Random Thoughts

I sat on the patio in the backyard yesterday, drinking Proseco and gossiping with the girls. We ate hulled strawberries and shifted around so that the sun didn't burn any of our parts more than the others.  There were shared memories and new stories and much advice was given.  We wore no makeup and our shorts were the ones lying atop the laundry pile; we were there for one another, not trying to impress.

Sparkling wine as dinner..... I could get used to this.
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There's a distinct change in the breeze and the air quality here in the desert Southwest.  April is nearly half-way gone, and most all of the snowbirds have fled to cooler climes.  Those of us who are planning to stick it out through the summer share a certain glee, a glint in our eyes, a reluctance to admit that we love baking in triple digit temperatures.

I can't speak for anyone else, but, for me, it's self-preservation.  I don't want Tucson to be winter-crowded all year long.
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Justified ended the season with a disarming end to a seriously evil bad guy (if you saw it you should be smiling now).  Big Cuter thinks that Ava has become more evil as the series has matured, but I disagree.  She started out by shooting her cheating, beating husband in the chest with a shotgun as he sat at the dining room table.  She's now married to his brother, Boyd, who's striving to become the biggest baddest criminal in Harlan County.  Ava's not more evil, she's just more grown up.
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I found myself in the interesting position of explaining the workings of my Kindle Fire to a friend.  I can turn it on and off, play solitaire and read a book on it.... but not much more.  I can't figure out how to turn off the web browser when I don't need it.  I am flummoxed every time I try to highlight and then retrieve a passage.  I should be able to leave notes on the text, but that's not intuitive, either.

I suppose I should read the instructions..... but they are digitized and available on-line instead of in a handy paperback I can leave open to the important pages.  I'm having a stand-off with the device.... become natural in my hand or be gone.
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And another thing about this Kindle thing - it's much more durable than it looks, but that doesn't stop me from being terrified every time I put it in my purse to go someplace.  In the house, we're fine.  Transporting it is a whole different matter.  Traveling requires a case.

I looked in Tucson and sighed, deeply and profoundly.  The slim pickings were confined to big box chain stores.  On-line, the choices were more varied.  I wanted to touch them for myself, and I could have done so..... if we still lived in Marin.  San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Mission and 3rd in The City..... I love my town but there are times when I throw my hands up in disgust.
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Everyone here is complaining about allergies.  The palo verdes are in bloom, their bright yellow blossoms attracting birds and bees and sneezes.  The mesquites and acacias are right behind them, bringing more pollen and discomfort to sufferers county-wide.  `Between my achy hip and my scratchy throat I feel much worse than I really am.
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The summer before I was shot I bought 5 pairs of colorful flipflops at WallyWorld.  They cost $1.25 each at the end of the season sale. Last year, my ambulation required lace up shoes that freed my toes up for balance instead of keeping the shoe on my foot.  This year, they are seriously tempting me.

TBG has issues every time he sees me put them on. "Are those the best shoes you could be wearing?" he inquires.  My "Probably not, but they go with the outfit," response solicits an interesting response. He's my spouse, not my parent, but he's been operating as my guardian since January, 2011.  I know I ought to listen to him, but I can't give up the colors.
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After months of fits and starts and good intentions, GRIN is able to announce that Pilates at Amphitheater Middle School starts today, Friday the 13th. We are part of the Physical Education curriculum.

It is a public/private partnership in the very best way. Corporation and bureaucracy are not always terms of opprobrium. Thanks to Balanced Body for the equipment, Amphi Middle School and the Amphi School District and the University of Arizona for flexibility and perserverance, and, most especially, thanks to Kyria Sabin of Body Works Pilates for having both the original idea and the willingness to stick with it until we got it done.