At work we were reminded again to not talk about politics. “Did she look right at you when she said that,” asked my brother. I said no, but it was definitely me, as well as a few others. After the meeting my coworker asked me, so when do current events stop and politics begin?
I think I’m in the phase of things where it’s too important to not talk about current events. Speaking about things that are happening helps me to orient, process, move through, prepare for the next day.
This phase is intense. I do take breaks.
I decided to go for a bike ride to clear my head.
The outing went like this.
First stop I donated art supplies. There were people with signs going to a protest. I walked upstairs to pick up a book I ordered. A Border Collie slept in front of the check out.
Next stop, music store. I think I want a flute. They didn’t have flutes. They did rent cellos. For only $30/month you can rent a cello.
I wanted to stop for a beer. I didn’t want to get buzzed before riding home.
I stopped at another music store. They had many flutes. The salesman blew on several without cleaning them. I lost interest in trying any out. I stopped for a matcha latte.
I had no flute but I had a graphic novel and a matcha. Also the 411 on how to rent a cello.
I rode home.
I went outside again and walked around my nearby field and stream. Saw a coal black Scotty dog with a red collar and leash walking proudly by its baby stroller. I thought of Fala, FDR’s Scotty dog.
I went to the gym and got the day locker E, and remembered it as Eleanor. I usually remember the locker letter by a person I know or a bad or good word I like.
Later, after beer with friends I stopped at Trader Joe’s. “Everybody Wants You” played on the speakers. My best friend in high school would sing it to me and I would sing it back. The bagger’s name tag said Bernie and I held back from telling him I used to have a dog named Bernie. It was true, but didn’t need to be said. He asked if I had any fun plans for the weekend and I said, “well, I have a coffeehouse.” “Oh?” “Yeah well it’s a political coffee and conversation thing.” The cashier looked curious, slightly unsure. “So I’m a democrat and we talk about like when’s the next election, ballot measures and stuff. We keep it very local,” and I put my arms out like I was holding a hula hoop. I was hoping not to scare them but to be just matter of fact that I was politically active as a democrat. I mean, he did ask what I was doing this weekend.
Bernie put the groceries in my cart and said, “I think that’s cool.”
The photos, besides FDR and Fala, are from the restoration / rewilding project I wrote about when it started. It looks great now! Shallow, wide, slow, and clean. No algae.
