It Was A Good Date, All Things Considered

Some of you may remember how in years past, a cowbird came to my bathroom window in spring, perched on a bamboo twig, and then repeatedly bashed his head into the window. 
REPEATEDLY! 
When I got up this morning and went into my bathroom, he was back, slamming his tiny skull over and over into the window. I think he may have been going after that green crystal. 
"Well, hello, bird!" I told him. He paid me no mind whatsoever but continued his routine: perch, balance, dive into the window, perch, balance... 
And he did not stop doing this for at least two hours. I really should wash that window but that would require a ladder on the outside and I'm not here for that, as the kids say these days. Or maybe they said it last year but whatever. 

It has been a funny day and fortunately, I've been in a good enough mood to take things as they have come and not get upset. First of all, today was supposedly Maggie's school's Grandparents Day Lunch, as I said yesterday. So I made our sandwiches and wrapped them up and got out the Cheetos and chips in the little bags that I'd bought for us, and packed all those up with some pickled green beans and the mini cupcakes and a "fancy drink" for Maggie which is grape juice and ginger ale. I put that in an insulated cup with ice for her and carefully tucked it into the bag with everything else and off we went to her school where we were on-the-dot-on-time but...
There was no one outside at a table to direct the grandparents to where they were supposed go go and there were no other grands in sight with their bags of lunch food and I knew with a sinking heart that Maggie had given me the wrong day when she called a few weeks ago and yes, she had. Which come on- I should have verified. Maggie is just so sure of things that I hadn't even thought of checking to see if today was the right date. She may only be nine but in my mind, she is at least thirty-two, so who am I to question her? 
Sigh. 
God. I even put on mascara. 
"Hope to see you next week!" said the helpful lady in the office. 
I'm sure she will. 

So now- what to do? We had an hour and a half before our appointments to get our vaccines. It was already too hot to consider a picnic with what I'd packed, so we went to the Wharf for lunch where both of us have eaten recently but we never really get tired of the Wharf. 
When we were eating our lunch, I looked around and said, "There are a lot of old people here," and Glen said, "Yes there are."
"We'll probably eat here when we're old too," I said. 
We laughed. 
And that was sort of the theme of the day- just laugh about it. We were on a date! Or at least what two people who have been married for forty years can consider a date. I mean, we were a little bit dressed up and we were together and we ate a meal in a restaurant. That's a date, right? 
So, okay, vaccinations were involved. We drove to Publix which is where we get our vaccines and they were all ready for us. Mr. Moon's appointment was first. The vaccine-giver called him Mr. Glen and she called me "Miss Mary." 
This is how it is done in the south. Some women get upset when they are addressed with a "Miss" in front of their name as this is an indication of older age. I don't mind it at all. I like it. Yes, it does mean I am older and look older but it's also a title of respect for that age. 
At least that's how I choose to see it.
Mr. Glen got his shot with absolutely no outward reaction at all. I carefully studied his face and eyes as the needle entered his arm. So that seemed to bode well for me. I sat down and the pharmacy lady went through all the alcohol and sterilizing rituals on my arm and then she gave me the shot. Now I'm not afraid of needles. When I was a child, I was terrified of them but for some reason, I got over that entirely. So I wasn't expecting to be much affected in any way. I relaxed my arm and waited and the needle went in like silk. The lady had a good hand and a good technique. BUT as the vaccine itself made its journey from syringe to my own personal arm, I got the strangest jolt. Almost like a very mild electric shock. I was not expecting that at all. I even jerked my arm. However, the tech said that all of the medication was indeed delivered so that was fine. 
Still- weird.

And then Glen and I did something we never do together which was to grocery shop. If we ever have to start doing that regularly for some reason, ANY reason, our marriage could be in danger. I do all the food shopping unless I ask him to pick up something on his way home and although yes, I certainly do pay attention to sales and BOGO's and so forth, I refuse to buy three of something like twelve-packs of ginger ale because it's "buy two, get one free." Hell no. We won't use that much ginger ale for the rest of our lives and who wants to clutter up the house with ginger ale that will never get consumed? Not me. On the other hand Mr. Moon is practically incapable of passing up the best deal, no matter what the particulars are. But we were rather lighthearted about it and this was not a serious grocery shopping. I wanted some red beans because he has expressed an interest in having those for dinner soon and I also wanted to get some chicken pot pies in case I feel so bad tomorrow that I can't cook. The brand of coffee we like was on BOGO and he put about twenty bags of that in the cart so at least he felt like he got a great deal on something. 

And for some reason, no more discernible to me than the reasons I have for waking up and crying some days, today I have felt a lightness of being that I wish with all my heart I could feel every day. 

It is martini time and there are crisp, clean sheets on the bed. My zinnias are coming up and so is the squash. The rattlesnake beans are throwing their green hair-like tendrils to lasso the fence they will be growing on. Mr. Moon moved the Roseland mango back out to the yard and I am sure it is as happy as it can be out there. So far my only reaction to the vaccine is a sore arm and as I told my husband- it only hurts when I move it. We shall see what tomorrow brings. 

The world economy may be shot and the world as we know it on the pathway to hell and destruction but for right this second, right here in Lloyd, I am taking a break from despair. 

Happy Friday, y'all. 

Love...Ms. Moon