smithfield

Hello, it's me again!  

Trying to get back into blogging after a bit of a hiatus, since this City Mouse moved her whole cat and caboodle out to the Country.  Still unpacking some boxes, figuring out how to organize things and adapt to life in That Area Near that Small Town No One's Ever Heard of so I just say "south of Raleigh".   So I'm just here today to record some more observations so far.  That's all this blog is anyhow, just a personal blog of my life, recording some events and moments along the way.  Nothing deep from the blue abyss of my soul.  No inspiring journeys in art or fitness, those are blogs, too, which I also plan to light up again.  But for now, just some more first impressions of this new planet called JoCo that I've landed in.  

Today I took another trip to Smithfield.  Had to get a library card so I can check out real books, but mostly, hopefully, e-books.  Reason is, I've learned, is that the old library here, and the whole town itself, can be described (by me) in one word: Depressing.  Yeah, I don't mean to sound snobbish or anything, but it seems that the further I travel east, the further things go downhill.  Homes look poorer.  Stores dirtier.  And the people all STARE at me like I"m some creature from outer space!  Maybe it's my imagination, but I definitely feel like I stand out in that town.  Went into one little thrift store (can't help it, I'm a diehard Junker!!) and immediately these 2 older frumpy ladies gawk at me, make some comment and turn back around, huddling together like they're whispering about me.  Paranoid?  Maybe.

Then I hit up a second thrift store, (ok, right, so maybe it's just the weird thrift store clientele to blame here..) and I overhear one woman say to another, "Who's that?" and the other: "I have no idea".  

LIke, what's the deal, am I wearing a sign that says something like, "I'm a stranger here, yes, I am a hoity-toity city b(*&(* from the Congested Area of Relocated Yankees and I think I'm better than you"?????

oh well, at least i got to look through this fun pile of old record albums.  

The ol' 33 rpm ones. 50 cents a pop!

And check this out, this dude is serenading the womenfolk on his accordian and the chicks are all like, swooning and getting all hot and  bothered for this weirdo.

ha!

                                      And that's about it.  The sights of small town America.

Walked by this Ava Gardner museum, which was by the library and not far from a Republican campaign center with big ugly TRUMP signs all over.  yuck. (even Ava looks pissed..)

Even the gyms leave a bit to be desired.

Sorry, but only one star for this town.  And that would be the collective merit of the outlet mall and the one Starbucks.  

Carry on wayward son. Nothing to see here.

Catch you back at the watering hole.  Gonna wrap up my hands sometime soon, get back to some boxing in our new "home gym", aka, the bonus room.

Home gym

Getting ready...stay tuned!

Post-swim lunch

That WAS a delish salad with rotisserie chicken, strawberries and praline pecans, but I ate it all up!  Also did a "virtual" kickboxing class in the bonus room before the icy plunge. Ah yes, I love these lingering summer days!!!

..."every little farm town with youuuuuuuu"

"..with a brand new Chevy with a lift kit..."

ok, so I had to google what a "lift kit" is, and maybe I was actually driving an Acura mommy utility vehicle, not a Chevy truck, but...

I did have another adventure driving in the country today.

No big deal, just downtown Benson, via Raleigh Road.  So many interesting farmish, countryside treasures to look at...tobacco fields, old farmhouses, barns, horses, goats in someone's front yard (!!!!!! I gotta have some, too!!!!)  , ponds, pick-your-own berry farms, oh so much to look at, I just wanted to drive at a snail's pace to take it all in, but after a few miles, there would always be someone tailgating me and I'd have to speed up again.

Got to the little town of Benson, old-fashioned downtown.  Walked the quiet street, just enjoying some alone time, and checking out some funky little shops, antiques and what-not:

                                                        Miss Maude's cafe...

                                          ..friendly little gnome in an antique shop run by some folks
                                                      who were pretty antiquey themselves..

I'm starting to realize what kind of land I'm living in...I saw this shirt the same day as I drove past some ol'

Bubba shootin' a gun off in his front yard. my oh my.

                               yeah, it's funny.  Been living in the South for 20 years now, but it feels like I'm going through another new wave of culture shock, moving to the country and being introduced to "real" southern life.  not the city version.  It's crazy...like this:

                                                      ..more old junk.

                                                (i truly hate this expression...sorry)

                                             And this?  Gotta love it.

                                    Even smelled a skunk on the road later on. Ahhh,  the sweet smells of                                                  country life.  I think I'm liking it here so far.  Liking it a lot.  Goodnight!

last day of august

As if I didn't already have enough pool shots... I had to add a few more.

Met this strikingly handsome young chap on the pool steps this morning. He was just enjoying a leisurely morning swim, when I snuck up behind him with a blue net on a long pole.  Poor guy.  He didn't understand that I was only trying to save him from the deadly effects of chlorine.  But he was fine.  He hopped out of the net and into the holly bushes.  Till next time, ol' pal! (ribbit!)

Before leaving for SC, my sister had me do some dumb poses so she could show them off to our siblings in WI, MN, and CA.  Here's one.

                                 ..and here we are, shortly before she practically knocked off the neighbor's mailbox while backing up out of our driveway.  How embarrassing, and what an awkward way for me to meet my new neighbors!
 

                                      Later on, enjoying some peace and quiet, all alone at the pool.

                                         "Almost" alone, that is, can't forget this snazzy fellow..
                                            Can you even see this green dragonfly, kind of blurry, in the foreground?

Can't believe tomorrow is September.  I'll miss these days by the pool, enjoying the summertime sunshine.

Things I love..

Things I love about having a backyard pool:

#57. 

 Easy-peasy wardrobe choices.

Instead of the usual chore of picking out the right outfit every day, including some very boring, pale underpants and bra...I only have to choose one of these bikinis!

       Hmmm, which shall it be today...am I in a cool blue or decidedly black and white mood?

Or do I need a bit of warm orange, yellow or hot pink to liven things up?

Either way, it's so fun to just slip into a cute bikini on summer days, then throw on either a cover-up or some floppy shorts and tank top, as I'll eventually throw them off and hop in the pool!

Just the thought of jumping in that cool water on a hot day makes the rest of the day and its tasks so much easier.  

So which did I choose?

Well, shucks. It's the weekend, that means I'd better stick with something safe.

I go with the modest tankini top with the maximum coverage, granny skirt bottoms, 

which, by the way, do a fine job of concealing my chastity belt. lol.

#protestpanties

#58.

Butterflies!!!!

(no words needed; these fluttering beauties are simply breathtaking!)

                                                                                      #59.
                        That feeling of pulling yourself out of the water, dripping wet, and sitting in the warm, late-                                                                           summer sun to dry off.

                                                        Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

Smirk

The face I give Sam when she's annoyed by my singing "Have you seen the Muffin Man" for the umpteenth time.