The more things change
Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 12:44AM 
So, you know the concept of spring cleaning?
I avoid that like the plague.
Spring is a time to be outside (I do not suffer from allergies; my sympathies if you do).
But when late summer comes and it is basically too hot to be outside unless you like your brains fricasseed right inside your cranium and your epidermis melting into your shoes, which I don't, I start changing things around inside the house.
Obviously I do some cleaning. High time, too.
I did so much of that the last few days that I was stiff and sore from bending and stooping and carrying and pushing and pulling and toting and polishing and scrubbing and ... all of it.
So I decided rather late in the day to go swimming ... something I hadn't had an opportunity to do since last weekend on account of we've had so much rain.
With rare exceptions I only take to the pool as the sun is going down. It's cooler and you don't have to bother with sunblock.
Also you know how I am about sunsets.
A South Carolina sunset as viewed from the pool while the cicadas are serenading the neighborhood and swallows chase bugs around the sky rarely if ever lets you down.
Erica had decided not to swim because it had gotten so late ... but when I got into the water I called to her real loud (she was sitting right inside the door looking at a magazine) and when she poked her head out the door I said it was in her best interests to join me. The water felt that great.
Meanwhile, the sunset was growing more and more fiery.
Until by the time Erica came outside, it looked like some sort of holocaust.
Cliche I know, but there you have it: fire in the sky.
I realize this next one is blurry but I like it blurry. Things are mostly a blur for me anyway, metaphorically speaking.
When I turned back around from taking the picture of my palm trees that Andrew planted for me and which I festooned with Christmas lights two weeks ago, the sunset had gone all the way off the chain.
BTW I was in the pool the whole time, in the shallow end. TG asked me once if I'm ever afraid I'll drop my camera into the water.
Yes.
When it was practically all the way dark (nine o'clock ... I know June 21st was the longest day of the year but it certainly doesn't seem as though the days are getting shorter), I went inside because Erica and I were having a late supper of center-cut pork chops baked to fork-tender, seasoned with worcestershire sauce and Tony Chachere's, and served on soft buns with Kettle Krinkle Cut potato chips (salt and fresh ground pepper flavor) on the side and ice-cold Diet Pepsi to drink.
There's a pork chop left over if you want it.
But before I sat down to eat I took a picture of my favorite finial. I took it with no flash, which I love doing. I also love finials. I got this one at Tuesday Morning.
And then I admired my handiwork around the house, including the newly-arranged country bear corner in the family room. Don't the bears look contented?
That's because they are. And so am I.
Happy Thursday!
Reader Comments (10)
Oooo, oooo, me, I want the pork chop! And I love your house. And Tuesday Morning.
And teddy bears. And sunsets. And swimming pools, only Oregon isn't very conducive to swimming pools.
Do you decorate like I do? As in, fill every space with things I love? I think you do.
It looks like a wonderful night. I love your house!
Sue ... girl, the pork chops were magnificent and an apt reward after a day of intense house-rearranging! But the sunset was a gift too. And yes ... if there is a square inch of wall or flat surface, I'll put something on it. If you don't want a thing nailed to the wall, don't bring it around me! I love to re-work it all from time to time, to get a different effect.
Mari ... thanks luv! I think my house is the best place on earth. It's so comfortable.
A play by play, with photos, of your evening? Now THAT'S a great blogging idea. Alas, if I was to do such a thing viewers would see a pool that has some kind of slime creature growing in it and a house that's only 25% filled with furniture (the result of a single guy moving into a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home all by himself).
Lovely sky, and your dinner sounds delicious. I know what you mean about spring cleaning. I too have been stuck inside with the heat. Today's cleaning adventure is my husbands office. he's useless as a secretary so I do the filing as well, that way at tax time we can find something. Enjoy your lovely clean home.
Kev ... high praise from the one who practically INVENTED stream-of-consciousness blogging! I'll send you TG's phone number and he'll tell you how to fix that algae problem. Don't go to the pool store ... they only tell you enough to keep you coming back for more. In other words, they don't solve the problem; they only offer a band-aid.
Irene ... I tackled my husband's office about a month ago ... it took me an entire day and was nearly as arduous as yesterday! He's a packrat but I un-packratted him ... for the time being, anyway!
Oh Lordy Girl!! That water looks Great! Wish we had a pool...If I ever dump my Hubby (right...he cooks too well for that) I'll be getting one!!Hahaa
Lovely little bear corner!
And I Love the sunset!!
Sorry to be late but since Crystal was out it's been BUSY here at work...She's finally back now and It's even crazier...Lolol
Take a swim for me!
hughugs
You know me......I love this kind of post. I like you pool, your house, your porkchops, your tree with lights, your sunset and who was that sitting on the roof?
Oh please come over and help me clean! I don't have a pool. (Well, there's the neighborhood pool, but it is usually filled with impolite hooligans and THOSE are the parents, LOL.) Hey, well cook for you and we have PLENTY of whiskey!
Everything looks charming and your sunset is divine!
Donna ... I have certainly missed you!
Cheryl ... it DOES look like Erica's on the roof! LOL but remember, I was standing in the pool when I took the picture!
Donna M. ... I doubt that gorgeous house of yours needs much cleaning yet! I hear you re: public pools. The kids would be OK except for the parents. I'd love to come see you though! I will actually be in Knoxville next week ...