March has been so good to us thus far. These days have been sunny and warm and I could not be happier. I’ve officially diagnosed myself with spring fever. I can’t be outside enough! Luckily having a dog is a great excuse for spending lots of time outdoors. I had to work at Job 1 in the morning, but Job 2 only required a meeting in the afternoon, so I headed home for a half day. The Boyfriend and I took Jack on an adventure in the park and afterwards, even after Jack had pooped out on the couch and the Boyfriend had left for work, I found myself craving an evening walk. I packed up my laptop, threw a fleece in my bag, and headed out to the Muddy Cup. The walk was absolutely beautiful and I let the music in my headphones set my mind adrift.
Within 15 minutes I, first-time Muddy Cup goer, arrived at the coffee shop to find this sign: “Sorry, Cash Only.” Well, sorry, no customer. I have limited financial resources to begin with, and what funds I do have I keep trapped inside a debit card. So what turned into a stroll to the coffee shop for a smoothie ended up being a circular 30 minute walk. No problem, though. I was happy walking about the neighborhood. I love where I live. It’s the edge of urban, a place where shops and bars and movie theaters are within walking distance, but also a place where you know your neighbors and smile at strangers walking by. Well, you smile at them between the months of March and September. If you are unfortunate enough to be forced outside during the winter months, the only glances you are exchanging with passerby are those of empathy and bitterness.
Today was the Smile! type of day. I passed a man out for a run, kids coming back from after-school care, a mother out for a walk with her daughter by her side and her son on a small bike with training wheels. The son zigzagged slightly down the road with his family behind him. When he came near me he stopped suddenly and honked the bike horn three times at me. I grinned. Kids crack me up.
Once I got to my building I decided I didn’t want to go inside. I needed someplace other than my animal-filled living room to write. As much as I love Jack and Sid, they are needy monsters and in order to type, I actually need to STOP petting them. This is not a concept they understand and I can’t take those shelter eyes and frantic paws coming at me. At Panera — a humans-only establishment — I was able to do some writing AND get my smoothie fix. Score.
Now that the sun is down and the chill is setting in, I’m back to hibernation mode. Lethargy is setting in and the sinus pressure headache that’s been lurking around all day is now here so I think it’s home to my couch, my animals, and a hot cuppa tea. Pleasant evening, Blogland!
