Frog and Goat

It is my brother-in-law’s birthday today.

Happy Birthday P!

I can’t believe I haven’t written about this before. I thought about it last night but I had already shut off the computer and it is about 5 years old and way too slow to start up again at 10:30pm.

One night last week while enjoying a lovely meal we happened to hear the conversation of the two men sitting behind me. Actually I heard it because of proximity. Anyway, it started with the one directly behind me asking the water server if her name was Cheryl (the waitress). That always pisses me off when customers act all chummy with the waitress especially men over 40 and in a beach town. It seems slimy. When Cheryl approached them she was professional and took their order. Here’s where the freak show started. I found out the two men were brothers and one lived abroad for most of his adult life. He talked about eating wild boar. I guess it is true that you are what you eat. And, to top it off he is a pet psychologist.

They talked about money which I despise–in public. I also found out that Mr. Pet Psycho has a son who is starting at UVA (no, I refuse to call it The University). The Pet Psycho and his brother were rediscovering America. How nice. They were headed to Myrtle Beach later. Naturally, they couldn’t imagine why Cheryl wanted to live where she lives. She set the record straight that she wouldn’t live anywhere else, originating from the Midwest, because despite its appearances there is quite a cultural draw in the little town. She plays the violin and is/was apparently a successful violinist. She named one band in particular that hails from the town that is internationally known. The Pet Psycho and brother were impressed. Stereotypes–some times they are worth shattering and other times they are there for a reason.

The better half and I do talk to each other at dinner but I can put money on it that the only thing other tables know about us is that we drink wine with dinner–and we drink the whole bottle. I’m continuously amazed at how much personal information people just let flutter around strangers. Perhaps, I need to use my powers for evil and take advantage.

We got home this afternoon and spent the first 30 minutes vacuuming cat hair and cleaning up vomit. And, the worst part yet, sweeping the remains of a treasured bowl that our stupid and blind cat knocked over. You’d think he’d know where he was going by now–like not on the counter. You don’t need to see to know that much. Love my kitties, but they are annoying. Even Leon who is spending time right now loving my right leg, now my left leg, now my right leg….

The week away at the beach was fantastic. The weather was marvelous the whole time and we didn’t drag ourselves off the beach until 7pm last night. We didn’t spend the entire day on the beach but we’ve never stayed that late. We also ate very well and managed to have some seafood every day.

I read lots of good books and realized about half-way through the week that I once again gravitated to short stories. Ah, they are meaty morsels.

Let me tell you how glad I am that I turned my “trash junk mail” option on in hotmail because I got enough crap in that account as it was. I don’t think I’m going to read diddly though….just pull the handle and let it flush.