This and That

This and that:

Our weather here in Minnesota has changed to “Beautiful!” We have little or no humidity, beautiful blue skies, with a few puffy clouds. This is the way I like summer!

My eye surgeries were a complete success and I now wear glasses for driving and when attending a play or watching a movie. This is so weird for me – I have worn glasses or contact lenses since I was about 15 or 16 years old.

Nels has figured out he is allowed to be in the cottage with me if he sits in my lap. He stands at the screen door and meows to come in. I open the door, lift him up, and together we sit down. He curls up and the petting begins. For 30 to 40 minutes, or longer, he looks up at me and I stroke his head, under his chin, over his back, and eventually he rolls onto his back to expose his entire tummy – stretching out long. This, by the way, is the biggest sign a cat is allowing you to have dominion over him. I gently rub his tummy, and he looks up to me as if to say, Thank you, Mommy. During most of this time, his motor is running – purr, purr, purr.

My foot continues to be a pain – literally. I have been to the doctor twice. One appointment last week where I saw a “fill in” while my doctor was away on vacation (Alaskan fishing trip), and yesterday I saw my doctor. My doctor diagnosed it as a possible ganglion cyst and has referred me to a podiatrist whom I will see next Tuesday. In the meantime, I’m staying off it as much as possible, have it wrapped in an elastic bandage, and am icing it whenever possible. For the most part, I am limping around – and am very ready to be back to normal.

This Saturday afternoon I am hosting a backyard picnic for the residents in my building and those in the one across our backyard. This is not going to be a gala event, but hopefully a time of getting acquainted with our neighbors that we often see at the mailbox or out on the deck or patio or coming from or going to the garage. Living where I do has reminded me of the movie Rear Window more than once – not that I think any of them is a murderer, mind you, but that I see lights at certain times, folks tending to their plants, reading in a comfortable chair, or eating dinner. One I see quite often seems to come out on her deck to smoke. I realize this isn’t very interesting to you, but these are my neighbors, and I’m anxious to know them better. I’m hoping the nice weather lasts, and that my bum foot will cooperate so I can assemble some tables and decorations – and make something delicious to share.

Starting next Tuesday, my job description will change. I will no longer work in the Production Department, but will be the company morning receptionist and continue to work for the Design Director the second half of the day. This is fine with me, as I love meeting people and chatting with them, and will still get to do the fun, creative things for the Design Director. As long as one works, it’s nice to be doing something enjoyable.

And that’s about it for now.