My day began with dry rain. That’s a term I’ve made up, but I’ve been told it makes sense. It’s the kind of rain where it feels dry between drops, instead of an all encompassing wetness. I thought today was gonna be a total wash out, but it ended up being pretty spotty.

I had a Foundation meeting at 7:30 this morning. I’ve always heard successful people are the ones out stirring before the rest of the world wakes up and I guess it can be believed if you go by this group. It’s basically Sevier County Royalty, if there is such a thing. Excluding me, obviously. I’m just a representative for the library board. My report went like this: “oh, we’re just rockin’ along. No news is good news and I have no updates.” But it was good to see everyone, and to reconnect with a sweet girl I haven’t seen in too long. She has one of the best laughs. It just bubbles out of her, nearly unprompted. I feel like she was a sprite in a previous life. But she’s definitely one of those if she gets tickled, I get tickled, and we’re both getting thrown out of the funeral home. Dangerous for us to be together for long.

On to work for a few hours, to send an email saying I never got the email (this has happened twice in the last month— important ones, too! But always nice to hear I’m not the only one). Watched the circus involving the renters up front. I’d like to give them a really good talking to but it should probably involve, bare minimum, the landlord mediating because my temper flares and blood pressure skyrockets every time I lay eyes on them. They clearly don’t know their address and they seem pretty much oblivious to their two parking spot maximum rule. I haven’t decided if they’re idiots or jackasses.

Then off to Knoxville for a baby shower. I was kind of hoping these days were behind me, but alas, they are not. It was at the Area Office, and after six years on the job, I finally got a tour. I found the majority of cubicles desolate and sad. People just don’t decorate. Only one guy had plants. When this was pointed out to my nickel guide she said in defense, “I have plastic plants! I have a hard enough time keeping myself alive!”

I get it.

The shower wasn’t too painful. Surprisingly, I ended up playing with the one child in attendance. I think it was more out of a sense of survival to entertain each other than enjoyment. Regardless, we made a game out of the streamers while people lingered over cupcakes. This shower was attended by both males and females, which was a first for me. I was a little disappointed we didn’t play the purse game, but only because I always win. I like a little competition when I’m sure of my imminent victory. But again, while baby showers are not something I would rate in top 500 things to do (especially when they don’t offer mimosas), it was still good to mix and see everybody and remind them that I exist.

Back home and a little doze in my chair in the library while the rain pattered. I love my library so much. It’s the coziest spot in the house, made more so by my dog curled up next to my feet on the ottoman. Sometimes it’s tempting to just curl up right here and sleep instead of prying myself out to go down the hall to bed.

Then, finally, my last appointment of the day: my hair. And the one I most look forward to. Christy had her work cut out for her today; my roots were atrocious. But she got me fixed up and I’m back to looking like the supermodel y’all are accustomed to 🤣🤣

I met a nice lady who works in HR and I told her she had the voice for it. I told her she could fire people with that voice and they probably wouldn’t even get mad. She thought that was hilarious. I told her she should seek out publishers and offer to read audio books as a side hustle, or after she retired. She’d be perfect for it.

My hairdresser’s daughter is in school at the university. Her quote for the day is, “college is stupid.” And you know what? She’s right. But sweet girl, if you’re reading, college sets you up for everything else. You meet people that are like minded. You learn how to prioritize and budget your time. Quite simply, you get a dose of the real world, because while you’re rubbing elbows with people like you, you’re also in a melting pot of everybody else. And you gotta go along to get along, at least for a short while. You watch these TV shows and they talk about “old college friends”. Yup, I’ve got several of those. Something about being away from home, away from all the people you grew up around, making more choices every day and trying out your wings from the relative safety of the nest…yeah, it’s good for you. Don’t quit till you really try.

So here I am, cross eyed from writing all this and sorta fried from a nearly full day of engagements and socializing. Usually it’s a life of solitude for me so today was a little draining.

I’m craving ice cream in a bad way. Maybe tomorrow.

Love from Appalachia,

~Amy