Otherwendy

September, Nine Days In, Mostly Sunny

Coffee and conversation with parents and retired teachers at Eva’s new school. I left caffeinated and illuminated.

A dressing room full of low quality clothes that made me feel like a low quality person. I left with nothing, which felt good and bad at the same time. 

Hard Knox Pizza with Honor and baby. I helped Cal take his bottle. Honor and I shared what was on our minds and s’mores pizza. I left full of yummy and good.

My first speeding ticket. 42 in a 30 on the way to pick up Eva. Officer George. I left, heart pounding, driving slowly down the winding road, but determined not to be sad.

Eight hours at the library. I shelved. I charged and discharged. I placed teen stickers on teen books. I left, eager for dinner alone at Wok Hay with David.  

Long weekend with David’s side of the family. I awoke three days in a row at the homeplace. Fresh Eggs. Sunny and just the right temperature. Mountains. River. Potluck. Pedigrees. Eva and Caroline with Grandma and Papa and Hula Hoops and rocks and flaming marshmallows. David with his brother. Me with my sister-in-law. Picnic at the overlook. Tubing. Talking big and small with one and all. I left all tuckered out like a kid.

Home again, home again, jiggety-jig. Two days in a row. School for Eva. Packing lunches. Planning Eva’s birthday party. Grocery shopping. Housekeeping. Cooking. Baking. Writing. Editing. I left for work this morning, blow-drying my hair for the first time in five days.

Eight hours at the library. I wrote plans for a book-inspired pumpkin decorating contest. I listened to an elderly woman anticipate with great enthusiasm and detail each book she was checking out. I served on a committee of teen-y librarians. I left, dreading the drive across town.

Family Potluck Picnic at Eva’s school. I smiled at many strangers and chatted with a few. I ate vegetarian. Eva didn’t quite climb a tree, and her head paid the price. She cried hard for thirty seconds and then spotted a line at the swing set. I left for home and hour and a half ago.

Eva is sleeping in her new cookie pajamas. David and Sabé are beside me on the couch. A baseball game is on the TV. I’m gonna leave for bed here in a little while. 

Fall is right around the corner. The sugar maple out front will turn crispy yellow. I am already leaving on a hayride in my mind, and a field of pumpkins waiting.