Evidence that the cat likes to explore. This isn't our window. This IS our cat.Saturday, July 4, 2009



Tuesday, June 30, 2009

There are only a handful of things you can do to escape the miserable heat of Atlanta in the summer. We managed to get ourselves to one of those things on Saturday. I have been rafting down the Ocoee River in the past and enjoyed all but one trip led by a new guide who was too worried and fearful.
We packed our suits and headed out around noon for a scheduled trip at 2. When we stepped out of the car, the heat was stifling. You could hardly breathe. A storm had come through and unlike the Midwest, summer storms in the south manage to ratchet the humidity up even a few more degrees. We were packed like smelly sausages on to a school bus with our paddles, helmets and worn life jackets. I put my nose into Victor's t-shirt and just tried to breathe, but I was feeling sick from the heat and the worry that neither Katie or Victor would think this was fun at all. I had M come along as well because she turns up the fun dial everywhere she goes.
All worries disappeared when we got on to the river. Our guide was also the bus driver and the seasoned elder who gave the safety speech at the beginning of the trip. This would mean we were the last boat to go down and we would be the "rescue team" for other folks thrown out of their boats. His stern demeanor faded and he turned into this laid back pro who steered us through the series of class 3 and 4 rapids. We were even the only group to get stuck spinning in a rapid called "the Hollywood bowl" after watching other young guides try to maneuver their boats into the hole. At one point, he said "when you fall out, swim forward." Katie and I looked at reach other and said "when? did he say when, not if?" just as the entire front of the raft went under and we were tossed. We both loved every minute of it. The water was clear and cool, the smile on everyones faces confirmed that it was the right choice to come.
We got back on land and changed into some dry clothes. M. drove us in her speedy little car to the taco place, where we sat in front of a huge fan on the patio as a thunderstorm passed through. Wet, happy.
On Sunday, a little sore from our death grips to paddles and the raft, Katy and I managed a hike up Kennesaw Mountain and a swim in the pool. A few visits to grocery stores for lunches, and a few episodes of an HBO series "The flight of the Conchords".
Saturday, June 27, 2009

Last night I drove to Midtown to give Katie a ride to the Botanical Gardens for a concert with my boss and his family. His daughter is the same age and also home from college, so they invited Katie to go along and she said yes. I think she wanted to say no, because it would have been easier not to, and I understand this motto very well, having lived it for the past few years. "It's just easier not to" is usually the truth behind the myriad of excuses I give for not doing things to this day, although lately I am realizing the power of saying yes. It's a slow process though, plenty of sliding back. We sat at my kitchen table yesterday morning before work and talked about the ways in which we could say yes. I had come home from a run near the river, sweaty and high from the run, and Katie was cleaning the kitchen and ready to cry. She is good at choosing her words and told me how stressful life is for someone who is asked at every turn what she is going to do with her life at least once a day. To her, this equals pressure to not let anyone down, and I get this. We both admire her mom for the ways in which she does not get her wheels stuck in the mud, and chuckle a little about inheriting the indecision gene from our Dad. I am stuck in the mud too, but we all know how easy advice flows when it is just offered to someone else. Since we are so similar, I tell her what helps in these situations: say yes and use the entire experience as a writing exercise. Come home and write about the way the park looked at night, the people you saw on blankets with plastic glasses and expensive wine, the food, the skyline.
Sunday, June 21, 2009

We walked into Half Moon Outfitters – a store that replaced my favorite card/gift store – and M. tries on the shoes she has wanted since she’s seen Katie’s version. I have two pairs but they are older, with wider straps. I point out the other shoes I have on the wall – all pricey and earthy from my days when I cared about shoes but wouldn’t wear heels of any kind. M.. buys the black pair, along with a Nalgene bottle for hiking. The store AC feels so cool and comfortable that we all just want to keep looking at things we know we aren’t going to purchase. Back out into the heat, we walk on the dark cobblestone steps to our car – no streetlamps in this section. Odd, since VH homeowners are picky and controlling and certainly have the money for new streetlamps and better sidewalks. Guess it's part of the charm.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
It's hot. Like, AFRICA hot. I managed a run this morning near the river and then dragged K. and M. to the mountain nearby ( a large, rocky hill, not really a mountain) for a hike. We rested at the top and gave the rest of our water to a thirsty doberman pup. K. is getting acclimated to the humidity and I admit to being relieved when we caught a breeze during the hike. Afterwards, we stopped for lunch at a diner in midtown, gulped down glasses of ice water with our tuna sandwich and fries.A shower and a nap later and there's not much to do but rest in the AC on a hot afternoon and wait it out. I imagine the malls and theatres to be crowded...people trying to find relief. Raleigh stays on the sidewalk but looks as if someone let the air out of her a little.
Tonight we'll hope the line isn't too long for tacos at our favorite weekly place.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Katie is here, and has survived her first day at the office. I think we were both nervous, but maybe for different reasons. I think I still expect her to tell me that this entire scenario blows as she packs up her car and heads back up north. I can say that it is awesome on MY end!Dad was here over the weekend, as he drove down with her and then flew back Sunday night. We were blessed with some cool air for hikes at Kennesaw mountain and the river. On Saturday night after a dinner at home, we all got into Monique's car for stroll in Olympic park for some ice cream. It was fun to watch the kids splash around in the fountains while we made summer plans to simply GET out more.
On Sunday, Victor made waffles and we sat around with the Sunday paper until it was time to walk off the butter and syrup down by the river. The trail is close by the house and the clouds kept the temps comfy. Cold steak sandwiches for lunch, a trip to the bookstore after dropping Dad off at the airport.
Off to read about your weekends....


