Keep the Coffee Comimg

A new phenomenon has risen today. We have sun, yup sun. We also have a blue sky. The only snag to a perfect March day is the cold and the wind. It is only 39°, and the wind is making it feel so much colder. I will be content watching the world from my window.

My coffee is especially tasty this morning. Maybe it is the warmth it brings on a cold day. Maybe it is the country of origin, Nicaragua. In any case, I’m heading for cup two.

When I was a kid walking to school, I had to pass the field at the end of my street. On a day like today the wind whipped across it. Sometimes I’d open my arms and let the wind take me. It was almost like flying. Other times I’d keep my head down and my hands in my pockets. The wind would rock me, and the cold would blow up the sleeves of my coat. I was always so glad to get by that field to the street leading to my school. The street was protected by houses and trees on both sides.

My mother always made great school lunches, but they were the best after my father got paid. Usually I’d have a bologna sandwich, sometimes chips in a sandwich bag and cookies, but on pay weeks we’d have surprises like something Hostess, especially Hostess cupcakes. Sometimes we’d get money to buy lunch. I’d leave school and walk down the street to Santoro’s Sub Shop. The older man, I always figured he was Mr. Santoro though we were never officially introduced, would take my order and make the sub. On the walls around the shop were menu boards. On Fridays, I never had a choice. It was always a small tuna sub with pickles and hot pepper. I’d sometimes have enough money for chips and a drink. Santoro’s had no tables. Against one wall was a counter with stools on one side. I’d usually eat there.

My dance card is uke filled this week with practice, a lesson and two concerts though I probably will only go to one. I do need to do more cleaning. Nala is in the hall eating a toilet paper roll from the trash and chewing a pine branch she brought in through the dog door. I guess I’ll start there.

Today I am running late. I miss that hour we lost. Right now I need to get ready to go to Hyannis for my uke concert. We are playing St. Patrick’s Day music. I have my green all ready to wear including my fascinator. I will be festive!

I’m taking a forced break today. I’ll be back tomorrow!!

Today is notable for many reasons. It is not raining. We do have a sky full of clouds, but they’re waiting around until tomorrow when it will rain. My dance card is empty. I get to stay home today. I won’t be lying around on my lounge eating bonbons as I do have some cleaning, but I get to stay in my cozies. My laundry is done. I just have to put it away. I am relatively healthy. I had my doctor’s appointment yesterday, just a follow-up. He was pleased. All the numbers were where they should be. He’ll see me again in six months.

When I was a kid, Saturday was my day. It was every kid’s day. I got to start the morning sitting on the floor in front of the TV watching some of my favorite programs and eating my cereal, usually Rice Krispies. The programs were mostly westerns. They all had heroes. I watched The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, Rin Tin Tin, Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, Roy Rogers, Sky King and so many more. Even the commercials were fun. Many were for cereals, sweet cereals laden with sugar, like Sugar Corn Pops, Trix, Sugar Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies and Sugar Crisp. They all had jingles so we could sing along. I still remember them. “Nestles has the very best chocolate,” and you had to say chocolate a certain way. Tony the Tiger hawked his wares, “Frosted Flakes…they’re Gr-r-reat,” I remember Buffalo Bill and Sugar Pops.

The rest of the day was open. In the winter or on a rainy Saturday I could go to the matinee if the movie looked good. The movie theater was always filled. It was always raucous. Candy flew through the air. JuJus were ammo. They were hard and easy to throw. I got beaned a few times from the back. Other Saturdays were for bike riding. I never had a destination. I had favorite routes. Sometimes I’d check out the horses in the town barn or look for golf balls near the golf course. The library was a favorite stop. If I had any money, I’d buy a cupcake at Hank’s Bakery. I preferred chocolate. I’d walk my bike while I ate it.

Being retired means days seems to run together. I can do or not do. Today I’ll do.