snippets of the weekend 7.5.2023

Friday I had a visit from one of our long-time returning shore guests that I will not see in August due to our travel and they brought me gifts. I peaced out on work at 2 after a very frustrating week and sat my ass on the beach until 6 pm. MFD and I inadvertently matched when we met back up to do the boards for pizza and people watching. 

Saturday MFD left early with the animals. I changed our sheets, did rental turnover which was easy with returning departing guests, ran to the store for batteries for remotes that I did not have, cleaned our apartment, stopped at the library to pick up books on hold, stopped at Home Depot to pay a balance on flooring and pick some shit up for MFD, and stopped at the Moms for Liberty protest at the Marriott in town. Fuck those people and their hatred disguised as concern and their attempt to exert control over other people according to their own religion. 

I made it home around 4. I stunk at that point and got a shower, we ordered from Andale in Feasterville, I painted my nails, and I ran some errands. Haven't the Made in India colorful capiz-ish trays been readily available at Marshalls and HomeGoods and TJMaxx for the past two years and now that I need to replace two of mine there isn't one fucking tray to be found? Man alive. I did spy multiple things I'd buy if I had endless space to fill but I'm trying to have less, not more, so none of these made the cut. 

Sunday morning the dogs and I left before 9 for Lori's. It was an overcast relaxing day of lolling around and reading and Antol's black raspberry soft serve ice cream. Ben had his very own brand new big bone and enjoyed rolling in the grass. He loves it there. 

Monday we were out and about getting breakfast at the VFW, stopping to see Jack and the dogs, hitting the LeRaysville Market and the Dandy, always favorite Cold Creek Gardens where we ran into Homer the Beagle, a 9/11 Memorial built by a mom who lost her son, and attempting to buy homemade chipwiches from Antol's before picking some up at the grocery store. 

We did takeout for dinner and also did a chipwich tasteoff - Chipwich original won but the Big Chipper was serviceable - and these are the books I read over the weekend (only started The Good Ones).

The skies looked different all day, which I love, and based on that I was surprised to let the dogs out for the last time and see the glorious full Buck Moon.

Another all around great and relaxing day.

Tuesday the weather held for our annual trip into town for a 9 am firehouse hotdog on the Fourth. We had a wander around town before heading back home to read, relax, eat, and enjoy the quiet. The people who usually do the fireworks at the lake left Monday so we brought the sparklers out. 

And a glorious shot before I left early on Wednesday morning:

weekending reels on Instagram - current favorite weekend look back mode.

As always, I am lucky to have a Lori and wish everyone had one. On MFD's side, people had an Aunt Carrie. I wish everyone knew someone in their life like her, too. 

Tuesday we got the news that Mike's Aunt Carrie passed. It's hard to put into words what a safe haven and comfort she has been for me as an in-law joining his family, how she listened and loved and laughed and comforted and made me feel seen over the 20+ years we've been together. The beauty of her and one of her greatest gifts as a person is that she provided sun and shade depending on your need at the time for so very many people and made them feel special, valued, and cared for. So many people...her husband, her grandkids, her kids and kids' friends, nieces and nephews, siblings and in-laws, close friends, neighbors, extended family on both sides. It was a glorious thing to be in the presence of someone like her, a person with such strength and generosity of spirit. It left you feeling physically calm, comfortable, and welcome. In a world that is intent on riling up everyone's central nervous system, she was a haven of warmth that will be seriously missed. She was also wryly funny and fiercely protective of those she loved, a powerful advocate for people and causes; had an amazing smile and ability to make things happen, and was plainly a very good time. It was a privilege for many of us to share space with her in this life, and I’m grateful I had a small bit of time with her. A huge loss for so many, especially Uncle Jim and her kids and grandkids who she loved so. All the love and support to those closest to her. 

Lots of loss in MFD’s family the last few years, obviously including both of his parents. Life is short. Make the memories now.

Closing out the week with that Friday energy

Onto the next bathroom project. This is not a total gut to studs. We're getting all the shiteous useless trim removed from the big bath at the shore, sheet rock over the hideous wallboard and ceiling, paint wall and ceiling, install exhaust fan, new baseboard trim, new hooks/towel holder/toilet paper holder/mirrors, and better use of the dead space behind the shower. We already switched out the vanity light fixture and ceiling light fixture. This should be done by the end of next week and I am pumped. I hate this room. I need to call my plumber about changing the shower fixtures too but that's for spring.

T-shirts this week.

This week on the beach.

Squad.

Happiness. Happy birthday to Lori yesterday, one of my people on this earth!

Library hold pickups.

That post-omicron booster shot feeling. Terrible. I had high hopes this time but 27 hours after it got me. Fever and intense body aches. I still have a lot of fatigue and body aches but I've been walking through it this time and I'm happy about that. 

Otherwise, laying low this week. It's the first time we've all been at the shore at the same time in over a month. We're transitioning stuff over to fall here - putting away the ACs and getting out the portable fireplaces - and spending time outside. 

 

Snippets of the weekend 7.5.2022

Salad, pet store, finishing a book in the dark. To the shore Saturday morning for turnover - all the bedding and laundry, mirror fixed. Watermelon bedspreads make me happy, like notes from fam.

Back to Philly to shower and pack up and head upstate to the peace of the lake at Lori's - a solid six hours in the car on Saturday but worth it to do turnover in person and make it to the lake.

Reflections. Super low dew point. Sunshine. Nice skies. Signature purple. Lots of books, some good, some passed on. Porch time. Relaxing. Relaxing. Relaxing. Watching new boat drivers. Laughter. 

Dog heaven. Dirt rolling, swimming, panting, sunning, snoozing, eating.

Blue skies, sun dappled everything, breakfast hotdogs, Montrose, vendors on the green, flowers, dips, pickle hummus, fireworks, time with one of my most cherished people. The promise of America and the reality of America chafing with several mass shootings on July 4 and many white women feeling for the first time an infringement on their rights that Black, Native, and marginalized people in general and women in particular have felt for centuries. 

And, lest I forget ever, a shore hot water heater that gave up the ghost on July 4, 2022. Emergency service, expensive AF repair. Thankfully MFD had not yet left for Monday parades and could stay down and be the man on the scene. 

TWTW - the one with Memorial Day

Took refuge from the collective angst and pain in this world right now and from the crowds at the shore to spend the long weekend with one of my people at her lake house with the dogs. MFD stayed back with Billy Cat and did mummery shit. I arrived Thursday night and left Tuesday morning. 

I finished a book, read three more and a short story, and started a fourth. Lounging with dogs, spending most of the time outside, easy but good food. 

sdfsd

Black raspberry soft serve from Antol's Drive-in. Shopping small in Montrose, a town I love. Mimosas, nice wares, and immaculate vibes at Cold Creek Gardens in Wyalusing - I got a rose bush and a frog reading a book statue. 

It was the peace and quiet, good energy and laughter I needed. 

Thanks Lori, always, for everything! Mostly for being one of my people. 

TWTW - the no dayer

Friday I worked until 6:30 and we ate out inside a restaurant for what was my second time since March 2020. I packed a bunch of shit for the weekend and fell out around 12:30.

Saturday Up at 6:15 and out of bed at 7. I changed the sheets, loaded the car, and we were on our way to the shore by 8, gassing up along the way. We talked to our departing guest for a long time and then they were late leaving, but we still did everything we needed to do before and after our cleaning crew left and got back on the road by 12 to make it back to Philly by 1:15. We picked MFD’s car up from getting inspected, I picked up soft pretzels, and after yelling because we have extremely different leaving for a trip styles and keys lost, we were headed north by 3:15. We drove through every storm hitting the area and arrived at the lake by about 6. Notice my stuff and dog stuff all ready by the door in the top middle and MFD's entire life emptied out of his car not prepared at all to leave. These were taken at the same time and his clothes were not yet packed LOL

We drove through every storm hitting the area and arrived at the lake by about 6. Lori and I got groceries and I put in four hours of work work. I showered and read until 11:30.

Sunday I was up at 5 but not out of bed until 6:30. I worked from 7-11a and 5-9p. Nothing says the Fourth of July like Capitalism! In between we got more groceries and whiled the afternoon away outside with dogs and books. I painted my nails. We were outside all the live long day and the weather was absolutely perfect. Jack grilled and we had a delicious Fourth meal on the new bar on the deck. The entire renovation is just fabulous. MFD went out fishing in the kayak and at night him and Jack went out on the boat. We saw fireworks from couches and from bed after I got out of the shower. And Gus walked into the lake three freaking times requiring three separate drying off periods of which he was not a fan.

Monday Lori and I left at 8:15 for the Montrose  Festival on the Green and to stop in a few small shops. I love this little town. It always feels like the promise of America to me - a place for the community to gather, dotted with a square of small businesses. We can live up to this promise for everyone. We just have to choose to.

I worked a full day even though we were closed in observance of the Fourth. Deadlines are a B. At least I had a picturesque setting in which to work. MFD fished and swam and we set out for home at 7:30 and were back in Philly before 10. 

I am usually driving but got to take drive pictures this time. Pennsylvania is beautiful, and I love the Endless Mountains region. I'm glad Lori & Jack live there or I probably would not have been so many places in Bradford & Susquehanna counties. 

I should have brought my second screen, and I was going to. If I had we probably would have stayed through my deadline Wednesday LOL. It is beautiful and quiet and relaxing and we all love it there, especially the dogs. Thanks to Lori for always welcoming all of us, dogs included, into her spaces. It was a wonderful weekend and we're trying to figure out when to return this summer. 

Show Us Your Books is a week from today!

TWTW - the one with the fall festival

Friday Out of office. After coffee & porch time, Lori, Mom, Helen, and Mo and I took Bruce and Bender for a beach walk and collected a lot of trash on the way back. The seas were rough and the tide had come way up so a lot of stuff washed in. They went to breakfast and I painted my nails (Pacifica Mermaid and Treasured). Lori and I walked to the library which was like Choose Your Own Adventure since all the streets to get there were flooded. We hit Asbury Ave to do some browsing and Debbie arrived and met us there.

After some porch time (Ben in his new sweatshirt from Treat Lady), we had dinner at Angelo's on the boardwalk and did a nighttime stroll.

Saturday Block Party day was a beauty! Melissa arrived around 11 and we hit the street. I got another pair of tie dye pants so I'm set to be tie dyed out for the winter. Lori found me my moon pendant (switching necklace), I got crystals from my crystal lady, and admired but did not buy this Cousin Eddie pillow cover. I took the business card in case I get the urge to order because it was seriously fucking good.

It was hot AF so we made quick work of the way back. Debbie, Melissa, and I got a hotdog and Melissa and I hit the pickle man on the way back. Mom and I took Bruce and Ben to the beach. It was a stellar day, just gorgeous weather. After that I had to lie down for a bit and nearly fell asleep but my uncle Billy and aunt Sue stopped by so I rallied a little to visit with them. Mom got Ike's chips and Debbie and Lori got fried chicken from Boyar's and we went to town. Then we took a stroll on the boardwalk and saw an awesome moon. Everyone was dead tired by the end of the night.

Sunday Lori, Debbie, Helen, Mo, and I went to Bob's for breakfast, then they cleaned up and scattered along with Melissa leaving me and Mom. We took a walk on the beach, Mom got fried chicken to send home with me and filled up my gas tank, and we were on the way. I am physically ill leaving the shore at this time of year. I just don't want to, ever. I got home and sulked for a while then MFD and I picked up a few groceries, I put this together, cooked, did three loads of laundry, and read.

Weekly food prep: Breakfasts are greek yogurt and granola, snacks are bananas and cucumbers, lunches are spaghetti squash with cannellini beans/pinto beans/diced tomatoes topped with goat cheese. Dinners are mashed sweet potatoes and kale salad and something else spaghetti squash. Buffalo chicken spaghetti squash? I'm not sure yet. 

I love spending time with these ladies - lots of laughs and just a nice time. 

I'm not off today, no bank holidays here. Happy Indigenous Peoples day!