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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

To Be a Rock and Not to Roll


Pearl, in that odd, third-person way she has, would like to announce that she is moving home, after an 11-month "on the lam" kinda situation.  She is happy, anxious, and a trifle overwhelmed.  Please enjoy this re-post from 2010, whilst she packs up her books, wraps up her cords, and runs down the third-floor steps just one more time...


My husband is a rock.

Not an actual rock. True, he rolls when pushed and sinks in the bathtub, but he is not an actual rock.

Willie is a figurative rock.

Willie comes from a long line of people known not only for their incredible calf muscles (we have a long-standing agreement that, should we ever go down in an airplane over the Andes, we will eat them) and an affinity for all lagers, ales, pilsners, and beers in general but from a group not known for their imaginations.

Willie lives in a world of absolutes, of exact measurements.

You can picture how much he enjoys cruise control.

“What I do, see,” he explains to me, “is that when the speed limit says 65? I set it for 67.” He grins – and did he just wink at me? Willie’s not a winker – and I do love a good winker – but the twinkle in his eye belies just such a gesture.

I nod and smile while wondering if I will have time at the next light to leap out of the car. Because while myself a lover of minutiae, I have periods of limited patience for unswerving dedication to patterns.

Willie can be counted on to follow the same route, go the same direction, go to the same restaurants.

Willie can be counted on to go two miles over the speed limit.

It’s not the speed we’re traveling at, of course, that gets on my nerves, but the level of certainty I have that any time he is driving the car he is doing just that.

And it occurs to me, briefly, that I may figure in there somewhere.

Still, I can’t help but tweak him sometimes.

“Don’t forget I’m meeting Pat to go consignment shopping tomorrow,” I say, just before going to bed. “We’re meeting at Cecil’s at 10:00.”

Willie frowns. He does not remember hearing this before. It’s not unusual for us to have coffee around 10:00 on a weekend, and this last-minute kind of information changes everything. “No coffee,” he says. “Well I suppose I can go to SA for coffee, just buy a cup… Or I can just make it for myself.” He pauses. “I could just make myself a whole pot,” he muses. He frowns in thought, stands, walks out of the room only to return just as quickly.

“I’ll make a whole pot for myself,” he says. “No point in changing anything.”

The start of the morning has been decided. He looks relieved.

And the rock remains unrolled.

41 comments:

Shelly said...

Pearlie- so happy for you! Raising my bottle of water in salute to you!

Anonymous said...

Hope all goes well Pearlie girl. Positive vibrations and all that good stuff headed your way. Just don't RUN down those steps...no need starting out a new chapter with a twisted ankle.

Ms Scarlet said...

All the best for the move, that the rock rolls, and ther is plenty of coffee!
Sx

Pearl said...

Shelly, thank you!

Delores, honestly, I've been surprised that I HAVEn't fallen in all that time...

And quickly, I want to thank you guys. So many of my readers/friends contacted me over this last year to tell me their stories of loss, to offer encouragement and support. Some sent cards. Two -- who asked to remain nameless -- sent money. Indigo sent flowers. June sent a hat and scarf she made herself! I love you -- you know who you are! -- and could not be happier about the choices and decisions I've made in the last year...

Pearl said...

Scarlet, thank you my dear. :-)

Dawn@Lighten Up! said...

Congratulations, Pearlie! Dolly and Liza will be over the moon.
Sometimes just the sound of my husband's chewing is enough for me to consider giving him a good nut-punch. ;)
But in the oh-so-wise-words of one Bruce Springsteen, "You got to learn to live with what you can't rise above."

Sioux Roslawski said...

Pearl--

Does that mean you'll be reuniting with Dolly and Liza Bean? I surely hope so. If so, I'm sure you'll treat us to a rollicking post about your reunion---and all the pranks they pull on you and all the adventures they've had in your absence.

I've been knitting like Madame DuFarge (or is it DeFarge, not to be mistaken for DeBarge, the musical group) and would be glad to knit up a scarf for you for your next winter (which begins in August, correct?). Just let me know your favorite color/color combination, and I will start one up...

Hooray!

ellen abbott said...

I'm happy things have worked out for you.

Pearl said...

Dawn, when in doubt, ask Bruce. :-) And thank you.

Sioux, thank you -- and how lovely! Seriously, if you want to, I would love something in a soft green. (True: while a lot of the country reports its favorite color as "blue", Minnesotans tend to favor green. Go figger!) And there will absolutely be an upcoming post on the kitty reunion. :-) It's simmering toward the back of my brain as we speak!

ellen, thank you. :-) It's been a painful -- and highly informative -- year.

terlee said...

Happy news, Pearl!

Several years ago I did the same thing; those months apart made the reunion so worth it.

Can't wait for the next phase of tales/tails... ;D

savannah said...

if you're happy, then, i'm happy, sweet pea! ;~) xoxoxoxoxoxoxo and one more, just because! xo (ok, that was 2)

jenny_o said...

That's good news, my dear! All the best as you move forward!

Scritches to the kittehs :)

Pearl said...

terlee, I have to wonder how many times similar things are done!

savannah, thank you, honey. :-) I knew you were with me!

jenny_o, I shall scritch the kittehs for you. :-)

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Pearl, we have a short acquaintance, so I have no idea of the history here. That matters not. I can feel the spring in your step even if spring is not actually at your step.

I second an earlier comment - please ensure the springs are balanced - 'cos accidents always happen closest to home. puh puh puh YAM!

Happy shifting and looking forward to refreshed blog feed! xxoo &>

Douglas said...

I guess this means you won't be coming down here to Paradise to break up my happy home?

Seriously, this is good news and I hope things continue to work out.

Pearl said...

Yamini, thank you so much. I think you are delightful!

Douglas, LOL. I am flattered, in an odd sort of way. :-) We'll see how this renewed commitment goes, otherwise it's just straight south for a bit and then a left before I hit the ocean, right?

Unknown said...

I'm glad you're happy; and I'm happy for Dolly and Liza Bean!

vanilla said...

Spouse says, Oh, my word. It must be a guy thing!

Happy for you that you get to go home.

Perpetua said...

May the move go well, Pearl, and your new home be all you want it to be.

Lo said...

Oh, Pearl......I am so happy! I think that is the best decision....in fact, over the year I have been tempted many times to say,"please go home", but I have clamped my lips shut because it is none of my damned business. But I do care about you and worried constantly about your being uprooted.

And, of course, I was frantic about Liza Bean and Dolly Gee missing you and vice versa. Good luck, darling.

Christian at Point Counter-Point Point Point said...

I bet he could easily get away with setting that cruise control to 68. Maybe even 69.

Joanne Noragon said...

I know the neighborhood missed you, too. This time plant perennials.

The Savage said...

I feel so out of the loop.. so umm.. errrr.. Congrats!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Take care Pearl. :) B

The Cranky said...

Pearl, all the best to you. I don't know the history behind this but, yeah, I had to put on sunglasses to read your post you're glowing so hard.

Sending hugs and positive thoughts.

Gigi said...

Pearlie, my friend, I don't know the whole story (because I'd NEVER pry) - but you know that I only want the best for you. And, by reading this post and feeling your happiness radiating through, I think this is it. Sending you many hugs and much love.

Camille said...

I am so late to the party today! But have to say I am thrilled to read between the lines. Such a wonderful thing my Pearl. xoxox.

HermanTurnip said...

Here's hoping that your move goes smoothly! I know how stressful moving day can be. Moving is something we all hate but we all do it at one time or another. And if you're anything like me, your last box will be unpacked in roughly five weeks from now. Heh.

Connie said...

Willie sounds like a very dependable fellow, and that's a very good thing.

Good luck with your move, Pearl!

klahanie said...

Greetings human Pearl,

Aha, you be a moving and a grooving. Try and take time out for some peaceful, reflective moments.

It's a good thing you can count on a Willie. Sorry, start again, good thing you can count on Willie :)

Peace and good wishes for a smooth move, my human friend.

Pawsitive wishes,

Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)

Jocelyn said...

It takes something to look at a rock and decide to go live on rockish terms. Of course, the best of a rock is that it's steady, always there, solid, a good foundation.

Happy transition, dearie.

Pat Tillett said...

I hope your move goes smoothly. Remember, when packing to move is the BEST time to get rid of stuff!

Elephant's Child said...

I am very, very, very happy for you. And for the cats.

Rose L said...

You are moving???

raydenzel1 said...

Hmm, so I take it that my offer of drinks by the ocean is off the table?
All the best Pearl!

River said...

On the other hand, you could always count on Willie to be doing what he should at the exact time and place he said he would be.

River said...

To a new home? Or back to an old home? Good luck either way, hope it all goes smoothly.

chlost said...

Moving usually sucks. But this one sounds good. Take care, my kitty=loving friend. Good thoughts heading out to the "Cities" for you.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Pearl I wish you all the best on the move and I am excited for you :)

Reynolds Potter said...

Travel safely and have a smooth move.

Anonymous said...

ROCK ON, PEARL!
You sound very happy and that makes me smile a lot today.