March 9

My (sister’s HAHA) Brooke and Lexi turned 25 today. What a joy it has been in my life to be their aunt for 25 years.

Beautiful weather for early March so after working at Element at 6:30 and then over to Dragonfly at 8:30. I was a little early (meeting Susan so she could take over the shift and I wanted to support her on her first day there) so I walked down the block and sat on some steps so I could get the early morning sun shining on my face (it helps your circadian rhythm stay on track). I guess I was sitting there smiling (not unusual for me) and as people were walking by, I’d say good morning (not unusual for me). I saw a man walking up the sidewalk towards me, he had on a shirt that Mike has and a pair of jeans, a nice haircut and was carrying two notebooks under his arm. I said good morning to him and he said “what a nice greeting with a big smile” and I said “just enjoying a few moments of sunlight before I have to go inside to work, without windows” and he said something like “hope you have a nice day” and continued on. He was half a block down, turned around and called something back to me that I couldn’t understand so I said “I can’t hear you” he walked back over and started to tell me about what HE was doing out that morning. In December he and his wife had an argument “over money” and she kicked him out. He lived with a couple of people since then, utilized Micah Ministries (I volunteer there providing vegetarian meals for the Respite House) and was currently in a tent outside “it’s getting old, I’m not in the Army anymore” I said “man, I am sorry, that really sucks, I have a banana if you want it, it is a little bruised” and he said “So am I, but I’d love it, thank you. I didn’t even have to ask you for anything, thank you so much for offering” and I said “of course, it’s all I have to share this morning but it is yours!” Then he said “I am meeting with Michele at the VA (veteran’s administration) this morning and she said I have a 50/50 chance” (I”m not sure at what but I’m guessing some sort of support to get him back on his feet) he said “My daughter is getting married in October and I want to walk her down the aisle, my wife and I were at her graduation in May and I need this (I’m guessing the positive outcome of the VA Meeting) he quoted the bible (I assume since he said like John 1.1 says…) and I said “I’m not religious but I am sending as much positive energy into the universe that you have a great outcome, that you and your wife can work this out and that you walk your daughter down the aisle” He asked me my name, told me his (I’ve forgotten it) and gave me a fist bump and said “Thank you so much” and was on his way. I asked Mike (came to pick up the yoga studio trash LOL) and Susan to offer up some positive intentions/prayers for him, man, I hope it worked out. 51 years old and he could have been one of the yoga students, you never know what someone is going through and you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.

I came home and visited Gracie (there she is doing my favorite post), chatted with my neighbor, filled up the birdfeeders, charged Bird Buddy (it had been so cloudy the last few days the solar charger couldn’t maintain) I suited up Uli for a walk at the battlefield next door. Since the dog seat was still in the Pathfinder I figured I’d utilize it rather than walk in the neighborhood. One of my favorite walks over there is what we call the Gravel Road. It is a road that goes from the NPS paved road all the way to Brock Rd, it is cut through thicker tree coverage and creeks. I did take Uli down the grassy path that – if the creek wasn’t in the way, or had a bridge – would be a continuation of my favorite walk in the neighborhood that I call “in the woods” I think it is Uli’s favorite too because whenever we walk towards the back of the neighborhood, he always heads that way. When it is early spring its infested with ticks so I try to get back there before that happens. I think it may all be part of an old logging road or something since it crosses over to the farm that is next to our neighborhood and I’ve seen a clearing that seems to match up, next to Mary and Joe’s old house. Anyway, I haven’t ever walked down it on the battlefield side so we did. Until I started seeing signs that said no trespassing, fishing, hunting, etc. Not that I was in the part of the land that the signs were referring to, it just made me uneasy to be there alone. Plus, I was nervous Uli or I would get bitten by a copperhead and we were so far away from the car. Thankfully, nothing bad happened and we got back to the gravel road, went as far as we normally go and turned around. I brought water because it was unseasonably warm and Uli happily drank all of his when we got to the car. Saw lots of little butterflies and heard a ton of birds.

I couldn’t get over how clear and beautiful the sky looked, soon enough all of these trees will be thick with leaves and the sides of the road blooming with ferns. I am so thankful that I live here, when I was in Jordan I would imagine being back in the Park walking the paths and enjoying the foliage. Bird Buddy was hopping all day, I had some bluebirds, goldfinches, nuthatches, finches, and when I was ready to really rest and sat on the deck, I could see cowbirds and cardinals in the backyard trees. I think our ‘under the deck nest’ is going to be used again by the cowbirds – I saw a couple in the trees flitting back and forth, I’m so excited to host another family and look forward to seeing the babies learn to fly. Today was my peaceful day, I hope my smile and chat helped my bro get the outcome he was hoping for. Be nice to people, animals, the planet — bye for now!