Tuesday

No Stinky.
But somehow more low key.
Cheerios for breakfast instead of French toast.
The leaves are literally turning as each day gos on.
What was barely Autumn on Friday, seems full on today.
We went up to race cars again; this time Dad brought his new fuel car so Janet and I could race the electric ones.
Hers didn't work.
He was having a hard time with his.
Instead of looking at any of it practically, he just turned into a five year old. One I have met many times before, and I must say I don't like. When I was little, everyone ran and hid. But now, Janet just laughed at him and I just felt sorry that he was wasting so much time grumbling and making himself miserable for no reason.
She went back down to change over the laundry and I went with her. It was funny chatting on the way. She tried to warn me about his mood, I assured her I already knew. I said I envied her that she could just laugh at it, as that would have landed us in a heap of trouble back then. Scurrying away as quickly and quietly as possible was always the best policy. I so do not want to waste my life full of anger and hatred. It's kinda weird to see how much I am like him. How I could easily slip into what he is. But I choose differently.
We went back and he was still on the ground grumbling.
After a while, Janet went back to the house. I ran the other electric car and ignored him, focusing instead on getting better at turns and general control of the device. He always beats me at this stuff. It's time I started giving him a run for his money.
He got his car going. Got it run in, then pieces seemed to start falling off. All of which are inexpensively replaced mind you. Thankfully, my battery ran out after a while.
Then it was my turn to learn how to drive the Mule. We went to the mailbox and then came back for the tractor.
I followed up the hill and literally ate his dust. :P
And then I learned to drive a tractor and how to move all the gizmos on it and move dirt around and such. It's interesting and boring at the same time.
Then we came back and made another mail run.
Now before you wonder why on earth I'm mentioning mail, it's because he has a super long driveway that winds and curves and dips and climbs. It's a hell of a ride in that little Mule. Full tilt, trees all around, sound of the forest critters, hairpin turns, super steep drops... See? That's why.
Then I literally had to scrub the dirt off and have a lie down. Ha ha I even brushed my teeth to get all the dirt.
So far it looks like I have two bug bites, but luckily Emma has none. She is not sure how she feels about this place, but she's fine as long as I'm around.
And I've discovered she quite likes tomatoes...?
I got the confirmation that my car shipped and will be here tomorrow. I hope it really will. But I also hope his car is working or the surprise will be much less fun. Well maybe. My point was that he teach me how to do it before I go.
I think he's having a hard time with where the world is heading not matching up with where he's staying. I have had more internet and network conversations than I have in a week at work. Where I want to go find a tech guide for the cars, he would rather sit in the dirt and grumble.
But that's the way his world has always been.
When I uploaded my photos into my iPad, he looked like he might faint.
Baby steps, I'm trying to just do baby steps with him. He keeps saying his head hurts.
We also wandered a bit through the woods looking for leaves for Gypsy's collection. Shes my dad's granddaughter, but she's not my niece. He seems to adore her, so, whatever.
There were mushrooms and acorns and ground thick with decaying and decayed leaves. A tiny two inch lizard. A woodpecker making a tree shake. Hawks calling to one another and soaring through the air. And the ever-present sound of thousands of frogs (with a few crickets mixed in).
My dad remarked on how quiet it is out here. I was puzzled and said it was much quieter at my house. Then I came to realize that neither of them can hear the never-ending frogs. Peaceful I can agree with. But this place isn't quiet. Not by a long way.
Although evidently I slept through howling coyotes in the middle of the night, which they both did hear. Huh. I would have liked to have heard that. But I doubt they'll be back out soon enough for me to hear.
Went to the neighbor's place cause my dad's gonna feed the cows for a few days. They have few trees and more grass.
And a wiener dog that thought Emma was hot and started chasing her around. It was like live action Pepe Le Peu. She was horrified and couldn't get away fast enough. He was totally smitten. Finally she turned and started playing with him, and that was equally as funny.
She has some fancy flipping through the air and spinning moves that I'd never seen before.
And oddly enough, the cows were not smelly up close. They were kinda cute.
More RC car learning followed dinner. Had to make sure I would be prepared. Little does he know...
And Emma was fast asleep on my arm. I guess she wore herself out running from Pepe...