Automaton

.
Is it Friday yet? I'm so tired that coffee does not even rouse me any more. Maybe it's because my coffee is so watered down it couldn't rouse a mouse (I'm a poet and I didn't know it), but usually I can get a little wired. I don't know why I'm so tired. Maybe it's seasonal.

I know it's boring to talk about weather, but it is so dry here we're getting nose bleeds. It rained for a few minutes on Saturday but other than that, it has not rained in weeks. Everything outdoors is dead, and we are normally a pretty green place, even at the end of summer. Yesterday, as I was driving to pick up Josh at school, the large bushes at the side of the road were practically laying in the road -- all bent over, wilted and sad.

Maybe my body is dehydrated from dry weather and that's why I'm tired.

Yesterday evening I had to dress up and meet Doug at a reception (Where I knew that he would leave me standing somewhere, or sitting alone at a table, to go talk to the people he's paid to talk to -- not as a speaker, but shaking hands and chatting. He's been doing this -- ditching me when we get in the door -- for 25 years so I'm used to it. I still don't understand why I have to go, but, whatever.). I got all dressed up in pantyhose and everything, and slipped on my birkies to scramble some eggs for the kids before I left. I almost left the house in my birkies. That would have been pretty (snark).

Anyway, once we got there, Faith called. She likes to call me when I'm out, and usually I like to chat, but when your phone rings three times at a nice-evening-out event, it's not too cool. The girl has been sick with fever and sore throat for four days. It's just like her to rally when I'm leaving her at home with her babysitter, AKA brother (never good). For two days I've been dragging her pajama-clad little self around in the car while I drive other kids hither and yon, with snacks and juice and movies. Her fever dropped on Tuesday morning and then, miraculously, as I dressed to leave, she was "all better."

First call: "Mom?" "Yes, Faith?" "Can I make some tea?" "No, Faith, you can not boil water while I am away from home, and neither can Josh (actually Josh could, but I'd rather he not), so wait until I get home." "Ok." (sad, dejected voice)

Second call: "Mom? Can I paint?" "No, not while I'm gone" "Can I make crafts?" (i.e. make a mess) "No, Faith, not while I'm gone. Faith, you really need to not call me unless it's an emergency, ok?" "Ok." (sad, dejected voice)

Third call: "Mom? This is not really an emergency, but it's half an emergency. The color on the television for my movie is not right. The blue parts are green."

Well, at least I was able to leave the room and go to the restroom on the last one.

Now I better go do my morning and prayers and include in them an appeal for some energy. I'll be back later to announce the winner of the chaplet. Remember your heavenly Mother today on her feast day. Call her -- she wants to talk to you.

.