A Golden Day

If you've ever glanced over at my sidebar, you may have noticed that I have a couple of Etsy shops.  I absolutely adore selling on Etsy.  (And buying, too.  One peek into my jewelry box and it's undeniable!)  However...as any Etsian will tell you...the BEST thing about Etsy is the people. When someone purchases one of my items, they usually share a story with me...and it's always something lovely.

Yesterday, I received an order for a keepsake ornament through my shop, Katarzyna.  A loving daughter wanted to present her parents with something special for their 50th wedding anniversary.  And she chose one of my quilted ball ornaments for this honor!

This ornament features gold and soft white quilting cottons from Anna Griffin...ivory satin ribbon and gossamer bows...white paper roses and old gold rosebuds...a vintage mirror-back button...a golden bell charm and...

...and tiny oval disk, with the sentiment "to love and to cherish."








I found myself extremely touched and inspired by this gesture and this story of enduring love. You see...yesterday was OUR 16th wedding anniversary.  If I am blessed enough to cross that 50-year threshold with my TM, I shall be a very old woman.  And he a very old man.  But...I shall cherish every year and every gray hair and every wrinkle.  I love him more every day.

I'M GETTING A SERGER.

As you may know...this past May, The Mailman and I took a little camping trip.  To the Great Plains.  And one of our stops was the tiny town of Wimbledon, North Dakota.  Why Wimbledon, you ask? Well...because they have a tennis court. And the folks at the general store make a killer cheeseburger.


Before we left home, TM said to me, "Don't let me run the gas gauge below 1/4 of a tank.  Remember what happened last time?" Yes, I did remember.  We were cruising down the Interstate in Northern Indiana when our little Subaru began to sputter.  We eased off onto the first available exit and coasted into the nearest gas station.  Apparently, the weight of the camper on the hitch is just enough to render the gas gauge useless below 1/4 of a tank.

Now...in the Great Plains there's a whole lot of nothing.  Stunningly beautiful nothing, mind you...but if you're a city slicker and used to a Starbuck's at every exit on the super-slab, you'll be pretty uncomfortable.  You'd better get your moch-jamocha latte while you can because it's gonna be awhile before you get another chance.  


So anyway...as we're pulling out of Wimbledon (The Mailman, Me, our two elderly weenie dogs, our packed-to-the-gills Subaru Forester and our packed-to-the gills pop-up camper)...the conversation goes something like this...


ME (leaning over to see that the gas gauge is a little below 1/4 tank):  Are you going to get gas before we leave town?

TM: No, I'll fill up at the next town.  It's just about 12 miles down the road.


(Pause)


ME:  Are you sure they have a gas station?


TM:  Well...if they don't, the Interstate is just a couple more miles.


(Pause)


ME:  And how far on the Interstate until there's gas?

TM:  (Silence)


I am annoyed.



Presently, we come upon what I assume to be the "12 mile road"...which turns out to be dirt and gravel.  Not the best surface for a fully-loaded camper.  TM turns around and heads back toward Wimbledon.  As we approach the intersection that would take us back into town, I know exactly what he's going to to. That's right.  He drives on.


Now...as I said, this part of the country has an abundance of wide open spaces.  Nothing between you and the blue sky...not a structure to be seen in any direction.  Beyond each grassy hill...is another grassy hill.  And on we go.

I am angry.  


I can feel the tension building.  TM begins to fidget.  The gauge is now on empty.  We pass a house and a cluster of farm buildings.


TM:  Do you want me to stop and see if they'll sell us some gas?


ME:  Do whatever you want.  You will anyway.


The rancher is apologetic.  No gas here...only diesel.  Jamestown is 7 miles down the road...and the gas stations are all on the near side of town.  Don't go any faster than 50 clicks...and good luck. We start down the road again.

I am FURIOUS.


We have the cell phone...but who do you call in the middle of nowhere?  It would serve him right if he has to walk...but I certainly don't want to wait on the side of the road in the burning sun...with two old weenie dogs on my lap...for God-knows-how-long until help arrives.   


And so I begin to pray...in the decidedly un-eloquent way of a soul on the edge of panic.


ME (under my breath because I'm not talking to him):  Please get us there. Please get us there.  PLEASE get us there.  

We top the last hill and see the promised land of Jamestown ahead.  As we creep towards the first gas station, I notice that the fuel is a couple of pennies cheaper a half-block further on.


ME (to myself):  If he goes for the cheaper gas, I really will kill him.


Uncharacteristically, he pulls into the more expensive station. Without a word, he fills the tank and heads into the convenience store.  He returns with two Snicker ice cream bars and a big can of "Peace Tea."  *snort*  As I bite into the chocolate-peanut deliciousness, I decide to call a truce.


ME:  This is good.  You must have known that chocolate defuses murderous rages.

TM:  I had a feeling.


(Pause)


ME:  I'm getting a serger.  I've wanted one for a long time and I deserve it.  I'm getting a serger.


TM:  What's it do?


ME:  That's no concern of yours.


To his credit...TM was very conscientious about the gas for the rest of the trip.  We had an absolutely lovely time.  And he's never given me a moment's grief about my new serger.


(These beautiful stained glass windows are from St. Boniface Catholic Church in Wimbledon. Before all this happened, TM stopped inside to take pictures...and left behind a small donation. St. Boniface is the patron saint of Germany...but apparently, he will intercede for mailmen, cranky sewists and old weenie dogs, as well.)

True Love

                                                   September 21, 1996

                                                        And they said it wouldn't last.*



*Actually...nobody said that.  Everybody recognized...from the git-go...that we're pretty much perfect for each other.

It's Official.

Apparently...a little past 11:30 this morning...I became a Senior Citizen.  Now, I can order a Senior meal at my favorite restaurant...if I grocery-shop on Thursdays, I'll get a 5% discount...and gosh, I can hardly WAIT to see what AARP is going to do for me.  

The Mailman...who is 5 years younger than me...thinks all of this is just hilarious.  For the past several weeks, he's taken every opportunity to remind me...and this morning, before work, he took me out for breakfast JUST so he could request the discount.  The joke's on him, though.  You see, for the past 17 years, I've been doing my best to age him...discreetly, of course...and according to my diabolical plan, by the time he retires he'll be 5 years OLDER than me.  BWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!

All kidding aside...when I think of the woman I was 30 years ago, there's NO WAY I would go back.  Apart from a slimmer physique and perkier bewbs, there's not much I miss about being 25.  Today, I have a wonderful man who loves me...a home of my own...work that I enjoy...and a certain level of comfort in my own skin.  And a profound gratitude for all that I've been given.  I had none of that at 25.  And as for the body and the bewbs...well, that's nothing a diet and a good bra won't fix.  Right? 

Married Life and Rhubarb Pie

So, late yesterday morning, The Mailman and I were on our way to Easter dinner at the In-laws.  Since it was a beautiful day, we decided to forgo the main highway and travel the 10 miles or so over the back roads.  About 1/4 of the way there, the conversation went like this:

     TM:  "Do you have any points on the gas card?"

     ME:  "No.  I used them up the last time.  Why?"


     TM:  "Well, I think..."

     ME:  (Leaning over to see the needle on EMPTY.)
            "Oh, my God!  We're not gonna make it!  You need to turn around.  It's Easter Sunday!
            They may not even be open!"


     TM:  (Smirks.)


     ME:  (Noticing smirk.)
            "I"M SERIOUS!  YOU HAFTA TURN AROUND!"


     TM:  "I'M GONNA TURN AROUND!"
            (Notices me noticing said smirk.  Deadpans.)
            "Hearing you talk just makes me smile.  I guess."

Well, we made it to the gas station and filled up...but I barely remember that part.  I was laughing so hard, I couldn't see straight.  I love that guy.

Later in the afternoon, I made these ornaments for my Etsy Shop.  One pink and one blue...I think they'd be perfect for a first-time Mom on Mothers' Day.

Then, we went out into the garden, and picked some rhubarb...

...and today, I made a pie.  For The Mailman.










Like I said...I love that guy.