JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Dear Readers, I had a really cool subject to write about for today, but I have to admit to you right now, I'm just too bushed to tackle it.
The Shih Tzus and I drove to and from Logan Airport (Boston) to pick up Virginia yesterday (I did most of the actual driving), and either the lengthy drive or the pork chop bone I gave them yesterday morning caused an upset to their systems, because they woke me up two times last night with an urgent need to get out and do their business. And, uh, the one time I didn't wake up. At least that was in the bathroom...
Then it was teaching today, and cooking (Virginia: "You're going to make all my favorite meals, right?") and laundry and hauling in wood etc. etc. and the upshot is, my brain is transmitting thoughts about as well as a pot of slightly underdone polenta.
So instead, we're going to catch up on what our plans are for the weekend (and beyond, if you want!) Tonight, I'm headed to a get-together/birthday party at a friend's house. Gotta make brownies for that. Maybe decorate them, if I an think of an easy way to do so?
Then Saturday, it's a funeral for a formidable elderly W.A.S.P. lady who took me under her wing when I was newly widowed. It'll be a nice service at our church, and then afterwards, Victoria and her wife are coming over to see Virginia (more cooking.) I'm going to insist on board games after. Gotta take advantage of having a total of four people in the house!
Nothing Sunday, yet, but on Monday I'm off to a friend's non-Inauguration brunch, where we'll stuff ourselves silly and drink mimosas and not watch TV. I'm beginning to think this may be the best plan for every major televised event. Superbowl? Brunch and mimosas. Ball drop on New Year's Eve? Brunch and mimosas. I'll give a pass for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, because that's designed for brunch and mimosas.
How about you, dear readers? What on your calendar for the weekend?
Weekend plans? Church on Sunday . . . otherwise, nothing but a bit of cooking and lots of time for book-reading . . . .
ReplyDelete[Glad Virginia arrived safely] . . . .
I need more time for book reading, Joan - maybe I need a weekend to recover from my weekend!
DeleteGlad Virginia arrived safely!
ReplyDelete“What’s the weekend?” Reminded me of Lady Violet Crawley.
Weekend plans - taking a break from social media. A brunch sounds good to me! Plan to stay busy. Plan to watch a funny movie after a medical appointment.
If you fins a good funny movie, Anon, remember to recommend it the next time we have a "what are we watching" round up!
DeleteGlad Virginia arrived safely. No plans but staying away from TV and will celebrate MLK day instead.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Dru Ann!
DeleteGood morning, Julia. I know all about sleeplessness connected to dogs. For decades now we have had a big dog and a little dog. In 2015, after 30 years of labrador retrievers, I decided I was done with dog hair layering the house and bought a standard poodle as our big dog. He is a love but he eats like a persnickity cat (I'm cooking for the dog?!! my husband stands by his bowl to encourage a few more bites?) and his intestinal tract is gossamer. The slightest, often undetectable, disruption leads to bloody disaster. After decades with the Sherman tank appetite and constitution of labs this was a considerable shock. My parents had standard poodles once we children were grown, and there was none of this delicacy. I have to believe this is just a feature of this (thankfully well-loved) dog. But it means I am often up and down at night.
ReplyDeleteI think on Monday I will be cleaning the garage while listening to hymns to elevate my thoughts or a good audiobook to take me far away. Hooray for Virginia's safe return! (Selden)
Selden, my friend Jessica Ellicott has a wonderful "moyen" poodle, about 35-40 pounds. We laugh at the differences in our pets' appetites: her Sam is also persnickety and will walk away from food if it doesn't suit. Meanwhile, my Kingsley once tried to gobble down a frozen rotten banana peel he found on the side of the road.
DeleteAfter a busy week, the term weekend should be spelled weakened.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that made me laugh, Jerry. I'm feeling pretty weakened right now; I'll have to see if everything I have planned is going to finish me off by Monday night!
DeleteI'm guessing when you ask about plans for the weekend, you don't mean for us to include the housework like vacuuming and laundry?
ReplyDeleteFor me, I'll be going out to pay a bill in person, then hitting Market Basket for Stop #3 on my weekly 3 stop grocery shopping schedule. Then I'll be off to my weekly stop at Twilight Comics in New Bedford.
I'll pick up my weekly stash of comics, we'll get lunch from Subway, we'll shoot the BS a bit, watch something on TV (last week we watched the Bruins game) and we'll film one or two matches in the wrestling card game that we play as the other guys try to dethrone The One True SRG God...that would be me...from any one of all 13 titles I hold...BWAA HA HA HA HA!
Then I'll be at home and when not doing the aforementioned housework, I'll be reading, watching a LOT of TV and probably listening to and writing about music as I try not think about how the world is ending next week.
JAY: wrestling card game? Sounds intriguing. Can you give some details?
DeleteIt's on the same general principle as Magic the Gathering and Pokemon, that kind of thing. Here's the link the website: https://supershowthegame.com/
DeleteJay, back when we had kids in the house, almost every Saturday started with a "GI Party," a habit Ross retained from his days in the Air Force. All hands on deck to clean the house. So, yes, I'm fine with including errand running and cleaning on the list!
DeleteAs a retiree, the weekend doesn't mean much.
ReplyDeleteI am kind of stuck at home though waiting for 2 deliveries, one needing a signature. The latter travel accessory item was ordered during a Black Friday sale on December 1 but was not mailed out until January 5 due to Canada Post's prolonged strike & backlog!
Glad Virginia made it back home.
Following the USPS tracker aa the package moved from TN to FL to MI to Toronto. Then no updates since Canada Post doesn't provide one, lol.
DeleteGrace, for all its many faults, USPS has one good thing. One can E-sign for mail requiring a signature. Because of building security and an inside mail room, I need not hang around all day. Realize that not everyone has this set of safe circumstances, I am very grateful for it. Sending patient and safe delivery thoughts your way. Elisabeth
DeleteDecember 1st - good heavens, Grace! Sounds like you could have walked to whatever store was selling it and gotten back home in the intervening time!
DeleteI like the idea of a non-inauguration day brunch with mimosas! I'll be writing, and then having friends over for drinks and appetizers on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI know, I was tickled when I got an invite, Edith. Enjoy your drinks and apps on Sunday!
DeleteHappy to hear Virginia made it back home safely.
ReplyDeleteMy weekend will consist of seeing the play WAITRESS at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre on Saturday and enjoying the music and laughter. After church on Sunday I will curl up with a book and a mimosa! Cheers 🥂
Sounds like a perfect weekend, Dorothy!
DeleteI love love the weekend clip Julia! You deserve time off with your family! Lottie and I are going to the Weiner dog parade, though if she behaves badly, we'll head right home. otherwise a friend for dinner, church, lots of catching up with work for me!
ReplyDeleteOoo! Where can we see pictures of the Weiner Dog parade, Lucy?
DeleteNo plans for the weekend. We are retired. I'll read, listen to books, cook, maybe bake. Go for a walk. Same old, same old. Next week is Irwin's birthday. We'll do a couple of dinners out, the first one with friends.
ReplyDeleteWish him a happy birthday from all of us, Judy!
DeleteI'm glad you will have enough family for board games. The combo of family and games is always a treat for me.
ReplyDeleteWeekend looks busy: Our Saturday walking group is going to change it up and start on the east side of the river about 9 (we usually start at 7:30 or 8) and walk downtown to meet up with the People's March (reincarnated version of the Women's March) that starts at 10. Sunday, I'll probably be at church from about 10 til (eek) maybe 3. I'm going to stay through the Spanish language service and the convivio afterwards. We're trying to quickly pull some things together to support our immigrant members. Monday I have a massage appointment. I hope Aaron can help me with a hamstring or sciatic nerve problem that's been bothering me since November. Then perhaps I will come home and read. No TV news on Monday.
Sounds like a full and enriching weekend, Gillian! I hope you get some relief from the hamstring/sciatic nerve thing. Nagging leg pain is the worst.
DeleteHubby and I are taking our nephew and his wife (the parents of 3 1/2 year old twins--boy and girl) out for an adult's dinner Saturday. They need a break from parenting and we need an excuse to get out of the house. Can you say "Cabin Fever?"
ReplyDeleteThat is a huge kindness, Aunt Annette!
DeleteOh, that's such a nice treat, Annette. I recall Ross's dad taking us out during the little kid stage, when we never had enough spare cash to indulge ourselves. Good call!
DeleteSo glad you've got some time with Virginia! My weekend will consist of half-day work Saturday morning, then home to the housework I've been putting off all week. Sunday I'll cook (still trying to fatten up Youngest Nephew). I'll get in some writing in the evenings when all the chores are done and animals content, and at some point watch the other half of Ken Burns' excellent Leonardo da Vinci documentary. I've seen the suggestion to have tvs turned on to anything but the inauguration on Monday, in order to tank his ratings. I love the idea, don't know if it would really work.
ReplyDeleteI didn;t know there was a new (?) Ken Burns documentary, Flora! You've solved the problem of what Virginia and I can watch together - she loves documentaries, but I don't want to see anything about real disasters or true crime, her favorite categories. Leonardo da Vinci is the perfect compromise.
DeleteThe documentary came out in November, I read about it somewhere. I've enjoyed the first half (Flora).
DeleteEnjoy that time with both daughters there! That sounds truly delightful.
ReplyDeleteOur normal routine since our son moved to Japan is a Zoom call with him on Saturday evening (our time). But this week we have conflicting plans, so we're going to talk to him about 10 tonight, as he drives home from teaching Saturday morning enrichment classes.
Tomorrow, we are attending a special Mass at 4 pm for the 200 couples attending a special couples dinner afterward. Last year was the first time for this dinner, and the space at church could only accomodate slighlty fewer than 100 couples. It sold out in about a minute, so this year they moved the dinner to a nearby event space. The 200 slots there sold out in about five minutes, it seems. There is clearly demand!
Sunday, we sing in the choir at 11 a.m. Mass and that is our only commitment. So overall, this is an unusually open weekend for us.
Oh, and on Monday we have the distraction of the College Football National Championship game. Yeah, I know, it's crazy late for football and I probably wouldn't be interested either, except I live in Columbus, Ohio, where everyone lives and dies by the fate of the Buckeyes.
We will also have the game on here, Susan! My brother, who attended OSU, even has his garage tricked out in their colors and insignia, is losing his mind.
DeleteBama fan here, Susan, so I checked out a while ago.
DeleteYour visit sounds like ‘So nice to have you visit, and so much nicer to see you go’.
ReplyDeleteAs for the weekend – probably the usual – nothing. I hope Celia is presenting us with a new recipe, so it may be that I will make that. Other options include, finish reviewing the seed catalogues, or think about cleaning up, or maybe since we are getting our passport picture done this morning, thinking of where we could go. Where are we going you might ask – probably the back yard! The passport expires, so just in case…
Just sugar dust those brownies – that is all they need.
Leftover candy canes crushed and sprinkled atop are also good.
DeleteBoth of those sound like excellent idea, and I have sugar, of course, and a whole string of those tiny candy canes I've been wondering what to do with...
DeleteSounds like we all have similar plans, or maybe non-plans. All my days are pretty much the same and this will be no different. I've heard that youtube Meidas may do a puppy live stream, which could be fun, especially since I no longer have a dog. I don't usually watch movies during the day, but a good comedy and some popcorn might work out very well. Board games sound very appealing to me, but rather tricky without more than one player.
ReplyDeleteGreat that Virginia is home! Now all your girls need to help bring in some wood!
Judi, I'll get her on the wood as soon as her sleep schedule evens out! Right now it's a combination of jet lag, a six-hour time difference, and end-of-the-term exhaustion. It's 1:30 and she's taking a nap!
DeleteJulia, I know you will enjoy having all the chicks back in the nest for a few days! Sounds like a lot of fun planned.
ReplyDeleteOur weekend began the other night, when we picked up the Athens daughter from her long flight. Yesterday she, who has been getting further and further into photography, asked if Steve and I wanted to go to the Cincinnati Art Museum to see the Ansel Adams exhibit. (It was wonderful, and the Museum was packed on a weekday morning, and not with students.) Then she and I went to pick up my mom, surprise her with Holly's early arrival, and we went for mother/daughter/granddaughter manicures (mine is uncharacteristically Barbie pink). Afterwards we had dinner, then Mother went with us to pick up middle daughter, who was delighted to see Grandma, who lives near the airport. Third daughter and family joined us for a short while back at home before we all turned in.
Today I get a break while they all visit local friends, and then we have a family dinner out tonight, Tomorrow is the main event: a family/friend celebration of Mother's 95th birthday, with 50 having lunch at a restaurant. We are setting up a photo booth so we can actually maybe get pictures. Possibly having supper here tomorrow night, with some kind of table game.
Everyone leaves at various times on Sunday, and I know I will be tired, but will really miss having the bustle in the house. On Monday I will be washing sheets and towels, vacuuming dog hair from the Berner granddog, and listening to Elly Griffiths' last Magic Men novel. No TV coverage of the debacle for me.
What a wonderful family get together, Karen. Enjoy having Holly at home, enjoy your mother's celebration, and enjoy that Barbie-pink manicure!
DeleteHappy birthday celebration to Karen-Mama!
DeleteGlad Virginia got home safely. We will be installing a reverse-osmosis filter on the kitchen sink. Someone's coming to take a look at Koda's nails and see if they need a trim - he needs to go to the groomer, but it's too stinking cold. SinC meeting on Saturday. Final edits on this year's Laurel Highlands mystery. More words on the Jackson Davis #2.
ReplyDeleteAnd I need to go to the post office.
Do I know how to have fun or what?
We all have those kind of weekends as well, Liz! I love the fact Koda gets in home beauty care - he's a justifiably pampered pooch!
DeleteFamily time of the paw patrol and monster trucks variety. Life is good. Welcome home to Virginia!
ReplyDeleteI remember those days, Margaret! Enjoy!
DeleteEnjoy your time with Virginia. My weekend should be fun. In the morning, I'll play tennis and then have my weekly coffee with a good friend at our usual coffee place in Bern's Old Town (it's a ten- minute walk from my apartment). In the afternoon, my husband and I will take a walk, and maybe (hopefully) I'll do some writing. Then we'll take the ingredients for a cheese fondue to my 89-year-old mother-in-law's house (she lives on her own in a village 20 minutes drive from Bern), and she'll make dinner for the three of us! Sunday, all the Bern Old Town art galleries are open (it's only one Sunday a year), so we'll make the rounds of them on foot after lunch. We usually shake our heads over most of the stuff we see, but we always like something. Not that we ever buy anything.
ReplyDeleteKim, that all sounds delightful. I also love visiting art galleries and making judgments on paintings I could never afford to buy! :-D
DeleteGlad Virginia is home safely, that the Shih Tzus did not do much driving, and you’ll have family time! I’m going with friends tonight to see/hear Sara Paretsky and Lisa Gardner at Belmont Books in Belmont, MA with pizza and wine before. Tomorrow night 30th birthday party for twin nieces, Sunday morning church. Some outdoor walks if the Polar Vortex hasn’t yet arrived. Monday I will NOT be watching TV until Midsomer Murders on PBS Monday night.
ReplyDeleteWow, an event with Sara & Lisa + pizza and wine sounds fabulous!
DeleteI know, that sounds fabulous Suzette!
DeleteI wish driving an hour at night was in my wheelhouse or I would join you, Suzette, but I'll be snug at home.
DeleteI'm on call to check in with the new weekend coordinator which I'll do around noon. Then I get to work on Monday. I could work from home but I think I'll head to the office. Other than that I will be doing a bit of cleaning, ironing of linens for church and I've been wanting meatloaf so maybe this is the Sunday I get it done. These action items will be done around reading and needlepoint.
ReplyDeleteMeatloaf.... now that sounds like an activity worth putting on my calendar, Deana!
DeleteMeatloaf! Genius idea!
DeleteNo special weekend plans…there is an art exhibit on Saturday, but it will be around for a while…and the weather is not looking cheerful for this Saturday. Cheers all, Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be rather grim here as well, Elisabeth. The temperatures will be rising (yay!) but we'll be getting lots of rain (boo!) Still, better than the arctic plunge coming at the beginning of next week.
DeleteMonday, January 20 is MLK Day, and a much more positive event to focus on. I intend to avoid all sights and sound of what's happening in Washington DC and to spend most of the day in our county's mostly Black community, which is hosting a major program to celebrate Dr. King.Other than that, I'm tending to my very sick cat.
ReplyDeleteI hope your cat gets better soon, Susan!
DeleteEnjoy your girls and your mimosas, Julia! I will be crazily running a 5K around Tempe in 40 degree weather. Gah!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I didn't know it got that cold in Arizona, Jenn!
DeleteJenn, I thought you were not running another 5K until the anniversary of the first one you ran? Good luck! — Pat S
DeleteLate to chime in because it's been another crazy morning - poor Rocky had to go out at midnight and again at 1am, and then he went in to sleep with Virginia... and made several dribbling messes in her room, poor baby. He refused brekkie this morning, so I'll be making some rice and boiled sweet potato for him.
ReplyDeleteIt's a balmy sunny day and currently 42 degrees. Rain coming tomorrow. Every Friday two shops in town have a free food and wine tasting in the evening. I'm sure we'll attend with the nice weather. Saturday and Sunday will be rainy; sounds like a nice stay at home and read time. Monday is a community march/parade for MLK Jr. Anyone who wishes to can join in with inspirational signs, if they make any, and walk as a community for just under a mile. Hot cocoa and/or soup offered at the end. It sounds like a lovely time, though cold but sunny. We'll see if we join in.
ReplyDeleteYes, we're expecting much the same here, weather-wise, Pat. Rain tomorrow and the the arctic plunge for the first several days of next week. Poor Virginia is already missing The Hague's mild maritime winter!
DeleteThat what is a weekend clip makes me laugh every single time! And I said often, I have to admit. This weekend… Let’s see. Tonight we are going out to dinner with Lisa Gardner and Sara Paretsky, if I may name drop like crazy. It is Jonathan’s birthday, too! And I fear this is not exactly the celebration had hoped for, but he is, as we know, the best of sports.
ReplyDeleteThen over the weekend, we have wonderfully nothing! I plan to write write write . I am also trying to decide whether to see September 5 at the movies – – but it might be too cold outside :-)
Julia, I wish we could come play board games with you!
One of these weekends, we must do a Boston-area (ish) board game get together. I see some highly competitive CLUE matches in our future.
DeleteIn! And I bet Hallie is, too!
DeleteWell, today is going to be 50-53, so I'll head out to the cemetery and sit a spell soon. Tomorrow we're down to the 40s and Sunday starts a few days of 20s and perfect for staying indoors. Hmm, Monday is going to be around 24 in D.C. Sounds rather uncomfortable. Philip is busy all weekend, even on Sunday with veterans' funerals, as he participates in the color guard for local funerals of veterans. The families really appreciate it. Thanks to Flora, I'll be watching the Ken Burns' Leonardo da Vinci documentary. The TV will be on Monday, but tuned to a movie, or maybe I'll go back and pick up what I missed of The First Lady. I'm really sorry there won't be a second season due to a lukewarm interest. I think what I saw of it was fascinating--Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, Olivia Davis as Michelle Obama, and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt.
ReplyDeleteA big welcome home to Virginia. I know how much you both will enjoy your time together. And, family game night with four sounds like my kind of fun.
This afternoon we will go to the weekly Friday Driveway gathering with our neighbors. Tomorrow we’re going to a horse event at the World Equestrian Center so my husband can take photos for his photography club “assignment”. Sunday we will go to church and to our pickleball group’s chili feed party. Right now I am sitting out on my front porch reading in the sunshine before cold weather returns.
ReplyDeleteYay, brunch and mimosas! Pretty much the solution to everything IMHO. And yay Julia for more or less saying so!
ReplyDelete