As I pen this note in early June, we’re coming off of the wettest May on record in Richmond, and this first weekend of June is showing no signs of change (although in typical RVA fashion, we’ll probably be in a drought by the time this issue hits stands). My kids learned the term “white-knucklin’ it” as we drove home from the Rassawek Spring Jubilee in the hardest rain I think I’ve ever seen. I’ve never been so happy to see our driveway through the downpour. Not long after we settled in at the house, we heard the crack of the treetop that came down across our neighbor’s driveway, taking our power and cable lines with it. After much moaning and whining about the loss of access to TV, YouTube, and online video games – the activities du jour around here (I’m embarrassed to admit that, but you know we keep it real at RFM) – we settled in for what has come to be my favorite eighteen hours and counting in the Thompson household all year.
The Dominion Energy crews were quick to restore power just a few hours after the storm, but something got twisted with the cable lines (according to neighbors in the know), and as of this writing, we were still waiting to get TV and Internet back up. I swear this was Mother Nature’s way of doing us a favor and giving us the early summer wake-up call we needed to do some of the things we had been putting off for a while. We kicked off our post-storm evening by taking the plastic wrap off of and finally playing a very fun board game my brother’s family gave us for Christmas – possibly two Christmases ago – I can’t remember now. Just as my brother promised, it was a ton of fun, and we all learned some neat facts while playing it. If you’re curious, the game is Wits and Wagers – check it out!
After that, we dusted off our small DVD collection and unwrapped another thoughtfully purchased gift from several years ago, a favorite family movie of a friend, Night at the Museum 2. I’m sure you’ve all seen the entire series by now, but if not, they’re great and even better once you’ve actually been to some of the museums in the movies. After drifting off to a peaceful, TV-free slumber, we woke on Sunday morning to a fresh batch of grumbling about the continued lack of TV and Internet access, and then we embarked on a blissful morning of household productivity. The closet clean-out? Done! Family breakfast making? Done! The return of Nerf wars and LEGO building? Yes and yes! I was practically floating through the kitchen on my primitive-living high, cleaning up breakfast without the incessant din of Chip and Joanna Gaines or Guy Fieri in the background, and instead, singing along to the Barenaked Ladies CD I dug out of the console of my car. The lyrics from Pinch Me have never resonated more: “Put the sprinkler on the lawn, and run through with my gym shorts on. Take a drink right from the hose…” Ah, simpler times!
I was sure all of that disconnectedness would drive me crazy, but it didn’t! I enjoyed reconnecting with my family instead. (And I wrote my July note two weeks earlier than usual – bonus!)
As summer kicks into high gear this month, I hope you enjoy the new issue of RFM. As usual, the RFM calendar is jam-packed with family-friendly events for every taste and budget. I also hope you are presented with an unexpected way to help you rediscover the simple life with your family!
