I’m not remembering what I wanted to talk to you about. It was something good. It had action, details, and personality. And now? I sit here like a bump on a log as the clock ticks time away.
Well—one thing: I talked to a gentleman, Tony, from the University of Georgia Extension Office. He’s a tree guy. I’d already considered the usual suspects—concrete over the roots, a fungus, that spilled hydraulic fluid—but a lightning strike? Hadn’t crossed my mind. I stood next to the oak and scanned for peeling bark or any obvious strike marks, but nothing jumped out.
Though he’s a county away, he’ll swing by when he can. I felt calm listening to him—his matter-of-factness, his first-hand experience with red oaks, his sense of likely issues, his speediness at coming out, and the likelihood it won’t cost anything are all really good things.
Then there’s the Google speaker, breaking into my thoughts:
If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it…
The lyrics from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory kicked off a string of Broadway hits. Phantom of the Opera reminded me I wanted to watch the movie—Dave added Sweeney Todd to the list—and when a Rent song came on, I was instantly taken back to when Kristen took me to see it at the Paramount.
How’d we get to Broadway hits? I haven’t a clue.
Speaking of music, I misted up—just the left eye—when The Circle of Life started. Evelyn thought it was coming from the record player, and what a wonderful mistake for her to make. Just a kid running to the record player, which is usually spinning vinyl, to come up empty-handed. Makes this music mama proud that she’s growing up right.
A record as a gift is something I wouldn’t think to ask for, but I need to keep it in mind. We have a decent collection—maybe 100?—and I can tell you where each one came from. They all carry good feelings. Nostalgia that smells like warm dust and sounds like crackling between songs.
Earlier today, the hallway near the guest and office bathrooms stunk like rotten eggs. Instead of jumping to worry, I felt secure knowing why. The flood-level saturation from rain had overwhelmed our septic system, pushing septic gases back at us. Instead of panicking like I have in the past, I shut the bathroom door, set a fan up, and made sure not to head that way again.
I’m feeling pretty alright. Especially since kindergarten homeschooling is moving swimmingly. I only have a few minutes before my 9 p.m. session starts, so I’ll fill you in on what homeschooling looks like for us tomorrow.
Take care.
Love,
Jaclynn
Going On 40 