Covid Times . Dogs . Retirement . The General
Border Lines & Border Terriers
On April 18, 2020 by SperanzaDisclaimer: Not one of my ancestors!
I’ve always had a dog. Crinkled family photos show well loved dogs owned by ancestors that I never even met. In my early married life, we had dogs in multiples – six at a time when we had a small acreage – so it has been strange and unsettling to have since endured an entire decade without any at all. The last dogs I had were Shar-Pei, exceptionally easy-going, companionable, intelligent and despite what you may have heard, ours were the very best with children. Sadly, we only had 7 years with The Incomparable ‘Hobson’ and once he and the others (‘Rose’, ‘Neon-Moon’) all passed away in quick succession after my husband’s departure, I had nothing left to give and no money for vet bills.
Retirement . The General
You’ve Got (Unwanted) Mail
On February 18, 2020 by Speranza
The General and I were out shopping recently and eventually approached the counter to pay for our few wares. The young woman who came to serve us was buoyantly attractive with the cartoon appeal of those sloe-eyed creatures (without pores) who inhabit many an Instagram account.
“So, guys,” she said brightly – but slowly – in the manner of someone who has very recently attended a (mandatory) customer service seminar. “We’re going to start off by getting an email or phone number, ‘kay?”
The General leaned in to me and observed, sotto voce: “Is this an interview? I just wanted to buy toothpaste …”
Love this man.
Frasier . The General
Getting New Material
On October 30, 2019 by Speranza
I have never been frightened of things that creep. I actually enjoy picking up (little) snakes, frogs, toads, ‘pill-bugs’ (which John Steinbeck likened to ‘tiny armadillos’, one of the best descriptors ever) caterpillars and worms. When Frasier was young, he had a bearded dragon lizard which I was the main caregiver to. I have often shunted spiders into an envelope for transport to a safer, more suitable locale if they are of a reasonable size. (There was one in the basement this week that had a startled, unpleasant facial expression and a head only slightly smaller than my own. He is still down there.)
Art for Art's Sake . Music . The General
The Joke – Brandi Carlile
On October 20, 2019 by Speranza
The General and I were talking recently about how disposable music seems to have become. Except for the boldest of hipsters among us – the kind who listen to bands that are not yet invented and eschew everything but vinyl – there are very few ‘liner note’ devotees anymore. I have often been surprised when my own boys know very little about a musician they admire. I’m not talking about being able to recall what colours the band members like here but rather, more basic stuff like, say, their names or nationality. Instead it seems to be just a bit of fleeting interest they have downloaded and may soon forget about.
De-Cluttering & Organizing . Love . The General
Decluttering: The Mini-Series
On October 2, 2019 by Speranza
I am aghast to see that it is now October and that I have been retired for six months!
Yes time flies when one is working (and particularly always working with dates, as I used to) but now the hours scream by and literally, it is always 4 o’clock and by then there’s not enough of the day left to really be starting a new task when you could be tucked into the last bit of weak sunshine on the stairs with a book (and wine) or sitting outside (now in a cardigan) surprising an entirely different avian crowd than there is in the morning!
(In my previous life, I would be sorting laundry, washing the floor as I talked on the phone to someone and maybe doing some prep towards the next day’s dinner).
And this was after I got home from work!
Anyway, The General and I did decide to embark upon a decluttering of the basement this week and have already done a few runs to the thrift shop which feels amazingly freeing, just as Marie Kondo promised. We have been watching her show on Netflix as a kind of warm-up inspiration before we go downstairs although I have had to explain to The General that this does not count as “working on the basement” especially as a snack break was included.