verbingnouns

Verbose Ramblings on a Very Windy Day

Today was definitely the windiest day I can remember. It's certainly possible that I've lived through windier days, but none come to mind. There are trees down here and there in the area and the occassional tornado sighting in the region (none in Ouachita Parish that I know of) and lots of rain, though no flooding in my general area of Monroe. The worst I can claim is a bunch of small branches all over my yard. I was going to pick them up earlier this afternoon when I thought the storm had almost passed. I'm glad I didn't because it got all windy on us again. Here's a picture of my house with small limbs all over the yard. (Yes, I'm bored. See below.)

After the storm (all the darker green spots are branches rather than grass)

Here's a picture of my pineapple plant after the storm:

Poor Pitiful Pineapple Plant

I openly confess the plant did not look one bit better before the storm.
What do you think I am? A pineapple farmer?

Since I spent the morning sleeping in, followed by finishing my airplane (crash) book, I was beginning to go a bit stir crazy in the house. I heard from my parents, who live in southern/central east Texas - everybody was okay there - though without power or landline phones. Once I heard from them, I decided I would venture out a bit. The winds seemed calm and the rain had eased.
I (along with all the other geeks in town) went to Books-a-Million - which I hate. I had started to buy some books online earlier in the week, but then I thought - "No, I'll do business locally," - which was a nice sentiment, and even though BaM is not exactly a local company, my purchases still supports local employment. Anyway, I still hate that place. They arrange all their fiction in one section, which bothers my snobby sensibilities. I'm sorry, but seeing War and Peace in the same section with Shopaholic Takes Manhattan bothers me. It's impure. (Not that I'm entirely above Shopaholic Takes Manhattan - I do read In Style Magazine, so I have no room to brag.) Actually, going to BaM saved me some money, since, for some unknown reason, it's more painless for me to buy books online than it is for me to buy them in person. I bought none of the books I'd had in my electronic shopping cart earlier in the week. Instead, I purchased Reading Lolita in Tehran, which was in the non-fiction section - not in the poorly seperated fiction section, so I felt I could buy it in good taste. Besides, I need more information about Iran/Iraq because, frankly, I'm quite ignorant. Book review to follow eventually.

After BaM, I went next door to the Walmart because I wasn't ready to go back home yet, but wasn't willing to venture too far because of the tornado watches. You know that unspoken rule about not going to Walmart on a Saturday (or at 5 pm, or at the first of the month, etc., etc., ad infinitum)? Well it's still true during a tropical storm. Madhouse. I got what I needed, got in a long line {where I saw Thomas (out of the hospital!) and Emily from afar, but wasn't willing to give up my spot in line to say hello.} I noticed it had started raining hard again, but I had no idea. The trek to my car was unreal. I always park far way from the store because I figure I can use the extra walking and other people care more about a good parking space than I do. Sheesh. I have never walked through such. Not only was it pouring down, the wind was unreal. I had one eye shut, the other opened just enough for navigation and I'm pretty sure I was walking at a 45 degree angle. Then I started laughing out loud thinking of how ridiculous I must look - absolutely drenched, squinty eyes, mascara running down my face, trying to carry my case of Diet Mountain Dew (guilty pleasure) and 2 other bags (which were FULL of water by the time I got to my car) - not to mention my laughter, which must have made me look even more insane. I had to sit in the car for a few minutes to recover before driving back home.

I've spent the rest of the afternoon/evening on the verge of stir craziness again. I made some pumpkin scones for tomorrow's breakfast. I've read a few chapters of my new book. I've watched weather.com. I've looked out the window. I'm going nuts.** My phone service is horrible (which is typical - I'm working on getting cable phone instead of stupid BellSouth) so I can't call friends. I don't feel like watching a movie. I guess I'll go read some more.

In short: it's a good thing tomorrow is Sunday. I need human contact.

**I was alone most of the day yesterday, too (alone at work since my boss was gone and alone at home last night by choice), which explains my desperate need for socialization. If I ever end up in solitary confinement - watch out. (Don't think about that too hard because it doesn't make sense.)

Posted by christin at September 24, 2005 07:55 PM | TrackBack