Catch-up

It's been a few weeks since I had that tetanus shot. No regrets about ignoring the blogosphere, however. It wouldn't be vacation if it were too easy for me to get to my email.
The images in my mind from Virginia are so precious. So beautiful. Starting with the lightning clouds the pilot had to fly around to get from Dallas to Norfolk. My cousin Tim's white face when Krystal stepped forward through the crowd of witnesses. Meeting extended family for the first time. Being propelled through the salt air on a 20 year old swing. Noah calling "Nahna!" to me whenever I was out of sight. Traipsing along the waterfront laughing with Sarah. Baby Matthew at the tips of my fingers, getting his balance, and then letting go! Ryia and I walking all over Arlington and eating Pakistani food with only our right hands.
As much as I love my job, I truely work to live.

ahhh...vacation

I would like to say I'm lounging in the sun at the end of the peninsula, surrounded by saltwater, and leisurely typing away. Attractive as that idea is, it's June "in the country" and the ticks are merciless in their quest for food. Take the sun out your mental picture, however, and you're not far off. For the moment. Supper is my show tonight so the leisure only lasts so long.
Granny's house is in a transitional period. Granny herself seems fairly pleased at the convalescent center where she lives in a private room and keeps a fairly steady stream of visitors. Her house is smartly organized (it is her house, after all) for guests. The house is becoming, as my mom told my Aunt the other day, a "do it yourself resort" for the family. I've been helping my parents with clean-up projects before my cousin arrives next week. Suzanne is going to reside here for the foreseeable future - to keep the place occupied.
Speaking of projects, I had a little accident this morning. Dad and Karl and I were working on the pier: one of the girders has collapsed after 35 years of wear. I was pulling rusty nails out of driftwood when I managed to scratch myself in the neck. Before this afternoon's trip to the York County Health Department, my last tetanus shot was in 1996.

Golf

I've never played golf, so every spring when my employer hosts a golf tournament, my practice was to attend the BBQ afterward and collect my free stuff. The cash given to the winners never really enticed me. Honestly, the free stuff wasn't much of a draw either, I believe I was out on a motorcycle the two prior years.
Motorcycles are currently out of my reach, and as I like to try new things, golf was in this year. One of the accounting managers loaned me her clubs and I was added to a group with three actual players. And my golf-cart partner (Roger) was the closest to my age of the three. People murmured prayers to the golf gods as I strolled down toward the carts...but what really made the afternoon was the great weather (no wind? in Oklahoma?) and Roger came prepared with a cooler for all our beer.
It was a four-man scramble - but I had a *decent* showing. Actually, my first drive was my best all day. I also managed to sink a putt for us - which felt especially good because putting was Roger's specialty. Having cold beer also helped. I couldn't drink a can fast enough before the beer got warm - so I kept pouring out cans and grabbing a cold one.
Our team finished under par, by 3 I think? And I slept really well Saturday night.
Will I play again? Absolutely! Will I buy clubs and a golf membership before a Honda? Open road beats greener pastures every time.