"You're going to laugh" is never a good sign but an indication that something bad is about to follow. All geeked for my second "spine tingling" shot when upon arrival the front desk looked at me like a bad smell on a hot day. One preps by foregoing pain meds for five days, fasting, receiving a half dozen reminders both by text and email and checking in online. I was excited as it was May 4 so my "may the fourth be with you" was all lined up to amuse my torturers. I was even going "wings-free" as they never sent me my usual script for valium or pre-op instructions. Heh, heh the nurse goes - the appointment was for Sherry Ide not Sheila-isn't that funny... not laughing. Especially ironic since that's the name of my recently deceased sister-in-law. Perhaps a "gotcha" from beyond the grave. Well played my sister, well played.
Speaking of recent passings. An old friend from my BWL days unexpectedly expired from a complication after surgery last week. I attended the funeral, taking one for the family, as they chose visiting the zoo instead. The friend's children were there of course and I wondered if I would recognize them all grown up. Well apparently I haven't changed as they recognized me, duhh. I, of course, ran into other old friends attending and wondered do we all really look that old? One gentleman remembered my name and I remembered.....his face! We chatted and I was trying to place him when I said "oh yes, you were Louie the Lightening Bug! (well we were an electrical utility) He also worked in the Environmental department which probably would have been a more flattering and professional memory.
I did remember he was brilliant but a very quiet individual and conversation was sometimes difficult. Which made the Lightening Bug masquerade perfect for him. He could hide his identity and Louie never spoke. But obviously he had a little streak of whimsy to play the character. Hmmm. How many hide behind masks of scowls and unpleasant behavior to avoid revealing our vulnerable selves?
Speaking of masks, damn I'm good with the old segues today, I usually notice a high schooler in our neighborhood walking to and from the bus with her black mask firmly in place.
DIGRESS - yes most retired people do know what goes on in the neighborhood during the day. I keep binoculars on the window sill. I have to know which repair people are the best so I check who gets called the most.... obviously.
Anyway, I ponder whether she wears the mask until she's out of sight of her house or if she needs the anonymity. She's a high school coed who's is a little heavy which these days may trigger the nastiness of the internet-instagram-snapchat-memes. Or is she like my brother who would dump his boots in the woods, out of sight of the house before he got on the bus and retrieve them on his way home.(I'm sure Mother suspected or we narc'ed). Being cool in high school is a thing, really. But in my day your "faux pas" did not live forever in the cloud.
As for spying on creatures (another smooth transition) I have noticed some new neighbors scanning likely spots to plant their family. As he strolls from spot to spot, she stands still and puffs at him "for heaven's sake make up your mind!" He responds with "Too much open concept" "I'm really partial to shipwreck shiplap" "Too big, too small, not enough building material"
More wandering around and the kicker "This neighbor's bush won't work, they support those guys who would never believe one of our clutch failed to thrive or was stolen by a weasel. Probably lock us up in some avian sanctuary, leaving no one to raise our 2 to 10 babies." Her retort "why not next to the river instead of courting roadkill disaster when we make our dash to the water?" "Water weasels" he snorts. "Besides I like the drama" Finally putting her webbed foot down she closes the argument with "I got a bellyfull of eggs, and no Duck Doc so get to building as I can waddle no more". At least I think that's how the conversation went or maybe I watch too much HGTV House Hunters. At any rate, I haven't seen the pair since he went behind the wood pile. Spartan Strong 💚 Peace out...💛💙
waiting in line
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