Weather...grrrr

This is definitely turning out to be an oddball year weather-wise. Here, we had about one week of spring temps before it got beastly hot. Now, what has happened to autumn? The average temp in October should be in the 60s; but it's only 40 something every day for a high.

The farmers are really feeling the pain. Lots of fields still have beans, which means they haven't started on the corn yet. Add in day after day of rain, and it will have to be after the temps stay below freezing before they can finish harvesting.

One bright spot: Saturday is forecast to be in the 50s and I have the day off so will be trying to get everything done outside.

Errant Thoughts Story, Part 28

Susan hummed contentedly under her breath as she kept one eye on the backgammon game Iris and Grace were playing. Knitting needles clicked rhythmically as a hat formed in her lap; word had spread about her handmade goods and orders for hats, scarves, mittens and socks kept her from any idle time. Customers provided the yarn and described what they wanted, she found patterns at the library and payment came in precious dollars or bartered food.

A side benefit from the needle work was the calming effect it had on her nerves; especially important now as the boys prepared to return to high school in the next week. Susan had received a letter from Dave's parents allowing her to act as his guardian and enroll him back at the local school. He still planned on working each day after school and weekends, but the difference in both boys' incomes would be felt.

An exasperated cry marked the end of the game as Grace leaned back in defeat. Susan smiled to herself as she considered again just how sharp Iris could be for someone who seemed to be in a mental fog.

A scene on the t.v. of a semi-truck stopped sideways on an interstate caught Grace's eye and she unmuted it. "I'm broke. None of the loads are enough to cover the cost of diesel and insurance and truck payments. If the government wants it they can come get it and fight the bank themselves."

The reporter asked, "Why are you blocking the interstate? Isn't that just hurting the other truckers?"

"They'll understand. And why? Because someone has to get the word out about who's fault this is before people are going hungry."

As the camera panned across the backed up traffic, Iris pointed out, "He must have warned his friends; there aren't any other trucks."

While they discussed the implications, the news moved on to international events. Conversation stopped with the introduction of the next segment. "Three months ago, the British government began a tough, zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration. Today we get an inside look into the internment camps and interviews with the people living there."

The program proceeded to show two bleak, wind-swept islands off the coast of Scotland; families and single men kept separately. The family camp had a play-room with toys, but both were utilitarian; offering only books for entertainment and a basic, vegetarian diet of beans and rice. Money, tobacco and alcohol were not allowed. Personal possessions were kept locked up on the mainland until the occupants' fates were decided.

An interview with a politician surprisingly didn't show aggression or defensiveness; instead, he just seemed tired. "The system is unsustainable," he said bluntly. "It's gone past the tipping point where taxpayers can support those on benefits. Even with the cutbacks and austerity measures, we can't afford the basics. I was tasked with taking the illegal immigrants out of the equation at a minimum cost. It's not ideal, it's not desirable and I'm not proud of my methods, but it is the best I could do."

Next up was a Chinese family, waiting for permission to return to China. The woman shrugged in response to the questions, "Before, they knew we were illegal, but they left us alone because of the babies. We made good money running the takeaway." She laughed at the idea of paying taxes and, when asked about their future, "We will go back to our families. They will be angry there is no more money."

A young man from Afghanistan blamed Europe for his troubles; through a translator he explained, "Life was supposed to be better here. I paid good money to come. I destroyed my passport so they couldn't make me leave. Now there is no help and I am stuck here. I want to go home. Stupid, useless Europeans!"

As the report wrapped up, Grace pressed the mute button and looked at the others thoughtfully. "I wonder...when the economy finally stabilizes again, however many years that takes, will Europe still be on top?"

Part 29

Why?

Why does an interesting dream flit away the instant I wake up but a nightmare lingers on, threatening to return if I dare to fall asleep again? I could do without the accompanying headache as well.

:(

Errant Thoughts Story, Part 27

Danny and Dave puffed to a stop in front of the apartment building. Enjoying the relatively cool air of an early Sunday morning, they had run to their high school and joined the football team in the weight room before running home again.

Pausing his stretching, Danny asked, "Are you ever going to tell me what your big idea was?"

"Oh, that. Well, I was only going to tell you if it worked out and it didn't." Dave sat on the curb and wiped the sweat off his face. Seeing the exasperation of his friend, he laughed wryly, "All right, then; I have an aunt that I didn't know much about except that she was supposed to have married money. I thought maybe I could talk to her and find out why she and Mom don't get along; maybe even convince her to help out."

Danny's eyebrow rose skeptically as he thought about the differences between his mom and her sisters; the rift in Dave's family sounded even wider if they weren't on speaking terms. "What happened? Did you see her?"

Shoulders hunched at the memory, Dave kept his eyes on an ant hill between his feet. "Yeah, I did. I took the bus over on a Saturday. Now I know why Mom called her 'Crazy Thelma'. Geez, Danny! She wasn't a bit odd or eccentric; I'm talking about there was something seriously wrong with her." Shaking his head, he stopped talking.

Knowing something was still bugging his friend, Danny pushed harder, "What else is bothering you? Were you counting on her help?"

"No, it's not that. I always knew it was a long shot. It's just... what if I've inherited that? Or if it misses me, could I pass it on to my kids? Do you know what I mean?"

"Hey, my dad killed himself; I know exactly what you mean. I've just had a lot longer to get used to the idea. Of course, I talked to Mom about it too."

"What did she say?"

"Basically, it's all down to chance. Each of us is unique and has to do the best we can with what we are. Except she explained it a lot better." Standing up with a grunt, Danny continued, "Come on. I need a shower and Mom has a to-do list for us. What do you want to bet I get called in to work this afternoon?"

"Ha! No bet."

Part 28

Say what?

My son was trying to explain a stand-up comedian to me:

"She's referencing girl culture."

"I don't know what that means."

"You know, when girls are in a group and...oh, no, you wouldn't know about that."

The re-awakening awareness that his mother was never a 'normal' girl that hung around the popular groups or went to parties and clubs. It sounded awful when I was young and I don't regret not joining in at all. :)

People are strange

So, my part time job is in retail. I don't mind it; I see all sorts of different people and pick up character ideas for my stories. Some of them though...well, to give some examples:

Yesterday a storm blew through and the power went off. Even when it came back on a few minutes later, the registers had to reboot and reconnect to the system. This isn't something that happens quickly and just because the lights are on, it doesn't mean we can do anything for the customers. One man became so incensed that he threw down his bag of candy and rushed out. Probably even more frustrating that he couldn't slam the sliding door shut.

Some make me sad, like the young woman buying prenatal vitamins and a pack of cigarettes.

Today was a woman who believed I was denying her a discount code for her brand of smokes. Even though I showed her there wasn't a code on the shelf or the print-out. She was still angry and rude...over 15 cents. I have to wonder if her anger was because she wouldn't admit to being wrong or because I didn't give her the discount anyway like one of my co-workers admitted to doing.

At least these are the exceptions. Most are what I would consider neutral experiences, but there are many more positive than negative. People who are charming, patient and pleasant.

Flowers and such

I decided this year to surround myself with beauty.

So I filled all my pots.

And bought some more.

I just fell in love with this metal dog.

I don't know what my neighbors think of me mowing around the wild yarrow in my front yard, but I'm doing it anyway.

I had to water everything this morning. We have the worst of both worlds now: massive clouds of mosquitos from the wet June but hot and dry. Ah well, such is life.