The Furniture Arrives...Hours Late, Of Course

Today was a day to be patient.

Our furniture - a dining room set, a black chair, a coffee table, an end table and a bedside table - is going to be delivered today. Helen got a call from the delivery people to let us know that the items would be here between 10 a.m. and noon. They wanted to be sure someone would be home.

So in the early morning I wrote a freelance article and we leisurely waited for the furniture. Soon it was 10:30, 11, 11:30, 12:30...

I read three new poker magazines that I picked up at the Red Rock Casino the other day and we watched a little TV.

Finally about 1 p.m. Helen called to check and we found that our delivery wouldn't be here until between 2 and 5 p.m. AAAAAARGH. There's a special place in Dante's Inferno for delivery people who don't show up on time and don't bother to call.

I ran out to pick up some groceries for dinner. Tonight I'm making the World's Best Sloppy Joe Recipe, courtesy of Charlie Johnston's mother. I was fortunate enough to enjoy this taste treat when we visited Charlie's son, Andy, in East Lansing prior to the MSU-OSU game this fall and have made it several times since. After only one sandwich, Manwich lost a longtime customer. This recipe's combination of sweetness and tanginess is more than mere words can describe -even for an experienced restaurant writer.

Anyway, the delivery guy finally showed about 3:45 p.m. It took him about 20 minutes to deliver the stuff, but his being late cost him any tip at all.

It's good to have all the furniture in place. The apartment finally looks closer to what we want it to and we're that much closer to feeling like we're in our winter home.

Tomorrow I plan to play some more poker, so tune in for the details of another gambling venture...