I should never, ever attempt to check my emails when I have an early morning meeting. I know I shouldn’t, I swear I shouldn’t, I really shouldn’t, but, like the cat curiosity killed, I did. I awoke with plenty of time, but a full agenda, and I still peeked. Of course, this morning’s inbox was full, and it wasn’t the early morning junk mail I usually have waiting. I shouldn’t have looked, but, I did, and there I was, with an early morning meeting followed by another, and suddenly late!
A mad hatter rush ensued as I showered and dressed, bolting out the door with wet hair and shortbread stuck to my teeth. It was the last possible moment I could leave and still make it on time. This rush left me of course with no time at all to brush the bevy of new fallen leaves glued to my car.
My car is being punished. Left out in the cold. Banished from the shelter of the garage where piles of wood sit in great anticipation of supporting an arbor that is currently being built. Our first grade neighbor can’t quite figure this latest development out and refers to it as “Penny’s Arbor House”. (Maybe he knows something I don’t know. Maybe my car isn’t the only thing to be left out in the cold. Hmmmm. )
Penny’s Arbor House, though a work in progress, is already beautiful. It compliments the dormers on the barn and the back entryway and is another work of art designed and built by Tom. It needs to be large because it will lead us to “the back 40″ and be a pleasant distraction from the busy world beyond. It will have seats and plenty of room to read and reflect and will provide support for enterprising vines to adorn. For now, however, it looks like the promising skeleton of a ship, ready to take us away on a briny adventure.
Well, with no time to lose and looking like the Great Pumpkin in black pants and an orange turtleneck, I tumbled into the car and rolled down the driveway, leaves plastered to every last inch. I was, in effect, camouflaged. A camouflaged pumpkin, tumbling down the drive in a leafy latte colored VW with mocha interior (would I kid you on these colors?) and out onto the cutoff, leaves scattering about, evoking Chevy Chase’s hilarious character in Funny Farm as I picked up speed – the Great Pumpkin Penny, rolling along in another fine mess.
Oh Penny!
I am laughing at the Great Pumpkin story with the latte interior. Giggling with you and knowing all too well the temptation and trainwreck that is checking your e-mail in the morning! Oh the stories I could tell.
Thanks for the vivid picture of fall leaves and all things seasonal and vibrant, and for a funny story from a fabulous friend. Keep on blogging!!
Hi, Tracey. Good to see your comment- thanks for visiting my blog. Reading The Green Mama has been an inspiration for me and so, here I am, on the cutoff. Y’all come back now.