We got up and Panna showed me what she does every day. She sat down in the white mid-sized white recliner and laid out a folded towel on her lap before calling the cats. They got up on her lap to be brushed, which is especially important for Petunia, a long-haired cat (the other cat is short-haired and named Sage). She brushed them for several minutes (hint for cat lovers!). Sage has a tendency to rub her head against the table next to the recliner. I got to watch Sage play with a golf ball, chasing it around the room. She just loves it!
We went outside to water the garden. She started the first part, and then handed the pail to me. I gladly went to the water barrels, fetched water, and carefully watered the garden. This was fun! It was cool outside, not hot at all! Panna ate, and we called the mechanic to pick up the keys and ask about used cars. We got ready and headed out of the forest.
We stopped by the mechanic to pick up the keys and ask about where to go to look at used cars. He suggested one lot small lot, so we went there to look, saw some options, but didn't find what I was looking for, so I asked where we might find it. He suggested a Honda dealership in the Westerville area. We went there and talked. We looked at one, and it was really nice, very tempting (and Panna and I agreed after the fact that well, it was the salesman's job to close the sale), but the amount was too much for my comfort. Earlier in the conversation with this salesman, he mentioned a different lot of theirs with a different selection. We went there, but the intended salesman wasn't there. We talked to a different one, a great big guy, seemingly nice upon approach, but very pushy and rude right away. We looked at a couple of models. It looked like I might have found what I was looking for. I wanted some time to determine what to do. Especially considering that this salesman was VERY pushy and rude. He kept forgetting to look at me while talking to us and sometimes wouldn't let me get a word in edge-wise and jumped ahead in the conversation. I was getting frustrated! After it was done, I asked for a few minutes in private. I asked Panna about the situation. This salesman is a pro at asking inappropriate questions about financing and getting around some of my questions. It was agreed that we would let him know of the decision soon. After we left, we also agreed that we should consider asking her daughter and her partner (Christelie and Monica) about suggestions on where to look when the family met for dinner. I think it was around 2 30 PM when we headed back to the cabin to eat and relax a bit.
Later on, we met at Skyline Chili to finally meet their daughter (Sophie), talk, and then discuss possible solutions for the car situation. Sophie started out being very shy at first, wanting to hide from me. Soon, she opened up and started asking me questions like what my favorite colors, animals, plants, etc. were. It was great to meet my cousins! Monica thought about contacting her cousin who works in used cars. She would contact her for us.
Afterwards, we caught up with them at a climbing gym, where Christelie and her family love to climb. Since I was still tired, I chose not to join them on the wall (I might later on in Boston). We watched them while I talked to Panna about the climbing gear being used and how two climbers work in tandem to provide safety to the climbing partner. Sophie was having fun climbing the wall and playing with a boy her age. I also talked with Christelie and the mother of the boy about their climbing gear and what I do in the climbing department at REI. Looking around, I was struck by the idea of using climbing as my "work-out" style instead of the gym, which I can't stand because of the boredom. Something I'll have to consider if I can get to where I can afford it.
We went back to the cabin, and once again, I could hear the crickets orchestrating again. A beautiful, primal sound I grew up with as soon as I had hearing aids. Panna and I sat around, talking about a lot of things before we went to bed. I didn't get up once during the night, which is unusual for me. Again, a peaceful night's sleep in the forest. Quiet, still, and safe.
