Attacking The Goths - The Empire Strikes Back!

Enough is enough. After prolonged occupations of our territory by Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Physicvegatriagoths, we at the center of the universe, the Imperial capital of de-I-holm, decided we needed to show who was boss, who was the apex predator, who had the airfare to burn. 

Rumor had it that one of the wandering Gothic trips, the Diplogoths, were amassing for who knows what depredations. So we decided to send out a punitive force to show them they couldn't just plop themselves down in front of our wine cellar and be served like nobility. 

We did decide to bring an offering of semi-good will just in case they decided to be peaceful. We were told that New Mexican Salsa was an acceptable present. But even here the barbarian nature of the tribe showed through. Our diplomats communicated with the Gothic Queen, legendary Pulisha. We asked how much would be a proper gift. We were told, "As much as you can carry." We asked if it was okay to bring our own clothes? The answer was (and this is an actual quotation), "Nothing but salsa. Only bring salsa. As much as you can carry. We asked if we could but our clothes on the carry-on luggage. "No. Fill it with salsa and check it. Then slather your body with salsa so you can get that through security. (That also is a quotation).

We could see that peaceful means would not be working, so we went back to Plan A and simply swooped in conquest mode. Surprise was complete and we have been enjoying the pleasures of the captured Diplogothian palace.

 

 de-I the Conqueror enjoying the fruits of the conquest

 

Captured Goths being put to work in the Uno mines. 

 Seriously, we are in Florida seeing Daughter #2 and family for the first time in a year. They ship out for China, their next post, at the end of September. This was the only time we could get to see them. They have to be in Florida because #2 has to renew her drivers license and US residency. Florida is close to the last place I would want to visit right now with the Covid breakout. We essentially have spent our time going from the small condo we are sleeping at (not enough room in the #2 inn lol) to their place and back not contacting anyone else in between. They have been doing their shopping mostly online with deliver. We head back on Wednesday.

 

 

Abundance

 We have had a very cool, wet summer. How crazy is that? The rest of the country is burning up both in terms of temperature and in actual terms. But here in the Land of Enchantment, we've had a very early monsoon, lots of rain and significantly lower temperatures than recent years. Who knows why but we aren't complaining.

One group is not complaining at all and that is my dozen New Mexico Chile plants. This was haul from last weekend. There will be as many this weekend. Trust me. I am not complaining

Return Of The Great Quiet

Things returned to normal last Wednesday. The #3 clan headed back home ending a full month of family visits. It was so good to see everyone for the first time in a year and a half. I mean really good. But it was also very good to get our home back and return to our very tranquil, very quiet lives. 

I think we forget just how quiet we actually live. It becomes so apparent when you have a couple of rambunctious young children with you for a couple of weeks. It also makes you realize how old you are really getting. And PLEASE don't bring up that stupid saying that "Age is just a number." The only people who say that are people who are not of age. Those who are aging are very conscious of the fact that they don't have the same facilities, energy or capabilities they had before.

It was really brought to my attention this trip because of my decision to not participate in the activities of our local amusement center, Hinkle Family Fun Center. In past years, I would participate in many of the activities like bumper boats, bumper cars, go cart racing, laser tag, etc. with great relish and fun. But it has become obvious that trying to do these things, particularly getting in and out, was just not healthy for my body. 

It is also nice to get back to our own patterns of living - sleeping in our own bed, using our own shower, going through each day with our own schedule. I don't think we appreciate how important these are to our overall well being. Don't get me wrong. We truly love being with our family. But, not for the first time and certainly not for the last, we wonder what it would be like if we were closer to our children and could see them more frequently, be more a part of the regular lives.

But we are a family that takes to the world, all of us. That also has its blessings. So you take the good with the bad.