I ran away from home again…

What might this be...

Took my little red wagon (errr…my silver Buick) and headed down the driveway.  Goodbye, wood stove.  Goodbye, house.  Goodbye, Barry.  

Oh dear, this happens quite regularly.  One minute you’re sitting there in the house checking email and fiddling your thumbs and the next minute The Urge strikes.  It comes like clockwork on these cold winter days.  Sometimes twice a winter.  

You HAVE to go to the city.  You HAVE to go to Marquette. 

(You see it’s really not running away…it’s running Toward.  Running toward Thai restaurants, cafes which serve vegetarian entrees, coffee shops, bookstores, shops, movie theatres, bagels with strawberry cream cheese, co-ops, motels, and Infinite Possibility.) 

At least that’s my justification tonight.  🙂 

And this...

OK, I’ve lost the camera. It’s somewhere in the car, I’m sure. I remember hiding it so the passing petty thief wouldn’t see the Sony Cybershot and think, “I want to steal it.”  Just can’t recall where I hid it.  It’s not in Backpack #1 or Backpack #2 or Purse #1 or Coat Pockets #1 or #2.  It must be hiding under something in the front seat.  

But never fear!  Lookee!  I have photos for you.  Uploaded quickly after I announced to Barry at 3:30 this afternoon, “Barry, I HAVE to go to Marquette.” 

He is an angel, you know.  Because he never says, “Kathy, what are you talking about?  Can we afford this?  Why do you have to go?”  No, my angel-husband always says, “OK, honey, go ahead.  Have fun!”  I mean how lucky can I get?  Someone who supports a need for travel, for freedom, for exploring New Ports and New Sights. 

I said, “Oh, let me upload these photos quickly.  Tonight in the coffee shop I’ll post a blog which is a guessing game.  People can guess what these photos are.” 

And that is why these odd photos find themselves in the midst of a blog about running away from home.  You can put your guesses in the comment section.  Maybe you’ll know easily.  Maybe they aren’t even hard objects/scenes to identify.  I’ll tell you tomorrow in the comment section, OK? 

Please guess the context of this picture.

Oh I am so full.  Dinner at the Thai restaurant:  Winter Squash and Shrimp, with rice.  Oh, very delightful.  The winter squash wore its green skin.  I have read about people eating the skin of winter squash, but never dared.  Until tonight.  Very tasty, although the texture challenged the usual squash-registering taste buds.  I noticed some long slivers of red peppers lingering among the squash.  Should one sample? Was this a hot or mild red pepper? 

In the mouth went half the long slender reed of red pepper sliver.  What would it be?  I immediately knew.  Tears began to stream out of the eyes.  Water, water, where’s the water??  Ahhh, there’s the water.  Long, cool sip.  Grab the napkin.  Blow nose.  Vow not to eat another bite of that inconspicuous red pepper. 

The chef stopped by the table later.  “It wasn’t too hot, was it?” he asked.  “No, no,” I said, “as long as I stayed away from the red pepper.”  

The restaurant remained surprisingly empty. 

“I am sorry you aren’t more busy,” I said to the chef. 

“It’s too cold for people to be out,” he explained. “They don’t want to leave their houses.” 

(It is 8 degrees.) 

Hmmm, people don’t want to leave their houses.  Wonder why I choose one of the coldest nights in January to “run away” and visit the city? 

I should have replied, “If people are cold, all they have to do is bite into one of those hot red peppers…” 

Will let you know about the excitement in the city tomorrow.  And show you some pics.  IF I can find the camera.