Even in the Midst of This in Everyday Ramblings

A new door in the neighborhood down on the next block. There are two of these now protecting the small back and side yard of a lovely home built in 1886. It was sold last year after the demented old woman who lived there who loved throwing bread to the pigeons died and her alcoholic son moved out. He knew a lot of history, particularly from the late 60’s.

I think the new owners are living in part of the house and renting out the rest. They have put a lot of love into it and that is a cheering thing in this neighborhood. Love and security.

No one is talking about it much lately but there is still a remarkable amount of drug use going on around here. I looped Mrs. Sherlock and Charity through downtown today and even with the rain and cold weather the amounts of tents on the sidewalks are getting into dystopian proportions.

Someone assaulted our mayor and a friend the other day when they were having dinner outside a restaurant. Everyone is closed here for dine in. I guess in some ways the tide is turning and where before Stephan Miller and Sarah Huckabee Sanders were harassed in restaurants or getting food, now it is fine to scream at Mitt Romney or a hungover looking Lindsey Graham in airports and on planes.

We had a dry day and though it was cold, it was above freezing. I was astonished at how many folks were out at this upscale grocery we walked to and the Starbucks next door where my walking companions were determined to go halfway through our urban hike today. To be honest, it made me uneasy.

We reported over 1,600 new cases and 28 deaths today from the virus and we are a state that is doing well compared to almost all the others. At least everyone was wearing masks. We saw a gorgeous sable brown Newfoundland and he and Frieda were friendly with much tail wagging.

I don’t know what to say about the news from Washington D.C. There is a sort of “Chicken’s Come Home to Roost” feel to it all.

I do applaud the hard work and determination of all those who voted and got out the vote in Georgia. There was so much courage and hope there against an incredible onslaught of money and bigotry.

I do know how Georgians felt relief when it was over though, and attention turned away from them after having the city I live in be such a focus of national attention last summer. Interesting juxtaposition with the unasked-for Federal presence here because our Federal buildings were being targeted and random people being detained by plain clothes officers on the suspicion of possibly, oh say spray painting a building and…Wednesday.

Quite the case was made for the current restrictions on guns in D.C., you might say.

Just a few random thoughts during a week of random thoughts crowding my head.

I wonder if the Biden’s are still planning on getting a cat.

Remember when we were engaged with news tidbits like that?

I had a long walk with Charity on Thursday that was kind of like a therapy session but also after all this rain and dark wintery stuff it was great to get out, move and talk and be in the world. It was the same today.

We all keep trying to guess what mountains we are seeing. We know the local ones, but the smaller ones further out get confusing. I am going to see if I can find a map that shows them. There is this spot on a big hill in a park over on the east side that has a sculpture plaque wall thing that shows you what you are seeing on a clear day. We need something portable like that.

Because if you were crazy enough to follow around three old ladies and a poodle you would find that we stop and guess and stop and guess and look and shake our heads, give up and move on. Happy to be together and happy to be able to walk and talk and enjoy each other’s company.

Even in the midst of all this.

Last updated January 10, 2021