The Nicholson Chronicles-Day 8

THIS is your fig. This is your fig on drugs. This is your Fig Newton. Another glorious vacation day. Got up early and met Dad for breakfast at McDonalds in Siler City. Then we drove over to my friend Shelley's place to pick figs. She is a hoot. A complete ball of energy. In fact, she can be kind of exhausting to be around. Her sister told her she was like a hummingbird on crack. She and Dad got on like gangbusters. She was very anxious to get advice on gardening. If there is ONE thing Dad knows about, it is gardening. After all he has a lifetime of practical knowledge on the subject. He seemed very happy to share his expertise. We wandered around through the wet grass looking at all her projects until my shoes were soaked. My pants were wet up to the knees. I finally left them there talking so I could run over to Walmart and buy cheap eats. For dinner, me and Miquelito had sauteed squash and onions (Dad's fresh squash) and roasted okra (also Dad's, and freshly picked), with tomatoes on the side--more from the garden. DEEElish! Oh, and figs for dessert. Those were from Shelley's trees. We're going to watch 50s sci-fi movie later. Then, I guess, my vacation is over. *sigh* I have thoroughly enjoyed my time off. I did everything I wanted to do. I didn't overeat or overspend. And I really got to relax. It's worth it to have a job just so you can enjoy your time off. I wonder what unemployed people do on vacation???

The Nicholson Chronicles-Day 7

I went shopping. I went to 3 craft stores, a fabric store and the Dollar Store. It was wonderful. I go into a sort of trance when I wander around craft supplies. It's very relaxing. Book stores have the same effect. Funny thing though, clothing stores don't do it for me. Anywho, I digress. After tending to my inner child, I rushed back to Carrboro to see the performance for Miquel's band camp. He does a week long band camp for Carrboro Parks and Rec every summer and on the last day the kids do their thing. This year, they had 3 girls on guitar/vocal and a little boy drummer. They did Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day, and I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles. The kids ranged in age from 9 to 12. They were adorable. It was fun. The rest of the evening was spent finishing up season 4 of Doctor Who and watching YouTube videos of Electric Light Orchestra, my new favorite old band. I miss the 70s...

The Nicholson Chronicles-Day 6. Birthday.

What a lovely day I had. The weather was perfect. I went to the new Pittsboro Public Library to get a card and take out some books. The library moved out of an old converted house into a beautiful new environmentally friendly building on the community college campus. I joined a book club at work last month and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have rediscovered a love of reading. So, I joined another book club at the library. I can usually read an average size book every couple weeks if I'm properly motivated. As a kid I spent a LOT of time at the library in Alamogordo. I read all the time...then I got busy with life and sort of got out of the habit. We have a Kindle which is really cool and I love it, but I still like the feel of paper in my hands. There's something special about ink on paper. Words have real power. OK, so after that, I came home and piddled around and then Mike took me out for my birthday dinner. Instead of going to some fancy/schmancy place and spending a boatload of money, we went to our favorite eatery, Breadman's, in Chapel Hill. Then we went to Weaver Street Market for dessert and sat outside and read our books. It was glorious.

On This Day In History

Richard M. Nixon resigns in disgrace. Sharon Tate is found murdered. An atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki. And saddest of all--Jerry Garcia dies. I share a birthday with Gillian Anderson and Melanie Griffith. I don't expect gifts, but you would think they'd send a card...or at least call.

The Nicholson Chronicles-Day 5

A self portrait. Today was a lazy day. I left the house only once to go get fresh supplies. Bertie stopped by to drop off some more of her stuff in preparation for her big move back home. This house is not so much a home as a warehouse. Actually, when all is said and done, a house is really just a place to store your stuff. And we got a LOT of stuff. We are very stuffy people. I have a lot of memories and sentiment tied up in my stuff, but otherwise, it's all pretty worthless. A clean, neat home would be nice, but I don't think I could live in a sterile environment. I need all this stuff to nourish my creativity. It's like fertilizer. And these days, I'm up to my ears in fertilizer. This is my last day as a 54 year old woman. Tomorrow I shall be a 55 year old woman. Wow. Who ever thought I would live so long...

Chronicles: Day 4. I fall down go boom

Actually, I didn't "fall" down. I was knocked down. Early was romping and when he gets going he is like a runaway train. He side-swiped me...I went down like a bowling pin. I think he must have broken my fall--I heard him yelp. Still, I hit the ground pretty hard, kind of like a sack of wet diapers. I think my spine telescoped in on itself.
Another new development...so it turns out no one wants to live in the camper. The compromise is this: Bert moves into Jon's room, which used to be Mal's room and Jon moves into the living room. The TV goes into my bedroom--which I'm NOT thrilled about since Miquel stays up until 2 or 3 and I get up at 6. Anyhow, I DO get to keep my hidey-hole craft room/studio, which used to be Bert's room, which then became Jon's room. When we're done playing musical rooms, everyone will have his/his own personal space. Of course, I'm now stuck with a camper. HEY--maybe I'll move out!

The Nicholson Chronicles-Day 3

I did leave the house once today...went to the grocery store. Do I know how to party or what?! I finished reading the book about those Chilean miners. Excellent. Spent the rest of the day working my way through a "to do" list and watching "Doctor Who." Miguel has started teaching band camp at Carrboro Parks & Rec, so I have the house to myself during the day. That's a weird experience. I'm dieting as hard as I can. I need to lose about 20 pounds in the next couple months. Fat chance of that (pun intended). One good thing--there is an abundance of fresh fruit and veggies right now. I have just about OD'd on watermelon. Then I get plenty of exercize running to the bathroom. Tomorrow I'm having lunch with some friends from church. There's this wonderful little grill on the main drag in Pittsboro. Any cafe that still has pimento cheese and fried bologna on the menu is A-OK in my book. But, keeping the diet in mind, I suppose I'll be limited to water and iceberg lettuce.

The Nicholson Chronicles--Day 2

So..I've started my vacation. Since I'm not going anywhere, I guess it's really more of a STA-cation. Let's see, yesterday I washed the dogs and put some cinderblocks up under the trailer. Then I had to rest from all the excitement. Today, I went to see Dad after church and picked up some tomatoes and okra. Then went to see a friend, Sunnina, who has been having health problems. She gave me a lovely necklace for my birthday. I roasted the okra for dinner. Delicious. My current favorite TV show is coming on in a few minutes--Breaking Bad. I think this may be the last season. I guess there's only so much you say about a guy who cooks meth for a living. Tomorrow I will see Mal, who needs money for some classes this semester. I'd probably never hear from my kids if I didn't have any money. Just kidding. They like me, even when I don't give them money.