Category Archives: Musings from the laundromat
Musings from the Laundromat: The frail man
The frailest man was filling a machine and I stood staring, unable to look away. I knew I had to photograph him – no matter who saw me do it.
Here he is.
His pants are at least 3 sizes too big on him. He shuffles. He gingerly filled his laundry detergent cup and of course, I instantly wanted to wrap him in soft tissue and put him in my pocket.
He’s shuffled outside now, where he went, I don’t know. I’m just glad it’s not windy today – he may be blown off course if it were.
He found his way back – we exchanged a smile after he transferred his small load into a dryer.
It was the most lovely smile.
Then I took some more photos. I’ve decided to name him Marvin.
Musings from the Laundromat: Twirling Umbrellas and Alien Babies Edition
Someone is twirling the rainbow umbrella furthest from me.
Sitting there and just spinning it.
When I walked in there was no one at the twirling table.
No one at all.
I had the place to myself again for a while.
I saw this sign and after filling my machines, had to take a photo of it for you.
I saw the figure and thought, “It doesn’t look like it fell. Looks like it’s relaxing on the floor.” Then I thought maybe it DID fall, but then was trying to play it off like “I meant to do that.”
If I fell here, I’d hope to look as nonchalant about it as that little figure.
Twirling lady has left. There’s now just a man at the counter chatting with the laundry lady.
I remember loading the machines and leaving. Taking the opportunity to run errands. That was before I mused for you.
Oh, I got my car back Wednesday. And Friday it was back in the shop after overheating.
Got it back the same day, but I’d be lying if I said I’m driving it with any confidence.
I feel like I’m hemorrhaging money when it comes to my car. The fridge is pretty empty.
We DID have leftovers in there for a small time – from my son and his girlfriend. They had been to Vegas and stopped at red lobster.
The leftovers had since run out of ‘time’ so I put some of the crab in the cats kibble bowl. Then I thought I’d do an alien hand thing – and my honey created this. Cracked me up.
The look on Butter’s face is classic.
_________________
Just went and refilled my coffee and was stopped by the laundry lady. We had a little chat.
She made coffee last week for me and I didn’t come. How sweet is she?
“I reset the WIFI and made a pot.”
“Yeah, I was out-of-town.” (Which, is technically true as I was across the river in another state.)
She then told me about another regular that she’s worried about.
She didn’t show up either – she’s undergoing chemo.
“You should get her number next time she comes.” I said. “I bet she’d like having someone check on her.”
“Yeah, I should. I’m the only one she let’s do her laundry.”
I can see why.
I love my laundry lady. ‘My’ laundry lady lol.
But she is mine. Another person I adore in my collection of people I adore. I treasure her. I love that I’m ‘her’ regular too.
Musings from the Laundromat: Empty Rooms & Promises
“Where is everyone?”
“I know, it’s odd. You’re the first. I made coffee, I think it’s too strong.”
“Coffee can never be too strong.”
And I’m still the only one in the laundromat, it is delightfully quiet and calm.
It’s already been a busy morning – nice to have this reprieve.
Let me start at the beginning.
Friday, yours truly got a raise. I was shocked and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Oh, I STILL don’t have my car by the way – apparently the part, that is coming from New Hampshire, must be coming by carrier pigeon. A PCM is too heavy for a pigeon! Don’t they know that?
Yesterday my mom came over to collect myself and my honey to stay over at one of the local casinos and to see Pat Benatar in concert. My parents treat for us.
That woman can still sing. Not just sing, but she belted out all the favorites – nailing every one of them!
Her husband and guitarist Neil ‘Spyder’ Giraldo was just as amazing. Playing around with some Led Zeppelin licks in between songs. Getting the crowd pumped up.
His skills on the piano were just as great.
Other than laughing with those around us at drunk girl, who insisted on standing when NO ONE else was – of course, right in front of us see pic:
Anway, OTHER than that, my favorite part was the version they did of Promises in the Dark.
I’ll see if I can find it. Hang on.
There you go. And, coincidentally, she was wearing that exact outfit last night too.
I love that they threaded stories throughout the songs. I love the story behind Promises – it was the first song they actually wrote about their relationship.
When the lights came up, you could hear everyone agreeing that she still had her pipes and smiles were everywhere.
We headed in to find food.
Stood in a bonkers line for a burger and fries and headed up to the room.
Now, all this time, Butters was home alone. I waited until the last-minute to take her out before we left, and prayed she would ‘hold it’ like she is prone to do.
We got up at 6:30 this morning, threw clothes on and headed back to our pets.
Butters HAD held it – and was ecstatic to see us. Good girl!
So, after laundry, I’m up for a nap!
Here’s some view pics from our room.
Have a great Sunday everyone! I’ll be sipping my strong coffee and staring at an empty laundromat.
Musings from the Laundromat: The Color of Blue edition.
Today the outdoors smells like a forgotten load of damp clothes in a dryer.
Musty.
Dank.
Airless.
The ground smells so different that Butters has refused for two days to venture across it to her normal ‘potty’ spot. Adamantly halting on her leash and not crossing some invisible scent line.
The laundromat floor is peppered with termite wings – a common occurrence out here in the desert after we’ve been slammed with a storm.
Yesterday our power went out and we technology addicts sat, sometimes paced, until we found something to entertain ourselves with.
Me? I finally picked up a book my friend Betty loaned me long ago, back when I was reading at least a book per week.
‘The Color of Water’ by James McBride.
I made it half way through by the time the electricity returned, after my initial relief at the ‘WHOOSH’ of the A/C – I settled back to the book.
I’m feeling, ‘off’.
My color today and most of yesterday is blue.
No one reason in particular.
I think a combination of the stifling breezeless humidity, the fact that I still don’t have my car, and an aching mouth could be major players in this mood of mine.
I’m just out of sorts.
It was humbling to have my boss bring me home Friday after work.
I have such a stubborn streak, and hate to be dependent on anyone for basic things like food, transportation or money.
My son and fiance went grocery shopping Friday, and for some reason, I don’t feel comfortable eating the food. Which is ridiculous. We support each other.
I feel like a stranger right now, even to myself.
I drove to the laundromat in my son’s car, nothing feels the same. Off kilter.
I was glad to get lost in that book yesterday, because it took me out of myself and my own bad atmosphere.
I’ve just been so tired lately. Tired and worried about this and that. This funk – I must shake. And I will.
Almost smiled when I discovered half of my Friday lunch in my purse this morning – cucumber and cheese sandwich. Tucked into its little sandwich bag. I’ll have to remember to toss that.
Poor thing. All prepared and didn’t end up getting to serving its purpose.
Yes, I still feel for inanimate objects. Even when I’m blue.
Musings from the Laundromat: Cars & Comic-Con
Comic-Con should have a villain called ‘Check Engine Light’ man. It would strike fear into the hearts of all who laid eyes on him.
Thought that was an apropos way to start since another Comic-Con is happening without me.
So that stays uncrossed on my bucket list.
Anyway! I digress.
Driving home from the grocery store last night and “DING!” said my car.
Now, this happened last year too. Car wouldn’t shift, RPMs climbed sky-high … I ended up driving 10 miles per hour home, shaking, heart pounding – then having my Cruiser towed to have an ignition switch and Solenoid replaced.
Shortly thereafter, “DING!” Turns out they put a bad solenoid in.
And my car was fixed.
And my bank account was broken.
Little over a month ago – same issue. “Ding!” Light back on, won’t shift, high RPMs – had car towed again.
(I like to think of a tow as a nice little ride for my car. Wind in its wipers, watering headlights as it enjoys the whoosh of air. A fun piggy back ride. Takes my mind off the ‘how the hell much is this going to cost me’ thoughts.)
Mechanic could find nothing wrong with it.
Of course.
They reset my engine light and for the past month or so, I’ve been driving it like it has a bomb taped under the hood.
Now, we know I ‘worry too much’. I’ve heard it enough. But I seriously have a 6th sense about things. And so when the “DING!” happened last night – and it repeated its symptoms, I stressed the heck out.
Decided there was no point to that. It is what it is right?
So I had a plan.
Get up early, go to Auto Zone for a diagnostic check – pray it coded with the same thing as last time so even if my car decided not to perform badly for the mechanic, I would have proof.
And it did.
It coded!!! With the exact same issue as the first go around.
I’m holding that diagnostic ticket like it came out of a Wonka bar and after laundry, I’ll set my car off on another adventure and pray the mechanic honors some sort of warranty.
Cars. They’re the bane of my existence. My kryptonite.
Seriously though, Marvel? Consider ‘Check Engine Light’ man.
Debauchery Soup 