I had the BEST day today!
First I began my morning by waking up completely drenched with sweat. For those who know me well, know that being cold is my absolute nemesis. Thus awaking to warmth to the degree that I actually perspire is a welcomed experience, I assure you. My son, Cole, likes to give me a hard time about the fact I do NOT break a sweat when relaxing in a 100 degree sauna (actually 104 degrees, & celsius). It is true; the sauna has to be at about 113 degrees before I begin to feel ‘over heated’, when perhaps a trickle from a bead of perspiration will alert me to the idea that I might be too hot. Oops, I have digressed; now back to my morning… After changing into something dry I headed to the kitchen to start the morning meal. Since Cole was still retired in his room, Esther at school, and Brian not in need of a morsel, I was able to conjure up a breakfast just for myself, the Queen! I made myself an egg-white omelet, stuffed with Port Salut cheese from France, cooked in olive oil brought to me from Italia, and sprinkled with roasted kale which I had prepared the night before. Yummmm
Egg white omelet with Port Salut cheese, and roasted kale sprinkled on top. Yum!
I then ground my coffee beans and made a fresh pot of joe. As I sat at the dining room table, by myself, with my delectable meal, I thought…”this meal is fit for the queen that you are, Rivka.” 🙂 And so I created my title.
And while masticating my last morsel, my boys emerged to the kitchen and were ready for the “royal” treatment themselves (though not exactly the queens portion). They require a bit more goo for their palate. But since Cole is beginning to meet with a personal trainer, twice a week, and the trainer has him documenting his diet, I ‘upped the ante’ to make sure Cole looks good on paper (and I look even better as the queen mother!). Theirs was a 3-egg scramble with sauteed spinach, basil, scallions, and cream cheese. I have decided, or learned from a dear friend rather, that keeping a basil plant on hand is a better choice than purchasing sprigs which tend to spoil quickly, even if kept in a glass of water in the refrigerator. And mornings, such as this, proves her theory well.
With the completion of breakfast behind me, I pondered my next move. Do I walk the dogs and then shower, or do I shower and walk the dogs eventually? Amidst my pondering a rain, thunder, and lightening storm came upon us and forced the hand of my decision toward the shower now option. I must say, I absolutely love it when nature or other factors, out of my control, guide my choices. Sometimes I want to let go of being the one in charge, you know, the one who bears the burden of responsibility…you know, the queen. And when lightening strikes and thunder rolls, and rain pours down, life is just that much simpler.
Post the upright bathing ritual, the storm began to move away. The clouds were puffy and white, and the skies a beautiful azure. I was ready for some real adventure, the only problem which presented itself is that I allowed my staff the day off. A mid week holiday of sorts. Okay, okay…I don’t have staff, but this was my “Queenly” morning, as my omelet could attest, and therefore within my royal delusion I had staff–only they weren’t around! 😉
HOWEVER, it seemed the good Lord was willing to tickle my fancy and allow me my fun. I will explain…
As I hunkered down and decided to get with the ‘actual’ program and go out to the garage to get the empty laundry basket so I could begin tearing down the Mount Kilimanjaro looking pile of filthy clothes, I noticed four large trucks and one long white van, congregated within the area of our culdesac. Bypassing the laundry area, I went out to the street to more easily check out the scene. There were lots of men, in jump suits. Some with orange, reflector vests. And while the van was unmarked, the trucks showcased our city’s logo on the side of the drivers’ door. Intimidated at first, I shrunk back and began to retreat to the laundry area where the empty basket awaited me. Then all of a sudden my inner royal took the lead and urged me to investigate the scene further, more intimately, and to find out the issue which caused the congregation of men. Lo and behold a city water main had broke. The men, with their tools in hand, were shutting down the water for our entire neighborhood.
Well you can imagine their surprise when I jumped up and down with glee. I was so happy!! I even asked if they wouldn’t mind taking a week to complete the task–a forced vacation from the city was all I was asking for…it’s not like I was begging for the Taj Mahal! The workmen laughed and looked at each other with an agreed expression of their happening upon a nutcase; me. No matter, not the first time I garnered such an expression from strangers. I was too happy to care what they thought of me; for once again, nature (or other causes out of my control) interfered in “my plans” and helped direct the day.
I ran into the house and told Cole to gather his things, we and the dogs were heading to the harbor. Though he gave me a look of concern, I assured him the skies were clear in that direction and we were going to walk the dogs and enjoy the harbor facilities for we were “out of water!” Or perhaps I responded to his scowl with the following battle cry, “obey your queen and get yourself into the car!”
Are you my mother?!
Which ever it was, I had a marvelous day and I thank the city, cheese imported from France, kale, and Italian olive oil for starting me off on the right foot. Those are my servants, they are my staff.
And Mount Kilimanjaro? It waits patiently beside me, knowing the water main is repaired and the time for conquering is drawing near. Cheers! 🙂
living in loss and gratitude 
The Noise