Vacation

This was the last weekday of my vacation:  I have a weekend, and Monday holiday before I return to work on Tuesday!

Because I went to a play last night, I arrived home late and it took me until well after 2 AM to wind down, but I slept in the recliner until about 4:45 AM, before I went to bed. I got up early to give the cats their breakfast, then retired till late morning. 

I had planned to run a couple of errands today, but decided I would binge watch Blue Bloods. It was aired from 11 AM until 6 PM today.  So, I did. I had chores to do in the house, which I accomplished, and after wards, showered, and went out and ran the other errands I wanted to run.  No harm done, just changed the order of tasks and errands.  I usually tend to business first, before I indulge in pleasure activities.  

I still have errands and chores to do, including regular housework and laundry, making a delivery to a colleague for NASW, and working on the monthly NASW mailing.  I can tend to all of that the next few days while I watch TV, including Texas Tech Football. 

I have to say, it has been a very good vacation.  
  

Lubbock Moonlight MusicalsI

I was an early on fan of the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals and went to their very first production of Oklahoma.    For the next several years, I rarely missed a production, even if it was a play I did not care about.  I was appalled at the lack of support and attendance from the public of Lubbock, although many businesses and foundations supported and continue to support the effort.

The early productions were plagued by poor staging, poor sound equipment, poor musical support and poor attendance.  The sound equipment was stolen one year.  

As the years progressed, the productions have improved, the stage, the lights, the sound system, the talent, and in general everything has improved.  Several years ago, for several years in a row, I went to all three summer productions, and they were all sell outs.

Additionally, Moonlight Musicals has expanded to doing some productions in the fall, and spring, and even some dinner theaters, especially over the holiday season. They also host or support outside productions. They also host children's productions separate from the adult theater productions at Moonlight Musicals Amphitheater.  

This year, there were three summer productions at the amphitheater:  The Music Man; How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; and Singin' in the Rain.. I had wanted to see all three, but did not. I was heartened when it was announced that an additional date was added for The Music Man.  I understood that How to Succeed was well received.  But I did not hear much about Singin' in the Rain.  I had a flex ticket for the latter, and went last night.  I was appalled.  The play was not that well done, and one of the "stars" who played Don Lockwood (the movie star) was outshone by his "buddy" Cosmo.  But what was really appalling was that there were probably only about 50 people in the audience.

I realize that part of that was because it was a Thursday night. But come on Lubbock, we can do better than that. We can support the performing arts, no matter what night of the week they occur!

A Most Inauspicious Trip to the Veterinarian

This was a trip to the veterinarian that I dreaded.  It was Taki's turn to get her annual vaccinations, and she hates going to the vet. But today was the day.  I secured her in the cat stroller while I got the cat carrier out.   She did not mind me taking her out of the stroller, but as soon as she saw the carrier, she started wailing.  The carrier was in the kitchen on the floor, and she resisted being put into it.  So much so it took multiple tries, and not until after she had peed on me and all over the kitchen floor.  I wiped up the floor, and sprayed myself with Lysol so I did not smell like cat urine, and went to the vet. 

We had to wait quite a while to get into the exam room.  Once we got into the exam room, Taki did not want to get out of the crate, but she finally did get out.  She cried and occasionally growled, until the technician poked his head in, then she started growling in earnest.  We did not take her temperature, and I told the technician I thought we could manage with just a towel.  The technician popped his head in twice after that, and Taki elevated her protests each time.  Finally when the vet came in, he and technician decided they needed towel and gloves.  We were able to hold Taki down, and she got her two shots, and jumped back into the carrier.  

No one was hurt.  

When we got home, Taki left the carrier as soon as I opened the door.  I cleaned the carrier, and until I put it away, Taki avoided the kitchen. That is typical for her, anyway.  She avoided me and hid for about 2 hours and then she came out and let me pet her.

I hate that this is such an ordeal.  I am glad no one was hurt. I am glad Taki has her annual vaccinations, and she is no longer mad at me.  

Hairball! Yuck!

Overnight, last Thursday night/Friday morning, I kept waking up and feeling this wet spot in my bed.  I would shift, and it would disappear.  But, then, I would roll into it again.  I could not comprehend what it was, and thought I was just dreaming. 

But, no.  When I got up Friday morning, sure enough, there was a hairball on the mattress, next to where I lie.  This has happened before, and if so, I usually get up, and cover the spot with a towel so I can finish sleeping in bed (that is disgusting, isn't it?) and tend to the problem during the day, and not in the middle of the night.  

For some reason, I did not respond that way last week.  But, when I got home from work and running errands on Friday, I stripped the bed, washed the sheets, and cleaned the mattress. 

I may be partially responsible.  I may not have been giving Haiku the hairball control treats, that seems to help her with hairballs, as regularly as I usually do. I will try to do better.

Where Are The Cats?

I had the day off today, and the cats were up and about this morning, looking for breakfast, and a late morning snack.  Haiku even asked for some Gouda cheese as I was reading on the recliner. She let me snip at some of the mats that are forming behind her front legs, too, although she does not like that.  About midday, they both repaired to their respective hiding spots, for their midday catnaps.

I went out mid-afternoon to run some errands, and when I arrived home a little after 4 PM, Taki came out looking for attention, and a snack.  Which was appropriate, because that is usually about the time I arrive home from work, and both Taki and Haiku look for snacks or dinner when I get in.

Not today. After a while, Taki disappeared and I have not heard from her.  As I started writing this, I also had not heard from Haiku, but no sooner than I typed the title for this piece, Haiku came out looking for dinner. She is very hungry and eating well!  Hmm.

Hidden Figures

I am reading the book Hidden Figures, the book about the women who worked for NACA and later NASA ,  computing equations about aircraft, and later spacecraft and flight trajectories and what have you. In fact the women who were doing the work were called computers, before that referred to electronic computers. 

Who would think that a story about women doing math could be interesting, but Margot Lee Shetterly was able to accomplish that.  

You may not have heard of the book, but this may sound familiar, because it was made into a movie of the same name:  Hidden Figures.  I really enjoyed the movie, so of course, I wanted to read the book!

Little did I know, but one of the main characters to this story, Katherine Johnson, turned 100 years old yesterday, August 26, 2018!  Hers is quite a story, and she deserves the recognition and accolades afforded to her by this book, and by this country!

A Slight Rain

There were spotty showers in the area tonight, and it got dark late afternoon.  I could see lightning and hear thunder, but it was protracted without rain, until finally we had a good but brief shower.  The kind of rain we needed.  Yeah, rain!

Mall Walker

I have decided I need to do something to get some regular exercise, so I went to the mall today.  I walked for about 30 minutes before I got tired, which surprised me.   My recent forays in the neighborhood were 5-10 minutes before I get tired. I picked the mall for several reasons:  plenty of places to sit if I need to rest; climate control; smooth surface to walk on; safety; and available restrooms.

I listened to NPR today while I walked.  At the time of day I was walking, the local station KTTZ was airing The Texas Standard, which I enjoy very much, and helped me not to be bored.  I thought I would be bored walking in the mall, so for that, I am glad. 

Tomorrow, I will see how my day goes and plan to get another walk in. 

The Air Conditioner

The air conditioner/heater unit I have is now a year old, and the company from which I purchased it provided a free one year check up. The technician showed me how to clean out the outdoor unit, and he checked for the temperature of the air coming out of the vents:  54° to 57°.  That explains why, when the air is blowing, I am too cold, although the thermostat is set at 78°.  But, that tells me the unit is working as it should.  I can also tell that by the electric and gas bills I have received this past year, and the actual usage of electricity and gas has been less, although I have the air conditioner set cooler (not much) and the heater set warmer (by about 3°) than I did before the new unit. 

Baseball Sunday!

Baseball scheduling is good this weekend:  I am able to watch the Red Sox play against the Rays early this afternoon.  The game should end soon enough to allow me to run some errands, and return home in time to watch the Yankees play the Orioles tonight.  I cannot remember the last time I got two nationally broadcast games of my two favorite teams in one day!  Baseball Sunday Major League Baseball.  

Drum Corp International

I got to attend the Drum Corps International preliminaries on August 9 this year.   The shows were good, some were better than others. My favorites did not win, but it was a good show.  I will go again next year if at all possible.

Length of Game: Yankee vs. Red Sox: The Best of Baseball

The Yankees and Red Sox are first and second in the American League East (Major League Baseball.)  That means that I have been able to watch several of their match ups on national broadcasts.  Usually when the two teams play together, their games are lengthy.  I like that the best!  

Eating Cheese: I Was Not Very Perceptive

I was feeding Haiku gouda cheese and she enjoys it very much.  There was a time when she would come to visit me on the sofa, and want something, and I could not figure out what it was.  Well, duh!  She was asking for cheese.  I am more aware now, and realize what she is asking for!

The Great American Read on PBS

Are you familiar with The Great American Read?  I was not, until I saw it advertised on PBS.  I checked out the top 100 books on the list, and was surprised by some entries, and assumed others would have made the list.  Not sure what my favorite book would be, but To Kill a Mockingbird is right at the top of the list.  Watch PBS?  You can vote.  I have. 

Politics in Person

A few weeks ago, a group in which I am involved had an opportunity to meet with a local politician running for a state-wide office.  We spent about 2 hours talking.  I really enjoy politics up close and personal, but watching it from afar is not as interesting and exciting.  The other exciting thing is to engage with someone who has similar views to mine.  Living in West Texas, that does not happen very much.  I am glad I at least always vote, even if sometimes, I do not make a selection on the ballot. 

Storm

The meteorological predictions for  8/8/18 included that we might get some storms  that night or 8/9/18. We have not had really measurable amounts of rain since last October. Earlier on 8/8/18, I was doing yard chores and walked into a backyard that was heavy with humidity, and experiencing the classical "calm before the storm." Absolutely no wind moving. That was before sunset.  I have been sitting at the computer looking out a north facing window, and for an hour or more, have been watching the lightning.  About 11:15 PM on 8/8/18, the lightning started. I checked several times and there was no rain.  About 11:45 PM, the thunder was audible. I checked and it looked like we were on the receiving end of a good, drenching rain.

We have to remember that because of the length of time we went without rain, the ground in this part of the world has dried up and, because of it's heavy clay content, packed down. That is to say that a deluge rain will just run off the hard packed soil.  What we really need is "just a gentle rain."  We are receiving a rain that is somewhere between "just a gentle rain" and a deluge so we should receive some real benefit from the rain, if it lasts long enough.

Fix the Pillows, Mom!

Haiku and Taki both like to sleep on my bed. Sometimes, they are both at the head, other times one, usually Haiku, sleeps in my spot at the head, and Taki sleeps diagonally from her at the foot.  

I have a thick, heavy foam pillow, and a lighter, softer pillow.  I often sleep with the foam pillow pushed flat against the head board, and lean the lighter pillow against it, making a ramp to lay on.  Haiku has taken to laying on the flat heavy foam pillow.  

Tonight, Haiku ate three good snacks, although lately she does not want to eat in the kitchen, or with me in the dining area, or on the chair behind mine in the computer room. I have to sheepishly admit that I am feeding her at the foot of my bed, her food dishes placed on a towel.  Actually, this is not new:  when she and Sake were younger, Sake would intimidate her when I put food down for them in their spot in the kitchen, and I separated them by feeding Haiku in bed, and that worked.  Now, Taki has a food mat in the computer room, and Haiku does better eating at the foot of the bed.

Well, tonight, in between and after her snacks, Haiku cried and cried.  She would lay on the bed in my spot and just cry. It took me 2 or 3 hours, but I realized that the pillows were misaligned, and the heavy foam pillow was propped in a slant against the head board.  I flattened it, and all was well!

I really am slow!