Too Much Rallying

Got an invitation to go to an Iyengar yoga class on Friday. I'd had my eye on the studio and wanted to go since I would have someone to go with me but I was feeling tapped out.

I know that yoga would have probably made me feel better but... The class started at 6 and I would have had to get to the studio 20 minutes early. It was just too much rallying for my state of mind so I went home, paused then siphoned water out of the fish tank because I was over a week behind on doing that task. Headed to the to the 'Fugee's after composing myself a bit. Unbelievably, I was sleepy but managed to make it through a short movie then I took a short nap.

As the 'Fugee and I exited, her neighbor came out and was startled. I chuckled and then it was my turn to be startled when her small dog ran toward me. I guess we are all jumpy, she said...

Alison and I went on our first bike outing of the year. It was h than the projected forecast and a little windy but we made it. Alison has such a keen eye. As we bicycled, she spotted two turkeys -- one fanning his tail. Later on, she spotted these tiny, roadrunner-like birds.

Tiny, Fast Bird

House

We stopped around mile eight to have a snack. I brought an orange and Alison brought a mango and we exchange a half. Both were amazing.

Yum

Slightly Obsessed with Bike Sharing Fleet

My House Is Clean

Monday, April 17th

All the neighbors had cut their grass; I had not because of lawnmower issues that I knew existed at the end of grass-cutting season 2016.

Tuesday, April 18th

I went to look at used lawnmowers but the employee told me that all of the 40 + mowers on the lot actually belonged to people and he doesn't have any used ones available but he does refer me to a gentleman who lives around the corner, behind a high school and has a gold Chevy Tahoe in the driveway.

Just call him when you pull up.

There's no need to call because he's in the driveway working on stuff.

I'm immediately captivated by the tidy, well-organized garage.


Evening of April 18th

I fret over whether to get an electric or gas mower. Also keep looking at Angie's List to see if I can get someone to cut the grass and, therefore, buy myself time to look around.


Wednesday, April 19th

I return to the guy who sells mowers out of his garage, purchase a gas mower, go home, change clothes, walk the yard and collect debris then cut the grass. I am relieved when I finish around 6-ish, take a shower, wash my hair. For dinner, I eat a big bowl of cereal.

Also realize that I forgot to pay a bill.


Thursday, April 20th

I take the lawn mower that is not working to the shop that buys broken things...

The retired gentleman that I bought the mower from also gave me a little class -- how to clean the filter, change the oil, store gasoline. He also gave me an extra spark plug. Deep down, I know that he has done a good job restoring the mower because he is a total geek about how mowers work and I feel good about buying from someone who is retired and enjoys what he's doing...

After getting rid of the problematic mower, I go to wash the layer of pollen off my car. As soon as my feet hit the ground, a woman approaches me.

My grandson had a cockroach in his ear -- not from my house because my house is clean. I need $14 dollars to get his medicine and I have two dollars already.

If I'd had anymore change, I would have given her a couple of dollars -- just for coming up with an original story.

Friday, April 21st

I'm in line at the grocery store and this woman with kids keeps telling them You better get a job in response to their pleas for candy.

I am shocked when the 18-year-old clerk wants me to identify the tomato and onion so that she can look up the codes. She says that her mom doesn't cook and that she doesn't have the time to learn how to...

Three weeks

The amount of time it takes me to get 342 pages into Freeman by Leonard Pitts, Jr.  I don't normally read historical fiction or, more precisely, I don't like to read tales that involve slavery because it puts me in a bad place but, here I am, on a back-to-back binge.

Went to the library after work to pick up another book because I know that I will be jonesing for the next read after Freeman.

I Don't Need Any Addresses

Goodbye Buddha Bowl

After work on Friday, went to get comfort food at Lulu's and Lulu told me that the Buddha Bowl wouldn't be on the menu for long because they were switching to a fall menu.

I laughed because the brick and mortar Lulu's has not been in business long and Lulu already knows that I'm a creature of habit but she did tell me about some of the food that would be on the new menu.

I thanked Lulu for the advance notice warning and headed home to have my usual Friday evening kick back and relax cup of coffee.

Found a message from my mother saying that one of her friends wanted the addresses of vegan and vegetarian restaurants. When I called to talk to Ms. D, she said that she needs to lose weight and that her doctor advised her to go without meat at least one day out of the week but she wants to try vegetarian options before she invests money in groceries.

When I got ready to give Ms. D the addresses, she said I don't need any addresses. I want to go with you. I laughed again.

Fall-like Weather

...LIke Real People

In addition to being exhale day, it's also "take a break" from exercise day. The only kicking that will occur is when I kick up my feet to watch a movie.

On a recent flick night my friend, Lori, said that one of the reasons that she likes foreign flicks is because the people look like real people. Romantics Anonymous elicited that response along with responses of laughter et al.

I also enjoyed Sidewalls.

Whatever you do today, enjoy...

The Arabic Music Phase

I had this whole Arabic music phase. When I heard Aicha by Cheb Khaled, I immediately fell in love with the song.

Really, you should hear me singing in French and my apologies to all of the French speakers out there. And what does French have to do with Arabic anyway?

Here are the lyrics, in part, to Aicha:

AICHA
écrite par J.J Goldman

Comme si je n'existais pas,
elle est passée à côté de moi
Sans un regard, reine de "Saba",
j'ai dit Aïcha prends tout est pour toi

Voici les perles les bijoux,
aussi l'or autour de ton cou
Les fruits, biens mûrs au goût de miel,
ma vie, Aïcha si tu m'aimes...

I’ll have to find the actual translation but Aicha walks past the gentleman without regard and he’s going to bring her jewelry, the sun...yadda yadda yadda. Listen to me, he pleads. I’ll erase your tears, your sorrow...yadda yadda yadda.

When I told my friend Lori the lyrics she said, he’s lying. Wow, Lori, have a little faith.



My fascination with Aicha led me to Raï music which led me to Magic System.

If you look at my workout play list, I have this song Un Gaou Oran by 113& Magic System. I love this video. I think it’s so funky, cute and no one is scantily clad. So, here's something funky for Friday. Sit back and enjoy 113 & Magic System.

What's the story behind one of your favorite workout songs?

Cheers! It's Friday.

Friday Frivolity

First things first: Happy Friday!

I should have, perhaps, posted this yesterday when it was April Fools' Day.

Here's me working out to the Smooth & Sexy Moves segment of 10 Minute Solution: Dance your body Thin!. I have on the two pound belt that the DVD comes with...

Gingersnapper, do you still think you're less coordinated than I am?

You know what they say: dance as if no one is watching... Hee-hee.