Went to town this morning to the auto parts store to get oil for my Tahoe Bertha and then on to Wally World, for the first time in several months, with a short grocery list. I’m addicted to the grocery pickup at Wally World but since I was dressed up and had on a bra and make up and earrings, I hated to waste all that with just one stop so I went in Wally World and marveled at how they had moved things around in the store since I went last time. Hated I had to ask for the candy aisle. I know that worker thought I ought to stay away from that aisle. I love the polished cement floors but they do a number on my right knee. I was wondering when I was walking Penelope in the afternoon why was knee was hurting and then I remembered I had walked around in Wally World.

I love the small town phrase, “I’m going to town.” My oldest grandson heard me say that one time and quickly piped up, “I want to go.” We went and when we got there he said, “Where is it?” Tickled me and the store we wanted to go to was closed for a few hours, had a hand written note on the door, and that baffled him too. If you live in a big city do you say, “I’m going to the city?” Maybe you say, “I’m going downtown.” Anyway, I went to town today.

The man in the auto parts called me, “Sweetheart.” I hate that when a man you don’t know calls you darling or baby or sweetheart. Don’t even like it if I know the person, either. Burns me up. He was young enough to be my son. Even when the window lady at Jack’s says, “Here you go, Baby,” it irks me. Must be a character flaw I have.

In Wally World I made a spectacle of myself trying to get a little box of peanut butter crackers off the top shelf. I have learned from experience a wooden spoon will usually knock things off from the high shelves or get them close enough to pick up. The aisle was full of older couples shopping and I almost asked one of the men to reach the crackers but I had my trusty spoon so I reached up and knocked the last box of crackers off along with about a dozen other boxes of crackers. I was so embarrassed. No more laughing about oldest sister-in-law knocking over a six foot high display of coloring books at the dollar store. I’ve joined the club. I’m sticking to the grocery pick up from now on. Seriously, you can get anything in the store. I got a window unit air conditioner in my last order of groceries. Don’t laugh! It’s the truth!

Mother Nature showed out today blowing up a strong storm after lunch. Blew my birds pillows all over creation. I chased one pillow around in the yard like a crazy woman while Stew was yelling for me to get in the house. Blew my geraniums off the plants stands, blew the double rocking chair over. Banged the wind chimes together like they were a raging fortissimo concerto. The yard symphony was loud and boisterous punctuated with booming thunder drums. I loved it but came in the house and listened and watched it out the window. All that commotion and the sky only dropped a few heavy sprinkles of rain. I watched Father Sky’s purple thunderhead clouds circle around. They just chose not to empty themselves in my yard.

I went outside after supper to walk Penelope and wait for the sunset. The clouds at the end of the street were so prettily layered. The resembled a disheveled off-white down comforter lying casually on a big bed. I watched them slowly float away then realized they were being chased by a big dark cloud that looked just like a shark. The shark just floated by chasing the comforter clouds. The shark never changed shape. I watched them till they were out of sight. He ate most of the clouds.

When we came back from our walk I glanced up and saw these big fluffy clouds that were painted a vibrant raspberry. The sun was making gold shimmers on their curves. Never seen such a beautiful color. Dragged Penelope towards the porch watching the clouds as I hurried but they were gone before I even got to the porch to get my iPad for a photo. Just a few seconds of this unique raspberry color. Been searching color charts to find the exact color and French raspberry seem to be close. Mother Nature and Father Sky painted masterpieces in their clouds and sunset today. I wonder how clouds would taste if you could lick them. I want to taste the turquoise and raspberry colored ones.

I sat back down in the swing after walking Penelope, promising myself I’d have my camera ready tomorrow to catch these beautiful fleeting works of cloud art. I was enjoying the cardinals. They flock to the feeders each day at dusk, sent by my sweet husband, a goodnight kiss to another colorful sunsetted day. I was trying to count the cardinals and this little juvenile cardinal flew over and perched on the porch banisters and looked right at me with his black quizzical eyes. I could tell he was just trying to find his way in nature’s world. He was dressed in his fledgling feathers. He looked like he was wearing an old brownish/blackish tweed coat from his grandfather’s closet. Looked like it had been darned with some red cloth in several places. He had a dark beak with a small white paint streak. Never seen one with his feathered coloring. He looked at me like he thought the same thing about me. At least he didn’t call me sweetheart!

“Every sunrise is a new beginning and a new ending. May this morning be a new beginning to a better relationship and a new ending to the bad memories. It’s a chance to enjoy life, breathe freely, think and love. Be grateful for this beautiful day,’ — Norton Juster.