July 01, 2008
Metal Slurpee straws. Who would have ever thought it was lifted from an ancient tradition of drinking yerba mate tea (whatever that is) from a specialized metal straw. Thanks to Mom on Roof for doing such impeccable research on something obtuse.Once again, I am blown away by such things. Here is a picture of someone I don't even know using the magic Slurpee straw. It's obvious this isn't me because she has a really long space between her nose and her lip. Whatever that space is called, mine is short. Actually, I think mine is normal. Even when I stretch it out whilst using a metal straw, I cannot begin to compete with the girl in the picture.
I can't hear the roar of the freeway here in the new house. Imagine that! Imagine hearing birds and the soft chime of church bells instead. Hundreds of birds nest in the nearby palms, and they are very active and happy little critters. I haven't tried the new hummingbird feeder yet. I like to make my own hummingbird nectar, but that hasn't been a high priority these past few days.
There are just a few more things to do at the old house and then it's bye bye time. I will return the keys and that's that. It feels so good to be out of there. It was a really nice house in its day, but the deterioration of the buildings escalated when it was sold to the first developer. It's such a heartless thing, but I wasn't going to put out any more of my own money to keep the place nice. I supported the fish pond on my own for years - cleaning it twice a week, buying new pumps and filters, algae control, growing water lilies and papyrus, etc. I gave that up too when the new people put the filter in a spot that couldn't be reached with normal efforts. Enough of the pond for me.
It's much more pleasant to be sitting here enjoying the roses and the birds. I have set up a new writing "station" in my bedroom right next to the reading nook. For the first time in my life, I have a reading nook. My heart fills with joy at the very thought of such a thing.
Time for coffee and laundry and more unpacking. One more day of working on the transition from old to new - and then it's back to the museum grind for a few days. This whole move will take a lot more time, but the rewards cannot be measured.
