Jetsetting

So I'm on the road this week. Jackson, MS to Backwoods LA to somewhat less backwoods MS, back to Jackson then to OKC and then home. Should be a whirlwind of travelly goodness, and I sustain myself with the thoughts that:
1) I'm renting a minivan for the first leg (JAN -> LA -> MS -> JAN). Laugh all you want, but those things are sweet rides and have all the amenities. Since I will be driving many boxes and 8+ hours that day, it is what it is and I choose to see the positives.
2)I am earning mad Rapid Rewards beeatch! Maybe I'll use one to come see you some time.
3)I am staying in nicer hotels this time. I talked to my boss about the "dead hooker truck stop specials" that I've booked myself into the past few trips and decided I need to stop doing that. I also worked out the logistics to knock one night off the travel by having 3 rough days, which I think calls for 2 nice hotel rooms. Since I book my own travel, that went unopposed and has been implemented.

More later, I'm going to do some work because it's been raining for so long that I'm *that* bored

Stifling one's natural urges

The Sun and I: We are best friends!

So here I am, feeling a bit like Milton the Early Riser. I remember checking that book out from the library every week for like a year when I was little- my mother thought it would give me ideas for something to do in the 3 hours between when I woke up and when the rest of the world started moving (I was banned BANNED I say from using the phone before 9 due to a number of complaints from friend's parents because NO SUSIE IS NOT AWAKE YET IT IS 7AM AND CAN I SPEAK TO YOUR MOTHER? "Sure, I'll go wake her up!"). I also remember memorizing it, then checking out the copy with the Braille page overlays and convincing household visitors that I had learned to read Braille (hint: throw in a couple of mistakes, but catch yourself before you go on). I further remember being late on returning it to the library and getting a stern letter about fines and such and freaking out that I was going to get arrested and spend my life in jail and not being able to sleep until my mother took me to the library to return it.

But I digress. I've been up for almost 2 hours now, even the dog won't get up. I spent some time staring hard at HN to see if I could will him awake, but he's had a long week and is sleeping like John f'ing Henry this morning. I made a serious production about getting up- shades pulled up, windows opened, loud stretching bedside. No luck. I made coffee and banged around, cleaned the kitchen, got our morning plans ready and have organized my thoughts and my day, set my intentions and made lists of what I need to buy to fulfill those. and still everyone sleeps. Cat got up with me for a bit but went back downstairs. On a normal day, I'd just be out and about already, making shit happen. Well, except that nothing is open yet, but I can do a mean window shop in this joint. I could walk down the street to an awesome threepeat yard sale, because that dude gets up at like 6 but that would be rude, since HN and I have planned some things for today and that being one of them it just seems rude to go without.

but sitting at the computer is for p*ssies. I'm going to dig something up in the garden methinks!

After

Notice the shiny new white pipe. It is not old cast iron, it is not broken and there is no more pee on the basement floor. What is it with me and excretions all over the basement ?

During

Before

Gift from a tiny stranger

Best part of my day.

She knew what I needed even if I didn't myself at the time.

Sweet nectar

Aar!

It's a bird house! Handpainted, one of a kind. Yes, sir. She's authentic.