After surviving for all the years of covid without getting it, Hank and Rachel have both come down with the damn virus. Hank started showing symptoms first and they were pretty mild. He thought he had a cold. He'd gone to a rare karaoke night-out and he thinks maybe that's where he got it. Rachel started feeling bad last night and was running a fairly serious fever by this morning. Poor babies.
Whenever anyone in the family gets in a bind, Rachel is the first one to offer to bring food and whatever needs bringing or to do whatever needs doing so in that spirit and because of course I am the mama, I offered to make them chicken soup which they gratefully accepted. I thought I had far more chicken in the freezer than I did so I drove to Publix to get more. I never go to Publix on Sunday so I was shocked to see how many people were there. The cashier and bagger told me it's always that way on Sunday. "My" Publix is the one right off the Interstate 10 exit and I can get on the interstate in less than three minutes from my house so I don't even have to think about going all the way into Tallahassee. If I'm already in town and need to shop, I'll go to the Publix where Lily works so I can see her if she's there but I can drive to my Publix in about twelve minutes which is less time than it takes to get to a Publix from many places in Tallahassee, due to traffic. I think they're going to have to put another Publix out that way because a huge new housing development is going up right next to it. Many acres were scraped and cleared down to the red clay recently and it happened so fast I couldn't believe it. What was one day a virtual forest, was a bare, bald piece of land the next. Tallahassee is definitely growing by leaps and bounds out to the east which is where all that's going on and the fact that there's a behemoth of an Amazon warehouse distribution center virtually across the street from all that stuff is adding to the need for new housing.
The moral of this story is actually to just not shop on Sundays if you can help it.
Whenever anyone in the family gets in a bind, Rachel is the first one to offer to bring food and whatever needs bringing or to do whatever needs doing so in that spirit and because of course I am the mama, I offered to make them chicken soup which they gratefully accepted. I thought I had far more chicken in the freezer than I did so I drove to Publix to get more. I never go to Publix on Sunday so I was shocked to see how many people were there. The cashier and bagger told me it's always that way on Sunday. "My" Publix is the one right off the Interstate 10 exit and I can get on the interstate in less than three minutes from my house so I don't even have to think about going all the way into Tallahassee. If I'm already in town and need to shop, I'll go to the Publix where Lily works so I can see her if she's there but I can drive to my Publix in about twelve minutes which is less time than it takes to get to a Publix from many places in Tallahassee, due to traffic. I think they're going to have to put another Publix out that way because a huge new housing development is going up right next to it. Many acres were scraped and cleared down to the red clay recently and it happened so fast I couldn't believe it. What was one day a virtual forest, was a bare, bald piece of land the next. Tallahassee is definitely growing by leaps and bounds out to the east which is where all that's going on and the fact that there's a behemoth of an Amazon warehouse distribution center virtually across the street from all that stuff is adding to the need for new housing.
The moral of this story is actually to just not shop on Sundays if you can help it.
But I have now made the soup and it may possibly be the best chicken soup I've ever made and mostly because I added a package of Vigo Cilantro and Lime seasoned rice at the end. I do love that stuff. I know many, many people do not like cilantro and you may be one of them but I do and so do Hank and Rachel. I'll be taking the soup over to them tomorrow.
I've talked to Mr. Moon today. I think he is quite ready to be home. I have been thinking a lot about what I wrote yesterday and it occurs to me that not only is Glen not like me when it comes to wanting to hunt (haha!) but he is also a person who, unlike me, is almost certain that he can do anything and everything that he sets out to do while still making sure that all the bases are covered. This is not quite the same but related- there is a thing around here we call "Glen Time" which is based on the fact that he will have a list of things to do in town as long as his inseam and feel sure that he can accomplish everything on it before it's time for him to get home, change clothes, and get to a kid's sporting event. And then he gets so frustrated when he can only get five of the fifteen things on the list accomplished. This happens all the time.
And the way that relates to him going off to hunt or work on the cabin or whatever it is that leaves me behind is that he is quite certain that I know he loves me and of that he has no doubt and so I should understand that his absence is no reflection on me or our relationship, it's just...Glen Time? When I do talk to him about it, about how I might possibly feel a tad neglected, he's astonished.
What? Why?!
And the way that relates to him going off to hunt or work on the cabin or whatever it is that leaves me behind is that he is quite certain that I know he loves me and of that he has no doubt and so I should understand that his absence is no reflection on me or our relationship, it's just...Glen Time? When I do talk to him about it, about how I might possibly feel a tad neglected, he's astonished.
What? Why?!
And when I explain it to him, he feels terrible and apologizes and says he understands and I think he does but he forgets all that fairly quickly. He loves me. He knows he loves me. So...what's the big deal?
Ay-yi-yi.
Ay-yi-yi.
And so I have one more full day and two nights before he gets home and I think of all the things I was going to do while I had all the time to myself and I have done so little of it. Let us say that I have not made the best use of my time. But. Whatever. He'll be leaving again soon enough for more Canadian adventures.
I must tell you that Maurice slept with me last night. She came in sometime after two and yowled her "I've got food for you!" yowl and I woke up and thought, Oh shit. Really?
But so far I haven't seen any game, alive or dead, so who knows? She jumped up on the bed and talked to me for a moment, settled in and we both fell asleep. This morning when I woke up, she was still there and I bravely dared to scratch and scritch her. Her fur, for whatever reason, seems unseasonably thick and luxurious right now. She did not bite or claw me but she did start rubbing her nose on my hand where my rings are and I realized she wanted her nose scratched. She must have a very itchy nose! Every now and then she'd stop and give me some sandpaper licks like the ones cats give themselves when they are grooming.
It was not unpleasant and I enjoyed the wound-free affection I was allowed to give her.
It was not unpleasant and I enjoyed the wound-free affection I was allowed to give her.
These, unlike in the first picture, are zinnias but their color matches the yellow marigolds so at first glance, one would not know what they were. They are the only zinnias in the garden still blooming and they were seeded from some of last year's flowers. I think the newer volunteers may indeed get a few blooms on them.
Just about an hour ago my kidney stone seemed to wake up and say, "Hey! How ya' doin'? Did you miss me?" And then, "What? You were wondering what to have for dinner? Think again. You're not hungry. Not while I'm around."
I wish I knew what the connection between my gut and my kidney is but I think Jessie may have been right when she suggested it may be a general inflammation in that whole area caused by the stone.
Now. If the damn thing will just calm the fuck down until my ride to the hospital gets home. It will. I know it will.
Now. If the damn thing will just calm the fuck down until my ride to the hospital gets home. It will. I know it will.
So maybe I'll just steal a bowl of Hank and Rachel's chicken soup for my supper. In fact, I think that's what I'll do. I'm pretty sure they won't mind.
And now, because it's Sunday, I'm going to give us all a hymn to sing. The title is "F-L-O-R-I-D-A" and it was written and performed by my darling Lis and her beloved husband and our brother Lon. Now I know Florida isn't looking so good right now but the people who know it, who love it the way Lon and Lis do, have a point to make. And if any of us can save it, It's them. It's us.
Lis wrote this song some years ago. She decided to start writing songs, she did, and won a major song-writing contest either that year or the next. One or the other. The woman's talents know no bounds.
And she sings like an angel.
Lis wrote this song some years ago. She decided to start writing songs, she did, and won a major song-writing contest either that year or the next. One or the other. The woman's talents know no bounds.
And she sings like an angel.
Big Love From Florida...Ms. Moon
Thanks for sharing Lis's song. I enjoyed that and she has a fine singing voice too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it.
DeleteI always doubt love too, although I have improved since I was a young woman. My first boyfriend, bless his heart, I put him through hell because I did not believe anyone could possibly love me. Now his niece housesits for us. I believe my husband loves me, but I don't always know how much I love him, or will let myself love him. He is self destructive and I think I hold back, expecting him to drop dead.
ReplyDeleteSome of us just have a hard time believing we're worthy of love sometimes.
Poor Hank and Rachel. I hope they're better soon. That covid is still a horrible disease.
Take care sweetie.
We are definitely sisters in the way we have such difficulties in believing we are worth loving. Even when my children tell me how much they love me it is hard for me to hear. I wish it wasn't.
DeleteI hope Hank and Rachel feel better quickly. Maurice would make me so nervous. Glad you’re able to get on without letting her know you’re not apprehensive. Thanks for Lis. What a voice and presence!
ReplyDeleteMaurice makes everyone nervous. Maggie will flee a room if Maurice walks in. But she doesn't actually run across a room to attack people. She just waits until you're feeling like she's enjoying your attention to strike out. She is fucked up.
DeleteWhen I go hear Lis sing, I always tell her I can't talk to her during breaks. When she is performing I feel too shy around her because her talent is something I could never share with her although we share so many other things.
Lis does have a very nice voice, I liked the song. I'd say Maurice has begun growing her winter undercoat and I'm happy she allowed you to pat and scratch her. SO sorry to hear Hank and Rachel have covid and hope it doesn't hang around long. Your soup will be very welcome. Funny about "Glen-time" and the over-long to-do list. One day he will remember time doesn't stretch as far as he thinks and maybe make a shorter list.
ReplyDeleteIt is rotten that Hank and Rachel finally succumbed to covid but they'll be alright, I think.
DeleteI don't foresee Glen changing his perceptions about time. He is determined to squeeze every last drop of life out of what he has.
I'm sorry to hear that Hank and Rachel are sick. I hope your yummy chicken soup helps them feel better real soon!
ReplyDeleteI hope it does too.
DeleteI'll listen to Lis's song when I get home. So sorry to hear about Hank and Rachel. They've done amazingly well if they've avoided Covid all this time! But I know that's no consolation to them once they have it. Your soup will soothe their souls and bodies, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI've posted that video before, I am almost certain. But you, as a born Floridian, might enjoy hearing it again. You have to listen to it all the way through because the very last bit is one of the best parts.
DeleteSorry to hear Hank and Rachael finally succumbed to covid. So far neither of us have had it.
ReplyDeleteI've never had any success growing marigolds. I don't even try anymore. They get eaten up before they even get settled in the ground.
I've had plenty of guys break up with me but for some reason, not long after Marc and I started dating, I knew he never would. If anyone ended it it would be me. Though he did pack a bag one time when things were at their worst and told me he was leaving. I said OK. He was back two hours later, didn't really have anywhere to go, and was upset that I didn't try to stop him.
Pretty amazing you haven't gotten covid.
DeleteI don't know why these marigolds have done so well. It sure took them a long time.
Of course Marc was upset you didn't try to stop him. That's why he packed up and left, so that you would!
That chicken soup sounds all types of awesome. I hope that it works it's magic.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteVery nice music.
ReplyDeleteI've been with the same man for 44 years now and I am still waiting for the day when we can sit back and look at each other and say, I get what it's all about.
Never going to happen, is it?
DeleteYour marigolds are lovely. On your marigold success, I bought a few pots of mixed marigolds, and they have bloomed prolifically all summer and are just now petering out.
ReplyDeleteI hope R and H have mild cases of Covid. Your chicken soup will be tremendous. Chicken soup is my go-to when not feeling well. All the herbs make it even better.
Glen time is real and it's good you see it for what it is. He's doing his thing.
I still believe you should have "Mary time" and if I were you, I'd insist at least once or twice a year. A trip to NZ (or another location) put together entirely by you would be fun. You invite G and If he refuses to go, I'm sure you could invite others. Always know there is a back-up plan. I'd go to NZ in a heartbeat. Linda Sue would join...I suspect. Liz would love it. Steve R. is always up for an adventure.
MM you have options!
Susan- your idea about me planning trips would be a good one if I had the capacity to travel these days. That seems to have been taken from me by anxiety. It's Glen who's mentioned a trip to New Zealand and trust me- if I planned a trip there he would be going. But do not hold your breath when it comes to me initiating that or going at all.
DeleteNothing heals and comforts like chicken soup. Best gift in the world. Susan is correct, we would all go on a Mary trip !
ReplyDeleteLis certainly has the pipes.
But really- can you see me planning a trip to New Zealand? I can't even get myself to be brave enough to drive over to Gatorbone to visit Lis and she has asked me to a thousand times.
DeleteGlen is like me, a time optimist. Thinking I can do everything in half an hour ;)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a time optimist.
DeleteThe yin and yang of your marriage is ever fascinating. You have each allowed the other to be themselves, with room to be disgruntled.
ReplyDelete