Thursday Follies

Thursday’s high topped out at 99 degrees F. in Detroit.

Today was the department picnic/potluck. I took in Swedish meatballs in my slow cooker (I was outside at 6:00 AM cutting fresh parsley and chives in my bathrobe).

Michelle and I ran up to Westborn market around 10:00 AM to pick up the meat: boneless skinless chicken breasts, ground sirloin and Dearborn brand hot dogs. There was lots of food and lots of food left. The only criticism I heard was that the burgers were too bland (nobody thought to bring salt or pepper so season them with. I wouldn’t know, because I had a chicken breast on a bun with mayo.

It was nice to see people I haven’t seen in quite a while (we are spread out amongst various buildings). In fact, one of the funny things that happened was that I walked up to Laurie and Taj (two women ERP programmers I used to sit near up in Building 73). We exchanged greetings and, kidding, I asked if they missed me. They smiled and said, “Of course! We miss you a lot!! But, you know who we really miss? Jake! He was so smart and could help us with anything we needed! Next time you see him or talk to him, will you tell him how much we miss him?” I mumbled “Sure” and slunk away...

The only downside was that it was so hot and we were in the museum garage (which is not air conditioned). Well, that and a too long-winded speech by the Director and her direct reports (that’s the first time we ever had that happen, but I think it was because she invited the Chief Operating Officer of the company to come and eat with us and he did). It was more political than we usually get at these functions.

We tried to unload some of the food on people in other buildings and were successful to a point. But I still took home two dinners worth of Swedish meatballs and a ton of grilled chicken breasts. I ate half the Swedish meatballs for my dinner after work (I deliberately didn’t eat any at lunch), put the other half in the fridge and froze the chicken breasts four to a package for later meals.

I carried buckets of water out to the back for the day lily, the two peonies (the one is getting even worse than the picture I last showed you) and the three roses. Then I hooked up the sprinkler and got the grass and gardens around my patio for an hour.

Inside, I sprayed a third, stinky coat on the stair molding (and that’s all I’m gonna do). When the hour was up, I shut off the water in the back and hand watered all the front container gardens.

Then I dragged the hose around the north side, over the gate and out to the front. I set it up and turned on the water. The timer went off, so I went out and shut off the water under the glare of the security lights. Yes, it was already dark (after 10:00 PM) and yet still hot and sticky outside.

I retrieved the hose and reeled up most of it. I left just enough so I could water another part of the burnt-up grass tomorrow night. Finally, I went to bed.