Just a Little Bit

I walked downtown with Lily in the fierce wind. Once again I feel grateful that Lily makes me get out of cyberspace and into the tangible world. She NEEDS it and DEMANDS it. She is my personal trainer. "Thank you Lily for forcing me outdoors." Since I ran to the pond this morning I decided I would run the downtown loop to the library, post office, police station. I nearly blew away from the gusts. The Public Works Department was scooping out all of the dirt and debris from under the bleachers at Bouley Field. Some ceremony is happening here, they told me. What is it? They didn't tell us! On the way home I rescued an oak and mauve-vinyl chair. I carried it home while leading Lily on the leash. It was HEAVY! I scrubbed it with Murphy's Oil soap and rinsed it with the hose. It's still sitting outside. I think it will become a porch chair. Not sure yet. It's very comfortable. It will be an excellent reading chair. My house is full of books and chairs!

This morning I spotted a dead and bloody opossum on the Blackstone end of my street in Massachusetts, it was next to where all the kids were waiting for the bus. I closed my eyes and looked away. I wished I had a phone to call the highway dept, to come scoop it up. A Public Works guy driving a dark green truck down Edgewater Drive stopped when I flagged him down. He was a small red-faced man with gray hair smoking a skinny cigar wearing a glowy sweatshirt. I told him about the dead opossum in the road at the end of Valley Street where the kids stand out and wait for the bus. It's awful, I said. He promised he'd take care of it.

I love to feel the pulse of the city and then walk to gaze at the pond. I've chatted with nearly everyone on both sides of the street leading to the Blackstone bike path during the 22 years of living in my home. It's a good feeling to know everyone just a little bit. People tell me their problems and I am glad to listen when I am out walking and running. I contemplate their struggles as I wander through the woods and while I walk back to the city.

Sesame poppy buttermilk corn waffles make the perfect afternoon snack with coffee especially when you've had burritos for breakfast and lunch. I am always hungry in transmit-mode.