Had a big discussion about God and science after church this morning. Then drove out to Langley to visit the de Groots. Had a delicious dinner and always interesting conversation. Then we grabbed buckets and strolled into their garden and the forest and picked blueberries and blackberries until our buckets were full, and every inch of my uncovered ankles were covered in bug bites and blackberry bush scratches.
Drove back into town, had a scrumptious potluck dinner at the church to say farewell to a great couple who are moving out of town. Came in late so I sat by a few people I had never talked to before, and had good conversation with them as well. Shared half of the berries with the people there.
Went to a friend's place to catch up with her, since she just got back into town. Caught up, talked about life's struggles and joys, shared one quarter of the berries, then decided that I ought to go home and make a blackberry pie.
Took the bus home, then ran into friends of a friend from elementary school. Gave one tenth of the berries to them. Ran into a bunch of intoxicated men outside the bar, and briefly joined them in their game of trying to land the flip flop on top of the power line above.
Finally made it home, only to discover that I had a movie to return before the end of the evening. And that I really felt like having a cigarette and reflecting on the adventures of the day. (I don't smoke much, but this really just felt like the right occasion!)
Bought a pack of Camels, then sat on a quiet bench in my neighborhood and began to reflect on life and all the people in it.
Then, lo and behold, out from the bushes came a three legged skunk, whom shall hereafter be referred to as Alfie. At first I wanted to run away. But then I thought, "Poor little skunk. He has done nothing wrong and yet everyone is terrified of him." And so I decided to stay where I was.
And then I had one of the most frightening moments of my life: Alfie slowly hobbled up to me. He looked at me, and sniffed my toes. My legs were shaking, but I held his gaze. At that moment I believe we transcended the barriers of skunk and girl and became friends. Two beings just enjoying the quiet bench by the bush. Alfie took a few stumbled steps away.
But, there is only so far you can go in a friendship with a skunk before you get sprayed. And so, I decided to give Alfie his space and continued my stroll through the neighborhood.
In one of the most bad ass moments of my life, I lit my next cigarette with the one I held which was about to go out. I pondered Alfie's life as a crippled animal with a lot of stigma, and how skunks supposedly make good pets if you take their stinker out.
I eventually returned to my apartment only to discover that I had forgot to bring my keys with me on this stroll. I walked closely around the apartment, but could not find anyone who would not be creeped out by me throwing rocks at or yelling into my apartment. I thought of returning to the bench to see if I had left my keys there, but thought I should respect Alfie's space.
And so, I sat outside the door of my apartment for half an hour watching people pass on the sidewalks. A lot of people walk with cigarettes in the night. I thought about people and skunks sleeping on the streets.
Eventually one of my neighbors left the apartment and I thanked him for letting me in. When I returned to my apartment, the keys were on my dresser, the blackberries still waiting to be made into a pie.
what a day! and what a night!
Offers for London on vacation
12 years ago
