The Evacuations

 #1 Son and his family have evacuated from New Orleans.  Hurricane Ida is due there soon.  I am hoping that New Orleans makes it through the storm with as little destruction and despair as possible.

Husbandman and I are also evacuating.  We leave for Lyon in 3 days if all goes well for us. Covid in Indiana is ratcheting up and over the course of the next month, things don't look so great here.  I am hoping that Indiana makes it through the fourth surge with as few deaths as possible.

Many Afghan people are evacuating from their troubled country.  Sadly, some acquaintances from Mitzi's program have not made it out yet.  I am hoping hoping hoping they get on a plane soon and that there is no more killing in Kabul. I admire all that Mitzi has done to try to help these brave teachers. She's been tireless in her efforts. 

Sometimes it's best to run away from a problem if you can.  I am hoping that you too can evacuate if and when things get dangerous for you.  I'm also hoping you can help someone evacuate if you are able.  In the meantime, please take care of yourself and others in the best way you know how.

The Hawk

Spending a lot of time ON HOLD these days, trying to work out trip details.

Morgenstern's Book Store. I'm at a table in the corner next to the plate glass window.  I have a cup of ti kwan tea.  

Right outside the window is a teenaged red oak.  Across the street is a Goodwill store.  A HAWK just flew into the tree.  Swooped down and landed on a low branch. Gal at table behind me who is here with a friend doing bible study announced, "Look at that owl."  

The whole cafe area was checking out the hawk.  I said pleasantly, "It's not an owl.  It's a hawk."

She declared, "It's a big old turkey buzzard!"

"No, it's a hawk," I said, but, again, in a pleasant voice. (This gal might know her epistle of James, but she needs to get a grip on her bird ID).

The hawk flew off toward the Goodwill and Bible Gal announced, "That's a hawk!" to the store.

Then this other gal declared, "Isn't Bloomington awesome?  We are all amazing for living in Bloomington.  We should all pat ourselves on the back because we made the choice to live in this amazing place." 

I reached back and gave myself a pat.  I appreciate the way this gal really celebrated the hawk experience. This is a solid example of someone experiencing ichigo ichie, the art of making the most of every moment, which I'm currently reading about.

Morgenstern's is bringing much joy to the people of our town. So I hope when Husbandman and I return from France that Morgenstern's will still be here, going strong.  Make this happen, please, Bloomingtonians.  FYI:  The barista says they'll start serving wine soon, probably this weekend. 

 

Twin Tuesday Revival

 Some of you old timers on this blog may remember way back when #twinTuesday appeared each week.  I'd post a picture of 2 items and KC would also post a picture of 2 items.  We'd do this each Tuesday.  Do you remember?

Today I was sitting around not working waiting to go to France and I thought, "Why not start up with #twinTuesday again?  Why the heck not?"  

Then I cut out this picture from my cereal box, tossed it down on the counter next to an ear of corn and took this photo.  After that I texted KC and told her about the idea.  As per usual, KC was in like Flynn. Her exact words, when told about the plan to revive #twinTuesday were, "We probably should." 

This will give us all something to look forward to on Tuesdays. 

The Parades

 

Well there's always a movie to be watched with my good old Dad. Today it's Thin Grey Line with Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara.  This is not a good movie, but I'm learning a few things about West Point. I never had a big interest in West Point, but this movie presents WP cadets as caring, loyal and friendly.  The movie ends with a parade, which prompted my dad to tell me a few stories about parades he's been in.

In Osaka I was in a parade.  The war was over.  I went to Japan in 1946.  The Japanese were lined up watching our parade, and not saying a word. 

Then I had one in Tokyo with the first cavalry division.  That was a big day. It was Fourth of July.  I guess the parades were to flaunt our strength.  We weren't able to do much flaunting because we were all kids.  17, 18 year old kids.  I don't think the Japanese were that impressed.  They probably thought, "Geez, these are the guys who beat us?"

I was in a parade in Fort Bragg and because I was a shorter guy in the squadron, I had the extreme right hand position.  While we were going by the parade stand, I saluted.  I shouldn't have.  It was not in the drill for me, but anyway I saluted.  I was the only one, of 200 men in the line. I realized as I was doing it and pulled my hand down quickly, so...

The Darkness

 

I had a haircut today.  Haircuts are on my FAVORITE ACTIVITIES list.  So relaxing.  The woman who cuts my hair is a fun person and we like to chat about things that annoy us whenever we team up.  Today I mentioned that I had gotten home from California late last night.  I could tell right away that she was annoyed that I had been on a plane yesterday and was now sitting in her barber chair.  She was quieter and seemed less friendly. Ugh. I probably should have cancelled the hair appointment.  In retrospect, I feel badly about the whole shebang. I won't see this cool hair cutter for a year so I had hoped we'd part on happier terms.  Dark days. Full of worry. 

I just had to see my kids before the big trip. 
 

Travel Tips #4

 

All good things must come to an end, and that includes vacations with friends and fam.  When it's time to pack up, use your timer and challenge yourself to get everything stowed and cleaned within 15 minutes.  Or 30 minutes.  When all is swell, sit back and do a bit of blogging.  Reflect on the fun times you've had and ignore the blisters you've procured because you walked in the brand new shoes you had to buy while on your trip.  

It's hard to say good bye, but don't get all keyed up about it.  Your home base missed you and is waiting to see you again.  Give yourself a pat on the back for making every moment count on your trip.  Pop a chunk of rhodonite in your pocket and celebrate all the life loves that are available to you on the daily.

If you don't have rhodonite, try to get some as soon as possible. It's a valuable and attractive stone.

Travel Tips #3

 When you're on a vacation, you must keep moving.  You should try to make every moment count and pack in as many events and as many steps and as many stories as possible.  #1Son and Rachel were here for just a blink, but get this. We did a lot, as you can see from the following bulleted list

• Cesar Chavez Park windy walk, views of the bay
• Sister Pizza in Oakland.  Ooh La La
• Mission Dolores.  DIY tour through the oldest structure in SF (1791)
• Mission district.  Murals and burritos and old book stores.
• Amoeba Records on Haight Street. I didn't go to this part, but records were purchased.
• Monumental Reckoning in GG Park.  Incredible installation.  Quite moving. Dana King = artist.
• SF Botanical Garden. Redwood Grove.  Cloud Forest. Looking for coyotes.
• Thai food next to Lake Merritt.  Sorry I can't remember the name of this delicious place.  We ate outside near some boats.  Beautiful.
• Lands End Hike.  Come on.  This is the best hike on the planet.
• Picnic in Alamo Square.  We used to live on Alamo Square so this was nostalgic, plus, we had great sandwiches from Lucinda's.
• SF MOMA Nam June Paik exhibition.  This exhibition is phenomenal.  Nam June Paik liked to fool around with music and image and technology and really knew how to shake things up. Thanks to CB for the tickets and the friendship.
• Sales Force Park.  This is an elevated park that has been compared to the High Line in NYC.  V. beautiful and relaxing place to chat.
• Dinner at Tropisueno.  Great meal here.  Lots of great discussion of the newly discovered term, "cheugy." 
• Chatting in to the night at the Airbnb.  So fun to have a family together.  And too rare.  

So my travel tips today are twofold.  Do more than you think you can do and feel all the feelings while you're doing these things. 

The Travel Advice #2

If you travel to Sonoma, you're probably going to be quite pleased.  I'm especially fond of the pool pictured here.  I stay in this pool whenever I'm not walking about this historic town.  I do love a swimming pool.  And that's why I loved learning about SWIMPLY, a web site that's like AirBnb, but instead of renting a house, you RENT A SWIMMING POOL!!!  I mean come on! How great is that?  My travel advice of the day is check out SWIMLY and go spend a few hours at a pleasant pool, especially if it's hot outside.  

 

The Travel Advice

 

We're in California now and as you can see, we're having plenty of fun already.  

We had a picnic in Golden Gate Park.  

My advice to you, if you find yourself here in San Francisco, is take a walk down the GREAT HIGHWAY soon because right now it's closed to vehicles, but in a week or two, it's going to be open to vehicles again.  Take advantage of this opportunity, my friends.  The Great Highway is yours for the taking. 

Hubbub and Hoodwinks

 

Today is the second day of school.  I'm not working this year, but I still get school emails.  I truly love reading  about schedule adjustments, dismissal issues and hallway procedures.  Does anyone have any extra scissors? What about clipboards?  Sorry to tell you this, people, but kids who didn't return their iPad chargers last year aren't getting new ones.

It's weird being a teacher-on-leave this week.  I am happy to be maybe going to France, but I do miss the beginning of school year hubbub. I guess that's a good thing.  It means that I am mostly quite fond of being a teacher.  No news there.

On the other hand---I'm not going to lie---it's nice to sleep in, go out to lunch, and spend time noodling around. We're even taking a quick pre-sabbatical trip, if we're not hoodwinked by covid once again.  We'll spend the next week visiting family and friends in California.  It will be a happy time of reunion and revelry. 

Side note:  The term HOODWINKED has an interesting history. So does HUBBUB. 

The Watermelon

 Sitting around eating watermelon before The Bachelorette comes on. Husbandman always grades our watermelons.  He says tonight's watermelon was a "solid B."  He's a super hard grader when it comes to watermelons.  The watermelon we just consumed was excellent in its juiciness and crunchiness.  I'd easily give it an A.

But, here's the bad news. Did you know that you could die if you eat a whole watermelon?  

Watermelon's great in a lot of ways, but people have died from eating too much, so my advice is: enjoy one slice or two and then move on to some other activity. 

The Lazy Day Limbo

 Lazy day limbo here on High Street.  We bought socks at Target.  We took a walk at Switchyard Park.  We worked on the Spelling Bee puzzle. Now we're watching the Mets play the Reds.  Our Mets are losing, but it's only the seventh inning.

Last night the Mets beat the Reds, so I know they can do it again.  

There's a Red who has the name Jesse Winker.  Last night, a Mets fan was heckling him.  The fan was also holding a sign that said, "Jesse Winker, you're a straight up bitch."  Come to find out, Jesse loved the sign and the fan gave it to him for his sign collection.  In exchange, Jesse gave the incorrigible fan a signed baseball.  Nice, right? The whole exchange was adorable and has piqued my interest in this cool cat by the name of Jesse Winker.  I keep sharing information and images of Jesse with Husbandman, but I guess it's a distraction from the game because Husbandman just said, "Hon, you're getting too focused on Jesse Winker right now." 

He's probably right, but when you're in lazy day limbo, your attention has a wandering way that leads to pleasant, yet unexpected, pondering.