I think these CoVid times have caused a certain oddness to emerge in us. A time of digging in and discovery. A time of finding out what makes us “tick”. A time of realizing we all have some pretty strange quirks.

We’re still mostly at home, for us there is the exception of work one day a week  for each of us and the necessity of the grocery store. We shop for my parents and try to get them out of their house a little each week. And, we’ve just started going back to Disney, but that’s another post for another time.

I, personally, feel like I’ve accomplished quite a bit at home.  My counting has almost become prolific! As you know, I’ve already counted my mugs – 72, and my books – 1492. Evidently, this does not include a few books lent out to friends, and I maybe, just bought another one. Okay, I did. I did buy another one, but it was for a good cause. However, I’m still sticking with the 1492 number. It has a certain ring to it. Don’t you think? I recently discovered that I also have 32 pairs of shoes, a fairly modest number, I think. Of course 10 of those are Keens. I may be a little obsessive, but I’m at that stage of life that screams, “comfort above all else” and I have weird feet. I also have 2 pairs of slippers, which are my footwear of choice when I’m home. Nothing says comfort quite like shuffling around the house in your Dearfoams. 

My husband has uncovered a few interests as well. He’s not a book guy, he leaves that to me; but he has exhumed some old, and I mean really old, video games. Not only did he dig them out, he’s been sharing them with our grandsons. And, guess what? They love them! The favorite seems to be WarCraft. I have no idea how he’s playing the old games on new computers, but he’s got it all figured out and he and the boys are enjoying them. Old video games aside, he’s  also a fountain guy. Not only that, he’s a fountain guy, who loves solar, (we have panels on our roof), who loves a good deal. So, when he opened his Deal Dash email and saw a solar pool fountain, well, you can guess what happened next. 

Please allow me to meander for a moment. Yesterday was National Dog Day. Can I tell you, I think these times have to be hardest on our pets. Their lives haven’t changed except for the fact that we’re around more than they’re used to. Now for dogs, and especially our Phoebe, this is a wonderful thing; I don’t think cats feel the same way, but I don’t own one so I can’t be sure and I don’t want to be racist against cats.

It’s beginning squirt.

Anyway, the Deal Dash solar pool fountain was seen and purchased. Upon arrival, it wasn’t exactly what was expected, but it’s cute so we kept it. It only squirts when it’s in the sun and even then some of the squirts are pretty small. 

This second picture is about the biggest it’s ever squirted. We were very excited. If you look closely you can see the water lifting about six inches above the spout. Kind of pathetic, but I think it’s kind of cute! Cliff just shakes his head and laughs. The kids just think it’s weird. However, there is one of us in the family that is not fond of this fountain at all. 

Poor Phoebe thinks this thing is some kind of an invader on her property.  She stalks it, she growls at it, she raises her hackles and barks. She doesn’t understand why, despite her best efforts, the thing continues to float around completely disregarding her warnings. She is not always a bright dog, but fortunately for her, she is pretty and lovable. 

The squirrels, on the other hand, are very fond of our fountain. It keeps Phoebe busy and she leaves them alone. So, that’s a good thing! 

I’m wondering what the next Deal Dash email will bring. Until then, I think I’ll go count my silverware, because it’s really not that big a deal!