March 2024

One thing that has changed dramatically in my lifetime is the games children play. You know where they play now– usually indoors on their phones or PCs sitting or in a prone position. The only movement involved is by their thumbs.

After enjoying the breakfast buffet at Dora’s Sale Barn Cafe, we embarked on an adventure. I, well, I was just riding shotgun and loving it. Have you heard about the new antiques/gift shop in Imboden, The Vintage Beetle, where I had planned to go? I wanted to get a big round mirror to go on top of a bookcase in our living room. I had seen it on their Facebook page and had intended to get it, but things just kept getting better! We hardly had time to breathe for all the talking when we were together. On another mission, we headed to Hardy, enjoying the beautiful day with flowers springing up in yards along the way. I soon found myself glued to her story as she waved her hand across the hills and told me about a once-upon-a-time foraging trip they had been on. It seemed getting to the exact place on that mountain had been a challenge both ways! I was more than a bit in awe at the description of their leader. She seemed to know things and was tougher than a pine knot; I now think of her as Arkansas’s own female version of Indiana Jones! Please take me with you next time. The sun felt good shining in the windows, and soon we needed a drink, so we stopped at the Sonic in Ash Flat. Two large cherry limeades, please—landsakes, they were good.

We moved our old fridge to the rent house last night. Mike rigged up a ramp to get it off our porch into his truck. It was on a dolly about a foot wide. The ramp was 1 foot and 1 inch. He was blindly pushing towards the ramp. He hit the bench, then the porch post and lastly a flower pot before he said “You’re supposed to be guiding me.” Ahhhh, that would make more sense. We finally get it in the truck and he says “Now, get off the porch and guide me.” He rolls down all 4 windows and started moving up. I say nothing. He says, “Don’t let me pinch that.” several times. After about the 4th time I yell, “I don’t know what that means!” He said “Dent. Don’t let me dent the tailgate on the house.” Would that have not been just as easy to say? We slowly drive next door to the rent house as I watched the fridge in the back. We pull up in the yard and he said “I would feel better if you were backing it up and I rode in back with the fridge.” I really don’t think he would feel better. Against my better judgment I got in the driver’s seat. He walked out the path he wanted me to drive while motioning with his hands. He then climbs in the bed and says “Ok, inch forward slowly and watch the holes.” Keep in mind, it’s dark now and this is maybe the third time I’ve ever driven his truck. I can barely see over the dash and hood much less see a hole, in the ground, in the dark! I rocked it on the inching forward but then he said “Ok, now back up to the porch slowly.” Over the next 5 minutes of me blindly backing up he said “Couple more inches.” no less than 74 times. I have no idea how but I made it. He backs the dolly and fridge out of the bed and heads for the door. While ordering the new fridge I learned the old refrigerator was 33” wide. The door opening is 34” wide. Another 10 minutes of my expertise guidance and the old refrigerator is in its new home. We still have to hook up the ice maker but I felt our marriage couldn’t