Sudden surge of energy

Written last night:

Whew! 

The turnaround from the hills to the city leaves me breathless.

What a beautiful experience all-around. I mean, Tallahassee-Sacramento was a stretch. But who would have thought that a change of scene much closer at hand would be just as sharp a contrast?

As you know, yesterday Zing and I drove the hour and a half to the Sierra Nevada foothills to be with Patrick and Steph for about 24 hours. Time was right for the visit: they had a few days to themselves and finally I feel able (eager?) to drive out of Sacramento to see the beauty everyone insists surrounds the city. I had a sudden surge of energy at an opportune time. It’s hard to believe (I’m so self-defeating sometimes), but they wanted us to visit. (Zing even got a special invitation.) Families evolve unpredictably, and I feel overwhelmed — happy — at this genuine affection and love.

This morning Patrick took me to see the garden. I got to see Lawren (who looks great!) and two others working there with him. Up there I kept asking Patrick, “Are these mountains? Are they hills?” It wasn’t craggy or rocky, and not too steep. But we were high up (2000 + feet — I can’t remember exactly, but a half-mile sounds right.). There were houses on hilltops, perched for the view, and from the garden you could see down into the cars on the road below. For someone used to flat Florida and then the valley where Sacramento lies, it was breathtaking. 

All around was evidence of last year’s devastating fire — barren areas with drooping, blackened trees. But green showed through, and lots of tall gold grass. I kept looking for birds and butterflies, and although they must be around, I didn’t see them — except for a single bird that I viewed from underneath as I drove home. Its wings seemed to be glowing red, lit from above by the sun. There were fields with horses and cows, roadside stands selling strawberries and pumpkins (which again is anachronous to someone who thinks strawberries come early in the year. Not here!) 

When I got home the jute carpet I’d ordered was rolled up in front of my door like a log from a big tree.  A sudden surge of a kind of angry energy lit me up and I swung that fat and heavy thing around and push-pulled it into my hallway. There was a knock at the door and the UPS man stood outside; he shoved a big cardboard box through the door and said goodbye. The box was 9-tenths crumpled paper, along with a comfortable rubber rug for in front of the sink. 

I won’t even get into the washer and dryer, which were scheduled for delivery tomorrow — finally — but (take a guess!!) won’t make it. They were rescheduled for the weekend after Thanksgiving. When I saw the email, that angry energy from before lit me up again, and I called Mui from Best Buy. She has worked a kind of magic so the delivery is now to be this Friday. Want to bet on it?

My energy is overflowing and I have been directing a kind of cordial impatience toward Zing too. I hope the country visit did him some good. Cassi the dog trainer is coming tomorrow.

Love,

k