“A table for two, but I’ll be eating for three,” chuckled the burly-haired man as the waitress handed his lady friend and him two folded paper menus before seating them three tables from us. The barbecue joint was far too tasty for just seven customers, including Dave, Evelyn, and myself but that’s probably from the place’s location and poor marketing.
Evelyn, in her playful spirit, went from table to table declaring, “I’m three and a half.” Responses ranged from “Well, how about that!” to well wishes for her upcoming birthday. One of the guys, when she mentioned she was about to turn four, joked, “Well, I act like I’m four.”
Personally, I relish post-dentist celebrations—a reward for completing the obligatory health maintenance task. However, my joy is a little bittersweet, due to the news that an old filling was cracking, necessitating a $1200 crown. Trying to console myself I likened the cost for my body to buying new tires for a car, albeit much smaller, like the tiniest most expensive hubcap.
Except for the glow of my screen and the brake lights ahead, darkness surrounds us and it’s barely past 6pm. November in the Northwest is not for the faint-hearted. As we ascend the roller coaster into the darker, wetter winter months, I felt excitement when a gale warning weather alert popped up on the car’s screen. Now there’s a bit of adrenaline for our wet, coastal adventure!
Fond memories of my year-long road trip flooded back, including a day with hurricane warnings blaring on the radio. Though nothing major happened, excessive weather always manages to shake away the cobwebs in me and place me on the edge of my seat in anticipation.
A few days ago on this blog, I shared a link to the podcast Dave and I were on. “Doing Things Poorly,” was an idea for a podcast Dave had, and if it keeps getting traction in our conversations, it might actually become a reality. So far we’re ideas for the show include trying new things together, reviewing music, playing board games, and having Dave Letterman-like top 10’s of noteworthy poor attempts in the news. My recovering perfectionist is fully on board with abolishing the expectations bar and replacing it with a light-hearted approach to life.
I’m grateful to myself for persisting in daily blogging, even on days when creativity feels sluggish, like a sloth snoozing in the sway of a tree. It’s an art form to show up feeling less than and keep going, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, so shout out to you too.
The bridge with the “Gateway to the Olympics” sign over it leads us to downtown Aberdeen, and it’s just lovely, already adorned with Christmas lights spiraling down the antique sidewalk lights. As I kid I remember waiting until after Thanksgiving to put up holiday decorations, but after seeing the town Evelyn requested we do it when we got home on Sunday. I’m feeling conflicted, the too-early discomfort is swirling in a bowl of “But if it’s what Eveln wants”. I’m sure I’ll support her decorating needs, but it feels uncomfortable, like I’ve aced a test, and received congratulations after cheating. Old habits die hard, I guess.
Speaking of “Die Hard” I’ll have to put it on my Christmas watchlist. With about twenty minutes until we reach the cabin, I’ll lean back, watch the windshield wipers, enjoy music from Dave’s playlist, and brainstorm more ideas for “Doing Things Poorly.”
Take care. Love, Jaclynn
Going On 40 