What Do Groundhogs Know Anyway?

So the deal is that if the groundhog see's it's shadow, then there's supposed to be 6 more weeks of winter? Really? I mean, if it's sunny enough outside for there to even be a shadow cast, wouldn't it follow that spring is on the way? And why are we taking prognostic advice from a furry creature that lives in the ground? I guess in the end meteorologists aren't much more accurate. Random.

Regardless, it's super spring sunny here in Moscow. It's somewhere's near 50 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. And it's about 87 degrees here in the kitchen. Grandma just made her typical passive-aggressive fireplace command: "Ikey, would you like to get some wood for the fire?" Well, let's think about that. I am, mind you, in the process of cleaning the truck and only in the house to steal a drink of water. I respond,"Would you like me to Grandma?" To which I hear her giggle and then nothing but silence. So I proceed with my washing duties. So funny, to watch she and Grandpa and how they do things. Sometimes I can laugh at it. Others I want to scream and then go out on the porch for a cigarette. I'm being melodramatic- it's really actually not THAT bad. 

I think some of it is just watching Granny deteriorate and not have any real communication skills. That paired with Grandpa's near inability to hear is like some weird geriatric, marital version of Who's on First? And for me, I sort of vacillate between audience member and supporting cast. Weird. I think weird is the word of the week. 

Grandpa rode his bike to Good Sam. I'm always glad when he rides. He loves being outside so much. I love that about him. I love imagining him as a little boy growing up in Wisconsin, zooming around the neighborhood on his bike with his buddies. He's so simple and easily entertained- some of my favorite qualities- that it's easy to imagine him as a kid. He asked me if I'd be cool with hanging with Grandma tomorrow so he could go x-country skiing as well. I smiled and of course said yes.

I'm soaking up being in a place where I can totally just blob out. After having run around auditioning for the last week, it's real nice to walk around in a robe until 11 am. I've been watching The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. I took a nap at noon next to the basement fireplace in the sun. Now I'm chilling with a late afternoon cup of coffe, rocking out to some good tunes, and digging put all these little details down. Gonna do my usual Tuesday night cooking routine with another tasty, spicy tomato soup. Pick up some good bread (or at least decent) from WinCo and some real salad greens (Granny and Gramps still don't get it about iceberg lettuce). Mmmmm- I can already taste it. I love spicy soups when I'm sick.

Having the time and space to simply rejuvinate,  I notice how much of a mover and a doer I really have become. It's tough to just sit and chill. For me it is. But one of the joys of being a beginner at something, is that great, steep learning curve. And I think that, as mentioned, having the basement to myself, pirated wi-fi, and a sweet view from the house are all elements that come together to create an environment conducive to what I like to call "chillaxation". Sorry- I had to try to work that word into my blog somehow. Isn't that seriously the most hilarious word? But seriously, I'm getting better at "doing" things like cleaning (I can hear most of my family and friends laughing right now). Better. And, instead of running around, simply staying around the house and finding ways of making it comfortable here seems to help me feel more calm. Probably also helps that I live with two 79 year-0lds.

Anyhoo, Grandma still hasn't pooped- I have just been informed. She did, however, eat All Bran and drink Prune Juice this morning for breakfast. Better than her typical pancakes, bacon, and whiskey. Chatting with Gramps today while fetching more wood down at Lou's Garage, he mentioned that Dr. Ting (Gram's Doc here in town) leaned into her pretty good about apparently have tried to go around him with another Doc in the effort to score some more pain meds. Grandpa mentioned wanting to write Dr. Ting a letter to tell him how much he appreciates his being forthright and straight with Mary Nell. I said I'm sure he'd appreciate that. Sounds like the rest of the visit was a mix of same old reporting of pain and frustration from Grandpa, and new scolding regarding Grandma's unwillingness to take multiple meds for constipation. And so it goes. 

Well, I'm gonna take advantage of the weather and ride my bike to WinCo for groceries. And here's Grandpa back from Good Sam. He's home and I'm out.