It rained, then rained more for a long time

The weather wasn’t on our side this weekend.We left from my house after work on Friday. It had been deeply cloudy and rainy all day and the temperature stuck in the low 50s, but it didn’t matter because all we were going to do was drive an hour, have dinner and relax. We stayed at a sprawling hotel that’s nestled among acres and acres of trees. The inside is gorgeous, all soaring wood ceilings supported...

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Tomorrows

I brought home a box of catalogs that the printer I work with sent me. Each one is filled with options for promotional items. The catalogs are almost better than the old Sears Christmas Wish Book. So far I’m most charmed by the custom-shaped fly swatters but I probably spent the most time in the pet sections. Blaine came over for supper and we watched a little TV. I’ve introduced him to Mayans M.C.,...

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On board

I went to Blaine’s to see the new furniture for the guest room. It looks nice, not too overwhelming for the space. He needs bedding, and eventually he’ll need lamps and other decoration. I asked if he wanted to get bedding this weekend. He doesn’t. He also doesn’t want to go out with the usuals Friday night (to a winery to hear a tribute band) or to the tailgate on Saturday. He asked if I'd be disappointed...

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Contagious

Mica had a good time with Greg on their date. It sounds like there will be a second date.I asked how [Little White Dog] reacted to him, because in the end it’s his opinion that matters most. She said he approached Greg right away, sniffed, wagged his tail and, as is his usual behavior with new people, stepped back when Greg attempted to pet him. Once Greg sat down, though, Little White Dog went over...

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Fresh morning air

Last night Paul and Blaine decided they wanted to do the charity walk with us. It was an idea that Blaine regretted when his day started earlier than usual, especially after a late night. Still, by the time we made it to the venue--the zoo--he was his usual laid back, pleasant self. We met up with Eve and Paul outside the entrance. Paul, an early riser by default, looked ready for the day. Eve, dressed...

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Rebound

Blaine asked me to go with him tonight to visit his friend from law school. His friend doesn’t have a lot of energy these days and talking is draining but he’s still eager for company. Blaine thought the two of us could carry the conversation. His friend likes to reminisce about their time in college, so I asked questions and Blaine told their stories. Afterward we stopped for a bite to eat. A quick...

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Outfits

Mica and Greg are going out this weekend. I went over after work to do my duty as best friend and help her find the perfect outfit. The little white dog and I stretched out on her new adjustable bed and played with the settings while she sorted through possibilities. Strange little creature that he is, the little white dog belly crawled to the foot of the bed and “rode” it as I raised it to its...

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Tiny puddle

A small thunderstorm blew through this afternoon and dropped the temperature 20 degrees, prompting me to invite Blaine to go for a walk after work. I had hoped to walk at the lake, but it flooded early in the month when almost 9 inches of rain fell in three days and there’s still a lot of mud on the paths. Instead, we walked over to a bike trail that runs along the edge of his neighborhood. There’s...

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Confession

Sometimes when people are talking about all the cute things their young kids or grandkids, whom I have never met, have done, I pretend they’re talking about their dogs so I can keep my attention from wandering....

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Every week

In my excitement to attend my first tailgate last weekend, I somehow overlooked the fact these occur every weekend that there’s a home game. I was reminded when Blaine and Paul began texting last night about what time they were going downtown to help John get set up. They only do this for games that start before noon because there are fewer people willing to be down there by 7 a.m.I panicked because...

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Real-life you

To avoid crossing town an extra time—and because of Blaine’s aversion to driving separately and meeting places—he picked me up at home this morning, delivered me to work and then came back at noon to get me so we could go furniture shopping. Blaine in the morning is one of my favorite things so I didn’t fuss. At least not until I saw him.“You’re very casual,” I said casually. There’s nothing wrong...

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Simple shopping

The last iPhone update seemed to change how my phone charges when connected to a dock or my car. I became aware of the charging problem when Blaine sent a text before lunch and I noticed the battery icon was glowing red in spite of having been docked all morning. We had to finish our conversation on the office landline. About to wrap up, I told him it was a treat to hear his voice during the day....

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He seemed so perfect

Blaine, upon noticing the leaves on a few young trees are changing: “It will soon be time for flannel sheets.”...

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Bulleted review

I'm always behind here these days. So, the easy way. Sunday Went to breakfast with Mica at Greg's. It was busy when we arrived but everyone else had left before we finished eating. Greg and his partner hung out in the dining room and talked to us. When the partner stepped out to take a call, I excused myself and hid in the bathroom for as long as I could before it would seem weird. It worked --...

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Tailgate at last!

The football game did not go the way I wanted, but it was exciting to watch and fun to be with a big group. Everything was set up by the time Blaine and I arrived. John's pickup was backed into their reserved space. A large television sat on a platform in the pickup bed up by the cabin. The generator that powered it and a table of slow cookers grumbled in the background. Another long table was holding...

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Party planning

Mica’s back home and working again. Her elbow is giving her a lot of trouble--very sore--and making it difficult to use the mouse and keyboard for long stretches. She’s made an appointment with her doctor to make sure she’s doing the right things. The bruising is incredible. It’s amazing she didn’t break anything.I went over at noon to walk the little white dog. Mica let me know what week she’s going...

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A walk to support

In IM earlier today: Me: I have a feeling I'm going to accidentally end up volunteering to wear the plush mascot costume before I'm done registering. Eve: You will be cute in the giant lower digestive system costume!Me: You really can't beat a plush gastrointestinal tract.In a few weeks Eve and I are participating in a walk to support research for Crohn's Disease....

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Figure out how to care

The main communications department rolled out a new branding campaign today via an online meeting. All of us at the various locations need to implement it over the next several months. I was ready to take copious notes about how to do that but the meeting lasted less than a half hour and was about the process that had lead to the new branding. It ended with a video designed to make us stand and cheer....

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Not broken

Mica called early to see if I wanted to get breakfast. Before she could ask I heard loud noises and Mica cry out. She had tripped over the edge of the new carpet protector under her office chair. I heard, “I fell. I thinks it’s broken.” I told her I was on my way, and I was. Izzy barely got a goodbye. I had already fed her and she had been outside twice, although I wasn’t sure she had bothered to...

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No occasion

Blaine invited me to dinner at his place . I walked in to find the lights dimmed, music playing and candles flickering in every room and on the dining room table. Dinner smelled great. The menu included roasted Brussels sprouts. Dessert charmed me—my favorite cake, the classic strawberry Jello whip-n-chill. There was wine. There was dancing. There was no occasion, just too many weekends in a row without...

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Quick as lightning

I learned something new about football today. Lightning suspends the game and play won’t resume until 30 minutes have passed following the last strike.Blaine and I went downtown to meet up with John, Kim, the rest of the usual group and assorted others to watch the game. We were crammed into a bar where a bank of giant television screens above the bar were tuned to different games until it was time...

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