273 / 365 A Garden View

I have a small flower garden planted out back for H’s mom, filled with some of her favorite blossoms.  It grows just outside her back porch, and she likes to keep a chair on the pathway so she can enjoy it up close. As you can see, it’s still quite colorful even though it’s almost October.  I saw her out there this afternoon catching some rays. 

272 / 365 A Room Without a View

The church is getting a new roof.  As part of this work, two of our outside AC units had to be relocated temporarily…  and as a result, the office hasn’t had air conditioning for the past three days.  To help ease the heat, we took the unusual step of opening our windows, which have security bars and face a brick wall.  C, our Thursday volunteer, leaned over the copier machine, grabbed the rails, and exclaimed, This must be what it feels like to be in prison.  I’m thinking of wearing stripes next week.

271 / 365 My Kind of Surprise

I never know what to expect when I arrive at work each morning… the possibilities (both good and bad) are endless.  Today, however, I was delighted to find this latté waiting for me on my desk, compliments of my workmate P.  It was the perfect way to begin a Wednesday.

270 / 365 The Silence of the Fax

The changeover to our new communications provider, which caused much heartburn last week, continues to be a challenge.  The issue today was that our fax machine was not receiving any calls.  We were dismayed to discover that the only way H could successfully send us a test fax (pictured above) was to send it to the elevator phone line.  At least the fax made me smile.

269 / 365 The Tiny Sentinel

While H and I enjoyed our dinner on the porch, we were entertained by this feisty little fellow as he defended his own feeding station.

268 / 365 End of the Day

H and I have enjoyed a very quiet and peaceful day here at home.  We spent late afternoon sitting on the porch reading the papers and watching the birds.  The last of the sunlight is beautiful fading through the trees.  The birdfeeder looks like a beacon signaling final call for dinner.

267 / 365 A Happy Face

I laughed when I passed a Mister Sparky utility truck today because it reminded me of an interesting conversation H had with his mom M on their way to a doctor visit last week.  Cruising down I-75, they spotted a Mister Sparky vehicle.  H jokingly observed that Mister Sparky always looks happy.  M thought for a moment and then replied, I don’t think Mister Sparky is a real  person.  As he tried to determine if his mom was serious, H added that he didn’t think Mr. Plumber was real either.

266 / 365 A Touch of Fall in the Air

Ahhhh… my favorite season of the year has arrived and everywhere there are little signs of what’s to come.

265 / 365 Public Service Announcement

It was another frustrating day as I continued to sort out computer and phone-line issues – caught in the middle of multiple "the problem is not on our end" cycles.  Before lunchtime I had repositioned the Fun Meter’s arrow to an all-time low.  By late afternoon, as I rounded the corner to my desk, I discovered that I had been awarded The Crab, the dreaded signal that someone is extra grumpy.  It was probably the first time I had laughed all day.  I’m hoping my coworkers will let me move it come Monday.

264 / 365 Sounding the Alarm

For the past few days the office has been quite chaotic as we’ve made the switch from one phone company to another (a process that didn’t go as smoothly as the salesmen had promised).  This dialer box for the fire alarm system was my primary focus today as I called in my tried-and-true technicians to get things working again.  Our boss felt so sorry for us that he took us out to lunch – a rare treat indeed.

263 / 365 Furry Friends Indeed

Having learned of unwelcome critters at the church, I called Any Pest, who promptly sent out someone from their wildlife division.   I have worked with them for the past ten years and they have never failed to remedy a situation…  but what amazes me most is their enthusiasm for their job, whether it be bugs or vermin.  Today I learned about the difference between roof rats (Rattus rattus:  closest to Disney-cute for its size) and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus:  robust body, not cute at all); how droppings can be informative (any shine means a pretty recent visit); and modes of travel (a cinderblock wall is not a deterrent).  It was more than I ever needed to know about these creatures.

After the inspection (with specific instructions given) I thanked the technician and waved him on his way.  With a huge smile, he called back, Hey, no problem – I love to do my job!  We should all have such enthusiasm for our work.

262 / 365 I’ve Been Thinkin’

My sister S is well-known throughout our family for coming up with her best ideas while in the shower.  When she emerges, she announces that I’ve been thinkin’… at which point any family members within earshot quickly make themselves scarce.

I, on the other hand, like to reflect while stretched out on the floor with a pillow plumped under my head.  A girlfriend made this great cat-themed cushion for me several years ago.  I refer to is as my thinking pillow; it’s perfect for pondering.  I suppose, though, that for really grand ideas I could incorporate the pillow and a shower… who knows what I’d come up with?

261 / 365 Stinky Cheese

Camembert is one of the most aromatic (not necessarily in a good way) cheeses that I know of, and H just loves it.  He is particularly fond of the Camembert au Calvados variety, which is not available around here.  Last night, to H’s delight, D surprised his brother with a huge half-wheel of this delectable goodie, direct from Amsterdam.  The owner of the kaaswinkel gave D strict instructions:  After unwrapping, the cheese must sit at room temperature for twenty-four to thirty-six hours before eating.  I can only imagine what the house is going to smell like.

260 / 365 Big City Blur

H and I just returned from a late night run to the airport to pick up his brother D who is passing through on business.  I love it when D visits, even if it’s just a quick stopover.

259 / 365 From the Rafters

I’m never quit sure what kind of projects I’ll find in the works at my sister’s house.  Today, this branch of basil was hanging in the garage, drying.

258 / 365 Ready When You Are

We have several wheelchairs available at church for anyone who may need one.  This morning I noticed that the light gave them a rather ethereal look, as if they were ready and waiting to transport their passengers to another world. 

257 / 365 Something in the Oven

My colleague P is co-hosting a baby shower for her daughter in a few weeks and is in charge of the food.  She loves trying new recipes and frequently brings samples for the office staff’s opinions.  Today we taste-tested this batch of cupcakes.  They were great, reminding me of moist and delicious little spice cakes.  Only when we were done did P reveal the (very appropriate) secret ingredient:  three varieties of baby food!

256 / 365 Location is Everything

You know you're detail-oriented when you label your toilet plungers in an effort to keep them from disappearing.

255 / 365 Can You Hear Me Now?

This is the central hub at the church for anything communications-related.  You’d think it would be hidden in a closet somewhere, but this cluttered wall is actually located in a small work area next to the office, alongside a busy corridor.  It was the focus of much of my day as we prepare to make changes in our phone carrier. 

254 / 365 On the Edge of Peace

Mt. Zion hosted an interfaith service tonight in remembrance of September 11, 2001.  Representatives from twelve churches, synagogues, and Islamic centers participated in the event, which also honored First Responders.  The sanctuary was packed.  It was a powerful evening.

253 / 365 For the Birds

Today was one of my favorite events of the season – The Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour.  This year’s tour, which was focused on West Cobb County, included five homes and a retirement village, all certified as wildlife-friendly habitats by the Atlanta Audubon Society.  The properties ran the gamut from small, manicured backyards to large, woodsy spaces with lots of native plants and flowers just beckoning to birds, butterflies, and other creatures.

252 / 365 Coffee and Crafts

I went over to my sister’s house this morning for coffee and ended up learning how to make these cool pendants (mine is red with the bird).  I love tapping into her bubbling well of creativity.

251 / 365 Covered

This is what a mound of handmade fleece blankets look like.  During Sunday’s church service these will be blessed and given to MUST Ministries for families in need.  It’s a pretty impressive pile.

250 / 365 Anybody Got a Book?

I gave H a Kindle for his birthday in July.  He has really enjoyed it – until today, when it inexplicably conked out.  Time to call Amazon!

249 / 365 Cleared to Land

We have three hummingbird feeders in the yard, each with a constant waiting line of customers.  We really need an air traffic controller to manage the airways.

248 / 375 The Grilling Must Go On

Our family Labor Day cookout was a bit soggy this year with the onset of long-needed rain, but H took it all in stride as he suited up for the challenge.

247 / 365 Good Hair Day

My sister has two young dogs, both Cocker Spaniel mixes, that look just like their breed (except for the hair on their heads… this must be where the “mix” comes into play).  G has a tight, prissy perm on her head, while L – well, see for yourself.  Some women would pay good money for this ‘do.

246 / 365 Turf War

I have been told that the hummingbirds seen in a garden one week will not be the same ones the next…  as the birds begin to migrate, they only stay in one location for a few days to feed, and then move on.  This weekend was the first time that I really noticed this turnover.  The hummers I observed today looked identical to last week’s crowd; however, this group was much more aggressive.  As I sat on the porch reading, I could hear their little bodies clicking and thumping as they smacked at each other.  I finally stepped out onto the patio and shooed them away when one had pinned the other down on the ground under the feeder.  H figures they must have flown down here from New York.     

245 / 365 Stating the Obvious

H and I had dinner in Marietta this evening, and as we were heading back to our car we passed this cautionary message.  Someone was being helpful.

244 / 365 Come Fly with Me

Among his many accomplishments, H has a pilot’s license.  These days, though, he prefers to do his flying on his flight simulator at home.  I’ve never flown it myself, but I have observed that the program’s capabilities and graphics are extremely sophisticated (and I’m not just talking about Loopy Larry).  Still, there’s always room for more realism:  During our recent visit to the Tellus Science Museum, H admired the cockpit on display and hinted that there are those flight enthusiasts who actually have one of these installed in their garage – sort of a simulator on steroids.  I believe this might be on H’s wish list.