How to explain? Occasionally the fog clears and I am able to view things that are instantly comprehensible to others. Such as: it makes plain good sense to go where you're wanted, no? Occasionally the brain gears get oiled and the doors swing smoothly open, allowing me to gain good sense from a source I'd usually ignore by instinct. In this case, a bit of the New Testament--usually a collection of writings that has me deeply suspicious. But this made sense: a garden choked with weeds cannot grow. Here I stop to take count of the many parabled thistles around me. It doesn't matter whether I planted them or not. Out they go.
 
The New Chum: Dark Creek ConBrio
Brio: Welsh Cob/Gypsy Vanner cross, 10 days old. Jane: Irish/Scottish/English olio, 16,448 days old.
(Photo swiped from pal Nikki, and posted without asking permission. BAD FRIEND JANE.)
 
Posted by Hane2SO4 at 1:19 PM | Link
 

We have changed. Last night I was in my favourite Starborgs, enjoying an iced espresso prior to lawn bowling with McDoom. I'm also doing a NY Times crossword as quickly as I can, i.e., slo-o-o-ow-w-w-wly, and suddenly notice a man walking up to my table. He's somewhere in his 30s or early 40s, clad in denims, and right away I know he's (a) transient, and (b) panhandling. "Excuse me, ma'am," he begins, "but would you be able to spare a bit of change so's I can buy a cup of coffee?" My wallet is on the table, and I casually yet deliberately place my hand on it. Then there's a call out from one of the baristas: "Don't give him any money, please! I'm calling the cops right now." Transient Man tries another tack: "Could you spare enough to maybe buy a guy a bag of chips?" The barista again says, "No, don't. He's been in here twice before today." No problem, I had already decided that this was not a person in need, but a drug-seeking nuisance. I look Transient Man in the eye. I say, "I can't do it, man--" "Oh, RIGHT!" he yells. "You gotta listen to HER, don'tcha', ya fuckin' bitch!" He slams out of the café. Both the baristas start apologizing to me, which I don't allow. It's certainly not their fault.
 
Proof of how we have changed: This was the kind of thing that used to be able to ruin a whole day for me, since I'd brood and stew and replay the scene incessantly in my head. Now, with a little community work under my belt, I know that this guy's rage had nothing to do with me. And while I am all for giving to those in need, panhandling at a Starborgs (he'd also tried working the drive-through lane), is just stupid.
 
Posted by Hane2SO4 at 10:17 AM | Link
 

Road trip! The first in the Mazdad. CDs? Check. Dog kibble? Check. Sanity? Nope, can't find it. In other words, conditions are ideal.
 
Posted by Hane2SO4 at 1:42 PM | Link