Here Is The Church And Here Is The Steeple

 

Open the doors and see all the people.  Church steeple in The Berkshires of Massachusetts.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Hello, Gorgeous
2020:  Sweet And Petite
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Stepping Outside Of The Comfort Zone
2017:  Fall, Falling, Fallen
2016:  Twisted Monday
2015:  The Bitchy Beast Of Strijen
2014:  Montana Moments
2013:  Scanning Comes To A Mouth Near You
2012:  Go Ahead, Judge Me
2011:  Con Los Años Que Me Quedan 
2010:  Ten. Ten. Ten. A Perfect Score! 
2009:  Lighting The Testosterone Torch 
2008:  Eddie Helps The Economy Friday 
2007:  Talk About A Thorn In Your Side 
2006:  My Sentiments Exactly 
2005:  Mason? Dixon? Line? BELOW It.

A Place For Mass In Massachusetts

A church somewhere in The Berkshires of Massachusetts.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  The Real Home Shopping Network
2017:   After The Storm
2016:   Doing One Thing Well
2015:   Double The Gas
2014:   Waiting For The 3:01 Into Manhattan
2013:   Fast Food Of The Civilized
2012:   Giving Everyone A Head’s Up
2011:   A Big, Delicious Mess
2010:   Race To The Finish
2009:   The Way To A Man’s Heart Isn’t Only Through His Stomach
2008:   The Monarch Of Style
2007:   I Walked Around The Building For An Hour Looking For That Door
2006:   Home On The Range: It’s Not Just The Place Where The Deer And Antelope Play
2005:   Mina Clarkson

Stone Cold Roman

Stonework at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lenox, Massachusetts. 

That nose definitely belongs to a Roman.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  We Prefer The Slow Grind
2017:  Texas Really Does Have A Thing For Big Stuff
2016:  Two-Wheeling In The Desert
2015:  Moab Is The Place For Premium Baked Goods 
2014:  A Precursor To The Real Deal
2013:  Only In The Summertime
2012:  Craving Italy
2011:  A Perfect Way To Start A Month
2010:  Old School
2009:  Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
2008:  The Clubhouse Girls
2007:  Morning On The Air Train
2006:  The Other Side Of The Tracks
2005:  Vicki Bin Laden   

Lighting Lenox

Vintage sconce in Lenox, Massachusetts.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: A Purple Native
2018: Watch Like A Hawk
2017: Folk Parking
2016: Flashback Friday
2015: Rise
2014: Freshly Dusted
2013: Sockless Monday
2012: Extra Virgin
2011: Eddie Makes An Appearance
2010: Watt A Work Of Art – Part Three
2009: The Clouds And Trees Line Up For Bed
2008: The Shimmer Of The Sea
2007: Indian Gallery
2006: Geography Test
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

I Love You

 

I saw this written in the snow on a concrete bollard between the fuel island lanes at the Blanford Service Plaza on the Mass Pike (I-90) in Blanford, Massachusetts.

I wonder if Frida saw it before it melted.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Daisy Mae Was Nowhere To Be Found
2018: Beware, Stupid People
2017: A Creator's Paradise
2016: The Naked Truth
2015: True Civilization
2014: Late Afternoon In South Dakota
2013: Farm To Market
2012: Providence Silhouette
2011: We Got Fatter But We Lost Weight
2010: Stripping, Vitamins, And Cheesecake
2009: Ocean Front Crowd
2008: He Wouldn’t Recommend His Wife To Anyone He Knows
2007: Spring Has Sprung In My Hotel Room
2006: High School Hottie
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

There's A Reason They Call Them Massholes

So, it appears as if the Westwood Police Department in Westwood, Massachusetts, would rather waste their time posting videos to YouTube than do something about the accidents that continue to happen at this bridge.

Even though their Mission Statement declares that their mission is to "protect life and property by engaging in proactive problem solving partnerships with our community".  

Seriously??  They consider posting videos on YouTube to be proactive problem solving?? 

How about instead of using money to put up cameras to catch the action for your YouTube channel, they put that money towards installing a more effective warning system?  The bridge may not be owned by the town of Westwood, but the road and the signage is in their township and likely funded and maintained by them. 

And the videos are posted by Lt. Leo Hoban!  Third in charge.  What the fuck??

Perhaps if they received a few emails or phone calls telling them how absolutely inappropriate it is to post videos about serious traffic accidents, they'll give some thought to actual problem solving. 

Maybe it's the Chief of Police who needs a reminder of how law enforcement is supposed to act, and that leadership trickles down. That what a leader does and how they behave directly influences how others beneath them act.  Is Chief Silva yukkin' it up with his officers, pointing out to them over morning coffee and donuts, how hilarious it is to watch motorists traveling through their town wreck their vehicles?  Do they lay bets on how many trucks a week will hit the bridge, or how many cars a week will hit the crooked curb and veer into the stone wall, or other motorists passing through the structure? Are they going to wait until someone gets seriously hurts or dies before they do something?

It's one thing to find funny videos online of traffic related mishaps taken unintentionally by surveillance cameras, or even intentionally recorded by whoever happens to have their iPhone video rolling when it happens, but it's quite another thing to create your own Twitter and YouTube page, as a police department, and then send out video clips with sarcastic Tweets like, "The East St Bridge doesn't get taller at night.  Still 10'6".

It sounds like Lt. Hoban thinks it's a joke. He's getting quite a bit of press about it and has his responses ready for the next media inquiry. His ego must be enormous. It certainly overshadows his intellect.

We may not live in this community, but we are part of the motoring public and although the bridge is too low for any big trucks like us to fit under, the fact that the police department shows an utter disregard for the people who actually do live there, speaks volumes. And as a person who travels through countless small communities all over the country on a daily basis, it concerns me.

If it concerns you, make your voice heard by contacting someone at the Westwood Police Department.

Chief Jeffrey P. Silva can be emailed at chief@westwoodpd.org

Lieutenant Leo Hoban can be reached at Lhoban@westwoodpd.org

You can call either of them at 781.320.1000

And if you're into Tweeting, you can send them one at @WestwoodPD




** UPDATE ** Apparently, there are 14 signs warning of this low clearance. What's also apparent is that they're not working.  Still, my beef isn't with the signage as much as it is with a police department seemingly making light of the situation by posting videos on YouTube accompanied by sarcastic comments. That doesn't help anyone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Delicious Assembly Line
2013: The Greatest Invention Of Human Kind
2012: I Can Haul Yer Explosives And Stuff
2011: That Bitch Irene Is Trying To Ruin My Vacation
2010: Licking Our Chops
2009: I’ll Start Working On That Sarcasm Font Right Away
2008: False Security
2007: Protecting The Posies
2006: Asking Too Much
2005: Slotsa Money

Where To Go For Pig And Eggs

Breakfast is a must at Carl's Oxford Diner in Oxford, Massachusetts.

Don't think about the cute bus while you're ordering your side of extra crispy bacon.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: My Memory Goes Way Way Back
2012: Remember One, Remember All
2011: History Still Standing
2010: Stay Home: TV And Hot Chocolate Is The Only Way To Make It Through
2009: A Rainy Rainbow
2008: Be Wary Of Women Wearing Skull Panties
2007: Holiday Sparkle
2006: Arizona Sunset
2005: Before And After The Chops

The Real Challenge Was Getting In And Out Of It

The most exciting part of our trip from the Oregon Coast to Cape Cod was at the Woods Hole end, where we were given a private tour of James Cameron's Deepsea Challenger, by WHOI Senior Engineering Assistant Expedition Leader, Tito Collasius, Jr.

This 24-foot long submarine was specially built to explore, to descend seven miles down into the deepest part of the world's oceans, the Mariana Trench.  

James Cameron has had a fascination with deep-ocean exploration since he was a boy, and the Mariana Trench hadn't been explored since 1960.  There was no present-day submersible capable of taking anyone to such depths, so James Cameron co-designed this unit in order to explore this part of the ocean himself.  

I guess when you're worth more than $900 million dollars, dreams easily become reality.

The Sub itself was designed to be manned by one person only.  And James Cameron was going to be that person.  Read some interesting facts about the sub HERE.

The most important component of the sub is the sphere, otherwise known as the pilot's chamber.  The spherical shape was chosen because it's the strongest shape for resisting pressure.  If it were a cylindrical shape, the walls of the chamber would have had to be three times thicker to withstand the crush of the sea.    

Here you can see Ed climbing into the sphere - which he jokingly dubbed "James Cameron's Ball".  

The internal diameter of the pilot sphere is 43 inches.  This is no place for a fat guy.  Good thing Ed dropped those twenty-seven pounds, eh?

Ed's surprisingly flexible, the way he contorted himself to get in this thing.  At 6' tall, I can't imagine it was easy.  He moved like plastic man.  

James Cameron is reportedly 6' 2" tall, but he looks pretty wiry, like those skinny Hollywood types.  He probably went on a juice cleanse the week before he was supposed to get into this thing. 

Marlaina also climbed in, which looked a lot easier.  She's tiny and fit, so getting up in there was a breeze.  She's also brave, since she doesn't like small spaces.  

You couldn't pay me enough to get in there.  Not because I'm claustrophobic or anything, but as a person of size, I don't like to squeeze into anything I might not be able to get out of gracefully.  And I'm sure it was hot in there. 

The interior of the sphere is filled with electronics and life-support equipment (WTF?? That's reason enough for me to say no, were I to be asked to pilot this thing), and is so small that while inside your legs are tightly bent and you can barely move your arms.  

James Cameron couldn't fully extend his arms, and he was in it for sixteen hours.  Which is fifteen hours and fifty-eight minutes longer than I would have lasted.

It was dark inside, so I lit Ed with a flashlight to get this picture.  You can see some of the equipment and how tight it looks around where his shoulders are wedged into the seat.  

The orb is equipped to ensure the pilot has oxygen and heat, and its 2.5" thick walls prevent his head from being crushed like a grape under pressure.  How nice.

The interior equipment within arm's reach consists of electronics, screens, circuit breakers, and tanks.  The pilot sits on a set of emergency batteries.  To his right are canisters and tanks that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen (crucial), and to his left are buttons that control everything from power to communications.  Seems a bit more complicated than a CB radio, doesn't it?  Ed was fascinated.

The interior of the orb was designed to accommodate the pilot's exact bodily requirements - how much oxygen they take in and expel - to meet the physical needs of their breathing rate.  There are two compressed oxygen cylinders that will keep the pilot breathing for up to 56 hours.  He won't be able to move since his body will likely cramp in a bent position, but at least he'll be able to breathe.  Joy.

Ed's climb out was much easier than his wiggle in.

Since he was only in there for a few minutes, he was still smiling.  I'm thinking James Cameron, after his sixteen-hour stint, probably smiled for the cameras too, but probably couldn't wait to get home and fall onto a cushy mattress.  Learn more about the amazing orb HERE.  

The expedition itself sounds truly spectacular.  Read a little bit about it HERE and for more excitement, watch the trailer for the movie HERE.  I think now that I've seen the equipment and read the website, the only thing left is to see the movie.

And last but not least, here's a picture of Ed and Tito, the same guy who invited us on his 37-foot sailboat, even offering to let us sleep on it!  He was an extremely knowledgeable, personable, and generous guy.  I hope we'll have another chance to take him up on that offer.  

As we were leaving this area, a tour group was coming through.  They were taking pictures, but it didn't appear as if they were allowed to sit in the sphere.  How lucky are we??  We even got free t-shirts!  

Definitely one of our most fun trucking experiences ever.  For more on this entire operation, adventure and movie, check out the Deepsea Challenge 3D website.

And for another perspective on our fun (and prosperous) cross-country trek, check out Marlaina's post.

  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Stormy Wyoming
2012: Entertaining The Masses
2011: A Very Expensive Day Of Laze
2010: A Little River On A Big Lake In The Middle Of A Floating Stage
2009: Eddie The Cicada Whisperer Friday
2008: Maybe We Should Sell Our Truck And Buy An Airboat
2007: Me And My Man
2006: If You’re Going To Rescue Me, Bring Sandwiches
2005: Hurricane Equality

All Along The Shining Sea

While Ed was unloading at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), I was researching a way for the four of us to get to town so we could do a little window shopping and have dinner out.  The roads in this area of Cape Cod aren't very bike friendly - lots of traffic, no shoulder to speak of - and there was no way I was riding on some skinny strip of asphalt while the bulging summer residency flew by me in their fancy-pants sedans.

My research paid off - I found the Shining Sea Bikeway, which would take us directly from the WHOI campus, right into town.  It was perfect.

Once we arrived in Woods Hole, the boys locked up the bikes and we all walked the main drag of the town looking in shops, taking pictures, and trying to decide on where to eat.  I loved the little Woods Hole Market and would have gladly had a sandwich there had it been mid-day and not dinner time.  We were on the hunt for seafood.

The town is small, just a few streets, all very close to the ferry landing, the gateway to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.  The choices were limited.

Marlaina found a place to eat right on the water when we first arrived - the Landfall Restaurant - and after looking around decided to go back to it.  We wound up being the only table in the place. 

I had been cooking all week and was really looking forward to a dinner I didn't have to make.  I quickly scoped out the menu and immediately decided on the broiled scallops.  Three of us ordered the same meal, while MacG went with some kind of lobster bake.  It looked delicious.

We had drinks and appetizers and leisurely sipped and ate while we watched the boats passing by the windows open to the harbor.  The best part about the meal?  Well, other than the fantastic company?  Marlaina and MacG treated us!  

We lingered a little longer after dinner than we had intended and had to hurry back so we wouldn't be biking in the dark.  By the time we left, the restaurant had filled up quite a bit.  Now I know the secret of why people take advantage of early bird dining.  No crowds.  I can only imagine what the crowds would have been like on the weekend.

The bike ride back was a little more of a struggle than the one into town.  It was only two miles, but I think it was a gradual downhill on the way in and going back wiped me out a bit.  Those little hills are sneaky.  Ed switched bikes with me - his is waaaay easier to ride uphill - and he patiently waited for me to catch up.  Marlaina and MacG are pretty fit and took the slight incline with no trouble at all.  They were waiting at the truck when we got there.

We weren't far behind, but between being a little tired, having an irritated eye (don't even ask - just know that Ed wouldn't look at me because it was so red he was wigging out), and the heat (cool for most, always too warm for me), I was a little cranky when I finally got back to my little home on wheels.

And I also think you should know that I'm totally blaming my sluggishness on the cheesecake.  



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013:  Waterfront Wedding
2012: Crossing The Mighty Hudson For Our Radio Debut
2011: All-Inclusive Social Butterflies
2010: The $7 Date Night
2009: Them’s Fighting Words!
2008: Skulls And Hot Chocolate In The French Quarter
2007: Once As High As An Elephant’s Eye
2006: Trouser Snakes On A Plane
2005: Big Honkin’ Truck Makeover

Nature's Lace

When we were kids, Queen Anne's Lace was all over our yard.    The heads of these flowers are so wide across, and the flowers are so delicate.  We would pick them to give to my mother, creating the largest bouquets we'd ever seen.

We don't have these in Arizona, and it's been years since I've really noticed them, but where we were in Massachusetts this weekend, they were everywhere.  These, and cattails.

Like a ten-year-old I had the urge to pick them all, but instead I just snapped a photo with my phone.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: The Bicycling Capital Of America - Welcoming Those On Both Two Wheels And Eighteen
2012: Crossing The Mojave
2011: Justin Time For A New Pair Of Boots
2010: Miles Of Smiles, Hours Of Laughs
2009: I’m Dreaming Of Blue Skies, Key Lime Pie And Pink Flamingos*
2008: Stop Beyond The Palm
2007: Kittery Dittery Do
2006: Crab Infested Thoughts
2005: Bi The Way

Squeaky Clean Reflection

Another town, another laundromat.  That's me in the spin cycle.

Finding a place to do laundry on the road is sometimes a challenge but I'm the master of finding laundromats with truck parking.  Although, this time we only had the tractor, so parking was a lot easier.  And we only had one load!  That's a first.  We were done in less than ninety minutes.

I always search for laundromats on my iPad using the map feature.  That way, I can see how far away they are and can also look at the satellite image to determine the parking situation.

And this week I found an app on iTunes that finds nearby laundromats.  It's called Laundromatic.  Next time laundry day rolls around, I'll give it a whirl.  You should check it out too - it's free!

Now if only I could find an app to do my laundry.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Bicycles Liberate, Espresso Invigorates
2012: Playing For Gas Money
2011: Faceted Beauty For Less Than Three Bucks
2010: Triple FFF-18
2009: Hot Tuna Doesn’t Get Any Play In My Truck
2008: Corn Fed Summer
2007: Eddie Breaks The Rules Friday
2006: The Chicks Of Dixie
2005: Text Me

The Queen Of Pizza

Since we've been in Massachusetts all week, we've already had pizza at Regina Pizzeria several times.  It's some of the best pizza I've had.  In the nation.  

The crust is delicious, the sauce is just right, and the cheese is slightly salty and there's not too much of it.  I might have to get some to go before we leave the area.

There's a reason this pizza is named for a queen.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013:  Narrowly Protected
2012: My Life Purpose In A Cookie
2011: Hay There! And Over There, And Over There…
2010: See That Shiny Reflective Thing Over There? It’s Called A Mirror. Meer. Or.
2009: There Was A Burrito Bowl Calling My Name
2008: The Charmed Life
2007: Flowing History
2006: Doors Opening And Closing
2005: No Cal

In Six Months, They'll Know Right Where To Put It

We snuggled right up to this sign in the shopping plaza where we parked to go for dinner, steak tonight, at Ed's request.

Ah, if only there really were snow stored there....sigh.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2013: Musical Parking Spots

2012: Me And The Thunder
2011: Her Cup Overfloweth With Idiocy
2010: Dear Arizona,
2009: Come Sit In Our Cab For A Spel And Let Us Take You On The Road!
2008: How Well Do You Know Your Stringed Instruments?
2007: Meat. The Old Fashioned Way.
2006: Kicking The Hell Out Of Texas
2005: Look, Mary!

The Earth Is 75% Water. Grab A Fork.

After a late breakfast this morning, we took showers and then sat around trying to decide what we were going to do with the rest of our day.  The trailer is in the shop getting some tweaks and improvements and may not be ready for a few days.  When that happens, our thoughts automatically turn to sightseeing.  Where could we go?  That's when my friend Michelle, who lives in New Bedford, Mass. called and said she wanted to take a ride up to see us.

Woohoo!  I love having visitors to the truck.  It's like entertaining guests at home in Arizona, but instead of them coming to our house, we bring our house to them.  After she arrived, we sat around for a few hours talking and laughing until Ed's stomach started signaling it was time to eat.  

I chose a restaurant called The Sole Proprietor.  We were all in the mood for seafood and their menu looked really good to me, but when we drove up to the building I thought we had the wrong place.  There was a giant, inflatable crab on top of the building.

The entire building.  Heaving and moving with the air swirling inside of it.

I thought to myself, Is this some cheap, crab shack?  Did I read the website correctly? What the hell??  Who puts an inflatable crab on the roof of a nice restaurant??

When we walked inside, I realized the giant cheesy giant crab didn't reflect the richly decorated dining area.  It wound up being just as I expected.  We were led to the dining room by a friendly hostess, who handed us menus after we were seated.  She told us July was crab month and pointed our attention to a special menu that featured all of the items they offered that included crab.

There were also a few facts about Buster, the crab engulfing the building.  We learned that this is Buster's 22nd year at The Sole Proprietor, he's the world's largest inflatable crustacean, and he has a 75-foot claw span.  It takes 45,000 cubic feet of air to inflate him, and if he were real, he could feed 200,000 people and would require 35,116 pounds of butter and 45,447 lemons!  That's one feast I might be interested in.

But since Buster himself wasn't on the menu, we took some time to decide on our meals. We ordered drinks and an appetizer to share and perused the menu.  Ed chose to celebrate the July crab fest, and Michelle and I indulged in our favorites.

I had the Seafood Sauté - lobster meat, shrimp, and scallops sautéed in garlic, leeks, and clam juice. Topped with herb cracker crumbs. Served with sweet potato mash and mixed vegetables.

What a beautiful dish.  The seafood combo included everything I loved, and the creamy sauce was delicious.  I also have to remember to include leeks more often in my cooking.

Michelle had the Grilled Fresh Sea Scallops, which was served with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.  It was a great portion and she said the scallops were done perfectly.

And Ed decided to have a manageable piece of Buster.  Two Jumbo Alaskan King Crab Legs - one full pound of meat, ringing up at $20.00 per leg.  It was amazing and worth it.  

There was so much meat in those two seemingly scrawny legs, that Ed actually said he was full.  I helped him with a few butter-dipped pieces.

We were all stuffed.  But then they presented us with the dessert menu and we suddenly found more room.  We each decided to have espresso, and also the Chocolate Tulip Cup, the Tiramisu, and the Key Lime Pie.  Oh.  My.  God.  Everything was so delicious, we rolled out of that place happy and FULL.

We had a great night.  I was thrilled to see Michelle, and we finally got to hear her story about her volunteer time with the Bonobos at the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary.  She introduced us to Kanzi through her stories and we were completely amazed at what this ape can do.  See it for yourself here.

This is one of the reasons I love our life on the road.  When we're out here, we not only get to see and do so many things but if we're in the right place at the right time, we get to spend time with people who make our time on this earth so wonderful.

It's even better when that time includes food.
 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Reflection On The Island
2012: Sprinkled
2011: Prized Good Luck Piece
2010: Summer In The City
2009: I Should Get A Job Working The Pole At A Boy Scout Camp
2008: The Flavor Of Life
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Again??? But You Just Got Off The Phone With Her!
2005: A Cow’s Opinion

Storm Warning

Today we were in Massachusetts in the path of a tornado.  We didn't have prior knowledge of it coming because we were in the mall most of the morning.

When I first heard of it I was sitting in the nail salon, getting my nails done.  My phone suddenly squawked, emitting the tornado warning sound alert several times. The nail guy said, "What is that?"

I said, "A severe weather warning alert."  But I didn't pick up the phone to look at it.

He said, "What's that for?"

Since I was watching the TV in the salon that they had tuned to the news, I saw what was going on.

 "Tornado warning." I said.  "It's on the TV."

The giant red swoosh on the screen was directly over the town we were in, warning of a tornado in Southern Worcester County until 5:15pm.  It was 4:30.  Earlier this morning, Revere, Mass., just an hour east of where we were, was hit with an EF-2 tornado that did quite a bit of damage.

All the staff in the salon were speaking quickly in their native language.  Every few words I heard an excited "Tornado!  Tornado!"

The guy doing my nails said, "Scary."

I said, "Well, apparently not scary enough since everyone here are still getting their nails done."

But I had a close eye on the television.  It looked bad.  The entire area was orange and red.  The weather man had fear in his eyes.

I texted Ed, "Tornado warning.  Come to the salon."

He texted back, "Small pants warning." and he sent a picture of himself in a dressing room, trying on shorts.  He's lost 27 pounds and the shorts he's currently wearing look like they belong to someone else, so he was looking for new ones.

"I don't like those."  I texted back.  "They do fit better though."

He sent another picture.

"There is a tornado warning right now.  The staff in the salon is wigging out, "tornado! tornado!".  It's on the news right now." I texted.

He texted back a picture of him in a different pair of shorts, and "I know about the tornado."

"Wow.  SKINNY," I texted. "90-100 mph winds they're saying."

"What about these shorts?" he texted, sending another picture of him in what looked like camouflage print shorts.  Or flowers, I couldn't tell.

"Are those flowers or camo?" I texted.

"Camo." he texted.

"Are you in Macy's?" I texted.

"Yeah.  The first pair is $24.99, the other ones $14.99.  Sky is clear outside."

"Clear sky is a warning." I texted back.  Bad news.  The calm before the storm.

I can't believe there was a tornado warning, being reported with urgency on TV, and while I'm trying to get Ed to come get me at the salon, he's texting me pictures of him trying on shorts.

He finally sauntered in just as my nails were drying.  We left the salon and walked back into the mall where not a thing looked different.  Everyone was moseying around, shopping like normal.

We walked out to the truck, looking at the post-storm sky.

We made it out alive.

Here's a panorama shot of the truck in the Macy's parking lot.  Click to make it bigger.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Another Home Run By Big Ed
2012: A Window On New Mexico
2011: My Man Makes A Mad Meal
2010: Less Is Not More In All Cases
2009: Grain Gone By
2008: The Absolute Beauty Of It
2007: Not Only Did He Pray, He Posed
2006: Camera Phone Coolness
2005: Life Is A Salt Shaker