Heat Waves & Bedroom Caves

I wish I had more to write about lately! Honestly, it’s been day-in and day-out of the same-old same-old!

Cat and I did meet up with Rhonda last weekend and drove down to McMenamins Kalama Lodge to meet up with our Portland friends, Reese & Sleep. We just wanted to trade some things and catch up with one another. We ended up coming during a rush and it took forever to get our food, but drinks were right on time. We just wanted to talk, so we weren’t in a hurry, and our harried waitress was so relieved she asked, “Have you guys worked as waiters or are you just naturally awesome people?” Some of us admitted to doing customer service work, while others said, “Guilty of awesomeness!” The food was still just wonderful and we got a “flight” (or taster tray) of liqueurs. I liked the hazelnut whiskey myself.

Afterwards, Cat filled a growler with hard cider and we found seating outside in the very warm wind. Cat brought scooters, but I was too worn out by then to participate, so Sleep, who never got to “play” on an electric scooter, went with her to scoot along the paved pathways. He was having a ton of fun, but went fast and took chances that she was uncomfortable with– but then, it’s very easy for Cat to be uncomfortable! You could tell that they both had fun though. I talked to the sisters while we waited.

I brought up to all on this visit that we needed to discuss our expectations, limitations, hopes, and fears for the tribe. Was there a time we could all meet? By the end of the visit, we agreed upon Labor Day weekend, from Friday thru Monday, as a time to have Reese and Sleep up for a visit. Rhonda, who now lives just 15 minutes from Heron Hold, also is free that weekend as her kids will be visiting their dad and his family. So… we made plans to talk about group dynamics and make sure things are spelled out, mostly for Cat who likes very clear and concise guidelines to follow– but honestly, we ALL need it. I will finally have a chance to address my own concerns with Reese as well at that time.

Then it was time to part and head back up to Kitsap, but it was clear that we all missed each other. Summers we normally hang out and socialize at least once a month, but Reese’s series of illnesses really put a stopper on that. I emphasized that for this next visit she did NOT have to do yard work, either! She can just chillax and that’s perfectly fine!

Already, Sleep is talking about watching videos for how to get along in intimate friend and family groups, and I’m happy he’s so enthusiastically on board with the notion of going over some ideas together. Misunderstandings and flare-ups usually happen because people’s expectations are a little different from one another and that can foment confusion and offense. I would very much like it if we could have a method in place to deal with such issues as they pop up– because inevitably they will pop up!

I really have missed my friends. It’s nice to engage with people socially who reciprocate the energy. I often feel like Cat and I both mean well, but just dance to different tunes. She can’t hear my music, and hers overwhelms me! But she was relaxed and happy to be with the tribe again, and I was warmed to realize that my friends were happy to see us just as much!

The next day (Sunday) was the start of our nearly week-long heat wave. It will go into the 100s for Portland and the lower 90s for us on the peninsula. It’s our first real heat wave of the summer, and hopefully our last! The rest of the nation just baked and broiled this summer! We were exceedingly lucky in the Pacific Northwest until this week– but eventually the global warming touched us as well. This means I’ll be hiding inside my darkened bedroom and likely dealing with a couple more migraines because high pressure tends to trigger them for me, but that seems to be my lot in life during this period of time…