It’s summer in Texas

My kids are all celebrating summer in different ways. Jordan, Christian, and Jacob are just home tonight after four nights at a friend’s lake house on Lake Weatherford. The occasion was Jacob’s fourteenth birthday, and the big deal was that he passed a six-part test and got his license to drive a motorized water vehicle. The friends who loaned them the house have two sons—and therefore two jet skis—and Jacob and a buddy had a grand time. Jordan reports that when it rained, they were perfectly content inside with games and the like.

With them gone, I realized even more how spoiled I’ve gotten. After my chickens left the nest (is that a mixed metaphor?) I lived alone for many years and did just fine. But now I’m used to having company at happy hour or to having Jordan pop in in the morning to check on me or sit in the evening to watch the news (when did she become such a news hound?) and discuss menus and grocery lists. Fortunately I am blessed with several friends who came for happy hour, so I had company on the patio every night they were gone. People whose company I thoroughly enjoy came to give me a bit of human companionship for each day. Sophie’s great—and I talk to her a lot—but it’s not quite the same.

If you read this blog often, you probably realize that happy hour is how I’ve chosen to keep in touch with those I care about. We invite only those who we know have been quarantining as strictly as we have. They bring their own drinks, glasses, whatever they need, and we sit at least six feet apart. Masks are not required but some wear them. One friend didn’t think Jordan’s six-foot spacing was enough and backed his chair off the patio and onto the grass, but he is out and about in the world, and his wife is in an at-risk category. So far I feel quite safe—knock on wood—and I am grateful because one of the two factors most cited as contributing to longevity is socialization.

The other is exercise, which I can’t much do. I wrote a yoga friend who now lives out of town and asked for chair exercises, but she didn’t want to recommend long distance without seeing my range of motion, etc. She recommended a colleague in Fort Worth but I declined because of quarantining.

My Austin daughter and her family celebrated summer by moving into their new house. They love their location in the Tarrytown neighborhood, but their house had many “old-house” problems. When Brandon complained about the 60-year-old house, I told him he should live in my almost 100-year-old house (and pay the repair bills). But they tore down the old house and rebuilt in the same footprint, which I heartily applaud. The new house is open and airy and modern and wonderful. Tonight, Megan said they are drowning in unopened boxes, but movers brought their furniture, and they will all sleep under their new roof tonight. The two teenage boys have been sleeping in their rooms for several nights and are thrilled to have their own bedrooms, bathrooms, tooth paste, mouthwash, towels, you name it.

Ginger with Morgan

The Tomball kids announced today that they are rescuing an Australian shepherd—the breed that is the love of my heart. A friend of theirs is moving this weekend and cannot take his six-year-old dog, Ginger. So it looks like Ginger will live on Mueschke Road with my family. Fourteen-year-old Morgan is particularly delighted, and I am anxious to meet the new member of the family.

The only news of my Frisco family is that Jamie somehow managed the other day to set off the emergency button on his phone, when he was halfway across Dallas from home, and panicked the family members who got the message. I am forever grateful that I didn’t get it and didn’t know to be alarmed until it was all over.

Green noodles

And to make it a family night, Jordan and I shared a family favorite dish for dinner tonight—we call it green noodles. I usually use spinach fettucine, but Central Market sent me green pea noodles, so that’s what I used. Artichoke hearts, sliced mushrooms, scallions, garlic, in a butter/lemon sauce. Couldn’t find my homemade pesto cubes—I know they’re in the freezer somewhere—but it was good without them.

Sharing news and cooking favorite dishes makes me feel close to family that I haven’t seen since Christmas (with the exception of Megan and her youngest son) because of COVID-19. Pray God this scourge goes from our land, though I don’t expect it to soon. I read one expert opinion today that if 80% of people wore masks, we’d flatten the curve in no time. Come on, people—do it for your family, your neighbors, your friends.