Cats got my tongue =)

After three interesting trips in a row followed by an intensive weekend of writing, I can't seem to find anything to write about in my real life. It all seems kind of humdrum to me after the excitement of travel. And yet, this past week has been a lot closer to what my "normal" life is like and, in truth, there have been things to write about, they just don't seem as interesting as a trip.

Last Sunday, I left the writers' retreat, drove straight down to Stoneham to pick up my sister and her co-eader of the Home and School so we could drive up to Lake Winnipesaukee to Linda Barrows-Stacey's house-near-the-lake for a board meeting (she's our board chair). It was intended to be a social occasion for members and their spouses...and I think it was for everyone but me. I was coming down off the adrenaline high that I always get when I write for a sustained period of time. We had a good meal, and accomplished some good things in our board meeting, but it definitely put an end to my two weeks of relaxation!

The drive home was spectacular. I wish I could have taken pictures. It was just about sunset and the lake and the mountains were absolutely beautiful! But there's no taking pictures when you're speeding down the highway...

After a week of long hours at school (still trying to find a math teacher), I spent Sabbath morning at two different churches. I went first to my own (Stoneham) church to hear Julie play one last time (most likely) before she goes off to college. That girl has a gift! She plays with such emotion and passion and sensitivity. She played the same medley that she played for her brother's baptism...and once again it drove me to tears. I had to leave as soon as she was done. I was going anyway, but my own emotions made for a hasty exit.

I drove up to Dracut to the Merrimack Valley Church to see a former colleague and her daughter, who was a student of mine several years back. I also wanted to meet the new pastor and see if we couldn't strengthen their connection with GBA. I had taught his daughter my first year at GBA, but half way into the year, she got pregnant and left school to get married and have the baby. He did not remember me...and I did not remind him we knew each other.

Now, today, I have spent the entire day working on this little house of mine. I would so love to actually own a home, but know that my current lifestyle would not let me take care of it sufficiently. It's all I can do to take care of a condo. In truth, if I did not have two teenager cats, my cleaning wouldn't take as much effort. But I have them, and would not trade them for all the tidy houses in the world. Still, they bring me to my knees, literally, to clean up ofter them. Tonight, the result is so satisfying! I am sore and tired, but much closer to being ready for company should anyone decide to drop by!

I did go out shopping for a few hours. I was inspired by Patty's discussion about French women and cooking as well as her salad plate method of portion control. I decided to try it, and found some lovely dishes at Home Goods for just $2.99 each. I bought them and when I got home, searched out the five other pretty plates I already head. Three are from my dad's mother and two were given to me by some students along the way. Now, all I have to do is find interesting recipes to try and see if I can't find satisfaction in a pretty little plate of food... No guarantees, except that I'm going to try it.

The photos here are 1) Pillows on my couch: The sunflower one is filled with lavendar from Aix-en-Provence; The tapestry one with the standing man is from Windsor Castle; the smaller one is from Paris. I bought the top and made the pillow myself. 2) May was a little disoriented when I filled her favorite perch on the couch with the above pillows and had to settle for the seat, like any normal cat. 3) Teddy on his favorite perch--the back of my rocking recliner. 4) New plates (except for the cream colored one that belonged to my Grandmother). 5) Old plates (bottom two were my Grandmother's. They depict scenes from Dickens novels. I have no idea why she had such plates, but I think they are kind of cool).