A Yard Full Of Men

I always have men at my house these days. Not dates, men, men who work. Men who I have to pay. Not the cute escort kind, but muscular workmen with hammers and saws. This is a good thing. My main man Jimmy has been here on and off since September when the rains came and lasted for seven days and nights. First it was water intruding into my basement, then it was rotten wood on the sheds, then I needed lattice between the sheds to keep the dogs from sneaking after stray mice. It is a never ending list of things a gal needs done when she can't even change a light bulb over her head. Jimmy brings other men with him, younger men, his sons. They all work in my back yard, saw horses set up, sawing wood and other things. I sit and write at the computer and glance to my left and outside the widow are the backs of men working. My dogs gather at the kitchen door barking and howling as these men go in and out the wood gate to get tools and supplies. Those things that men buy at hardware stores and love to carry in their pockets or in their tool belt.  All the flurry of work makes me flush with excitement. It is as nice as having a husband working in the yard only I don't have to fix lunch. And then they do something most husbands don't. They clean up everything and put away their tools when they finish for the day. I can sit on my deck (the deck that my man Jimmy made for me last month) and watch the dogs run through the yard and not worry they will trip on some workman's belongings.

The Reverand who mows my yard came up today to see what all the fuss was a buzzin about in my yard. Jimmy and sons were working on the wood fence by my kitchen door. "Better move that corvette," the Rev told me, "might get hit with some of that flying wood." Then he offered to crank it up and move it for me. Then Jimmy and his sons said they would be happy to move the corvette also. No one is moving my car unless it's me. But there was a big flutter of excitement about my 79 corvette. Truth is I haven't cranked it in a good while and I think it is time to get it on the road and leave my van behind. I'll just shop for smalls that can tuck in the seat beside me. Oh, I am sorry, dog boy Bray, you want to crank the corvette and sit in it with me. Bray is the only male allowed near my muscle car. He is a dandy boy and won't tell me how to drive.

A lovely day of sun and men, and now at nightfall I am home to snuggle with the pups. Tomorrow brings me another man, Calvin. I like to keep them coming and going. Calvin has his hauling truck and we are going to pick up a charming ole blue cupboard I bought. Shopping I did when my yard was full of men a working.

Widow's Lesson Learned: It takes many men to make me happy, workmen that is. But it will take just one man to make me smile.

Frogs, Widows And Puppy Dog Tails

The Atlanta Botanical Garden
http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/home.do
Help the amphibians.
Frogs are in trouble! More than one-third of the world's amphibian species are considered threatened or endangered.Rescue programs strive to give some amphibian species a lien on life. However, for many amphibians, time is of the essence! Check how you can help:
http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/site/conservation/amphibian_research#help%20the%20amphibians
There are future prince charmings to be rescued. You never know what happens when you kiss a frog.

http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/animals/frogs/

Wizards at work. The stars aligning. Good things about to happen to a lonely widow sad sack at home with nothing to do. October 2008, a bad date turned into a wonderful part time job. We went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens after a Mexican lunch and I met my match. Not the guy I found online, but the beautiful garden haven he showed me. Flowers, art and a frog pod. I dumped my date as swiftly as I could. Ran home and Googled the gardens.Planning on volunteering, a huge flower opened and the word employment popped out, beckoning me. I was transfixed. Part time sales associate, gift shop. I knew the job would be mine. I kissed my monitor, thank you Lordy, and The Atlanta Botanical Garden became my prince charming.

Now I am on the move again. My last day working at the Botanical Garden Gift Shop will be Jan. 31st. Writing until all hours of the night, with six dogs watching my back, a vintage corvette that is waiting to hit the road, and my book to bedazzle bookshops is my path this year. I’ll try to pace myself so I won’t run over my real Prince Charming if he is standing on the side of the road thumbing for a ride. There may just be room in the seat next to me for a soul daring enough to hang on.
On the dog front, I missed my vet appointment for Annabelle. So engrossed in watching the workmen in my yard, lifting plywood and a hammering, a sight that my eyes find exciting. Men and tools. I forgot we were due at the vet at 10:30. I called to confirm my afternoon appointment at lunch and oh the surprise I'd defaulted. I’ve been in to see them so much this week, my brain is fogged on who and when. So tomorrow early as the sun rises, Annabelle will go to see if she has any of the worms that are frequenting these premises.
Tonight I am sighing with relief, my floodlights are working, the siding is back on the shed and an albino rat’s body was carried to the trash at the street by someone other than me.
Widow Lesson Learned: Prince Charmings come in many forms. You just need to recognize them when they come along.

Waiting For 2010

I've stayed up til 3am, so with the time difference from where this comes, I am here right after midnight and it is Jan 1, 2010. Didn't want to wait until morning, this morning after I finally go to bed. The night air is cold and damp from the rain, but it is fresh with new beginnings and I find it exhilarating. Just gave the hounds their last run in the yard. Brrrr. Chilled to the bones but ready for the world.

My book goes to Outskirts Press today (via the Internet of course, is there any other way?)and a new chapter in my life begins on this first day of the new year. My book. The Unfaithful Widow, Fragmented Memoirs Of My First Year Alone. My ramblings on getting a life back. And buying a vintage corvette to send my soul on it's journey. I'll be sharing parts of it here with my Lessons Learned. And of course, the dogs who rescued me are a part of all that is good again and the subject of most of my rantings here.

So Happy New Year to me and to anyone who wanders into my little blog in this world.

Widow Lesson Learned: Staying up late is a fun thing, until it hits you in the face in the morning.