A minor task completed.

I left to pick up the Queen in plenty of time, but without my cel. I drove to what I had thought would be the pick up spot. I could not remember if she had detailed where I was to pick her up, though I had thought it was to be where I had deposited her. She said she would be returning sometime between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. As 5:30 pm rolled around and no one was arriving, I decided to take the risk of being a bit late by going home to collect the cel. I got home and nary a message or even a call. So be it, I go back to the place I expected to be collecting her majesty.

I then decided to take a risk and call her, hoping her phone was not stuck back in one of her packs. Surely enough though, she answered and informed me that I was correct about the location but that they would not arrive for another 45 minutes to an hour. And she assured me she had indicated her return would be between 5:30 and 6:30 pm. “Oh”, she said, “You are already there waiting?”. Yes, little one. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you”. As for me, I indicated that this was no difficulty. I could just stretch my legs and take in some fresh air. Something from her indicating surprise, and affirmation, and a “See you soon”. Click.

So, true to my word, I got out and strolled. Now, this is not a high security place, but it is a secluded technology research, medical research, and who knows what else part of the University of Iowa. It is very quiet and secluded, actually. Since I am not of a nefarious nature, I head out. I stay away from buildings, on sidewalks where they are provided, and go for decent stretches in singular directions to minimize security referrals, yet I know my nature will draw interest regardless. I am a curious sort and my head is on a swivel, looking here and there, directed by sound and movement when applicable, general interests when not attracted by something. I kept expecting someone to ask what I was doing or who I was. I walk several miles total, first in one direction, then back, then another. I then noticed a few vehicles of the type used for boating adventures drive by seemingly headed in the correct direction, so I decide to head back.

I arrive at the location, but it seems these vehicles were for some other event as they were nowhere in sight. That is fine, I decided I would cool down a bit until she arrives. So I unlock and hop in my vehicle. As soon as I have the windows down and begin relaxing, security arrives. A single patrol car with a single officer cruises in then drives along every rout I took, looking for me I am quite certain. I just watch him. He looks my way exactly once and never approaches my vehicle. Yes, eggheads and technology are precious, but can they not do more than call someone? If so, they are dead if one like me but with other priorities visits their little nest. And the officer will not be able to help them, as has been shown. Ha, as I said, I have popcorn. I cannot wait until the various and many “Tantos” in their midst, when the defecation hits the ventilation, turn to them and say, “What do you mean “us”, white man”. Hahahahaha It is the simple joys, people.

Anyway, so the party arrives and disembarks. I spot Tiger Lily in the crowd and head her way. Without more than a glance, she just heads to her gear and points. Her duffle is almost bigger than she is, so I grab that, her chair, and her gear (shovel, clasper, etc) bag, and she takes her pack, and we go back to the X’ter. Everything goes in the back, as it might be muddy and stinky, so I say. Not completely happy with that but not really interested in an argument so long as I do the work, this gets done. Oh, but she needs something out of her pack. She retrieves it to near the front passenger door, finds and takes her desired item, and leaves it by her door for me to restore to the place it had previously resided. Fine, I actually enjoy her antics now that I do not have to live with them full time. Then, she tells me she may be a bit ill. The strain of the week and perhaps river water contamination may have left her with strep throat.

She is very tired, but she wants to go to a restaurant. I say, fine, but I am broke. No problem she adds. Hmm, but she is more tired than that, now, she thinks. Just take her home she says. Are you sure, I ask. Yes, positive. She then talks about a few of the events, with me asking a few questions and truly interested. I enjoy tales, and she tells them fairly well. Then she decides New Pioneer Coop is where I should take her first. She needs coffee for sure, and a few things for this and that. She will get these and go home for a quick meal (minus me) and sleep. Alright, I say. A few more tales the rest of the way into town and to the store. Out she hops and into the store she goes. She is in there for a goodly while, I am in no hurry without a worry today so I barely notice. She comes back with obviously more than what she had indicated was on her shopping list. To your house, she declares. I love the way you do tilapia and salad, which she had purchased, along with three stouts and her other needs. Ah, it brings me no small joy to actually do something that is appreciated. Even more so from this finicky feline.

So, home I go, and supper I begin to produce while she fusses with this or that before eventually settling in to play a computer word game we both play, Bookworm Deluxe. A friend introduced it to us sometime back. Our friend’s high score is about 200-300k, Q.O.D. has gotten to a million now (I am so proud of her, really). While my score languishes at 17 some million for my favored part of the game and 18 some million for my least favored part, oddly. Ha, and they are the English types, our friend received her master(?for education?) in English. They try to say it is not fair, as I have all this time. I say, I made my first million score the fourth time I played. Girls and their rules when they do not win. Immediately she asks for air of some kind, preferably outside air I believe I heard. While she is settling in and taking care of that which she wishes to offer care, she begs for some vinegar, apple vinegar being preferable. In the fridge, I direct. She gargles some of the stuff to ease her soar throat. Oh, and some classical music, she intones. The windows come up and then I begin fiddling with the dial on the receiver. No classical music can I find, not a consonance or chord, neither fiddle nor oboe. So, I turn on the DVD player and out pours some of my other favored sounds. Vivaldi, Albinoni’s Complete oboe collection, Mozart, and other productions I had previously been enjoying began spilling out and filling my humble cave. Oh, she says, then asks if it is that radio station. She always seems a little surprised that an ogre actually listens to classical music. This in spite of the fact that it was I who led her to begin her own collection, giving her parts of mine and helping her buy some, before she went on to buy even more on her own. *laughs* *sighs* The life of a monster, let me tell you.

Anyway, she was happy with the meal. I too enjoyed, but the stout was my favorite of the offerings. I will have to let one commenter know that he has good taste, even if I still prefer my beers. I sure would not pass up a stout, might even buy one should the fiddle be playing the right tune on some future night. She bought and brought watermelon to the table when I had started setting our places. After the rest had been consumed, save the finishing of the stouts, she flashed her sad puppy eyes and lowered her bottom lip and asked if I would cut it up for her. At first, I thought she meant just to cut her a slice. No, she really did want me to cube her portion of watermelon. Well, I can do that with less than a thought, and I did. She did feel a little special, and completely satisfied. But, it was time to go. So, we grabbed her groceries (some needed the freezer, some needed the fridge, so they had all been brought in). As well, and sadly, she took the extra stout. Ha, tricky girl. While we had supped, we spoke of the foods we were each exploring. She is trying millet and something else, but was curious about millet and barley. So, I says to the she beast, why do you not have me cook some of this. I have plenty of time and am curious as well. I have plenty of rice and beans prepared and on hand as well, so mixing for the correct proteins should be easy. She concurs.

On the way home we made another stop at New Pioneer (Coop). She sent me off to find organic lemons (nasty looking, and they do not last, but it is her nickel, urhm, dime) and organic apple vinegar while she was supposed to be trying to get a refund for a purchase she did not make the previous visit, a 99 cent cookie. She decided organic apple vinegar was necessary henceforth, in spite of my offer to pack her off with the remnants (most of the bottle) of my (decidedly non-organic) apple vinegar . She also grabbed some millet for me at the store. She, I swear, had indicated she wanted 3 lemons. I got them but there seemed to be one too many for her, but it would do she thought. *laughs* And the apple vinegar I brought was too large (so, she got a smaller (and more expensive per ounce) jug). Then, back to her duplex we went. I unloaded for her, and as usual, she was in the way and wondered why I did not place her gear where she had indicated (and where she was standing). *laughs* Did I say I really enjoy this? I do. Proof is in the pudding and whatnot. So, settled though fidgeting around her outside plants and this and that, I am about to leave, when I remember she was to give me some barley to mix with the millet. I get that and go.

Sometime during the events, I asked her if she would like to travel a bit this summer, and offered to pay half the gas and pack her kayak on my vehicle so we could both get out a bit more, even if only for half days. She seemed quite enamored with the idea. Beyond, she thinks we will go camping tomorrow evening to test the tent I bought last year on her request (she will probably buy if off me if she likes it), cook out, and spend the night out. Sounds like it might be a fun summer. Who knows, she might even give me another chance at canoeing, though this time we would have to weight her end a bit. I have enough iron weights of sufficient and varied mass to do the trick just right. Still, I am not so sure she is of a mind to do such a thing. Unlike me, she hates swimming, even if she looks darn cute wet and red faced. I think she would go out more and alone, but she is afraid, and of many things, out there. Her idealism shatters where serious reality cannot be negotiated, and this is one of those places. She does, I do believe, trust me to be excellent security.

Well, now to do some dishes, finish (as if I ever really could) listening to the music, and see if I can either settle down or try a real overnighter. Oh, I think I will cook the millet and barley too. All food makes me curious. I am still seeking a place to buy the needed very fresh supplies for a full tête de veau meal, tripe for some of my already favored cuisine, kidney, sweetmeats and a few other odds and ends. All in time, I suppose. I have also heard squirrel brain is a treat but I know where to get those myself.

I should mention, writing while listening to lively classical music could result in a book. Your mileage may vary.