Yahtzee

Until I met Liz I had never played Yahtzee. Until I met Liz’s mom I had never played Yahtzee for money. I quickly realized that this wasn’t your standard game of Yahtzee when I was asked to break out my dollar bills. This game has a wager and is taken seriously (well, sort of) which is funny because it involves rolling dice and little to no skill.

Creative (or not so creative) names are chosen by each participant and kept on record for future reference and nostalgic conversations. Curiosity was quickly followed by competitiveness, which was quickly followed by my face hurting from so much laughter. I learned that encouragement begets help. Taunting creates ruthless competition.

Ever since Yahtzee has been synonymous with family, enjoyable competition and well… losing all of my ones.

M'lady's Ladies

                 Much like the image below, meeting m’lady’s ladies in Michigan was an enjoyable blur. A blur of three fair-haired Finns and one fiery Irish red. Each of them completely wonderful. The ladies had a lifetime of memories and stories that only friends with such history could have. I was a guest in their happy place, and they welcomed me wholeheartedly…and danced a little.

Dain's Place: Burger

                  I’m not sure why, but I have been on a burger kick since I moved to Durham. It may be the quantity of new options or the quality of offerings. Either way, I’m not mad at it. I have tried many burgers in my bubble and consistently return to one.

                  It may because it was one of the first places I visited to before I moved here. It may because of their quality beverage selection. It may because of the inviting atmosphere. Really, I see something new every time I’m there, which is saying something considering the amount of times that I’ve been there. They may even have an Oklahoma button displayed somewhere. Nonetheless, I can’t seem to get enough of the burger at Dain’s Place. With a half-pound hamburger patty and a laundry list of optional toppings it gets filling quick. Filling in a way that I need to plan a food-coma-nap afterwards. Though I’m sure that I still have many more to try, it is easily one of my favorite burgers in Durham right now. And of course it doesn’t hurt that they offer Oreos and milk for dessert.

Early Spring

                  Liz and I are looking to tackle a garden this spring. It has the potential to be awesome, overwhelming or a little of both. With that in mind I was walking around the house considering where to plant. Looking at one of the flowerbeds, I found that nature had beaten me to the punch. It is mid February and this little flower thinks that it is time to get its bloom on. I’m sure it is confused though. This week we got our first snow, only to be followed by 60 and 70-degree temperatures to round out the week. Not that I blame it, I’m looking forward to Spring as well. While the winter has been mild, I just don’t think we are quite there yet. In the mean time I’ll debate whether to leave it be and let it freeze when the temperature drops again or transplant it and let it continue to grow indoor. It probably wouldn’t hurt to get a little green on my thumb before Spring rolls around. 

Sand and Snow

             South Beach Miami, the Hamptons, San Diego… I have seen the sun shine on sand. Vail, Breckenridge, Seven Springs, Icepocalypse Oklahoma… I have seen snow shut down states. However, what I hadn’t experienced until Michigan, was the two together on a beach. Who would have thought (ok, I hadn’t) that the two would combine into something so peaceful and easy on the eyes?

Locksmith

            It was a nice, calming evening from my front porch. I could see my breath, but it wasn’t cold beneath the scarf and pea coat. I’ll pick up Liz up from the airport in three hours. The water drops seemed to drip from the clouds as opposed to rain down. I had checked the back doors, the window latches and locks. How much does a pane of glass cost? I was locked out.

            The last time that this happened was about a decade ago. It was in front of a Toys ‘R’ Us in Tulsa, OK. I had previously given my best friend an extra key to my truck. He rescued me. After he finished fishing. Seven hours later.

            The only thing that I had in my pocket was my phone. No wallet. Obviously no keys. Lauren and William came to the rescue with a locksmith number. I called. ETA 25 minutes.

            A large white van with lights on the roof, slowly albeit quite professionally, made its way slowly down the street. Parked. A cordial gentleman exited.

            The self-locking door (the source of my troubles) gave the locksmith troubles even with his hair pin tools. I suggested the back door. He thought for a second before he pulled out a thin plastic sheet. He ran it between the door and the door frame. Click. Internal light. I laughed. He smirked before he said, “ These are supposed to be jimmy proof.”

            Well done Don Hill’s Lock and Safe. Well done.

The Great White North

             Like Peter Pan, we all have our happy thoughts. The thoughts that make us fly. One of Liz’s is Northern Michigan. It is a place where where sand meets snow. The Great White North meets the Upper Peninsula. Canada (horizon right) meets Michigan (horizon left). After visiting the Upper Penninsula I can now see why it is her happy place.  In certain ways it makes me want to fly as well.