grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Let’s Make a Deal

By

I get not one second of peace to enjoy my coffee until Lucy and Annabelle have walked, peed and pooped. Out the door we go first thing in the morning. I am a vision wearing whatever I throw on to stay warm – today it’s gray sweat pants, my Rivercrest Colts t-shirt underneath a sloppy navy sweatshirt, purple windbreaker, Ugg boots, dirty ponytail and no makeup. Lovely. Even though the sun is barely awake, I wear my sunglasses so that no one will recognize me and to hide my puffy morning eyes.

Immediately out the door I hear Debby Rogers call my name from her car. The dogs gave me away. She is off to work, looking like she just walked the runway at fashion week – her hair is always swingy and shiny. She sports those stylish glasses everyone, who is anyone, wears. And she’s clean. I’m sure of it. We briefly chatted before she drove off likely thinking, “Wow she’s really let herself go since she quit the bank”.

The dogs and I happily continue down the sidewalk, waving to John as he drives by and turns at the corner. He’s off to a doctor appointment and then to work. Somebody has to work. It’s a gorgeous winter morning in Dallas. I am reminded of my favorite Bible verse: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24 King James. I prefer King James.

I stick my hands down into my pockets to keep them warm.  They are full of stuff.  Truly, I am not a packrat. I can easily discard things without a second thought.  Strangely, I have managed to accumulate all sorts of little things in both my pockets. I feel around and identify plastic bags to pick up dog poop (proper city etiquette), a dry cleaners receipt (I must remember to pick up John’s shirts), a tiny sample of makeup from Newcomb’s (Estee Lauder Biscuit), my grocery list from yesterday (we were nearly starved), and a large package of Fruit Stripe gum, which I bought at the Wilson grocery store when my mother and I did a drive-by of Johnny Cash’s house in Dyess last week.    

I should be on Let’s Make a Deal, but properly attired of course. Remember that show? Is it still on? Monty Hall made random deals such as cash to the maniacal audience member who could quickly produce a box of macaroni from her purse.  Or a pink curler.  Or a pair of socks.  Or Fruit Stripe gum from Wilson…  Wait a minute. Something did not feel quite right…? Something was missing! Where were my keys? I turned my pockets inside out on the corner in front of Harry’s house, which immediately became a super fun game to Lucy and Annabelle. My pockets had been so weighted, I had assumed my keys were inside. But I had Fruit Stripe Gum instead! And I didn’t have my iPhone. I always had my iPhone! It was my life line. Pitiful.

Quickly, the girls and I ran to Russell and Terri’s house – 4 houses down from ours. They were unlucky enough to be home – the car was in the drive. As I knocked, Lucy and Annabelle jumped at my feet smearing up their glass front door. I saw Russell inside on his iPad. He couldn’t hide. Plus he had to help me, he’s a preacher. He’s dedicated to helping those less fortunate. He took an oath or something. I thought about quickly turning my back to the door and smearing some of that Estee Lauder Biscuit on my face, but time was of the essence. Once John left the doctor, he would go to his office which was near the airport – far, far away.  

Inside we go – Lucy and Annabelle running wildly all over the room with leashes swinging – so excited to be calling on a neighbor so early. What fun! And I looked like a haint in this getup I was wearing. I had coffee breath and had not yet brushed my teeth! I sure hoped he had not read the story of my brightening facial a couple of weeks ago. He would immediately know it did not work, and it was a total waste of money. I explained my pathetic situation, and he graciously set out to help me.  (We do have GREAT neighbors!)

I could not remember John’s cell number to save my soul. It’s programmed on my iPhone so why clutter my head with those numbers?  Russell handed Terri’s laptop to me but evidently when I am makeup-less, I am also computer illiterate.  Finally I stumbled into Facebook and onto John’s page to see if his cell phone number was listed.  Of course not.  Who does that? (me) Ironically, the first thing that flashed on the crazy new Facebook timeline ticker was “Today is Russell Floyd’s birthday! Wish him a happy birthday!”  Really? WhatWereTheOdds? So, I gushed over Russell, wishing him a happy birthday, trying to convince him that was the real reason for my early morning visit. 

The dogs were rowdy, jumping on their clean furniture in their clean, dog-less, child-less home. This was the moment I experienced my first official day-time hot flash. Terri came into the room to remind Russell that she had a flight to catch. I think she was starting to get nervous that the dogs and I would be riding to DFW Airport with them to swing by John’s office, completely stinking  up their clean car. Finally, Russell brilliantly sent John an email (I remembered his email address).  And thank goodness, John headed back home to save me from myself.  

At 8:15 I’ve already had a day.  I think this afternoon I will make a pie from Nana’s recipe box – for Russell.  Russell deserves pie! It’s his birthday. And southern girls always cook in times of need.


talya


Musical Pairings:
Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch, “I’ll Fly Away”

Driving Miss Lucy. And Miss Annabelle….

By

I had just returned from my hair appointment, which is a Happy Day in my book. But because of my hair appointment, I was running late for a very important date. Lucy and Annabelle were booked for a week at the pet lodge, and I had exactly one hour to walk, feed and drive them across the city in time for small dog group play time this afternoon. They needed to check in today, as I was leaving at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning with my mother. We were road tripping back home to Arkansas.

Yes my dogs were a wee bit spoiled, but they were so darn cute was it any wonder? And they couldn’t stay just anywhere. They stayed in the French Quarter suite at the pet lodge which was roomy and bright and airy. Seriously, if there was a House Hunters for Dogs on HGTV, this would be the winning selection every time. Although the location is geographically undesirable, we can’t possibly book them into a new place. They like it at the pet lodge. They know the humans there. They get excited when we drive up. Of course they are always excited…

They knew something was up when I started to pack their blankets and a few favorite toys. I strapped Lucy into her booster seat in the back seat of the car. Yes, she has a booster seat. It allows her to look out the window at people, cars, dogs, etc. I was a bit worried about handling them both at the same time in the car and briefly considered crating Annabelle for the drive. But I dismissed this idea deciding with Lucy in her booster seat, Annabelle would be perfectly fine up front with me in my lap.
Lucy checking out the view!
One block from the house, Lucy had nearly hung herself. Something was faulty with the strap as the booster seat had practically collapsed leaving Lucy dangling and balancing on her back feet. I quickly pulled to the curb and unhooked her with one hand while holding Annabelle with the other. Lucy was glaring at me, while Annabelle licked my face. As I reached for Lucy, I almost pull a piece of fat in my back but luckily yoga has helped with my overall flexibility. Yoga comes in handy daily. This is the moment I should have turned the car around, retrieved both dog crates, and started again…but I didn’t.
Now both pups were balanced in my lap, draped across my left arm, looking out the window. Please do not let me pass a cop, I thought. I was certain I would be pulled over just to confirm there was in fact a human in the car, as the dogs were almost blocking my view and looked as if they were driving.
Road work ahead. There was a lane closed near Baylor Hospital. I maneuvered through the orange cones with one functioning arm and one schnauzer arm. I hit nearly every red light which was actually a good thing.  I used these red light opportunities to shift the dogs and message my numb arm. I drove through downtown Dallas.    
I made it to the other side of downtown and took a deep breath. I was almost forced to merge onto the Dallas North Tollway which would not have been a good thing. Fortunately I was able to veer into the correct lane to avoid a side trip to North Dallas. What was that noise?!? The back window was suddenly open.  It took me a second to process this. Annabelle had stepped on the button and opened the window.  The wind was blowing in and the traffic noise was loud as cars whizzed by us. I rolled up the window at the next light and readjusted. My knuckles were white, and I think I was grinding my teeth.  Not too much further. I was comforted by the fact that I passed by no fewer than 5 hospitals on my journey to the pet lodge. I knew if I was somehow ejected through the moonroof, I would be only seconds away from a world class emergency room.  The dogs might not fare so well.
Up ahead was a giant flashing road closure/detour sign. OMG. I slowed to assess the situation. Luckily the road was not closed. Instead, the lanes merged from four to one. Why are people so rude and impatient about this? No one wanted to let the schnauzers merge, like this was really going to significantly slow them down on their way to Taco Bell. How often does one see dogs commandeering a vehicle?  Obviously these dogs had somewhere to go! Suddenly, while attempting to cue up into this one lane without causing road rage, the passenger window opened. My nerves were totally shot. Was there danger of Annabelle opening the car door too?  I left the window down, as I could not possibly free my paralyzed limb to address this.  
Finally I saw the pet lodge up ahead! My final maneuver was a U-turn across three lanes to get into the parking lot. As I braced myself I yelled, “Hang on, hang on, hang on!” Lucy and Annabelle shifted in my lap, scratching my legs through my jeans. By the grace of God, we successfully turned into the parking lot with the air whooshing through the back window. The dogs were so thrilled to see the lady at the front desk. In reality, they were probably relieved to be free from their crazed mother who was ready for a cocktail.
talya

Musical Pairings:
Talking Heads, “Wild Wild Life”

Yes I Still Do!

By

blurry but captures the moment
Today is my thirteenth wedding anniversary! Lucky13. John and I were married in a tiny chapel surrounded by immediate family. It was perfect and intimate, as second marriages often are, complete with a luscious raspberry cream-filled layer cake that I can still taste and smell. John was brave enough (or crazy enough) to take on my two young children and me – for better or worse – and we moved full steam ahead with life…. t-ball, soccer, barbie houses, hermit crabs, careers, drill team, boy scouts, spelling tests, youth group, sleepovers, swim team, school projects, homecoming, driver’s ed, prom, college visits, graduation, college, and suddenly an empty nest. Our empty nest doubles as a dog play house for our two very active miniature schnauzers, Lucy and Annabelle. They basically let us stay in the house with them.

Our empty nest/dog play house is 100+ years old. We bought this house shortly after we were married and, lucky for us, we thrive when we have a project. Much preferring old and worn over something new, whether it’s a dining table with water circles, a favorite book read over and over, or my mother’s cast iron skillet perfectly seasoned, things with a history that other people have loved and maintained are most interesting to me. I believe a house has a soul, and the lives of all the prior residents continue to energize the space.  Early in the morning while the house is quiet and still, I imagine all the life this house has witnessed over the past century – perhaps a baby born in an upstairs bedroom,  a young wife awaiting her husband’s return from war, or other happy couples who celebrated wedding anniversaries in this house with neighborhood friends.

According to Emily Post, the traditional wedding gift to commemorate the thirteenth wedding anniversary is lace. LACE? Really? Obviously Emily Post was really a man. Apparently years later, a more practical woman came up with a modern listing of gifts. The modern gift for Lucky 13 is textiles. Ok, call me boring, but give me fabulous cotton sheets with a high thread count over lace lingerie any day. I’m a country girl trapped in the city. I’m not big on dressing up and going out for a fancy dinner. I’d rather enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner with my handsome husband, a warm fire and a glass of wine. And my new sheets of course:)


talya


musical pairings:
UB40, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
Little Big Town, “Little White Church”



Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!