New and long-time friends connect

Written last night:

Today I enjoyed people.  

Men and  women, some with dogs, smiled at Zing and me on our morning walk. People respond to Zing as he bounces along; they might think I’m like that too, so I bask in his reflected friendliness. We were a little late (7:30 a.m.), because noise woke us (me!) way early — maybe 4 a.m. It was a scraping city noise -- street cleaners, garbage collectors ...

This afternoon a woman hurrying up the sidewalk on her way home from work waved as we passed and said, “I saw you this morning!” We’d been going in opposite directions then. Down the block a bit, I chatted with a man weaving the leashes of three barking, bounding dogs — two dachshunds and a pit bull. I like becoming part of this bustling neighborhood.

Then Patrice called while she took a long uber ride, and we laughed about broken beds and kitchen sinks and couch pillows. 

And following Patrice -- Lesley, my Philadelphia poet friend, who called me because she just got to Miami (visiting family). She will be visiting Cuba soon to trace family roots. 

And this afternoon, while two men hauled a new bookshelf* into the corner of the living room, my next-door neighbor Kevin knocked and gave me his and his wife Jennie’s contact information, in case I ever need help. We talked for quite a while about the homeowners association and he showed me their condo, which has sweeping city views. 

All this is mundane, everyday, and the fact that it is happening means I’m settling in. I know I am not alone at all, and it’s a relief.

Tonight I made chili — an actual meal -- but it wasn’t ready at dinner time, so I ate frozen lasagna. 

* Ha! What a shock! The bottom shelf of my new bookshelves was all nicked and pocked. The deliverymen put it in place anyway, and will bring a new one next month.  (For a second there, I thought this delivery was going to be hassle-free.)  But this was a pretty small hassle.

Love,

k

My poor shelves, waiting on the sidewalk