Rhode Island Roots

We pulled up the long snaking driveway to our old house Saturday afternoon. The only thing in bloom was the forsythia hedge. Inside the house it was freezing. I left Marty to install smoke detectors while I went off to do some errands. I bought a huge bag of dog food, some cheese and a soft-serve ice cream. Of course you can get these things in NYC but they're way more expensive.

Next, it was off to Gold Farm where we were staying for the next two nights with David and Marcia Gold. I took a nap while Marty and David had a nice visit. We had dinner plans in Providence at Bacaro's, the Gold's favorite restaurant. Mariel joined us. Dinner was great. I even had a fried smelt. Just one because it wasn't so good.

On Sunday, we finished cleaning out the house. Marty drove back to NYC. Mariel picked me up and we went for coffee and then dinner at a vegetarian/vegan restaurant. The food was delicious. Mariel drove me back to the Gold's where I spent another deeply slumberous night.

Marcia took me to my friend Sue's house in East Greenwich because we had plans to go out for breakfast. She'd forgotten about out date so Marcia took me to my friend Patty's house. We had breakfast and did some shopping. My broker was supposed to pick me up for closing at 3 but never showed. When I called him, he told me the closing was tomorrow. What? I had dinner at Patty's and then we went to play mah jongg.

So today's the day. At least I think it is.

4:04 !

Mark ran the mile at Princeton last night, a personal best of 4:04. He told us he was running the 1500 meter because he didn't want to get us too excited. In a rabbited race of 8 competitors, Mark placed 4th, coming from behind, his favorite tactic. I'm still shaking.

Today we head to Rhode Island to walk around 355 Moosehorn, say goodbye to neighbors and install a few smoke alarms. Closing is Monday. I can't wait,

It's 12:12 PM and I Need a Nap

I've been up for 6 hours but it feels like 6 days. After coffee and computer-gazing, Marty and I went to the gym. We were both feeling fat from our Chinese feast with Mark and Harry, topped off by red velvet cake. We came back and had another round of delicious calories. I put Marty to work on packing up one of our gargantuan walk-in closets while I tried to do Harry's financial aid forms. There's always some glitch and today was no different. The pin wouldn't work. Well, it's done but for that. After showering, I decided I needed to get out for fresh air to clear my head.

I walked to Duane Reade to pick up a prescription and then stopped off to have my nails done. I almost tipped over in my chair. I returned home to Marty sweating after his shower. He got dressed and went off to Queens to pick up his turntable and have lunch with Andria and Scott.

When I couldn't do a banking transfer, log on to my health insurance or get my new pin to work I gave up and woke Harry who's recovering from mono. I made him strong coffee, asked which of 3 identical movies he wanted to see (Insidious, Limitless, Source Code) and sat down to write this. Maybe I'll nap at the movies, although there's likely to be too many explosions.

Al Fresco

The trees aren't in bloom yet but it's 60 degrees and sunny, enough reason to be outside writing. After raking sticks, walking the dog and looking around for new growth, I dragged a chair outside and wrote some emails. I arrived Tuesday when it was cold and rainy. I thought I wouldn't have to turn up the heat but it was just too cold. I ran a few errands, had a massage and came home for a long hot bath. What a life.

Wednesday wasn't much better. I took my van in for an oil change, stocked up on groceries for the next week and did a lot of writing on my Costa Rica book. As of today, it's all done except for two essays I need to finish. With a few adjustments, it'll be agent-ready.

Today I head back to Manhattan early. Marty and I are being interviewed by a co-op board member to see if we are suitable residents for their hallowed building. Should I wear pearls? Then we're heading to the Irish pub across the street to celebrate. More at 11.

Pinafore and Pio Pio

Yesterday, we joined two friends to see H.M.S. Pinafore at the Barrio Theater. We've seen Pinafore before, even have the record. It's one of the most tuneful and erudite dialogues of any play I've ever seen. It's hard not to sing along. Costumes were gorgeous; singing was fabulous; production was perfect.

After Pinafore we cabbed it to Pio Pio, a Peruvian restaurant on the West Side. We had Pisco sours and delicious food. I spoke Spanish with a Peruvian woman, who thought the weather was cold and that Machu Picchu was too touristy.

No guinea pig on the menu, but classic cerviche dishes, lots of fresh fish and chicken. It was a great day in New York.

The Elephant on the Roof

We won't need Freud to analyze this dream.

I was looking up on the roof when something caught my eye. It was the slightest movement by the stone elephant perched where the chimney would normally be. I looked away, focusing on making sandwiches for the kids. Then I heard a loud noise resembling a rock slide. I looked up to see the elephant's trunk break free from the statue. Slowly, it came to life and started running all over the roof, trashing it.

Our house in Rhode Island needs a new roof. We're getting estimates as I write. It's being ruined by the elements and old age. My dream roof is being wrecked by an elephant stampede. It should be cheaper to replace the real roof.

Weekend Wonders

Friday, we drove to Princeton, NJ to watch Mark run the 5000m. The traffic was mind-numbing, and we arrived with 15 minutes to spare. It was seriously cold on the track. We huddled in a blanket and cheered the Lions on. Mark came in 3rd at a PB of 14:25. After the race, we went over to congratulate him, only to meet an old running buddy of Mark's, now at Boston College. Running the second heat of the 5000m was Nick Ross, Mark's running partner and son of East Greenwich friends.

Saturday, we left the apartment early and drove to Douglaston, Queens. More traffic psychosis. We were bringing two turntables in for estimates. We only have five turntables at the moment, three of which actually work. Then we drove to Mahwah, NJ to see Harry run the 5000m. It was a little chilly, with a brisk wind. Lunch consisted of hot dogs. It was great to see Harry. We also saw two other Rhode Island runners. Harry didn't finish his race due to a pain in his hip. On the way home, we went to Stop & Shop where we went wild scooping up deals. We must be nuts to get so excited over buying paper towels, seltzer, tonic water and Bitter Lemon, a rare mixer Marty hasn't been able to find in 15 years. The drive home was sensible.

We were starving so we immediately had cheese and crackers and cocktails. Home-made meatball heroes were our dinner.

Sunday, we again got up early and after eating our Queens-bought bagels, hopped on the subway to look at apartments on the Upper East Side. We walked for hours, becoming demoralized at non-availability and high rent. Finally, a broker we'd contacted called us. We saw one apartment in our price range. I was the most impressed by the view from the 31st floor. Other amenities include a doorman, a rooftop garden, a new kitchen, 800 square feet of space, air conditioning and good closets. If approved by the owner (it's a condo), we'll move in May 1st.

Dinner was a success. Doug joined us. The menu? Tortilla pie appetizer, beef braised in beer, perogin, salad, baguette and lemon-lime custard. I crashed around 9:30, but a wild party on our floor woke me at 1 or so. Marty went out to walk Turbo and they began screaming about his cuteness. Turbo's.