Same week, second post!
It’s been too busy to wait a whole week before posting. One day the power was out for 6 hours due to tree trimming, and it was way too hot to sit around inside a house with no AC AND no fans. Spouseman & I turned it into a “Fun Day Out,” walking to brunch and then driving to the Botanic Garden, visiting the Butterfly exhibit where I used to volunteer and walking all the parts of the park we often don’t get around to strolling.
Another day I did my seasonal hair, bleaching and coloring. It takes less than half the time it would if I went to a salon, but it’s still a big Time Investment. Current colorway is cobalt blue shading to deep purple at the sides and back. Looking forward to seeing how this one fades.
At work we had a department meeting with discussion of changes to our duties that may or may not happen in a few months, Spouseman went to lunch with a work colleague and may end up working with them again in a part time job, and while he was at that lunch I had an unscheduled fire drill at the house. (Everything is fine. Only a drill.)
I’d taken a walk in the 91F-Feels-Like 107F heat, had a quick shower and was settling in with lunch when the smoke alarm went off. Then ALL THE OTHER SMOKE ALARMS WENT OFF TOO, reacting like babies in a nursery who hear one infant cry, or dogs hearing the dog down the block barking. Just the beeps and squeals, not the voices that say “EVACUATE NOW” in calm, authoritative tones, but still. Talk about a free adrenaline surge, yeesh.
Why did they go off? Not a clue. I did a sweep of the house inside and out, checking the indicator lights to make sure it wasn’t a carbon monoxide alarm (nope!) and found nothing. So I silenced the alarm, changed out the batteries on the detector that went off first, tested the system (Yup, any one going off sets them all off) and jittered on about my day.
Two takeaways. One, it’s nice to know there’s no way we’ll ever sleep through a nighttime fire or CO event with these alarms, and two, we won’t have to worry about locating the cat, should such an emergency occur. Pippin followed me around the house the entire time and anxiously awaited my return at the door when I went to check the roof from outside. I think he would’ve been even happier if I’d carried him around the whole time.
And yesterday! Yesterday was Big Adventure Drive day. North to New Glarus for beers (other people) and a Totally Naked brand soap restock (me.) Yes, the only bar soap that doesn’t freak out my skin is a castile soap sold by a Wisconsin brewery. This is my weird life. Lunch at a local restaurant that makes hand-breaded cheese curds, and then a visit to a Madison-area game store. Noble Knights. That was the original excuse for the drive.
Why go to Wisconsin for a game store when we have a FANTASTIC one within walking distance? HAHAHAHAHAHA trick question. Games stores are like bookstores, libraries, or Pokemon. Gotta catch em ALL.
Today was recovery day. I slept late and read a book and went to lunch with friends where I had an aMAYzing spin on bruschetta made with beets and goat cheese. Otherwise, there was a walk to the bakery and that’s been about it. Napping occurred.
Lessee, what else…ah! Yard report. Temps this week were at or over 90F before 10AM 2 days in a row, but both days it rained at least 0.1” so I only had to water once, for the little plants under the rain shadow of the big tree out front. I’ve harvested 2 more cucumbers and a tomato, with loads more on the way. And I swear the pumpkin vines are adding 6-12” length daily. At least two of the beautiful orange blossoms show signs of developing baby pumpkins, but only time will tell whether they’ll mature or become squirrel snacks.
And here’s a pair of pics to wrap up the post.
We got a new bathroom rug. Tossed this old ratty one into the hall while I took the tags off the new one and laid it down. This is what met me when I left the bathroom. He now sleeps on it regularly.
I’m not a good foodie photographer, but this was so pretty AND delicious I just had to share its gloriousness.
Until later!