Reruns

at some point, overnight, the trees were blooming, grass was leaping up, another generation of birds built their nest in the same spot underneath the deck. There was nothing there two weeks ago. Not a string, and now another nest. Same as it ever was.

And now that things are blooming and the trails will be full of bikers and the park full of hikers I think of you yet again. I know that before I realize it, the trees will be bare again, the birds will be absent again, like you. The silence will be painful, again. And if there are other voices, they will not carry the same lightness. But for now I'll enjoy the birds and the trees, and the hikes and the rides.

Monday

Visited P and stayed with her today. The disease is worse but her spirits are high and she has incredible patience to put up with me.

more overheard conversations

Lunch conversation: "You know what I'm saying?.... she is soooooooo....They are driving to Texas... He is soooooooooo Funny!!!.... can't believe what they did."

Scape of a chair across the floor. "What they should have done... She isn't going to do that!!!... The state..." Paper rustle, the murmur of voices converge.

Post lunch at seminar: "I don't drink that much.. does it mix with water?... two drinks and woah!!!... I kind of have to mix it up a little....and I don't get, like, that... after that I told him if he seems me like that then cut me off." (Lady slows down as she walks by in case she knows me. She doesn't)

"But what I mean is if you are going out.... I love beer!!! (much laughter) "I've figured it out now." New voice as more enter room. "We can sit there... work out their... So that is awewome!!! The thing is... He doesn't.. OMG!!!... great!!... She found out!!!! OMG.... when he... this guy.. Yeah like you don't want to.... it;s like where were you?.... (session resumes, voices fade. As quickly as my interest in the class).

overheard

while sitting at dinner. From table with couple in their fifties and daughter (?) who may have been 20 and child about two and even younger child.

@ 20 year old daughter: "And then the judge asked me where do I live?"

even younger child: "naaaaaaahnaaaaaaAAAAA!"

@ 2 year old child: "He said Nana!!!"

Nana(?): something, something...."Kennesaw".

@ 20 year old daughter: "Austell Mom! I know where I was living at the time. and then the judge told me I had better be sure."


Me: "check please."

napping on the bus

Rain. Upon the bus. Slithering down, confusing the view. Man on foot. Silent train tracks. Sushi for dinner. Life in the South.
Talk in the distance. Pointless and loud. Pine trees with no beauty except in their form. Traffic battling kudzu for what the meek were to own.

visiting

Went to stay with sister P so brother in law could go to nephew's basketball game. Enjoyed spending time with her and she was very gracious when I could not understand what she was trying to tell me. I did catch 80% of it, although only half of that on her first attempt. ALS has left her a shell of herself and now even her speech is very limited. It isn't fair. I'm old enough to realze life isn't fair but noone deserves to go through this. Least of all a young mother with a daugher in college and a 16 year old son.

I had returned to Atl afer graduating college. After one year P had decided college wasn't for her and asked if she could move in until her boyfriend graduated and they could begin their life. Somewhere along the way they split up and as soon as I met S I knew she would be interested in him. After they met they were inseparable and I was a bit concerned when they announced their engagement within a year. 21 years later they have two great kids and a bond as strong as our parents. S has been great for her, and she for him.

She smiled politely as I tried to follow what she ws trying to tell me. Mostly about relatives who had visited, her favorite TV show. I mananged to get her breathing machine on and off of her when she wanted. Her hair is going grey and is cut short now. She can move a few fingers on her left hand. Her birthday is Sat. She will be 45.

loose leafs & hard wood

More local color this year than any that I can recall. (imagine scenic photo here)

Usually phone calls to the folks follow the same script but Dad had an interesting tale last week. He had a nightmare, either I, or one of his brothers, or my nephew (he couldn't recall but named the suspects in that order) were having a heated arguement with him. Whoever the other person was at some point they picked up a hammer and attempted to swing it at him so Dad tried to jump away from the danger. That is when he actually stumbled out of the bed and ran headfirst into the bedpost resulting in a bloodied head and small gash in his head.