Is Zing even a Catholic?

Written last night:

I wasn’t aware how good my knee felt or how far Zing and I had walked this morning until we got there — to the place near the courthouse and the jail, where the bail bonds offices are open, even early Sunday morning -- the place where Patrick warned me not to go. It’s really not far. It’s actually near the Turner office where I took my photo, but then, on a busy weekday afternoon, it was alive. This morning it was drowsy. 

Someone was sleeping in the doorways or packing up as we passed by. I felt safe all along, but wary. As we got closer to the river we saw some guards for the construction area, and then people like me, walking their dogs on Sunday. “Hello,” I said. 

It’s why I love to run across bridges — walking a place, touching it with my feet, makes me feel like I’m really there. So today Zing and I know J Street down to the river. Really, I was looking for the Cathedral.

Later, I fried an egg, read the NYTimes, and exchanged messages with Mary Kaye about various ways to get to San Francisco: BART, ferry, bus, Amtrak ,,. They all seem scary to me the first time. I might try one tomorrow, just as a dry run. Clark and I had planned to get to San Francisco often, and I think he sent Mary Kaye and Susan — two friends who want to meet me there at different times this month — to goad me along. Clark would have had fun arranging such trips, while to me they are as challenging as a voyage to the South Pole. Wish me luck!

Also today I spent too many hours at Home Depot, getting a stationary pan for the new washer. And what is a stationary pan, you ask? Be glad I won’t go on … 

Before that I went to Mass at St. Francis church, more for comfort than for certainty. I’ve decided not to think too much. It’s a “churchy” church, as Mom would have said, full of statues and depictions of suffering along the walls. As I was going to communion I felt a hot breath at my knee. It was a big white dog leading a blind man. The dog was in a persistent hurry, so I stepped aside and let them go first. I didn’t notice, but I assume the dog got a blessing — very much in the spirit of St. Francis. Zing would probably pee at every pew on his way up the aisle.  But then, Zing himself is a blessing.

Have a happy Labor Day!

Love,
k