I’ve seen this man several times, and have always wondered what his story is. He’s an older man who often rides his bike around our side of town. He has wild, bushy gray hair, and never wears shoes. That must hurt a little on those bike pedals. He doesn’t seem to mind.
Today I was driving home from work and saw him off in the distance. As usual, he was on his bike, but seemed to be teetering under the weight of the bundle tied to the back. I couldn’t tell what he was carrying, but as I pulled closer, I saw there were four boxes strapped to the back of his bike. Even closer, I realized they were four cases of PBR. He may not have shoes, but he has cheap beer. And really, that’s what matters, right?
One week ago today, we celebrated Erin and Dave’s wedding in Savannah. I’m still excited about all the fun we’ve had over the past few weeks. I’m also still exhausted.
But it was all worth it and I’d do it all again. There have been so many times over the past two weeks that I’ve wanted to write. There have been so many things about which to write. But there just hasn’t been time until now.
I am guacamole. When I bleed, the blood is green.
Lee and I just returned from a wonderful trip to California, where we enjoyed good company, beautiful landscapes, and fabulous Mexican food. I ate guacamole with nearly every meal, and ate until I could eat no more. Tacos. Tortilla soup. Quesadillas. Carne asada. And that guacamole! I didn’t even know I liked guacamole!
I am surprised by how much I liked California. I had this vision of L.A. being a dirty, concrete town of skyscrapers and fake people, and I hadn’t given much thought to the areas surrounding L.A.
Our wonderful hosts live in Orange County, and as we drove from LAX to their home, my opinion of California began to change with the scenery. The green hills rolled in front of larger, more distant mountains, with the terra cotta roofs of hillside communities dotting the foreground. The area is getting the most rain it’s had in 15 years. That didn’t make for the best weather to visit, but everything was lush, green, and blooming. I’m told it’s often brown, but not on this trip.
One evening, we ate at a restaurant on Laguna Beach. I sat next to a window with views of the Pacific ocean to my right, and those rolling hills to my left. Palm trees and pink flowers were everywhere. That’s where the picture at the top was taken. I’m so used to very flat land at my beaches, and while they’re still pretty, this hilly seaside was beautiful.
We also spent a lot of time at the old mission of San Juan Capistrano. It was built in the 1700s, and is the oldest church in the entire state.
It is a magical place. A dichotomy of old and new. The weather worn bricks and crumbling old stone church were wrapped in blooming, fragrant flowers and vines. Every turn you took, a new aroma greeted you, smelling like spring and life. The small chapels were hushed and candlelit, and it was moving to say a prayer in a chapel where so many others had prayed before.
Lee and I broke away from the group to spend one day in L.A., visiting a friend. We saw a little of Hollywood, ate some more Mexican food, and had a very good time. But I was still happy to be back in Orange County, where the traffic is still bad, but the pace seems somehow slower.
Too bad California is crazy expensive and on the other side of the continent, because it’s a charming place.
I woke up this morning excited. After attending off and on for three years, Lee and I were finally going to join our church. Or as the pastor liked to say, “make it official.”
We followed our usual routine – leaving in plenty of time to have a cup of coffee at a great coffee house on Chippewa Square. But as I sipped my latte (with a shot of hazelnut), my stomach started to turn. I don’t think it was the hazelnut. It was nerves.
As we sat in the sanctuary, I looked around and felt satisfied that we were making the right decision. The church was full of warm, welcoming people. Their doctrines are similar to mine, and the pastor seems genuinely caring. And it doesn’t hurt that the church is in a great old building on a wonderful square.
But as the pastor neared the end of his sermon, I actually started to sweat. I have walked down the aisle to join 2 other churches – but those were different times. My dad was the pastor, everyone knew me, and everyone was staring at him, not me. It felt strange to be joining a church that wasn’t his.
As we all stood to sing, Lee and I looked at each other and then slipped out of the pew. We began walking down the aisle. Suddenly it was a very, very long aisle. I could feel all the eyes on the back of my head as we walked.
The pastor greeted us happily, and had us sit down while the song continued. It felt like a very long song.
Then he introduced us. So many eyes peered back at us, and it was a very strange feeling. I have always thought of churches in the terms of my “church family.” We were asking to be a part of their “family,” and I barely knew any of them. But I guess joining was the first big step. And if it felt strange to me, I know it must’ve felt strange to Lee. But I was so thankful he was standing there with me, and I grabbed his hand.
After the service, people lined up to shake our hands and welcome us. They were all very nice, and I look forward to getting to know them better. There was a church-wide luncheon after the service that I had planned to attend – but after shaking so many hands, smiling, and feeling utterly on display, we decided we needed a break.
But I’m proud of us. It was easy to just go to church and not make a committment to join. It was comfortable. But I believe we have things to offer this church, and I know it will offer a church family to us in return. It was a long walk down that aisle and I could’ve thrown up on the pastor’s shoes, but I believe the long walks of life are easier sometimes when you have faith and a church family by your side.
When I see some young people and the trendy things they wear, I’m jealous of their good fashion sense and their willingness to take fashion risks. But tonight I was reminded that there are still plenty of young people out there with terrible tastes.
Overheard while I was waiting to pick up a bridesmaid dress at the Bridal Mart:
“We looked at tuxes, but haven’t decided yet on the vests,” said one young man to a girl and her mother. They were discussing wedding attire. “We checked at one place, and they had camouflage vests.” I thought maybe he was kidding.
The woman replied, “Really? That’s just great!” She was quiet as she thought about it some more. Then she gushed further, “I really like that idea. How neat! Camouflage vests. You should do that!”
The young man, “I mean after all, the guys always wear their boots with the tuxes anyway.”
A girl trying on a prom dress chimed in, “I know my date will wear his boots, but that’s fine as long as he doesn’t wear them for the picture.”
The mom added, “Well the guys should get to wear their boots, especially since all you girls get to wear flip-flops with your dresses.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
What?
That’s just silly.
Technology is wonderful.
Here I sit in the County Commission meeting room, with my laptop open in front of me, no wires – yet I can surf the web and check email for free. The same was true a month or so ago when I was in court. The same will be true soon at my school board meetings.
When Lee and I first began using wireless technology at home, I remember thinking how fantastic it would be when wireless capability spread further. Especially with my job, it’s great to be connected to the office even when I’m out in the field. (And the online games are good for when the meetings drag on too long…)
I still look forward to the day when wireless computer capability is as prevelant as cell phone capability is currently, and I’ll be able to latch on to a wireless signal practically anywhere. But for now, I’m happy to be online in the old courthouse.
It is beautiful outside. Warm. Sunny. Tulips are blooming in the squares, and some azalea blossoms are already beginning to show their faces. But best of all, it’s Lee’s birthday. I’m glad nature cooperated to make this special day a beautiful one, too.
Today we may watch a movie, play putt-putt, go shopping, eat at Bellas, and just celebrate the day such a sweet soul was born.
It has already been a good weekend. Alva came to visit, and we spent hours yesterday wandering around the historic district. City workers are beginning to dress the town up for St. Patrick’s Day. Flowers are being planted in the squares, and color is beginning to wash over downtown. Lee and I took about 2 dozen picutres, and could’ve kept taking more. And spring isn’t even here yet. This is really when Savannah shines.
And I’m happy to share this town and this life with such a sweet husband. Happy Birthday to Lee!
Last weekend Lee and I visited my parents in Tennessee. It was nice to take a road trip, but most of all, it was nice to see my folks again.
We had hoped for snow, but since we didn’t get that we got the next best thing – plenty of sunshine. If it’s not going to snow, I’d much rather sun than just a cold rain. Friday we ate at one of my favorite restaurants and saw Miss Saigon.
Then Saturday we visited the Knoxville Zoo. None of us had ever been before, and we were all impressed. They had lots of neat exhibits – and as usual, I was snapping away with my camera. I got the pics developed Monday, and there were some great shots. These are five of my favorites.
A crazy meerkat clawing at me:
A camel making a rude face:
Zebras, and another rude face:
A lazy sloth (is there any other kind?):
And a snoozing tiger:
But for some reason, when I showed my photos to friends at work, several people said this one was their favorite. I was honestly just trying to get a photo of two meerkats playing -but I’m not sure they were playing. That’s some National Geographic stuff going on.
Anyway. We had a good time and it flew by much too quickly. And of course, we left on Sunday and it started snowing Monday. But that’s okay – maybe we’ll catch it next winter.
It was dark, getting late, and I was listening to a book on tape. It’s important to note that when I listen to a book on tape, I zone out. Completely. I once drove for two hours listening to a book on tape until I ran out of gas on the side of the road. I was too absorbed in the story to notice that the gas gauge had been on empty for quite a while. I shouldn’t be allowed to listen to books on tape in the car.
But I was driving three hours by myself through some non-radio backwoods country between Savannah and Fitzgerald to meet up with Lee and his family Friday night. I knew my ipod and a book would help pass the time.
I had just driven through the big metropolis of Lumber City and was picking up speed around a corner when I saw something in the road ahead. My first guess what that it was a deer, or several deer. As I got closer, I could see there were several somethings in the road. They were too big to be deer. Cows? Goats? What the heck?
I had to slam on my brakes and swerve because whatever was in the road clearly had no intention of moving. In my headlights, the shape of four pigs became clearer. One was a HUGE, huge, huge sow. I didn’t know pigs got that big. Behind her were three younger pigs -but even they were as large as medium-sized dogs. They stared at me, I stared back. Had they decided to move at the last minute as I swerved into the other lane, we would have all been toast (with several slices of bacon.)
I had to stop my book on tape and catch my breath for a minute. I nearly crashed into four pigs. Only in rural Georgia.
I have the best Valentine.
I overheard guys at work talking about how bad Valentine’s Day is because it’s just another day for guys to get into trouble.
They should all take notes. Lee knows how to make it a special day and to make me feel like a special lady. And a lucky lady, too.
I love my Valentine.
