Stars Above, Earth Below

How is it already July?  And I mean, firmly into July.  We were just celebrating Easter, I think.

My annual sandal tan is well established, I have a mystery scratch from my recent mountain trip.  I also have a dozen mystery bug bites.  Probably mosquito and spider.  So far, I have no radioactive powers that make me a good candidate for super hero work.

We were driving home from the cabin Sunday, taking a route we don't normally take for both reduced traffic and a change of scenery.  There were a pair of cars in the passing lane who were lollygagging, and my husband urged me to pass them, saying, "Punch it!"  And so I did.  Right past a Tennessee State Trooper.  Splendid! 

I got pulled over, and explained my maneuver.  I got a warning, which I was glad to get, but he said,  "You can't go 90 like that, no matter how pissed off you get."  Solid advice.  Tails between our legs, we finished our trip prudently and at the posted speed.

Honestly, I think we're both lucky we haven't gotten caught speeding more often.  Last ticket I had was about 12 years ago.  It was in Ohio, and it was a similar thing.  I had been on the road for a while, and I was just trying to get from Cleveland to Columbus.  It was February and dreary out.  That one sucked. 

But if that's the worst of it from the weekend (and it really is), so be it.   There was a small incident with a rogue firework, but time and patience will heal our friend whose cornea got scratched.  Long story - no worries.

I also had the chance to test out the new plumbing.  The good news is, we have a hot shower.  The bad news is, the water pressure in the kitchen is a bit low - and that's going to take some work.  But the team we used did a great job, they'll continue to do a great job, and we have more work for them.  In fact, some other folks up there have poached the carpenter from the project and have him working on a few things.  It's exciting.  The tub is still in the works, but honestly, I'm really pleased with how it all looks.

Now that the structural things are addressed, I can start to get into the fun cosmetic stuff.  Painting!  Hanging pictures!  Curtains!  Scrubbimg the hell out of the floors!  I mean, it's the little things.  

I told several folks I want a little less "bear and fish" motif, and a little more whimsical.  I am nothing if not whimsical.  I even have a plan to repaint a chest of drawers in the small bedroom, and I am thinking I will make the pull knobs look like mushrooms.

I just want a few things that feel like us.  And I concede that some things, I'm just going to have to stick with because they're a part of the place even if they're not my cup of tea.

But I know what lies within my scope, and what doesn't.  That's the good news.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Piper is aging, and doesn't have the pep in her step she did as a younger pup.  That's the bummer of dogs - they don't live nearly long enough.  We're keeping an eye on it.  Bless her fuzzy little heart.

Other than that, it's summer.  It's hot, we're sweaty, there are pop-up storms... the usual.

But remember to slow down, no matter now pissed off you are.  That's just good advice.

ae