I had a routine doctor visit this morning. Checking all those "numbers" because I am over 50 now and they must be checked!
In the examining room, the nurse did her usual thing - taking blood pressure, writing down my weight, checking my medication records. She finished and said the doctor would be right in.
As I waited, I looked around the room. Lots of scuff marks on the walls suggested it was time for some new paint. All in all, it was your usual examining room - cold and impersonal.
But, what's that in the corner? Squinting my eyes and looking hard merely confirmed what I already knew. It was a spider. Not a tiny, little spider, but a giant with legs that went from here to there. Spiders give me the creepy crawlies, but I don't kill them outright like some people do. They provide a much needed service in spite of their looks. At home, I am frequently called to come and rescue my husband from a spider. I catch it in my trusty bug jar and take it outside for my version of catch and release. I didn't think the people at the clinic would be as accommodating. I kept my mouth shut.
The spider got at least a few more minutes of life because I didn't tell on it. I am sure it won't last long there, but I did what I could.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Rockin' Down the Road
I saw a muddy, weather-worn Jeep Wrangler today. That brought back lots of memories.
My husband and I were in our late 20s when we left the midwest for Salt Lake City in a rag-top Jeep CJ. Utah had one big draw for us. It wasn't the Mormons. It was the mountains.
Nearly every weekend, we'd pack the Jeep full of food, firewood, a tent, sleeping bags, dogs, and extra gas and take the four hour drive south to canyon country. That Jeep took us through streams, went up and down cliffs and navigated rocks until late in the day when we would find a good spot to camp. It sat nearby while we built a campfire, talked, ate, and enjoyed the rugged beauty of those red cliffs. Once we heard the clickety clack of hooves coming from the nearby cliff wall. Two deer were running down the sheer side without missing a beat, sure-footed and graceful.
Sitting in a Jeep going down a rocky road on the side of a cliff doesn't sound as much fun to me these days. Sleeping in a tent is not at all fun anymore. Give me my camper, thank you. But, when we were young, before our backs started to hurt, sitting in that CJ exploring Canyonlands was pure heaven.
My husband and I were in our late 20s when we left the midwest for Salt Lake City in a rag-top Jeep CJ. Utah had one big draw for us. It wasn't the Mormons. It was the mountains.
Nearly every weekend, we'd pack the Jeep full of food, firewood, a tent, sleeping bags, dogs, and extra gas and take the four hour drive south to canyon country. That Jeep took us through streams, went up and down cliffs and navigated rocks until late in the day when we would find a good spot to camp. It sat nearby while we built a campfire, talked, ate, and enjoyed the rugged beauty of those red cliffs. Once we heard the clickety clack of hooves coming from the nearby cliff wall. Two deer were running down the sheer side without missing a beat, sure-footed and graceful.
Sitting in a Jeep going down a rocky road on the side of a cliff doesn't sound as much fun to me these days. Sleeping in a tent is not at all fun anymore. Give me my camper, thank you. But, when we were young, before our backs started to hurt, sitting in that CJ exploring Canyonlands was pure heaven.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Nothing is Ever Simple
Our camping trailer has needed new tires for awhile now. Because we like to do most of our camping in the fall when it is less crowded and the weather more comfortable, we decided we should get new tires soon, so we can be ready. My husband made calls and found the best tire deal in a small town about 17 miles away. I looked forward to a nice drive through the country on the way to the tire store. I wasn't disappointed. It was a sunny day and we drove down country roads with farms tucked away in rolling tree-covered hills.
We got to the tire store and the guys jumped right on the job. We were in and out in 10 minutes. The new tires were placed in the back of the pickup and off we drove. We went to the little downtown area and had breakfast at the Old Tyme Cafe. Feeling relaxed and satisfied, we drove home. We got out of the truck at home and actually looked at the new tires for the first time. They were the wrong ones! Silly us! We should have looked at the tires while we were still at the tire store. Or, when we walked right past them to get to the Cafe. Back we drove. The tire store didn't have the tires we needed. We got our money back and drove home without tires.
My husband was angry. I wasn't. I enjoyed the trip both times and, while we didn't get the tires, there are other tire stores. I figure if something happens that in 10 years won't be remembered as a life changer, it is just not that important. May as well enjoy the ride.
We got to the tire store and the guys jumped right on the job. We were in and out in 10 minutes. The new tires were placed in the back of the pickup and off we drove. We went to the little downtown area and had breakfast at the Old Tyme Cafe. Feeling relaxed and satisfied, we drove home. We got out of the truck at home and actually looked at the new tires for the first time. They were the wrong ones! Silly us! We should have looked at the tires while we were still at the tire store. Or, when we walked right past them to get to the Cafe. Back we drove. The tire store didn't have the tires we needed. We got our money back and drove home without tires.
My husband was angry. I wasn't. I enjoyed the trip both times and, while we didn't get the tires, there are other tire stores. I figure if something happens that in 10 years won't be remembered as a life changer, it is just not that important. May as well enjoy the ride.
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