Callous Dining Pleasure

So I despite the fact that I said that I was taking a break in my last post, I could not keep quiet about this.

Earlier in the week I was travelling for work, got in late, and so ordered room service.  There I was dining at my well appointed business desk with a tray of attractively Saran wrapped dishes.  I sat back, turned on the TV and saw this!





Happy folks were kind enough to demonstrate the product.  I could not believe the miracles that I was seeing - in more ways than one.

All I can say, is that I was glad that I ordered two Saran wrapped topped glasses of wine.






 

Gentleman's Garage

Even though I distinctly heard in our marriage vows that Mr. Weston would be responsible for all car care, given our varied travel schedules, invariably there have been times when I have to take my car to the garage.

Up until about a year ago this was palatable.  I would go to a local garage that I called "the gentleman's garage."  Meaning:

 

• If it was raining,  someone would come up to the car with an umbrella.  One was then escorted to the waiting room.

 

• The waiting room had not only coffee but tea! 

 

• There were magazines like House Beautiful, Elle Décor, and Vogue. 

 

• Comfy recliners to sit in while waiting.

 

• Classical music playing and NO ANNOYING TV!

 

• Often there was a vase of flowers on the table with the magazines.

• The service manager was willing to talk to Mr. Weston where ever he was via my cellphone about things such as oil grade, junk in an air filter, or parts that needed to be replaced.

I thought all of these things to be most gentlemanly and most considerate.  Overall, the garage was women-centric and thus the waiting room was always filled with women. 

The benefits besides having my car attended to?

• I heard about the most wonderful yoga class

• Got some great tips for rose growing

• Made a friend for life over a discussion of The King's Speech

Well, all of this was just dandy until the proprietor of the garage decided to retire and move to Florida.  I was just devastated! 

Now, when Mr. Weston is not around, I am forced to go to a garage where:

• One is stuffed into a waiting room the size of a bathroom.

 

• A TV is blaring the most innocuous and disturbing news.

 

• Hard chairs that are linked together so that one is sitting in the personal space of another patron.

 

• A camera on one's car which one can watch on a TV screen - that is all the explanation that one gets about any repair.

 

I just had my oil changed last week and can only say that I dearly miss my gentleman's garage.

 

Old Sneep

My mother still has her old battered copy of Lentil, the brilliant book by Robert McCloskey, which was read to her when she was a girl.

That same book was read to my brother and me.  A newer version resides in my brother's house which he subsequently read to my niece. 

I was reminded of Old Sneep the other day when my niece said, "He was being a complete Sneep."

Old Sneep in all his grumpy glory

 

So what is this about Old Sneep?  If you read Lentil, Old Sneep is an irascible, lemon sucker who almost spoils the homecoming of a renowned town citizen.


As a child, I found the lemon sucking revolting.  As an adult, it is still not appealing.  

Old Sneep working the lemon

But the point of Old Sneep was that he was a:

• spoil sport
• rain on the parader
• selfish grump
• man who exhibited bad behavior

Hence the multi-generational use of him as a bad behavior example.  We heard things like:

• "You are being an Old Sneep." - often preceded an invitation to report to one's room
•  "Your Sneep is showing."
•  "Don't be Sneepish." 
• "Shall I get you a lemon?" - used when in public.

All images from this wonderful book

 

 

 

Bark Mulch Gymkhana

A few weeks ago, the annual Bark Mulch Gymkhana was heralded by Puppy Weston whose barking appropriately started the opening ceremony.  The dump truck from Smith Wood had paraded into our driveway to deposit several yards of mulch.  Let the games begin!

The events are rigorous and require strength and concentration.

• Shoveling

• Wheelbarrowing

• Spread-nastics

Usually, this esteemed gymkhana lasts only for one weekend but with the two weeks of rain, it is still going on.  

The precipitation precipitated an exciting new event!

 

 Mushroom Plucking

Forget those ensembles that Ralph Lauren designed for the Olympics.  One here must go out covered and protected from ticks and the sun - when it is out.

A passing neighbor thoughtfully shared that thus attired, that I "resembled the person in the Agatha Christie book." 

I could only assume that he meant Hercule Poirot and was immediately checking the mirror for a mustache as a possible side effect from extended spread-nastics

 

But then he brought the book by:

  

 He meant this.

One of the Australian Bell sisters in the above noted book

- though I don't wear the tie.

Much better than Hercule who probably never spread bark mulch.

Making progress...

The side hosta garden

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