Thursday, May 10, 2007

Strange Days Indeed

Stinky looking more than a little jaundiced and blowing kisses into the air.

Shit! but my life has a way of going from 240 to 20 mph in less than a week. After how heinous last weekend was, it's kind of nice to put on the breaks a little. Hell, it's even more fun to drive through life like an old man and pull-out right in front of people, only to creep along at 20 mph, stalling traffic for about a block behind me. Wait. What the hell was I talking about?

This week I've been blessed with the gift of time. It has been precious, indeed. The problem for me, has been remembering what to do with it. Today Stinky went to United Action for Youth until 9 and Coadster was at an away soccer game until 9:30. Without thinking, I began to carry on in my spazzy little, "I better get things done quickly way" and headed for the store. The weather was perfect, and almost every house with a porch, had someone sitting, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes on it. It is one of the things I really love about Iowa City in the Spring and Summer.

Driving up Dewey Street, I saw a couple I know with their adorable little 10 month old baby girl. It occurred to me that I really wasn't in any hurry, so I stopped to chat and tell them how beautiful their daughter was. Turns out, they already knew.

Since I was quite literally in the neighborhood, I dropped by to visit with my friend K. too. We walked her dogs and checked out the garden together. It was so nice not to have to rush off anywhere or worry about being late to pick-up the girls. Now that I've got the hang of it, I'm trying to think of who I can go bug tomorrow night.

16 comments:

rel said...

Churlita,
The bucolic days of springtime do sweeten our lives.
Like Mac Davis says; You gotta stop and smell the roses. ;-)
rel

Stepping Over the Junk said...

I love days like that. I walk and meet up with my friend "D" down the street and hang out, my new neighbors who bought the condo beneath me sit on their stoop and last night, I extended the girls' bedtime for an hour so we could all sit on the stoop and visit and play and it was awesome! You forget sometimes what to do with that time, not always wise to just clean and run errands!

Mrs. Hairy Woman said...

We do the same thing here.. smoke cigareets and drink beer.. but we are quiet about it.. unless someone starts blasting music.. but it is the sign that better and warmer days are ahead....Glad you had some time to yourself and not have to rush home..

Anonymous said...

Mine doesn't start until next week. Can't wait. Glad you were able to get your foot off the accelerator!

Margaret said...

porch-visitin's the best

TLB said...

Me! Me! Come bug me! (Er, not bug, you know what I mean.)

Q said...

Porch Sittin' was one of my hobbies in college. My friend and I used to sit in our rocking chairs on his porch for hours on end. It got pretty bad when people at school knew where we were when they could not find us on campus or at our local bar hangout. They would drive down to his house and there we were sitting. Oh, he also lived in a neighborhood with a bunch of elderly people, those olds thought we were it, "These youngins' really know how to live". That is what I imagine they were saying about us well that and "turn down that loud ass music"...

booda baby said...

Iowa City's a spectacular place to waste time, even when you don't have it. It always smells so - like something worth putting in a notebook's going on.

fringes said...

That sounds like a perfect evening.

Tara said...

It's so nice when you can slow down and visit with friends, isn't it?

I was invited to a friend's house for dinner last night. She has dinner with friends almost every Thursday in the warmer months. This time I was the only one who showed up. We ate, she put her kids to bed, I played with the Lego set the kids had in the livingroom, and then we talked and had a great time.

Poptart said...

Fun. I miss the IC wanderin' life! Sounds like you're making the best use of your freedom, just going with the flow.

Rachel said...

I go over to my friends house every Sunday and they have a lovely screen porch with lots of seating. We sit out there chatting and having a good time.
It is one of my favorite times of the week.

Churlita said...

Rel,

You had to mention Mac Davis. I just had Hard to be Humble in my head last week. Oy.

Stepping,

Yeah. I'm really trying harder to relax and give myself some more fun time lately.

Babybull,

I love those signs of better, warmer days.

NotFaintHearted.

Thanks. I hope you are able to next week too.

Magaret,

Don't I know it.

TLB,

Let me see what the girls are up to and then I'll try to stop by. If you're busy with a real cool hand on-line, let me know, and I promise I won't stand there and babble this time.

Q,

Sounds a lot like my college days - without the old people, though.

Booda Baby,

Yes. You put that very well.

Fringes,

It was very nice.

Tara,

Food, legos and conversation sound awesome.

Sarah,

I just missing going to your old place on Davenport Street and hanging out. Remember that?

Rachel,

What a great way to spend a Sunday.

Dagromm said...

I am so looking forward to the open weekend (or day) without the kids under foot. I think that I am at least a couple more weeks away from that though. (sighs longingly and stares at the screen jealously)

no said...

I need a damn porch. Summer just isn't right without one. Fire escapes can only do so much and if you aren't starring in a musical or romantic comedy, two of those options are already nixed.

Anonymous said...

Not rushing is best thing one can do. Take it slow, enjoy your time, after hurrying all the time, slowing down is the best medicine.

Myself, I have been taking it slow on purpose of late. I do not want to become one of those "I don't have time" people.