Things happen a little slower down here in South Carolina, it's a very common thing. Some of the road construction has gone on for years and it may be a few more years before it actually gets done.
There's a new highway that has been delayed and it opened yesterday. Well, I thought it opened because the road was not blocked. I missed the turn yesterday, but today I made the turn and immediately slowed down. It did not look like it was open. I thought a construction worker was going to start waving his hands at me, but I proceeded slowly.
It was eerie. No cars in front of me or in back of me. There were no lines paved on the road. Construction workers were working on both sides of the highway. And then a roadblock! I pulled up to a worker and asked, "Is the road open?" He said it was and I should go through the small path around the barriers and I did it.
After ten to fifteen minutes of driving at a slower pace, I did not see a single car. How long will they have barriers on the road and construction workers walking on the highway? I have no idea. I would have made great time if I was traveling at a normal highway speed, but it was kind of fun to have my own highway in the middle of the day.
Wouldn't it be great if you could be the only car on the road once in awhile?
Friday, June 29, 2018
The Beach Countdown
We've lived here in South Carolina for six full months now. As I've said before, I'm not a beach person. However, if the sun isn't involved, I do like the beach. I've been to the beach many times in six months. I've seen the sun rise and set several times. I've walked on the beach in a winter hat when it was forty degrees and I've walked on the beach(in sneakers) when the sun was shining and the temperature was in the 70's. I've sat on a deck in front of the beach when the sun was blazing and it was uncomfortably warm.
However, I have not been to the beach the way most people think of "going to the beach." I have not worn a bathing suit(just shorts) and I have not taken my shirt off either or my socks.(do I really have to?) I have not done what most people love to do-sit on a chair or lay on a blanket in the hot sun.(I'm twitching just typing that)
The time is coming quickly. It may happen in 14-15 hours on Saturday morning or it could be Sunday morning. Only weather conditions can save me now. There is some chance of thunderstorms, but that would be unfortunate with family visiting.
I do have a couple outs.(ways I can get out respectfully) The chances are about 97% that I will be slathering lotion on and trying to sit in the shade of our umbrella this weekend. If you're up North and suffering through this weekend's heat wave wishing you were at the beach, I will be suffering on a beautiful beach and working hard not to get burned.
I'm going to try on my bathing suit-maybe it won't fit?
However, I have not been to the beach the way most people think of "going to the beach." I have not worn a bathing suit(just shorts) and I have not taken my shirt off either or my socks.(do I really have to?) I have not done what most people love to do-sit on a chair or lay on a blanket in the hot sun.(I'm twitching just typing that)
The time is coming quickly. It may happen in 14-15 hours on Saturday morning or it could be Sunday morning. Only weather conditions can save me now. There is some chance of thunderstorms, but that would be unfortunate with family visiting.
I do have a couple outs.(ways I can get out respectfully) The chances are about 97% that I will be slathering lotion on and trying to sit in the shade of our umbrella this weekend. If you're up North and suffering through this weekend's heat wave wishing you were at the beach, I will be suffering on a beautiful beach and working hard not to get burned.
I'm going to try on my bathing suit-maybe it won't fit?
Thursday, June 28, 2018
The Man in The Garage
At first glance you might think this is about a TV series that you can watch online, but actually this is about my neighborhood. We have one street with a lot of people moved in and then there a couple streets like ours that have a few people and a number of empty(sold and unsold) houses.
But the man in the garage was unusual, until I realized there were several of them. The first couple times I saw the one guy I didn't think about it, but then it hit me-why is someone sitting in a hot garage? Our garage is like an oven and when the garage door is open it's just a little cooler. My wife said that a lot of people sit in their garage, but I'm not sure why. Then one day I saw him playing a guitar and the light bulb went on. Maybe he goes into the garage to play music? I don't know for sure, but at least that's something.
Then, I realized there was another guy in his garage. All the way down the same street on the same side a guy with a wife and two kids, got rid of his garage. He has a man cave instead of a garage. You can look inside because it's all open, but it's enclosed and see it's a living room-in his garage. How does he live without a garage or basement and two kids? I'm not really sure how he manages that feat.
Finally, one more man in the garage-it was me. I started delivering some free newspapers/circulars and I had to bag them in my garage. It was much cooler at 5 am., so I sat there watching a beautiful full moon and bagging newspapers. And then I realized that if someone else was awake they might wonder what I was doing sitting in my garage.
Keep in mind that the next time you wonder about what someone else is doing, someone else could be wondering what you're doing and it may be exactly the same thing!
But the man in the garage was unusual, until I realized there were several of them. The first couple times I saw the one guy I didn't think about it, but then it hit me-why is someone sitting in a hot garage? Our garage is like an oven and when the garage door is open it's just a little cooler. My wife said that a lot of people sit in their garage, but I'm not sure why. Then one day I saw him playing a guitar and the light bulb went on. Maybe he goes into the garage to play music? I don't know for sure, but at least that's something.
Then, I realized there was another guy in his garage. All the way down the same street on the same side a guy with a wife and two kids, got rid of his garage. He has a man cave instead of a garage. You can look inside because it's all open, but it's enclosed and see it's a living room-in his garage. How does he live without a garage or basement and two kids? I'm not really sure how he manages that feat.
Finally, one more man in the garage-it was me. I started delivering some free newspapers/circulars and I had to bag them in my garage. It was much cooler at 5 am., so I sat there watching a beautiful full moon and bagging newspapers. And then I realized that if someone else was awake they might wonder what I was doing sitting in my garage.
Keep in mind that the next time you wonder about what someone else is doing, someone else could be wondering what you're doing and it may be exactly the same thing!
Saturday, June 23, 2018
The Bedside Table
We've had new bedroom furniture for more than a month now and it looks great since my wife has wonderful taste and as usual has decorated the house beautifully. However, I have finally concluded I don't know what to do with what is next to my side on the bed. I call it a nightstand, but I'm told that is the old fashioned word for it. It is a "bedside table" or "bed side table", since it's a table on the side of my bed.
I have a lamp on it, a picture of our wedding day(awww), and a clock radio that I use only as a clock. I'm actually not sure if there is a radio, probably just an alarm that I have no idea how to use. The biggest problem is the three drawers, what do you put in it?
My wife said that I won't be eating in the bedroom, but if I was, I think I would put a milky way bar(in case I got hungry in the middle of the night), maybe a couple of hard candies(that my Dad loves), and some cut-up cheese. Okay, the cheese wouldn't work out to well, because it might smell and I might not get to it first. I'm not so sure about the milky way bar either since the milk would be in the kitchen.
My wife suggested some medicine, but I have one small container of cholesterol pills and it's in the bathroom, so that's not a good fit. I suggested a flashlight, but my wife asked if I'd use it and I said, "probably not." She suggested I put all my electronic chargers in one drawer, so I did it. It doesn't seem very handy in the bedroom, but we'll give it a shot.
A couple times a year I may have a couple Tums if my stomach needs it, but there are two big drawers that are empty! I don't need to put clothes in the drawer because I have a closet which has more space than I can fill up. I could put a book in a drawer, but I already have a book in each bathroom and a bookcase with more than 300 books.
So, help me out. I have two drawers to fill unless the few Tums go in one drawer. Any suggestions can be sent to me. Maybe I can rent some space out?
I have a lamp on it, a picture of our wedding day(awww), and a clock radio that I use only as a clock. I'm actually not sure if there is a radio, probably just an alarm that I have no idea how to use. The biggest problem is the three drawers, what do you put in it?
My wife said that I won't be eating in the bedroom, but if I was, I think I would put a milky way bar(in case I got hungry in the middle of the night), maybe a couple of hard candies(that my Dad loves), and some cut-up cheese. Okay, the cheese wouldn't work out to well, because it might smell and I might not get to it first. I'm not so sure about the milky way bar either since the milk would be in the kitchen.
My wife suggested some medicine, but I have one small container of cholesterol pills and it's in the bathroom, so that's not a good fit. I suggested a flashlight, but my wife asked if I'd use it and I said, "probably not." She suggested I put all my electronic chargers in one drawer, so I did it. It doesn't seem very handy in the bedroom, but we'll give it a shot.
A couple times a year I may have a couple Tums if my stomach needs it, but there are two big drawers that are empty! I don't need to put clothes in the drawer because I have a closet which has more space than I can fill up. I could put a book in a drawer, but I already have a book in each bathroom and a bookcase with more than 300 books.
So, help me out. I have two drawers to fill unless the few Tums go in one drawer. Any suggestions can be sent to me. Maybe I can rent some space out?
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Good Morning-It's Chicken Parm Day!
I'm an early morning person, unlike many people. However, I am a little foggy getting up and my head probably clears like most people, although maybe a little quicker. This morning as I walked towards my bedroom door one of my first thoughts was, "It's Chicken Parm Day."
I know it's probably not a "healthy" thought and it might be better to think like many other people that today, Wednesday, is "Hump Day," but there's no doubt in my stomach that today is "Chicken Parm Day."
I'm not Italian and my wife is not making her famous Italian sauce either, but I think I can smell it right now. When you raise three kids you know that everyone has different likes and dislikes when it comes to food.(unless it's chicken fingers and anything that resembles pizza) However, our kids all agree that Mom's chicken parm was one meal we could not get enough of and that has not changed.
Our oldest daughter is visiting and of course her first food request was...chicken parm. And tonight is the night we shall enjoy it. This is the daughter who once wrote a song about.... yes, chicken parm. Eating my Raisin Bran(with milk) it doesn't taste like it usually does, because I'm thinking about dinner which will be twelve hours from now.
I won't be thinking about chicken parm all day I'm sure, but it may happen a few times today that my mind wanders off to thinking about dinner and that there will only be three of us eating that wonderful meal that my wife is going to cook. Not that she's under any pressure to make it now, but I will make sure she gets this before I head off to work.
Don't worry, I'll have a bite for you too, since you won't be able to taste it.
I know it's probably not a "healthy" thought and it might be better to think like many other people that today, Wednesday, is "Hump Day," but there's no doubt in my stomach that today is "Chicken Parm Day."
I'm not Italian and my wife is not making her famous Italian sauce either, but I think I can smell it right now. When you raise three kids you know that everyone has different likes and dislikes when it comes to food.(unless it's chicken fingers and anything that resembles pizza) However, our kids all agree that Mom's chicken parm was one meal we could not get enough of and that has not changed.
Our oldest daughter is visiting and of course her first food request was...chicken parm. And tonight is the night we shall enjoy it. This is the daughter who once wrote a song about.... yes, chicken parm. Eating my Raisin Bran(with milk) it doesn't taste like it usually does, because I'm thinking about dinner which will be twelve hours from now.
I won't be thinking about chicken parm all day I'm sure, but it may happen a few times today that my mind wanders off to thinking about dinner and that there will only be three of us eating that wonderful meal that my wife is going to cook. Not that she's under any pressure to make it now, but I will make sure she gets this before I head off to work.
Don't worry, I'll have a bite for you too, since you won't be able to taste it.
Monday, June 18, 2018
The Father's Day Road Trip
For Father's Day some people have a barbecue or go out to eat or maybe even go to a baseball game. We had a great barbecue at my sister's Saturday and then a big brunch at my Dad's on Sunday and then my oldest daughter and I took a little road trip for the next twelve hours back to South Carolina. Some of the highlights:
1. Reaching the Delaware Memorial Bridge we realized that we were not the only people traveling early Sunday afternoon. It wasn't as bad as the day after Christmas, but getting through the toll we did get delayed 10-15 minutes. Maybe the problem was E-Z pass.(I don't think it's E-Z)
2. My daughter put together a "play" list of songs for us to listen to and I got to hear a bunch of songs from the famous "Hamilton" show. I thought the "Hamilton" songs were okay, but nothing really struck me as-"Wow!" I wonder what Jefferson would have thought.
3. After eating my one meal at the tremendous brunch(where I had scrambled eggs, prime rib, salmon, and bagels with cream cheese and lox, I did not have an appetite the rest of the day. If you saw my plates you would know why. We did stop at a Wendy's and I had my first Frosty.(although several members of my family insist it wasn't my first one)
4. One of the highlights of the trip was listening to an audio book. Comedian, Jim Gaffagin, wrote a book about food and he narrated it to us and it was worth hearing. He explained why southern people move slowly(biscuits and gravy), explained the goal of all-you-can-eat buffets(eat at least a dollar more than you pay) and he doesn't want any of those fresh fruit Edible Arrangement gifts, he wants one with just meatballs.
5. We stopped at rest stops and a Subway and took some turns driving through the traffic. The last hour and a half we had to make about a dozen turns on dark country roads and finally arrived safely at 12:31 am on my driveway. I estimated we would leave at 12:30 pm and arrive twelve hours later so you could say I was a minute late which is pretty good.
In conclusion, it was fun, but you may want to try a baseball game which is usually shorter unless it's the Yankees and Red Sox and then you never know.
1. Reaching the Delaware Memorial Bridge we realized that we were not the only people traveling early Sunday afternoon. It wasn't as bad as the day after Christmas, but getting through the toll we did get delayed 10-15 minutes. Maybe the problem was E-Z pass.(I don't think it's E-Z)
2. My daughter put together a "play" list of songs for us to listen to and I got to hear a bunch of songs from the famous "Hamilton" show. I thought the "Hamilton" songs were okay, but nothing really struck me as-"Wow!" I wonder what Jefferson would have thought.
3. After eating my one meal at the tremendous brunch(where I had scrambled eggs, prime rib, salmon, and bagels with cream cheese and lox, I did not have an appetite the rest of the day. If you saw my plates you would know why. We did stop at a Wendy's and I had my first Frosty.(although several members of my family insist it wasn't my first one)
4. One of the highlights of the trip was listening to an audio book. Comedian, Jim Gaffagin, wrote a book about food and he narrated it to us and it was worth hearing. He explained why southern people move slowly(biscuits and gravy), explained the goal of all-you-can-eat buffets(eat at least a dollar more than you pay) and he doesn't want any of those fresh fruit Edible Arrangement gifts, he wants one with just meatballs.
5. We stopped at rest stops and a Subway and took some turns driving through the traffic. The last hour and a half we had to make about a dozen turns on dark country roads and finally arrived safely at 12:31 am on my driveway. I estimated we would leave at 12:30 pm and arrive twelve hours later so you could say I was a minute late which is pretty good.
In conclusion, it was fun, but you may want to try a baseball game which is usually shorter unless it's the Yankees and Red Sox and then you never know.
Friday, June 15, 2018
"The Journey Home"
It sounds like a great title for a "Star Trek" or "Lord of the Rings" sequel and it's possible it was. However, my journey home isn't quite as exciting, just different. Some people might say,(and they have) it's a little crazy to drive ten hours by yourself through the night after working all day, but it's really not. It might seem it would be easier to hop on a plane, but when you consider getting to the airport, being there early, the cost of the trip, getting out of the airport and back to the airport and leaving the airport again, it doesn't add up to such a great idea.(although I'll consider it in the future)
The key to this is that I really enjoy driving and for me it's a challenge and an adventure. Planning out when to leave and what I'll need and how I'll get some hours of sleep through the night, to me is really fun. I have about sixteen hours to make a ten hour drive, so I'll be able to take my time and snooze when I need to. I'll just pull into a hotel parking lot, lock the doors and lean back and nap a bit here and there.
My iPod is all ready and charged and will be on at 4 pm. Since I know it will last 18 hours I'll be good until I arrive safely in New Jersey. I will probably listen a little at the end to WFAN, the sports station,I do miss and catch up on some New York sports. The extra food and drink are ready to be packed and I'm all ready to go. The only problem is it's 5:30 am and I can only write about the trip since I'm still 10 1/2 hours away from my departure time.
My trip back home to Myrtle Beach will be a little easier with my older daughter joining me and possibly driving a couple hours. Funny thing is I'll have less sleep Sunday night than I will tonight since I have to work early Monday morning. The bigger challenge for me is working on Monday, but then again, it is the best day of the week-in my opinion.
The key to this is that I really enjoy driving and for me it's a challenge and an adventure. Planning out when to leave and what I'll need and how I'll get some hours of sleep through the night, to me is really fun. I have about sixteen hours to make a ten hour drive, so I'll be able to take my time and snooze when I need to. I'll just pull into a hotel parking lot, lock the doors and lean back and nap a bit here and there.
My iPod is all ready and charged and will be on at 4 pm. Since I know it will last 18 hours I'll be good until I arrive safely in New Jersey. I will probably listen a little at the end to WFAN, the sports station,I do miss and catch up on some New York sports. The extra food and drink are ready to be packed and I'm all ready to go. The only problem is it's 5:30 am and I can only write about the trip since I'm still 10 1/2 hours away from my departure time.
My trip back home to Myrtle Beach will be a little easier with my older daughter joining me and possibly driving a couple hours. Funny thing is I'll have less sleep Sunday night than I will tonight since I have to work early Monday morning. The bigger challenge for me is working on Monday, but then again, it is the best day of the week-in my opinion.
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