Road Work Ahead

Don’t you hate seeing these signs?


I do. I see them all year round. I understand that’s when they can work on the roads, so I try to be patient. I normally succeed. This summer’s road work is giving my patience a trying test.

I live on the cul-de-sac of a long and winding road. In early July, a massive road crew started tearing up the street. They are preparing to move the overhead electric wires underground. I’m all for that idea. But, I can’t drive out of my driveway to go to town without causing a major disturbance in the Force. The entire street has open trenches, huge trucks, and equipment blocking the roads.

This is what we see every 20 yards or so. You have to stop at the red light, even though there is no one around. They are watching all the stops via cameras. The arm will only go up if all the trenches are covered. It will let you drive through when the equipment is maneuvered to let a car through. Our five-minute trip to town now takes 20-30 minutes. Unless it is the weekend. But early Monday morning, they are back at it.

We are told that this work will go on until October. Now, we park our vehicles on a driveway down the hill on the street below us. They are part-time residents and are happy we are coming and going, making their property look inhabited. As an added bonus, hubby’s second car is a sheriff’s patrol car. Its presence makes the neighborhood feel safer.



Camping & Conventions Do Not Mix

To clarify: Camp Grandma and any conflicting events are not advisable. Upon returning from the annual convention, I found a messy house and a very unhappy camper.

My hubby.

The same man who assured me things would be fine, go ahead and go, blah, blah, blah, had an aloof and irritated manner under the surface. I recognized this because I also am a pouter. Although he urged me to go, he seemed resentful that I was not there to run things.

Everything ran smoothly, no one was hurt, arrested, or otherwise. But I was not there. He could not depend on me to handle things. You know, the things that he pays no attention to when I am there. Many things are handled that he knew nothing about. Until I wasn’t there to handle them. Bad Grandma.

When resentments build up in your mind, they eventually find their way out. While the dust settles, a tense, misty-eyed silence ensues until the one who exploded approaches and explains what just happened. We quietly explain our emotions. Then we hug and make mental notes to ourselves to pay more attention to each other’s feelings in the future.

Even strong, loving relationships can hit a momentary roadbump. Humans are not perfect beings. We all know this, and yet somehow we expect the ones we know and love to be.

Which is completely ridiculous.


Forgotten Seeds: Growing Fast

The excitement continues in my little deck garden! After seeing little wildflower sprouts coming up in the ceramic pot, now called Melvin & Heidi’s Pot, I check on them every morning and talk to them. Every day, I swear they are 1/8th inch taller than the day before. If you missed the original post about the history of these seeds, you can find a link here.

One Week Later…
Afternoon Sun Worshipers

I’m already looking forward to next week’s report.

Meanwhile, the tea rose has its first spring bud, and the avocado trees are happily growing root-bound in their pots now that they are outside in the fresh air and sunshine. I expected them to die from the fumes always present in my hubby’s shop. Gasoline, varnish, and other toxic smells are in there.

Remember Carlos? He is doing well in Castro Valley, although he is a little lonely. I plan to handle his predicament by sending Sophia home with Jason and Karla this summer.

Carlos
Sophia

It is probably only a matter of time before my family has me committed to a facility. First, I’m raising avocado trees in the Sierra Nevada. Now I am match-making these trees.

Stay tuned …