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Monday, July 12, 2010

On The Other Hand, I Drank A Lot of Water Sunday

I did a lot of laying down yesterday afternoon.

I blame it on Saturday night.

Saturday night, a flurry of margaritas with an after-party beer chaser, was a well-deserved respite from the work week.

Following this night of bus-riding, Barrio-going, downtown-wandering, partying-at-Jen-and-Vin’s silliness, I have no regrets, no remaining currency, and no mystery bruises.

A good time, as the kids are saying, was had by all.

But Sunday comes after Saturday, doesn’t it? Slow-moving, vacant-eyed Sunday.

“Why not just relax?” Mary asked.

I sighed into the phone. “I feel guilty. Two lousy days off a week and I’m going to spend one of them being useless and queasy.”

It’s true. One can only spend so much time on the couch before the disgust sets in.

For cryin’ out loud, Pearl, you play, you pay. Get up and do something.

And so I arose, Lazarus-like, in search of some means of making myself useful.

But what does one do when one’s been dead for most of the day? I stared at the broom. Momentarily contemplated the vacuum. Gave the tub a glance.

None of these things spoke to me.

And that’s when my childhood training kicked in.

I was raised, as many of us Midwestern types are, with the idea that idle hands are the devil’s workshop. My mother, particularly, could make dinner, dip candles, churn butter and help deliver a calf – all while “relaxing”. My father has never worked less than two jobs at a time in his life.

We’re not “relaxing” people.

So I did what I’ve been raised to do.

Would you believe that I polished the leaves of my house plants?

You would? See, that’s why you and I get along.

Granted, it’s not the biggest job in the house – not like scrubbing the toilets or listening to Willie talk about Star Wars; but a couple of cotton balls, a little mineral oil, and I do believe the plants thank me.

And I can no longer be considered useless.

Thanks goodness it’s Monday, huh?

20 comments:

Simply Suthern said...

I get a bit sickly feeling on Sunday when I lay around too much even tho I didn't get shnonkered the night before.
I gotta make a note. Cotton Balls and Mineral Oil. Really? I carried mine outside and hit it with my leaf blower. But at least I have fewer leaves to deal with now.

Notes From ABroad said...

.. A Home with plants with shiny leaves is a lovely home indeed...

You not only did some cleaning but you made some plants very happy.
(they weren't plastic were they? ) lol

Sausage said...

Is "Polishing the leaves" some new description for "getting it on" I can't keep up with all the new crazy sex names they have these days. Oh well hope you had a blast...

mapstew said...

Monday is my Sunday, and that's how it is round here today! Now if only I had a silent keyboard! :¬)

xxx

Sarah said...

You can walk the dog in the sun and consider accomplished if you have one. That's how I do it anyway. Happy Monday! (I thought oil kills the plants?)

Chantel said...

So some liquid refreshment and fivolity and you end up with oil and cotton balls? As long as there were no hamsters harmed and the plants are now glam....rock on with your bad ass.

anon said...

I knew I could come here and get a laugh on an other-wise kinda stupid morning. Yeah, we play, we pay. Too true, Pearly Whirly, too true.

Unknown said...

Do little things with great love, Pearl

Peace ~ Rene

Travel & Dive Girl said...

Hello - first let me say thanks for stopping by my blog.

You should be proud of yourself - at least you accomplished something when it would of been much easier sleeping it off...

Fred Miller said...

Best thing for a hangover is to sweat like a wildebeest in a rubber suit. Best way to clean your plants is throw them in the shower and turn on the water. Best way to sweat like a wildebeest is to go to the African veld and put on a rubber suit. But I just I do kickboxing.

Anonymous said...

That's what I like about Sundays...the option of doing almost nothing.

When I oil my plants my cats ask me to splash on some vinegar too...so they can have a proper salad. Bratty furballs.

=]

Roshni said...

My parents are like that....work work work!! That's how they relax....I hate them!!

Anonymous said...

One can only spend so much time on the couch before disgust sets in? I wonder how much time that is for me... It's summer, and I've been back from my road trip for a couple weeks. Still no disgust. Hmmm...

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, the midwestern guilt trip when you do nothing. My husband, who is from Morocco, doesn't understand it AT ALL! He tells me to do it tomorrow. He doesn't understand, I WILL BURN IN HELL if I don't do something constructive every single day!!!

In regards to the plants: I use mayo.. good for the face too.

Anonymous said...

I personally like to let the dust accumulate on my green leafy plants until my friends and family think I'm raising African violets. Works for me. Oh and next time Pearlie Girl - hair of the dog; No not on your plants...

Yankee gal

Fragrant Liar said...

Your family and mine must be related. Idle hands. Hmpf, my mother would have none of that. I think polishing the plants qualifies as a chore. There, you're forgiven. Now, about that Saturday fraternizing and indulging the drink thing . . .

Gigi said...

Thank goodness no mystery bruises! I *hate* when that happens!

Ummm, Pearl? Did you know they have this product now that you just spray on the fake plant & it makes the leaves all shiny? Way less energy involved on a hungover Sunday. Just an FYI ya' know, for next time.

Indigo Roth said...

Hey Pearl! I'm not big with the drinking these days. It's not an ideological stance. I just came to dread the situation you described far more than I enjoyed the night before. So, I wussed out. Hot milk before bed? Mmmm, bring it on. *sigh* Indigo

Cheeseboy said...

Too great. Leaf plant polishing over sitting on your butt? Idle hands or not, that is just not right.

The Crusty Crone said...

"Would you believe that I polished the leaves of my house plants?

You would? See, that’s why you and I get along."

BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA