WOW......such an incredible dismal, dreary, grey, cold day it was when I opened the drapes!!! How was this different than yesterday?? Well.......it was much wetter and I could see that there was ice on the truck, particularly the windows.
Soooo, knowing that this sagging hulk of me was driving down to Cape Girardeau this morning to be at the Cape Mall when the 5th and 6th grade combine instrumental ensemble performed at 10:30 this morning. Following the morning rituals, I made some of my French Roast coffee and sat a few minutes reading the news online, as well as my emails, and a quick check of Facebook to see what was occurring with my former students, friends, and relatives this morning.
So, I remembered that the truck needed some fuel, so I left earlier than necessary, locking the front door of the stick and brick....and unlocking the doors, I pulled on the door handle....and CRAP with a very big capital S!!!! It was totally frozen with ice.....and then I quickly realized as i went around the truck.....ALL four doors were frozen tight with that hallmark of December in Misery.......ICE/FREEZING RAIN!!!! Hmmmm.........checking my watch, I realized that time was slipping by quickly.....
Returning to the stick/brick, I found a plastic juice bottle, filled it with warm water....not hot....and then slowly dribbled it over the edges of the door and the handle. Tugging and pulling with a bit more force......it finally broke loose from that icy grip....and I was able to get inside. Starting it up, I had to let it run with the defroster on to try to remove the thick ice on the windows.......
Keeping in eye on my watch, I returned inside and paced around for about 15 minutes, then locked the door and got into the truck. Finally, I could see out of the windows....and so I hurried out to Walmart to get some diesel fuel.....and luckily, the one pump had no one there, so I stopped, opened the gas tank....and the realized that that the pump handle was frozen to the pump!!!! SHIT!!!! Time was getting shorter.....
Finally I got it loose and then realized the credit card was frozen solid with ice.....and so that required a trip inside the station and then I returned......and finally began refueling. Needing about 30 gallons, it took a bit longer than usual for me, but at only $2.31 per gallon for diesel, I shouldn't be complaing, should I????
And then finally, I was headed down the highway to Cape......and then the traffic all going my way......it slowed down and for the next 40 miles I was going much, much slower than I usually drive. However, I did get to Cape in time to find where the performace was being held in the various hallways of the Mall.
And so......with all types of African drums, gourds, recorders and other percussive instruments. Rachel was sooooo intense in her playing of each of the various instruments and it was really cool that everyone rotated from one instrument to another.......GREAT experience for each of them. The group's name? Shere Kahn Not sure the story behind the name, but they gave a great performance, even with the damn canned music coming out of the speakers in the ceiling of the Mall as well as from the stores with their open doors. It really irritated me that the mall personnel left this music on in this wing of the Mall!!!!!!
The performance, along with a group of vocalists on risers, lasted about an hour. Afterwards I spoke with the conductor, Pam Dumey......whom I knew from many years of being in the Music Educator's Association together, as well as when I served as the President of the Southeast Missouri Music Educator's Association for a couple of years. After some hugs and kisses for Rachel following the performance, we parted, I said farewells to Becky, and I went to Barnes & Noble for a cappuccino and a cookie.
Return to F'town.......I once again began to tackle the Directv problems, doing a lot of checking outside, in the crunchy grass with ice still on it, as well as beginning to work on connections inside on the tv's/receivers. With a need for some coffee, I stopped with what has been a very fruitless task of clearing up these blurry pictures........
For supper I fixed a box of Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice.......and I don't normally eat a meal out of a box, but DAMN, was this ever great comfort food on this cold evening!!!!! I had forgotten just how good it really is......and, I added some grated cheese to it after I had plated it....and OMG....it tasted soooooooo good!!!
And sooooo, another cold and dismal day here in southeast Miery!!!! The only really bright spot was Rachel's performance today............really proud of her!!!! OH.....I forgot to mention that before I left the Mall, I went to the Mall Office.....and filed a verbal complaint because of them leaving the canned music going during the performance!!!! The lady at the desk was quite apologetic, but I reminded her that she really should write or call Ms. Dumey and apologize to her for the interference it made during the performance. We'll see.....we'll see...
And so...another day is gone........tomorrow I'm off to STL with the Hanner's to meet the 1st Lady for dinner at the Trattoria Marcella........an Italian restaurante which is receiving rave reviews. The 1st Lady's mother is a bit better, but still in the hospital......... It isn't pneumonia for that we can be thankful.........and as always,.......
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
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