library and exchange it for another.
ReplyDeleteI doubt I'll finish the book before we get back. I think we're going to have fun.
DeleteBon Voyage to you and Mr Moon and happy trails!
ReplyDeleteSusan M
Thank you, Susan!
DeleteAs much as you like audio books I am surprised you are not listening to one on your trip. Reading in a moving car is sure to make me carsick. We listened to one about walking the Appalachian Trail that kept us interested. In any case, have a safe trip.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE to read out loud. It is one of my favorite things.
DeleteWe will be as safe as possible!
Oh, lord, I'm glad that tree branch didn't fall on your house!
ReplyDeleteYou sure are packing a lot of stuff. How long will you be gone? Oh well, it will all work out and be great fun.
We'll be gone a week. But I'll be cooking quite a few meals, I'm sure. I'm really not taking THAT much. Hopefully.
DeleteThis looks like a major move. But I guess kitchen stuff accounts for quite a bit of it. That was a lucky miss with the tree. Last minute chainsaw work before you leave?
ReplyDeleteYou got it- Glen spent all morning chainsawing and loading branches in the truck. Yes. Kitchen stuff. Things I can't live without, or at least that I don't think I can live without.
DeleteYikes - a near miss indeed! That was some excitement you didn't really need today. Lordy, you accomplished a lot!
ReplyDeleteI didn't have time to comment yesterday, so for the record: BEST EVER VIDEO! Pearls Before Swine - the understanderer almost made me cry. We so badly need this. And lastly, not that you need to know this just before your depart, but did you know that sweet potato leaves are edible? Treat them like any other greens. Our Vietnamese neighbor taught us that.
Have a super trip, and give those grandboys a big hug from all of us!
Chris from Boise
I think that video is hysterical.
DeleteAnd wasn't that comic strip just perfect?
I did know that about sweet potato vines but have not taken the time to ever really learn to cook with them. I need to do that.
I will be hugging those boys as much as they'll let me.
Life is never dull Chez Moon. I am glad you went with the goat's cheese.
ReplyDeleteI never get bored here. But I'm pretty easily amused.
DeleteI discovered I'd bought honey goat cheese so forget that! I used feta. Delicious!
I'd be topping that foccacia with ham and mozzarella then grilling it to melt the cheese. I can't read out loud without falling asleep, yet I can read silently to myself for hours at a time.
ReplyDeleteI get sleepy reading out loud sometimes too. Especially to the children! Every night I read to myself as long as I can stay awake.
DeleteHave a wonderful trip Ms Moon, and so glad you made it out of the way of that tree!
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit alarming for a second there.
DeleteHow unkind of you - not taking your television set up to North Carolina as requested by Levon. He will be heartbroken!
ReplyDeleteHe will have to make do with the TV in the rental house. Poor child.
DeleteGood to know, you can store a human head in tupperware, a large piece of tupperware, one would assume:)
ReplyDeleteHappy trails.
I think a lot of poetic license was taken in this book.
DeleteWell, you've been talking about removing those Bradford pears for a while, so now you have even more incentive to do so! Good thing that limb fell the way it did. Whew!
ReplyDeleteThe Game of Life was never a favorite of mine, even as a kid. It seemed so boring. Getting married, having kids, buying insurance. Is this all there is?!
Also, I'm wondering if the Crazy in Alabama woman has her husband's head on the spike inside the Tupperware lettuce keeper, or did she take the spike part out?
DeleteI don't recall the spike part. I'll let you know when we get to that section of the book. I think she took it out.
DeleteAugust just loves those tiny cars and houses and things. His mind runs in that direction and at his age, the idea of getting married, having kids, and buying insurance sounds pretty exciting.
Yes. Time to get rid of the Bradford pears. Past time.
you salted the tomato slices and have them draining between two towels? why?
ReplyDeletethat is a big green limb. I guess it just got too heavy on the end. so, Crazy In Alabama...is that a cautionary tale for Mr. Moon?
I wanted to drain the tomatoes because I was baking them on the focaccia.
DeleteYeah, that limb had thousands of little branches and limbs and leaves.
I didn't think about the cautionary tale factor. I hope Mr. Moon doesn't take it as such.
The pace of this blog entry is a little piece of joy and class
ReplyDeleteYou write wonderfully
Oh, John Gray! You've made me blush.
DeleteOMG that was a close call with that Tree Limb coming down so close to the house, glad nothing got damaged and nobody got hurt! We had a very large Old Tree fall over during a big Storm last Year, but, it fell just right and so no damage to anything around it. We cut it all up for Firewood and now the Stump is growing back, it has Old Roots so perhaps we'll get a new Tree, which will be nice.
ReplyDelete