These days I find myself in the town of Claremore, OK. While my husband and I travel around throughout the year to new destinations I enjoy picking up postcards here and there and sending them to loved ones.
As I made my way through Claremore last week I continued to pass a store called "Spirits of 66". Claremore sits on the famous Route 66 and I figured they would have nostalgia for everything Route 66, including postcards.
I finally decided to stop in today and browse around the store to see what nostalgic items they had. I was certain I would find exactly what I needed at that store, whether it be postcards or at least a souvenir. I pulled into the parking lot and just so happened to glance in the windows of the "Spirits of 66" store and made the instant connection. All I saw was bottle after bottle of liquor lined up on the shelves. I seem to frequently forget that "spirits" around these parts refers to "liquor". How wrong I was thinking that "Spirits of 66" might possibly be referring to the history and memorabilia of Route 66.
What was I thinking...........LOL!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Stuck in a Hard Spot
My husband and I relocated to a new town yesterday and we are in Northeast Oklahoma. As it is with any new place we travel to I like to take in my surroundings. This was my first morning in Oklahoma and after rising from a fitful night of sleep I set about opening the trailer blinds to let in the sunshine.
I came to the large living room window at the back of the trailer and raised the first accordion style blind and then went to move the second. I was viewing the scene before me when I noticed some strings hanging towards the bottom of the raised blinds. I couldn't imagine what might have torn the fabric on the blinds to create frayed strings so I leaned closer to examine them. I automatically raised my hand and gave one of the strings a slight tug and immediately drew my hand back. What I thought was a string was in fact not a string at all. I cautiously pulled the blinds down a tad and took notice of the spider body stuck between the accordion blinds. I had just tugged on a 3 inch spider leg. The only thought running through my head was, "WHAT? How did that get in the house?" My eyes were wide and my heart had definitely picked up its pace as I realized I had a freakishly large spider in the house. My imagination was running wild.
When I pulled the blinds up this morning that spider must have gotten stuck between the accordion style flaps and was being held prisoner. I watched in horror as the spider began moving and twitching his legs around. I was running through all possible scenarios of how to get rid of this spider and it was nearly making me sick.
Worst case scenario was that the spider would drop from the blinds and fall behind the couch and I did NOT want a loose spider on the run. I knew I had to get a grip.
I pulled the blinds down just a tad and could make out the spiders body. I fought back my feelings of heebie-jeebies and grabbed a tissue. Before pulling the blinds down all the way I used the tissue to grab the spiders legs that were sticking out from the blinds. Once the legs were secured in my firm grip I opened the blinds and pulled the spider out. The body of this long legged spider looked like a brown, fat tick. You almost would have thought it was some kind of mutant tick thing if it didn't have legs and 2 noticeably large fangs.
I stared at the spider being held captive in my hand and knew I needed to discard of it. I was nearly making myself queasy thinking of that spider running around in our home. I took it outside, wrapped a paper towel around it and used every ounce of strength to roll that paper towel into a ball feeling confidant the spider had been squished. I left the rolled up paper towel of a spider on the front bumper of my husbands truck.
Oh, heaven help me.......
I came to the large living room window at the back of the trailer and raised the first accordion style blind and then went to move the second. I was viewing the scene before me when I noticed some strings hanging towards the bottom of the raised blinds. I couldn't imagine what might have torn the fabric on the blinds to create frayed strings so I leaned closer to examine them. I automatically raised my hand and gave one of the strings a slight tug and immediately drew my hand back. What I thought was a string was in fact not a string at all. I cautiously pulled the blinds down a tad and took notice of the spider body stuck between the accordion blinds. I had just tugged on a 3 inch spider leg. The only thought running through my head was, "WHAT? How did that get in the house?" My eyes were wide and my heart had definitely picked up its pace as I realized I had a freakishly large spider in the house. My imagination was running wild.
When I pulled the blinds up this morning that spider must have gotten stuck between the accordion style flaps and was being held prisoner. I watched in horror as the spider began moving and twitching his legs around. I was running through all possible scenarios of how to get rid of this spider and it was nearly making me sick.
Worst case scenario was that the spider would drop from the blinds and fall behind the couch and I did NOT want a loose spider on the run. I knew I had to get a grip.
I pulled the blinds down just a tad and could make out the spiders body. I fought back my feelings of heebie-jeebies and grabbed a tissue. Before pulling the blinds down all the way I used the tissue to grab the spiders legs that were sticking out from the blinds. Once the legs were secured in my firm grip I opened the blinds and pulled the spider out. The body of this long legged spider looked like a brown, fat tick. You almost would have thought it was some kind of mutant tick thing if it didn't have legs and 2 noticeably large fangs.
I stared at the spider being held captive in my hand and knew I needed to discard of it. I was nearly making myself queasy thinking of that spider running around in our home. I took it outside, wrapped a paper towel around it and used every ounce of strength to roll that paper towel into a ball feeling confidant the spider had been squished. I left the rolled up paper towel of a spider on the front bumper of my husbands truck.
Oh, heaven help me.......
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Donut Demolition
I have been in Rusk, TX for a little over 4 weeks now and have marvelously resisted the urge to snatch a donut at the local shop. I pass by the donut shop nearly every day while I am out and about and have managed to curb my desire for donuts.
However, this morning found me desperately craving the sweetness of maple frosting smothered over a delicious donut. I jumped in the car and was practically on autopilot as I headed towards the donut shop. I made my way around the last bend of pine trees and prepared to make my turn into the drive for the shop. I came to an abrupt halt when I was met by dumpster trucks and bulldozers surrounding what used to be the donut shop. The word "CLOSED" was written in paint all over the windows. My little donut spirit began to crumple as my hopes were crushed. I needed a donut and the shop I went to was being demolished. What are the odds?!
So I put the car in reverse and drove to the second donut shop in town. Good thing I had a backup. LOL!
However, this morning found me desperately craving the sweetness of maple frosting smothered over a delicious donut. I jumped in the car and was practically on autopilot as I headed towards the donut shop. I made my way around the last bend of pine trees and prepared to make my turn into the drive for the shop. I came to an abrupt halt when I was met by dumpster trucks and bulldozers surrounding what used to be the donut shop. The word "CLOSED" was written in paint all over the windows. My little donut spirit began to crumple as my hopes were crushed. I needed a donut and the shop I went to was being demolished. What are the odds?!
So I put the car in reverse and drove to the second donut shop in town. Good thing I had a backup. LOL!
Friday, September 24, 2010
You Looking at Me
I am so embarrassed.
It is bad manners to stare and yet I feel like I have two unruly children who would rather do nothing than stare at our neighbors.
If our neighbors happen to be outside when I take the dogs out for a bathroom break their bad manners come to light. Two of our dogs will forget what they need to be focusing on and will stand at the edge of our grass and just stare at the neighbors. There are no wagging tails, no smiles on their faces, just two dogs that stand there on all fours and show a blank look while they stare at people.
I put myself in the neighbors shoes and wonder how I would feel knowing someone (or something) was staring at me. I think I'd feel rather awkward.
These two dogs in particular keep me on my toes and I am constantly trying to mend their bad habits.
I know I definitely didn't teach them this. I at least remain unseen when I am peeking through the blinds at the neighbors. LOL!
It is bad manners to stare and yet I feel like I have two unruly children who would rather do nothing than stare at our neighbors.
If our neighbors happen to be outside when I take the dogs out for a bathroom break their bad manners come to light. Two of our dogs will forget what they need to be focusing on and will stand at the edge of our grass and just stare at the neighbors. There are no wagging tails, no smiles on their faces, just two dogs that stand there on all fours and show a blank look while they stare at people.
I put myself in the neighbors shoes and wonder how I would feel knowing someone (or something) was staring at me. I think I'd feel rather awkward.
These two dogs in particular keep me on my toes and I am constantly trying to mend their bad habits.
I know I definitely didn't teach them this. I at least remain unseen when I am peeking through the blinds at the neighbors. LOL!
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Small towns. That is what this story is about.
I'm currently staying in a small town way out in East Texas and although I have driven through the town on many occasions I haven't visited all the stores that piqued my interest. After staying in our trailer day after day I reminded myself that I needed to get out and see new things.......even if I did have to go it alone.
As I drove around all four blocks surrounding the courthouse downtown I ran into a problem. I would find a store I wanted to nose around in just to see what they had and of course upon entering I would find that I was the only customer in there. Not only would the proprietor look up and see me walking around but they would also see me leave empty handed. When asked if I needed any help I found myself repeating, "Oh I'm just browsing, thank you."
I had noticed there were some artful window hangings in one of the pharmacy's downtown and I thought I would pop in to see what kind of trinkets they had for sale. The other pharmacy downtown has a gift store attached to it but this particular pharmacy that I walked into was nothing more than........well, a pharmacy. As soon as I entered I wanted to walk out but as I was the only one in there the ladies behind the counter took notice of me and offered a friendly greeting. No chance of escape now, especially when the door behind me wouldn't shut and I had to force it to close drawing more attention to myself. I figured the least I could do was pretend to look at something. The item of choice - Aloe Vera. I picked up the bottle and examined it pretending I had at last found what I was looking for. (Heaven knows I wasn't going to pay that price for it though.) After a minute or two had gone by I figured that enough time had passed by since entering the store and I could safely leave the store without any awkwardness of not purchasing anything. I placed the item back on the shelf and left just as quietly as I had entered.
I feel so awkward when I'm the only one in a store wandering around the aisles and such. How am I supposed to blend when there's no one to hide behind?! I feel so conspicuous.
Small towns.......definitely not the place for a mystery shopper. LOL!
I'm currently staying in a small town way out in East Texas and although I have driven through the town on many occasions I haven't visited all the stores that piqued my interest. After staying in our trailer day after day I reminded myself that I needed to get out and see new things.......even if I did have to go it alone.
As I drove around all four blocks surrounding the courthouse downtown I ran into a problem. I would find a store I wanted to nose around in just to see what they had and of course upon entering I would find that I was the only customer in there. Not only would the proprietor look up and see me walking around but they would also see me leave empty handed. When asked if I needed any help I found myself repeating, "Oh I'm just browsing, thank you."
I had noticed there were some artful window hangings in one of the pharmacy's downtown and I thought I would pop in to see what kind of trinkets they had for sale. The other pharmacy downtown has a gift store attached to it but this particular pharmacy that I walked into was nothing more than........well, a pharmacy. As soon as I entered I wanted to walk out but as I was the only one in there the ladies behind the counter took notice of me and offered a friendly greeting. No chance of escape now, especially when the door behind me wouldn't shut and I had to force it to close drawing more attention to myself. I figured the least I could do was pretend to look at something. The item of choice - Aloe Vera. I picked up the bottle and examined it pretending I had at last found what I was looking for. (Heaven knows I wasn't going to pay that price for it though.) After a minute or two had gone by I figured that enough time had passed by since entering the store and I could safely leave the store without any awkwardness of not purchasing anything. I placed the item back on the shelf and left just as quietly as I had entered.
I feel so awkward when I'm the only one in a store wandering around the aisles and such. How am I supposed to blend when there's no one to hide behind?! I feel so conspicuous.
Small towns.......definitely not the place for a mystery shopper. LOL!
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Willies
I was out and about dumping the trash this morning when I came across something that not only made me jump but shudder as well.
I had tossed the trash into the dumpster and was making my way back to the trailer through the pine trees when I noticed something on the ground directly in my path. From a distance it looked brown and hairy and I jerked my knee up and sidestepped over whatever it was in a choppy sort of motion so as not to step on it. I walked a few more feet before curiousity got the best of me and I had to know what it was. I retraced my steps and peered down at the brown thing. My fears were confirmed. I was staring at the biggest and hairiest brown spider I've seen in Texas yet. Aughhhh!
I leaned down for a closer look and the spider didn't move. His hairy, long legs were outstretched and I didn't know if it was alive or playing dead so as to catch an unsuspecting grasshopper. I fearfully swallowed and grabbed for a stick nearby. The first one I picked up was only about 6 inches long and that was not enough for me. Heaven only knew if that spider was a jumping spider and I didn't want it jumping on me! I traded in the runt of a stick for a longer one and mentally prepared myself for what I was about to do. (AKA-plan my escape route in case he came running after me.)
I got as close as I dared and gently touched the spiders leg. No movement. I poked his abdomen with the tip of the stick and still nothing. While I moved the stick around the spider trying to get a reaction I was a nervous wreck on the inside. My heart was ready to seize up with fear, waiting for the spider to jump to life and scare me silly.
After moving him around with the stick and leaning in as close as I dared I came to the conclusion that he was very much alive. My heart jumped to a fast paced rythem as I threw down the stick and got my feet in motion for home. I shuddered as I thought about that spider and how he was probably laughing at how scared I was......gives me the willies!
As I made my way down the road towards the trailer I was so preoccupied with freaked out frantic thoughts of that spider that when I noticed a shadow on the ground coming towards me I nearly jumped out of my skin. I jerked my whole body from left to right in one swift motion and wound up clear on the other side of the road.
Never has a butterfly scared me so much. HA!
Hopefully the people nearby didn't see my display of jerky body movements. They no doubt were unable to see the insects I was dealing with that would stir such a reaction in somebody and probably thought I was going into convulsions or on my way to a seizure.
Heaven help the spider that finds its way into my trailer.
I had tossed the trash into the dumpster and was making my way back to the trailer through the pine trees when I noticed something on the ground directly in my path. From a distance it looked brown and hairy and I jerked my knee up and sidestepped over whatever it was in a choppy sort of motion so as not to step on it. I walked a few more feet before curiousity got the best of me and I had to know what it was. I retraced my steps and peered down at the brown thing. My fears were confirmed. I was staring at the biggest and hairiest brown spider I've seen in Texas yet. Aughhhh!
I leaned down for a closer look and the spider didn't move. His hairy, long legs were outstretched and I didn't know if it was alive or playing dead so as to catch an unsuspecting grasshopper. I fearfully swallowed and grabbed for a stick nearby. The first one I picked up was only about 6 inches long and that was not enough for me. Heaven only knew if that spider was a jumping spider and I didn't want it jumping on me! I traded in the runt of a stick for a longer one and mentally prepared myself for what I was about to do. (AKA-plan my escape route in case he came running after me.)
I got as close as I dared and gently touched the spiders leg. No movement. I poked his abdomen with the tip of the stick and still nothing. While I moved the stick around the spider trying to get a reaction I was a nervous wreck on the inside. My heart was ready to seize up with fear, waiting for the spider to jump to life and scare me silly.
After moving him around with the stick and leaning in as close as I dared I came to the conclusion that he was very much alive. My heart jumped to a fast paced rythem as I threw down the stick and got my feet in motion for home. I shuddered as I thought about that spider and how he was probably laughing at how scared I was......gives me the willies!
As I made my way down the road towards the trailer I was so preoccupied with freaked out frantic thoughts of that spider that when I noticed a shadow on the ground coming towards me I nearly jumped out of my skin. I jerked my whole body from left to right in one swift motion and wound up clear on the other side of the road.
Never has a butterfly scared me so much. HA!
Hopefully the people nearby didn't see my display of jerky body movements. They no doubt were unable to see the insects I was dealing with that would stir such a reaction in somebody and probably thought I was going into convulsions or on my way to a seizure.
Heaven help the spider that finds its way into my trailer.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Flight of the Butterfly
I was out in the backyard with the dogs this afternoon when I noticed something shiny over in the grass. Upon closer examination I realized it was a torn up baggie of some sorts. Not wanting the dogs to consume what they had clearly already shredded I picked up the pieces. As I was down on the ground level I couldn't help but notice the mountain of dog poop nearby that one of the dogs had so nicely disposed of. I wasn't quite in the mood to pick up their poops right then so I gathered what was in my hand and went to throw it away.
The weather had been so pleasant today that I decided to walk around the yard with the dogs a bit before heading in for good. I meandered around the grass enjoying the sunshine warming my skin and the breeze blowing through my curls when I saw a butterfly out of the corner of my eye. I slowed my movement so as not to startle it and admired his orange colored wings fluttering in the breeze. Apparently the breeze was a mite too much for him at the moment and the butterfly stopped for a break. He landed on the mountain of poop!
I gasped in shock as I watched in horror as the orange butterfly sat directly on top of the poop pile and opened and closed his wings. Never in all my life have I seen a butterfly land on dog poop. Butterflies belong on trees, flowers and bushes.......not dog poop!
I could hardly believe what my eyes were seeing and leaned in for a closer look. That's when the butterfly launched itself off of the mountainous pile of dog poop and landed on my shirt. Pahhhh! Yuck.
What's this world coming to? LOL!
The weather had been so pleasant today that I decided to walk around the yard with the dogs a bit before heading in for good. I meandered around the grass enjoying the sunshine warming my skin and the breeze blowing through my curls when I saw a butterfly out of the corner of my eye. I slowed my movement so as not to startle it and admired his orange colored wings fluttering in the breeze. Apparently the breeze was a mite too much for him at the moment and the butterfly stopped for a break. He landed on the mountain of poop!
I gasped in shock as I watched in horror as the orange butterfly sat directly on top of the poop pile and opened and closed his wings. Never in all my life have I seen a butterfly land on dog poop. Butterflies belong on trees, flowers and bushes.......not dog poop!
I could hardly believe what my eyes were seeing and leaned in for a closer look. That's when the butterfly launched itself off of the mountainous pile of dog poop and landed on my shirt. Pahhhh! Yuck.
What's this world coming to? LOL!
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