Another time “alone”/vacation

Welp folks, the women-folk oughta be back from their vacation soon. Most of ya’ll know they went to the out-laws (er, uh, In-laws)up in Maine about ten days ago.

I'm sure they've been having a good time. And so have I! I cooked Carolina BBQ on the grill (to perfection, I might add) and shared the final product with friends! I also cooked fried shrimp and cowpeas, also cooked to perfection (and kept it all to myself!).

I picked and picked food and flowers from the gardens (and worked a bit more strenuously here and there IN the gardens). I tangoed with Butch, the un-ruly rooster a few times, while gathering the daily eggs; I unpleasantly bumped against Wedda (the half-blind rooster/pet) (unpleasantly for him!); I met up with a 5 ft black snake…we apparently interrupted each other while we were both minding our own business! I fed the caged rabbits daily as I normally do and even sweet-talked DD’s pet bunny, “Sunny-the-Bunny-G” (the “G” stands for Griffin) in an effort to keep it tame (and not attack me in my dreams).

On the other side of the fence tho…I blew up the riding mower. (It was a bit faulty and needed repairs but I chose to “give it another try”.) (Trust me, folks…those new OHV engines tend to leak gas back INTO the motor and,…well, don’t get me started! However, they sure can make a big puff of white smoke go out the front, another puff go out the back, then the whole shebang goes POP! causing the rider to roll off the back of the seat right quick!). When it came to an abrupt halt against the big gum tree, then hushed itself up, I decided it was a sign of the times…”yep, blue soda time”.

'Tis okay…I hooked the sulky seat to my antique Gravely two-wheel tractor, put on the bush-hog blade and finished mowing. I’d forgotten how much I liked hanging onto the handle-bars of that machine! Kinda makes me not wanna get the store-bought riding mower fixed!

I learnt a few more things, too! I reminded myself that I can still operate a vacuum cleaner and clean the carpet! I also remembered that vacuum cleaners can’t suck up the whole B section of the newspaper without causing an extremely loud noise and a smell like burning rubber. I also discovered that domestic house pets run like skinks when said vacuum is making that noise! (Or was it the smell of burning rubber they were running from?)

Hmmm...At some point I discovered the “Job Jar” on the kitchen counter that I’d given my Wife some yrs ago for a Christmas present. Looking inside I found out she had actually put a job in there for me! I was tickled pink to find the job/request was for my benefit, not hers. She wrote it for me! (Any one else out there know what a job jar is? (‘Tis a great gift for both parties.)

Yep, what a grand time, and these words are only the tip of the iceberg.

In summation, I had some “Horseshoe time”, they had their vacation time. I continued working a bit (in a laid-back manner)every day, and at nite they called on the phone telling me of their day, part of which was DD reporting in on “Dad’s funny homework”! I took time for myself, and took time to help the neighbors. I read. I wrote. I went a few days without seeing another human. I cooked, bagged and froze umpteen bags of fresh-picked home-grown cowpeas. I played music (till I broke the piano!) and listened to music on the stereo (ranging from the Allman Brothers to Lyle Lovett to Louis Armstrong)!

And now friends, they’ll be back Home tomorrow. Hmmm…maybe I should have some shrimp thawed out for supper…with fresh-dug taters, or maybe a pot of cowpeas! Yeh!! And a garden salad of purple bell peppers, sweet onions, Danvers carrots, Buttercrunch lettuce, home-made cheese and, and, and….

Hmm…I’m getting’ too excited, eh? But maybe I’ll get brave! I’ve been studying the situation. I think I can handle it. I’m thinkin’ of givin’ it a try! Yep, I really think I can make history! Before the women arrive home, I’m gonna try to prove that…that…men really CAN put the toilet paper on the wall-mounted roller thingy! (Wish me luck!) Luv ya’ll! Ô¿ô




This message was edited Sunday, Aug 17th 12:22 PM

Shoe,can I have honey mustard on my salad,please.
Reading your menu has made me hungry.

This message was edited Sunday, Aug 10th 12:42 PM

Oh, don't get us started, Shoe! Seems like every time we chat with him, he's saying "BRB - gotta stir the yak stew" or something similar. He does his best cooking late at night, I think. Good thing MSN Messenger doesn't have smell-o-vision or we'd be flocking down the NC to check out the menu!

Shoe, didn't know this was travel week for the fairer sex of your home.

Shoe, sounds like you did great while the gals were gone..but this is the big question...Could you FIND anything??? I always say that if something happened to me, Jesse would just be in a lost fog, that boy can't find nuttin'. (even if its lookin at him in the face)

And yet another chapter to be logged into the famous book that will one day hit the shelves.....!! Don't you just hate that rubber smell - one reason why I don't like fringed carpets!! :-) Atta boy Shoe - you did good in your solitude and since you are such a good cook maybe we should allocate you that job at the roundup and no, you won't have to vacuum the cabins.....lol!!

Naw, no allocating for me, Louisa...I mess up as many meals as I'm successful at. (STILL can't cook a decent batch of fried chicken the way I'd really like to!)

Whew...have to apologize. Didn't realize I wrote an entire epistle last nite! Sorry for the monologue...I should go edit it down a bit.

And yes, Lisa, I found most things pretty easy, by going back and forth from the house to the shoffice. If it wasn't at one place it was at the other.

Now about that honey mustard, CC...Hmmmm. :>)

Shoe, I do have to say that I really enjoyed reading your post above. You have such a way with words that if you wrote something 800 pages long, I'd still sit there and read it and probably wouldn't put it down until I was done :)
I always find such joy and entertainment in your posts

Don't you edit one jot or tiddle out of that missive, Shoe! I love reading your stories, even when they're about vacuums, mowers, chickens and toilet seats! Actually, especially when they're about such domesticities.

Ditto...what flowox said. Your sumtin else Mr. Shoeman.

Donna

Shoe, your lawnmower(the one that gives off the white smoke) sounds like something around here. Don't you just love em,. my poor DH is constantly puttering with my riding machine. I had a great laugh and so I thank you so for your epistle.

Oh my goodness...okay okay. The entry stands, as is...but I'm still gonna apologize for its length. (Reckon I got caught up in the moment!)

Course now, my memory forced me to leave quite a bit of stuff out, e.g., I didn't know the big blue bottle on the floor in DD's bathroom was BubbleBath. Man! That stuff sure bubbles and foams when you clean (then flush) the toilet with it! :>(

Thank you folks/friends for your compliments. Guess I feel safe posting home-life topics with ya.

"DG Family". Sounds pretty nice, don't it!?
Keep smilin'!
ô¿ô

Hey Shoe...what a GREAT story. All your cooking is making me HUNGRY! As for fried chicken...well, I'll remind you again...Whenever you're over this way, that's definitely what we'll have! Hey, how bout on your way home from the RU????? GREAT idea! huh???????

Gee,....
well I see nothing's changed in 2 years- Horseshow is still telling us stories!!
-JSS

Shoe great story as always. I know you will be glad to see the family but I know you also enjoyed your shoe time.

OH Shoe...you make me long for some of your domesticity. You make me so hongry!! JSS it is good to see you again. Jo

Great to be back Jo!

'Shoe, if you take the northern route home, you can stop by here on your way back. Glad you didn't edit your first post, I love reading everything you write!

And that reminds me, gotta give back the CD you sent to Wind. AFTER I make a copy. Just love it. And you.

no need to apologize for the length either, I enjoyed reading every word of it and had it been longer, may have enjoyed it even more. Although I don't think it's possible to have enjoyed it more as it is :)

Fried chicken! Vic, you may have just said the magic word! (Friedchicken is one word, right?) Alex loves it as much as I do! Ya'lls house would be a nice side-trip! Thanks for the invite!

JSS...'Bout merry ol' time you showed up! Now just WHERE have you been hiding!? What's the scoop? Spill it! And by the way...WELCOME BACK! (I expect to see you posting!)

Mystic, they got back this evening, late of course (it's the Airlines, ya know). Hate to tell you this but...but...we had more shrimp for supper (Mystic's favorite seafood folks!)!

Jo...you can share our domesticity anytime. Er, maybe one day I'll bring some of it out your way! Now THAT would be a nice trip!

LUPY...hehe, Wind was brave eh? She let you hear the CD!? Oh my! Please don't "propagate" too many of them! If I see any on Ebay I'm gonna come have a conversation with ya! ;>)
(I'll put you on my sample/trial list for the next one, if you are up to it.)

Shoe, it sounds like you had a great time playing with the machinery, cooking some good food, and just enjoying your Shoe time. I remember once when my hubby was gone on a trip that I was very content to be all alone, except for all the animals, for several days and was actually hoping the phone wouldn't ring and that nobody would stop by. We all need that I think. Your tale was very enjoyable and I do think you should consider writing a book because you tell it so well and make us all smile because you see the funny side of everyday stuff.

Thanks, Mary. But trust me, I also see the grumpy part of Life! (I just keep that side of me well-hidden!)

Welp, the women are home now. We had the shrimp and cowpeas I mentioned above for supper, then watched Andy Griffith re-runs that I'd recorded while they were gone. (I think they made it thru 3 shows and then were out like a light.)

And now, back at it again, to "normalcy".

Ya'll take good care.

Shoe,

Just found this link. Well, I for one thinks you ought to sell that little piece of whit to Country Home and Gardens for one of their back page story lines. Have you ever thought????? Lets, just say you have the gift. Why not capitalize on it?!!

Just my humble opinion.... Jul

Oh goody goody goody.....Call me excited! I'll even make lots of extra so you can take a plate home to DW plus have a snack between here and home. I'll make a pie too! Too bad it's not rhubarb season. LOL And yes, friedchicken is definitely one word and yes, I fry it in the big black iron skillet! And you are welcome to stay for as long as you like...overnight, a week, a month...whatever...I'm sure you & ole Hanky could keep busy LOL...

Vic....you're gonna spoil that boy!!! Dang! He'll be too lazy to do any work when he gets back home. Jo

How fun to read your post. You do have a way of saying things, unlike any other~! I also like your taste in music. Got to see Jeff Beck last Wednesday. It was BBKing who was the headliner. But, Jeff Beck blew the doors off the place. Amazing what great talent can do with virtuoso guitar, drums and a keyboard!

What's this about a CD????

Sooooo glad you didn't do an edit Shoe!
I missed your thread yesterday, but it started today off with a very much appreciated bucket of laughter.
I read every word - although I'm sposed to be getting ready for the day, just couldn't tear myself away :)
Yes, the others are right, you certainly have a way with words!!

Back to normal now eh??
LOL
Who or what is normal???
*G*

Ya'll are something else! Jul, yep...I've thought of submitting some things over the yrs. Found out the best place for that was right here tho!

Vic, don't go wringing the chickens yet! Gonna play it by ear on that trip! (Debating on how long to keep DD outta school, or not.) I can just smell that chicken tho!!

Koko...I've never seen Jeff Beck live but have quite a few tapes/CD's. He's certainly a fantastic musician. (I've even caught myself playing air guitar along with him!) (And I'm shy!)

Howdy Philomel! Thanks. A "bucket of laughter" eh? That line has me grinning here! Hope you have a great day!

Thanks Shoe, the day has been good :)

......apart from the frustrations of trying to get services out of British Telecom! :(
I thought I was getting somewhere on their website, so phoned to check that I was along the right lines, but was told there is a service that would suit me even better on their Openworld website. So surf that for hours getting nowhere fast. So back to the phoneline to have another chat with the guy. After pressing lots of buttons to get through to the right department a voice asks you to 'hold the line while they find someone to help' but then it goes into the engaged signal....so they couldn't answer, so redial and listen to all the keys to press, go through this over and over again....
Two hours later I'm off to have something to eat. Telecommunication service ....what service LOLOL???

Oooops didn't mean to whinge, but I feel much better now!!!

Looking forward to the next bucketful of *G*s ;o))

Just been reading about your problems with worms Shoe (not the type found on the compost heap, though they ought to be sent somewhere smelly lol)
Makes my dealings with BT pale into insignificance!!
Glad you got it sorted...

Hah...that would be a good name for those worm viruses! "Compost software"!

Yep, got rid of that nasty thing, only took five hours(!).

I've gotten so tired of those "phone menu" systems. YOu'll wear your finger out pushing the option buttons, only to get confused and have to hear the menu all over. Lots of times I'll just push one and then say "Oops, I'm not sure I pushed the right button, can you transfer me to the proper person". :>)

y'all are a hoot

;o) JJ

Noone in BT can tell me about the service I'd like that the guy yesterday said I could have. It doesn't seem to exist - although he quoted me £3 a month for it LOL

But I did have the satisfaction of telling someone there how their enquiry line cuts you off dead if there's noone to take your call (after you've gone through all the rigmarole of keying in your phone number and other ones to get you to the 'right' department!). It does seem strange for a telecommunications company

Hint for all those tired of the phone menu system: dig out your old rotary phone (of course you still have one!) and use that to call. Guarantee you'll get a real live person to answer quick. When it asks you to press '1' just dial the number. Really messes with their voice mail systems.

Oh my...I better hit the flea mkt Saturday! I saw some up there! (Rotary phones.) I'll set up a special desk for it!

Thanks for the tip - that's gotta happen! can't wait to get my own back LOL

My dad still has 2 rotary phones in his house, along with push button ones too. hehe

Donna

Just read an article in US News & Consumer Reports - It talked a lot about call centers and that whole voice mail hassle. Some callers are just plain disconnected on purpose. Nice to know, huh?? http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/features/consumer/consumerguide.htm

Hey Shoe if your going to put out another sample disc I would love to hear it, I promise I will not sell it. As a matter of fact I have a story to tell you but I know you could tell it better.
Anyhoo here it goes.....naw! I am not going to take your link away from you cause I tend to get long winded.
Now iffin ur going to be cooking again tomorrow night then I wouldn't mind telling you my story over a good BBQ with some shrimps on the side....hint, hint.

No more sample disc,Windy. Next will be one of the real things. (No time to work on them now tho. Would rather spend my free time on DG!)

Don't worry about "taking my link", I think we've played this one out long enuff! Why not start a new one? Tell us your story, I'll fired up the barbeque!

Awww shucks! not BBQ :{

Ok I am going to try but remember I am not as good at it as you are. I will call it my story.