Today’s slice of the day is very much in the possibility of being up and getting started in the morning. However, today I was on a trajectory to be sleeping in. I would have slept through the whole 31 minutes because I was sawing logs when Keith came in and said, “It’s 6:35. We need to leave early. Roads are closed in Palm Springs.”
“Oh, okay,” as I stumbled out of bed. I then realized today’s time slice starts at 6:36 a.m., and I laughed. Did my husband know? No, he does not pay attention to such things.
I went into the bathroom where Keith had the heater going, warming the room for my shower. After I got dressed, he handed me my water bottle and a bag of fruit. He gave me my empty tea cup for our stop at the coffee shop later in the morning. Then, as I began packing my backpack, he handed me a cup of spicy black tea.
We were on the road by 7:10 a.m. There was my 6:36-7:07 slice.
Yesterday was a windy day, and just before bed we had light rain and snow showers. There was fresh snow on the distant San Bernardino mountains this morning, but none stayed near us.
Today the wind is still blowing, which means two of the major arteries into Palm Springs are closed due to blowing sand that covers the roads, so we had to go the long way around.
Our appointment in the lower desert was just at the Honda dealer, to get a recall thing fixed on our truck. We dropped it off and then walked to a favorite breakfast place, and now we are sitting at Hot Lips Coffee Shop enjoying our tea and coffee while we wait for our truck.
Just got a message saying it was ready. So we’ll be off.
Denise,
Props to Keith for the perfect timing. Yikes on those sand storms, which I remember well from my years in Arizona. Yum to breakfast out. Cut mug! I’ll be sharing a mug slice (not yet written but planned in my head) at the appropriate time.
I was thinking of the word ‘ togetherness ‘ while reading your post. Your post and photos made me feel as if I was there.
I love the tender care your husband shows throughout this piece–those little loving gestures that can so easily go unnoticed but are so important–the heater going, the mug of tea, etc. It’s also so interesting to read about road closures due to sand and to see those gorgeous mountains. So different from my experiences! Thanks for sharing this early morning window into your world.
Denise, I’m glad Keith got you up and you had a safe trip to get your truck there. I’m laughing at the name of the coffee shop – – wondering if it’s named for Loretta Swit’s character on Mash or just literally the lips of a coffee drinker. What a great name for a place to sit and sip and wait on the truck! I enjoy seeing the early morning pictures. I’ve never seen a real sandstorm except on the beach when the wind whips your legs and you have to hold up the towel as a blockade so it’s just your ankles getting pelted. I’m glad you all made the journey safely. Cheers to the day!
I like your committment to sharing a certain time. Another writer might make a change thinking nothing happened. But small things did happen…When I just reread the 6:36-7:07 slice, I see show much show not tell about a caring husband. Then I got a bonus by seeing the challenges of a windy day in the desert. I had no idea!
Also, I was thinking about YOU and your granddaughter so much today as I wrote about my Luca. Just wanted you to know that…
Denise, thanks for sharing such a striking post about your day. I have to wonder about the Hot Lips Coffee Shop. Is this named after the Mash star or just a play on words. Also, where do you buy your tea? Spicy tea sounds wonderful. Are they bags or leaves? I’m super curious about teas. Cool photos, too!
I love tea, Barb, and I have gotten more curious over the years too. I always check the tea section in new supermarkets, especially gourmet and independent or local grocery stores. Sometimes I visit tea shops. I like bags and loose teas. The one I mentioned was Good Earth’s Sweet and Spicy. It’s my favorite to drink plain and tastes just like it’s name.
Denise, I like the idea of picking a timeframe and writing about all that happens during that time. It is a way to really focus and be aware of what is going on. Maybe your husband didn’t know the significance of that time, but something prompted him to wake you up when he did.
Clever post. I enjoyed your pictures and it sounds like your hubby is so kind and attentive. Have a good day, Denise.
Like the other commenters, I am struck by how sweet your husband is. I am going to try to be mindful of blocks of time. It allows you to be so attentive and present!
Perfect timing. I think about how wind wreaks all different kinds of havoc. A sandstorm is one thing but the way it has whipped fires is another.
Maybe it’s the recall time of year. We just scheduled our Mazda for some fix. Fortunately he dealership is three minutes away.
I love the serendipity of timing, allowing you to make your slice time today! I also love the sense of the ordinary (heater, shower, tea, car repair) that is also a special part of your relationship. I don’t think I realized that roads closed when the winds/sands blow in the Palm Springs area–but I know that yesterday was certainly a-blowing in San Diego yesterday!
Kim
Sweet pictures on your slice! We are missing school tomorrow not for a little bit of snow, but because the winds will be blowing 40-50 mph. I get that wind thing! đŸ™‚