Whatever ‘normal’ means in this country. Where just down the road there is a large billboard above a seedy looking store that proclaims ‘GUNS, TVs, Sell, Trade’. A store that has both guns and tvs on sale is probably not to be visited after dark, I reckon.
Where a family of seven is murdered by a jealous ex-partner in cold blood.
Where Donald Trump is running for President. Can I say more?
Where a walk in the sun is impossible in the summer heat, without just about passing out.
This indeed nearly happened to me the other day. I felt decidedly stiff having sat at my laptop for most of the morning working. So I readied myself for a wee stroll at around 2.30pm. Water in hand, sunglasses, hat, plenty sunscreen and insect repellent liberally applied.
The stiffness in my gammy leg didn’t really ease up, in fact it probably got worse, and as time progressed I became very hot and decidedly dizzy. So I sat down on a friendly bench in the shade, lay down more like, and began to feel a bit better. Then a very dark, bare chested older (well, my age) gentleman walked past and engaged me in conversation.
“You’re doin’ the right thing” said he with his white teeth gleaming from a lovely smile. The only thing I could do really, or I would have surely keeled over. “This is not what I expected Hermann Park to be like” he continued, “They said – go to Hermann Park – but this is not what I expected”.
“That’s because this is not strictly the park” I helpfully replied. I gave him directions to the park proper, we were on the hike and bike path, and he shook my hand and introduced himself enthusiastically. I can’t now remember his name, but he was basically chatting me up! He was from Chicago. Off he went, shirt slung over his shoulder, in search of the park, which I assume he found.
After we came back from our weekend in LA, we had tickets to see the Houston Dynamos play LA Galaxy – soccer or football to everyone except Americans. Steven Gerrard ex of Liverpool fame and Robbie Keane play for Galaxy so the place was a sell out. There was even a wee rash of red Liverpool supporters sitting just behind us with their banners and scarves waving. Gerrard and Keane are paid an astronomic amount for Major League Soccer stars, probably more than the entire Houston team put together. And they were dreadful.
The game was pretty awful – Houston won, hands down 3-0. LA were abysmal despite the stars paid mega-bucks. Just goes to show you. You don’t need the superstars to win, just some determination and hope that the better side has an off day. They certainly did that night.
Maurice was away for a short work trip last week so I was home alone again. I managed to occupy myself with my book and some chores as well as the eternal temptation of shopping. The routine is never the same really, so I don’t get much chance to be bored. I like to get my 10,000 steps a day in and so walking is best first thing before it gets too hot.
Most weekends we try to do something different, whether going away for a mini-break or visiting some place nearby we haven’t been to before. We now have two cars, and Maurice has at long last succumbed to a flashier model, having been content with our Mr. Normal Nissan Sentra for the best part of 8 months.
I am not a huge fan of flash cars, really, despite his predilection. Sensible and safe are my criteria. However the new cruiser is a lovely looking car, even I have to admit. A 2004 Ford Thunderbird in a lovely shade of maroon now graces the garage, just and no more.
We spent last weekend rearranging the garage so the cars could fit in along with the other assorted bits and pieces we’ve collected. Wheelie bin re-positioned, bikes squashed into corners, and we have managed to get the cars in with scarcely inches to spare. Phew! We don’t have street parking where we are so it would have been really inconvenient had they not fitted.
Miller Theater has been a great asset to have nearby. This week I enjoyed two performances. The first on Sunday night was after Maurice had left for his work trip, but I went anyway. This was the Houston Shakespeare Festival, and this year the performances were Macbeth and The Merchant of Venice on alternate nights for a week. I went to see The Merchant of Venice (read the Director’s Note).
I ‘did’ this in school, many, many years ago, but could barely remember the plot. I didn’t remember it being sort of funny, in a Shakespeare sense. I remembered some of the characters when they appeared, and the dialogue was pure Shakespeare, in American accents of course. But also in modern clothing and with mobile phones and other current references. Including Portia’s husband choosing method being likened to a modern day game show. It was actually quite a clever take on the original. Next to me, however, were a couple of folk who found the whole thing simply hysterical, and laughed loudly and, well, hysterically, at every turn. It was mildly amusing granted, but not that funny. Maybe they don’t get out much.
The second performance was on Saturday and was an excellent tribute show from a group called ‘Classic Albums Live’ and they perform note for note, song for song, various classic albums in their entirety. Saturday night was Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones. They were excellent and another great (free) night was enjoyed by the substantial crowd. Not the real thing – but a very acceptable next best.
We have met quite a few people outside of Maurice’s work situation. Besides the neighbours, I have found a social group of ex-pat women who are good company and in a similar situation. Maurice goes to a guitar jam session every week and has also met a few other guitar types who have visited and jammed on odd occasions.
We have been here for nearly eight months now. Does it seem that long? Not sure how long it seems. With the seasons being somewhat different and high temperatures since April, it certainly seems like a long summer.
As I write, we have thunderstorms again. There’s been a long dry period so we need some rain, but quite so much – all at once? It has alleviated the high temperatures a bit though – although I couldn’t go out for a walk right now.
It would be more of a swim!
Whole Other Country 