Tidy Up Tuesday

I am not making great progress on my heat tolerance!  Feeling like a Northern Whimp, but rather than continue to test my weakened skills I decided today was the absolute right day to get the Condo all cleaned up before I leave.  I have cleaned floors and wiped counters and other spaces down,  got out the window cleaner and just tried to make it all be ready for the next lucky guest. 

I woke very early this morning, listened to the morning news, and then followed MSNBC on my computer - dealt with the announcement the US was violating the Iran International agreement by pulling out and then just to make sure we all know HE is a big big man, he says we will be imposing strict sanctions.  This was so bad that President Obama released a statement,  we are in totally uncharted territory here, and what I know is it does not feel good, and it is hard to imagine all of the consequences for such ruthless and careless wheeling of power --- this is nothing that represents leadership.  I will stop my rant. 

I did take a nap, was grateful that my head turned off and my body felt better for a little rest in the middle of the afternoon. 

I have just finished listening to All Things Considered on Minnesota Public Radio,  I have three time zones that I can listen to my favorite programs.  If I miss one, I can probably hear it in another.  It is interesting to hear how different and how the same Maine, Minnesota and Arizona Public Radio is while listening at different times during the day.

I had one grapefruit left on the refrigerator, so I squeezed it, got out the bottle of vodka and filled a glass with ice and I am now enjoying a cool refreshing Greyhound.  It is after 6 in Maine.  A little on the early side for happy hour here, but I am indulging myself after a somewhat sluggish day. 

I got other kinds of things in order today as well as the house.  Talked to Sasha, and we talked about the calendar for May.  Got some dates nailed down with only a few bumps along the way.  I wrote out a calendar just so I could understand where there were days that currently had nothing scheduled, they were fewer of those than commitments on the calendar.  It is all getting real and I can feel the tug of family and friends in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Maine. 

I also feel the gratitude and care that came from my conversations with people on the train,  chance encounters in New Orleans,  re-acquaintances and new friends in Houston,  new friends in Phoenix and the care of my the friends that I have had for decades that have made a space for me to land as I have traveled across the country and found a refuge from the cold and long lasting winter of Maine. 

I know that there will be more surprises and adventures as I get to the next stop, I forget that in being in my old stomping grounds that there is room for new encounters and making a new friend as well as nourishing and cherishing all of those I currently hold dear. 

It is Tuesday,  the condo is Tidy.   I am going out later after sunset with Karen and Jen.  We are spending time with little celebrations and acknowledgments of the gift of friendship we share.  I will get another time of eating and drinking outside which I so dearly love.  And I will get to be with my friends who have opened their homes and heart to me as I continue to learn more and more about my life in retirement. 

I am ready.