I Will Show You The Country
Hello Family and Friends,
Anyway, sorry for the very, very, long letter this week. I just had a lot of wonderful things in my life to share. I know not every week can be one filled with so many blessings, but I can find the things to be grateful for each week.
This week, instead of sending out an e-mail to everyone, I am instead creating a blog. The main reason for this is that I took a lot of pictures this week that I would love to share. Sadly, there are too many to fit in one e-mail and half the time some of you don't actually get the pictures to appear. So, the internet seems like the place for those pictures to all come together. I'm sure not every week I will have as many pictures if any, but from now on I'll simply keep this weekly/bi-weekly letter here on this little blog. Sort of like a digital journal.
A SURPRISING GIFT
One morning this week Amber came walking into my office while I was eating my breakfast (sometimes I eat in the office) carrying a huge package. I was confused as she handed it to me. I opened it to reveal a huge blue bag. Taking the bag out, I opened it to find a statue of Supergirl for my office desk. After reading last week's e-mail Colin sent me the statue I'd looked at! He left a note mentioning how he was happy that I was feeling better mentally in my life and had found some key tools to face each day. He wanted to help in that further, so he sent Supergirl--who is my reminder of empowerment in this time of my life. "Keeping breaking those chains," he said.
Thank you, Colin! It was a wonderful gift and a surprise.
The cats were also very interested in the whole gift opening process. Whenever I'm doing anything on the floor the cats want to be involved. Anyway, it was like getting three gifts in one. The cats loved the gigantic box it came in, but even more loved the bag. Elektra kept going inside and just laying down. At least until Lestat attacked her.
After that she just went and cuddled in her bed with her cheetah for a while.
FINISHED WORK
This week I met all my work deadlines by the end of the day Wednesday. I had plans to get a new Core Rulebook in my gamebook line out. This time a science fiction-themed game. I finished and released it early and it has been my top seller since it has come out. Although the Fantasy book is still currently the #1 seller of all time with a Gold badge for sales.
I have a lot of demand for new games, but I'm trying not to get burnt out like I did writing a new cozy mystery every week. So, when I finished early this week, instead of jumping into the next project, I decided to take an extended weekend. I think I will try to keep this mindset from now on. Amber says I'm a workaholic and never know how to take breaks. Well, this weekend felt like the first time in a long time where I really just stopped in my tracks and took some time off. Usually, I work through the weekends even. I'm trying to have a more balanced life. That is one blessing I've found from this quarantine. Having Amber home reminds me of how much time we, as Americans, spend at work or school instead of with the loved ones we've chosen to spend our lives with. That seems inherently wrong, doesn't it? And many employers, such as my previous publisher and Amber's current boss, live their lives around work and work alone--and they tend to shame anyone who prioritizes their family over work. Work is meaningless without family. Also, we never take enough time to just spend with ourselves. I feel like we have to treat ourselves as a friend and family member and get to know ourselves in the same way by spending quality time.
SOLO ZOO TRIP
So, on Thursday morning, Amber suggested I go to the zoo, since I had the day off. The zoo finally reopened recently. It is a limited reopening with only a few people allowed into the park at a time. Also, there is only one path and you have to follow it without backtracking. Still, I was thrilled to be able to finally visit the zoo again. It is my favorite place in town and is my favorite membership we have out of the local gardens and the forest.
Seeing the animals makes me so happy and is always calming, despite the horrors of our world right now.
None of the buildings were open, but they recently redid part of the aquarium and it looks amazing from the outside. The aquarium is my favorite stop (besides the Cheetahs) in the zoo. I've always been in love with the ocean ever since I went to Hawaii. I love learning about marine life and the animals who live in the ocean. Maybe I should have been a Marine Biologist! Ha! My favorite board game company (GMT) is making a board game all about the evolution of ocean life. I preordered it over a year ago and it will probably be another year or two until it is out. But I'm sure Amber is tired of hearing me be excited about it. Anyway, here is a picture of the new aquarium from the outside.
I took a lot more pictures at the zoo--mostly to share with Amber since she was still working. I took a picture of the cute meerkat, but it is pretty tiny. Can you find it?
The beginning portion of the zoo was like a parade of strollers. Tons of people with their kids. I was wearing my mask but no one else was. No big deal, but with so many kids together, you think people would be a little wiser. Anyway, the further I got into the zoo the less people there were. By the time I reached the Asian Highlands, it was like I had the place to myself. The animals would come right up to the glass to see me. They would sit and examine this lone man standing outside their home. The lion was the most impressive. It was huge with a beautiful mane. However, by the time I got my camera out he'd started to walk away. You can still see him sauntering off into the "wild."
Here is the cheetah lounging in the shade. The cheetahs make me think of Lestat. He is a little hunter.
Finally, here is the Asian Rhinos. The mama and her baby. It has been fun watching the baby rhino grow up.
A WALK DOWNTOWN
After the zoo I headed to the Old Market in downtown. We used to live right there and I spent so many days walking around that area, visiting coffee shops, the library, and working there. I miss it sometimes, but mostly love where we are at. After all, I can visit downtown any time I like just by driving there.
I parked at a meter and walked around for a while. I stopped at a local coffee company and bought a bag of decaf as well as some tea from Amber's favorite tea company. The street right next to it was closed down, so it was a bit tricky to get there.
After that, I headed up to see if my favorite used book shop was still there or if it had gone under because of quarantine or if it had been vandalized during the protests. Nope. It sat as beautiful and pristine as before. It was so nice visiting again and the owner seemed really happy to have a customer. I headed to the comic book section thinking, "eh, maybe they'll have a Supergirl comic in stock, but I doubt it." Lo and Behold, they had this large collection of the ORIGINAL Supergirl appearances in comics. Wow! Someone out there loves me.
I also found an old Civil War history magazine from the 70s and a funny looking Scifi novel from the 70s that I mostly got because the character on the front looked like Supergirl (if she were in Star Trek)! Ha. The last thing I got was Ian Fleming's Live and Let Die. They had a ton of James Bond books. It was hard to pick just one. I am not including a picture, tho, since the cover art is a bit risque. A pin-up art piece of the Solitaire (played by Jane Seymor in the movie) is on the cover and . . . she isn't wearing much. It's your classic pulp cover from that era. I started reading it and it is really good so far.
That evening Amber and I played Mars Attacks The Dice Game. I keep my collection of "Outer Limits" trading cards in that box and it is always fun to look through them. Cara made them for me by printing them off the internet onto cardstock. It was a cool little gift from her from years ago that I still enjoy. I guess the Patterson clan must like me some.
HAIRCUT
On Saturday morning I got up early and decided it was time for a haircut. I've been wanting to cut it for some time, but have been nervous about cutting longer hair. I've cut my own hair for years, but always short. This time I wanted the "Viking Undercut" as it is called online. It was actually sort of my goal this whole time growing my hair out. It's called the Viking because it is the main haircut the Vikings in the TV show wear. Anyway, it was fairly easy, just took some time and patience. I had Amber help me comb the back part properly so it was straight when I cut it. I've never been happier with my hair.
A DRIVE IN THE COUNTRY
Saturday afternoon, Amber and I drove out to Iowa where one of our farmers lives. We were picking up meat from them. They do lamb and beef. It is a family-owned farm and at least 3 generations of the family work the land. They are awesome and we ended up chatting for a good long while with them since we haven't seen them since last Farmer's Market season. They aren't participating this year due to Covid which is a small blessing as we get to drive out in the country now. Their farm is amazing. Huge barns and lots of open land. Sometimes, it feels like we as city folk are constantly missing something in life. The opportunity to work with the land, get our hands dirty. Of course, it is hard work and most city folk idolize farm life when it is really brutal.
I do yard work most every day now and I love it. I think we'll enjoy it more once we convert more of the grass into actual produce gardens.
I think about how dad always called us kids "city slickers" when he is one of the biggest city slickers of all! Haha!
It is beautiful land out here. The bluffs in Iowa are wonderfully lush and green.
On the way home, we stopped at Stanley's Snack Shack. It's a little outdoor restaurant that is built out of an old shipping container. We got a couple of burgers, a goat cheese sampler, and goat gelato. Sitting out there and eating our food and just enjoying the countryside was the absolute best. It is my new favorite place to eat, even though we won't go hardly ever since it is in Iowa country.
Here is the view from our table.
A DOUBLE VISIT TO WAL-MART
I ended up visiting Wal-Mart twice this week. Wal-Mart isn't my favorite place to go, and I really shouldn't be going more than once a week or less during the Covid outbreak. Sometimes, however, life seems to take over. I had to pick up a few things, specifically a hose for the yard and a watering can. I also found the North and South mini-series (about the Civil War, not the BBC one) in the discount bin. I like Civil War stories, and Amber and I have never seen it, so we got it. We will see how it is. I also got some new shorts since all of mine are either too small or are wearing out. I couldn't try them on at the store since that isn't allowed right now. So, I just prayed that they would fit.
Surprise to me, they were the most comfortable shorts I'd ever worn. I was kicking myself for not getting more of them. So, I decided to head back the next day. They only had one more pair. Oh well. Now I know for the future to never buy another pair of shorts or pants that aren't Dickies Flex.
On the second trip, I was planning to JUST get the shorts and get out of there, but on a display end, I saw a Scream Factory bluray that has been on my list for years. Scream Factory is a company that puts out old horror movies on really fancy updated blurays. They usually cost 25+ dollars apiece. I usually collect one to two a year and maybe get one at Christmas. So, when I saw one that was on my list for 5 dollars I couldn't believe it. I checked out and headed home.
When I checked the receipt, they hadn't charged me for the movie! I was dreaded yet ANOTHER trip to Walmart. Amber told me to call them and tell them what happened.
The woman I spoke to at the desk said that I shouldn't bother coming back in. Since I went through the normal checkout, it is the responsibility of the employee to make sure they scan every item. The policy is if the cashier misses an item, they are at fault and the customer doesn't need to come back in to pay for it. She said the company is so big that it doesn't even count as a real loss for them. So strange.
Amber's old boyfriend used to work security at Wal-Mart and when he worked they said if they spotted a shoplifter walking out with what looked like less than 15 dollars to just let them go. We live in an odd world.
Well, long story short, I got a 25+ dollar scream factory Bluray for free. Another strange blessing.
A PRESIDENT DORNY MEMORY
I also got a Wonder Woman Chocolate bar at the store because it reminded me of a memory of President Dorny back when he was our family's home teacher. As a kid growing up, I was always excited about the branded chocolate bars where they put the character onto the chocolate itself. Well, one time President Dorny (then Bishop I believe) came over to home teach. I was really sick at the time. I could hardly talk. I had to sit in the other room near the stairs in the old house on Colfax so I didn't get them sick or their kids sick. President Dorny felt bad and asked if he could bring me something next time. I told him, Jurassic Park. Lol! I'm not sure exactly what I meant, but that's what I remember saying.
Anyway, the next time he came (months later, if I recall since he was bust being Bishop) he brought the whole family The Lost World Hershey's Bars. I was so excited to eat my T-Rex! Haha! Anyway, I remember really loving him for that.
A RELAXED EVENING
Finally, last night (Saturday) Amber and I had a quiet evening together of reading. It was a nice time to not have the TV on for once and just be int he same room together. I spent time reading the rules to one of my Civil War games I've never got around to playing. I got it for like 90% off over a year ago during some sale and have waited to try playing it because of my OCD and wanting to find the "right" time to enjoy it. Now that I've worked on that and am training my brain to be more happy and relaxed with life, it was fun to just read a few pages of the rules and not worrying about finishing them right then or get to playing the game right away. Life is so much easier now after having gone through some more therapy. What a blessing that is that I was able to do that and that between both of our jobs I could afford it for a while.
Anyway, here is Lestat helping me to learn the game.
I also realized last week's e-mail was titled "A Joyful Sound" and I didn't even touch on the reason I named it that. I've been playing my guitar a lot more lately and it has been nice. My favorite thing to play is bluegrass and old gospel folk music. If I can learn any songs well enough that that don't sound terrible, maybe I'll share some day.
I love you all,
Noah
Comments
Post a Comment