Hancock's fire

Well, one thing is sort of odd here. The Hancock's Fabric store that we've gone to since I was a little girl burned to the ground yesterday morning. Turns out one of those garbage collection trucks---the ones that lift up the receptacles and tip them into a larger truck---ran into the gas meter which caused an explosion, and Hancock's in turn was completely destroyed. A sad thing in addition is that the businesses in the same strip have smoke and water damage. So sad. I drove by there today, needing dish soap at Walgreen's (at the other end, and not damaged) and was able to see the goings on. Doors propped open in the other businesses, lights out in some, still a heavy fire smell, workmen about, and all because of one person's mistake. Life's funny that way.

What caps it off further is that I was planning on going there today to pick up some more yarn for a baby blanket I'm making. Huh! Had to go to Michael's instead and substitute some white to alternate with the pastel I'm doing.

Anyway, life is good nonetheless. Nobody was hurt in the fire (it began just after midnight) and fortunately the person driving the waste management truck was unharmed. That could have been horrible.

Still, it's startling to not be able to do things that I've taken for granted. And when you've gone to the same fabric store for almost 40 years, a change in habit is weird. Will need to drive further for fabric for now, and that's small potatoes. At least there's an alternative.

A slow day

Raining. Wonderful. A slow, steady shower. We've so needed it and it makes me feel so relaxed. The only wrench in my plan, however, is the definite need to go to the grocery store today.

Oh well, there's still about 1/2 a loaf of bread left, so some of them can eat. I'm not inclined to run out of the house yet, so they can gnaw on scraps until I do.

Deep breaths. Nothing pressing and books to read in the house. That's all I need. :)

Music therapy

So, the truth is that I really love our across-the-street neighbors. Love them. And, when the children and grandkids come over and the whole gang is outside, I enjoy hearing the noise. Sort of like listening to a whole bunch of sparrows. At any given time there are probably 10 or so adults and children on their front porch. Tonight, though they got a bit noisier than usual. I tend to think that kids that repeat the same phrase over and over need to be shushed. But tonight? Nah! The adults indulged the little monsters and these little girls were causing me to want to pull out my hair.

I retaliated with my laptop (which I was using out on the porch at the time), turned on my Media Player and let them listen to some Westlife. Full volume. There's nothing like a boy band to split the fans from the non-fans. Within minutes they all went inside. Who can say if they'd have gone in anyway? Won't ever know, but got a kick out of it regardless.

Yes! Gentle persuasion that alters behavior.

About the concert

Good concert last night. Bad audience---well, they were until Shane and Shane hit the stage. I was amazed at the noise of constant babble in the crowd that went on with the opening act...a guy called Mark Trussell (a very talented singer out of Nashville). I seem to remember a similar issue when we went to see tobyMac. The first singers had to compete with talkers, and lots of 'em.

Makes me ashamed of Christians. And young people. Told ours that the example set last night was one of the things folks refer to when they say that they don't like teenagers and college students. Rudeness is just that. Rude. But multiply that by a couple or so hundred folks and you have plenty of room to groan.

Way back when, like 30 years ago---I went to a Keith Green concert downtown. And while I wasn't a big fan of his music, I went with a group of friends, probably from church or school. Don't remember that detail. Anyway, at one point Keith just shut down the concert and gave everyone a gentle tongue-lashing. Asked what the kids were there for anyway. Why were they they if they weren't paying attention. Wow. Very effective, and the mood of the rest of the concert was much more respectful and, yes, reverent.

Someone in an authority position should have gotten the attention of the crowd last night. As a courtesy to the first act, and to the part of the audience that was trying to listen. And to also suggest that the audience postpone the need to text-message all during the show. Kept seeing glowing cell phone screens while the concert continued.

Give me that remnant. Just a few who listen. In the meantime, I'll just grow 'em myself.

Disjointed thoughts

*Let me get the sleep comment out of the way first. Got to bed earlier (drugged, of course) and it worked out that I got approximately one extra hour in under my belt. Feeling pretty good, considering I initially woke up at around 5:15am. What's up with these Pugs?

*Went to our neighborhood association meeting last night---always interesting. I'm in charge of selecting the yard-of-the-month, and have a good time making folks happy. When they get kudos on a job well-done, it's rewarding for me to be able to plunk a sign in their yard saying so. Which reminds me...must fertilize tomato plants today. For sure.

*Anyway, all's well. I don't have anywhere go to during the daylight hours, but am taking some of the kids to the Shane and Shane concert at a local church after dinner. Looking forward to that, let me tell you. Love their music.

*Maybe will re-caulk the porch window today. Or putzy round and tidy the house (a better idea). Have been in a mental funk for about a week and need to tend to the nest here. It's wretched in places. And the truth is, if I get it tidy, my outlook is more perky.

*Can hear some distant thunder, but it's not supposed to rain until tomorrow. Sounds pretty, though. (added later---turns out it wasn't thunder, but an across-the-street neighbor who was dragging a heavy couch to the curb to be picked up by the garbage guys---thunder sounded so much cozier, but I was just plain wrong!)

*Reading a couple of really good ones...the one listed to the side called It Happened in Italy, and The Lost Choice by Andy Andrews. Enjoying both very much. (Update: finished the Andrews book and while it began interestingly enough, began to drag in my opinion, toward the middle...they needed to get on with it!)

*Must be off now. The house awakes. Darn!

To sleep or not to sleep

I. AM. TIRED. Shoot, I could have a sleep blog. Or not. An awake blog would be more appropriate. But there'd not be enough information shared that'd be worthy of reading, I'm thinking. Went to the grocery this morning, after a post office stop and a trip to Home Dep*t. Ate lunch and collapsed in bed afterward, but sleep was still being a stranger. FINALLY dropped off at 2pm, only to wake up when the least one got on the bed at about 3pm, causing it to slosh (waterbed). Better, but not perfect. Still, a bit of sleep is better than none.

Got an email from some unknown person, wanting to give me advice on what natural alternative I wanted to use to improve my sleep habits. Must've followed some linkage sort of word trail in order to find me. Reminds me of folks who walk up to our front door, selling stuff. Did I ask for them to come by? I think not. Delete.

Will gobble up a Mel*tonin before sleep tonight. Still, getting there isn't the problem, but waking up and staying awake is. It'll work out. I'm not wanting advice on how to fix it. Don't even try. :)

Wonder if the dogs would sleep harder if I gave them a Mel*tonin?!?! Huh.

June the first

Woke up WAY too early at 5:15am this morning. Made the mistake of not checking the window shades in the area of the kitchen where the Pugs sleep, and as a result, Daisy was up with the chirping birds outside. With the kitchen facing East, it gets light in there pretty darn early. I complain, but still---there's something appealing about being up before anyone else. I have to admit that.

Thinking that I need to pare down my to-do list for the day, though. Had intended on buying glazing compound at the hardware store, and then to begin repairing the outside windows. That was the plan. But, the more I think about it, the less I feel motivated to begin that project. Might just buy what I need to do the job, and begin when I feel more energetic. Might take awhile. :)

For those of you who've wondered---our ailing dog, Olive, is still with us. She seems to be better, which I find amazing. She's comfortable enough, and hasn't gotten any worse in the past week or so. Yes, and I do believe that the Lord heals even dogs. I know we've been praying, and the prayers of little children surely count for much in God's eyes.

Must be off now. Not sure after 5 hours sleep, if the bed is more appealing or if it's worthwhile to make out my grocery list. Will most likely sit down to write it out and doze off in the meantime. Nobody's prodding me but myself. We'll see how it plays out.

Have a good one!