Train of Thought

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It’s Grand Central Station around here, what with these trains of thought going through my head.  Of course, I’m happy to regale you with a few, so join me at the depot for a spell. We can kick back and I’ll order us some refreshing lemonade, spiked with you-know-what. We can then watch these trains go through my head. Trains of thought, that is.

Someone said to me, upon hearing my age, “That can’t be! You look so young!” Clearly, they weren’t looking at my neck. Or at my upper arms with all the what-nots hanging from it.

Or at me, for that matter.

FullSizeRender[2]But seriously, I’ve got a milestone birthday coming this year and I’m ready to revolt against it, taking no prisoners. It’s a big one, to be sure, and I’m not too happy about it. Curse you, Father Time! I told you to put mom at the helm, but did you listen to me? Hardly. Sigh. Oh and Robert, before you decide to tell anyone what milestone I’m facing–as if they can’t guess on their own, anyway–you better think twice, my friend. I know you know but no need to divulge a lady’s secret, if you know what’s good for you. And that’s all I’m going to say on the matter.

Changing the subject, I love the park by my house, especially at dusk. On any Friday evening, when there’s just enough light left in the day, I can meander along the path, with dogs in tow and see many people at the park. On this particular evening, here’s what I see:

Folks playing volleyball.

Others playing soccer.

Families of diverse backgrounds meeting up for a picnic in what has been for years a weekly tradition.

Children on the swings and zooming down the slides.

Seniors taking a walk; one such couple holding hands.

A young guy watching his girlfriend do crunches.

A beaming father teaching his young child how to ride a bike.

All in all, I see people making the most of the last bits of daylight.

I can’t explain it, but seeing all this family-friendly outdoor activity on a Friday night, gladdens my heart and makes me pleased as punch to know I live in such a peaceful and relaxing place.

Poor Amy. Lucy is missing and hasn’t been seen in weeks. I know this because there are signs up all over the neighborhood and you can’t miss them. Which, if you’ve lived here long enough, you know that it can only mean ONE THING:FullSizeRender[1]

Coyotes

But, who has the heart to tell Amy? And Lucy was a good cat, too, and Amy won’t soon forget the happiness Lucy brought her during the short time they had together.

Overheard: When I was your age, I didn’t have the Internet. I’d have to use the microfiche at the library to do my research.

Micro fish? You mean tiny fish?

Sort of, but not really.

Here’s what I need to do this week:

Laundry. And no, I don’t bother separating the whites from the rest. Call me lazy, but I find it’s too much trouble and life’s awfully short.

Pay bills (a necessary evil)

Zumba!

I’m also just finished a profile of a Local Hero I recently interviewed, Azim Khamisa, a remarkable man whose son was gunned down at age 20, while on the job delivering pizza. Apparently, killing him was part of a gang initiation. The remarkable thing was that Azim was able to forgive his son’s killer, who at the time was just 14 years old, and he also reached out to his grandfather, Ples. Twenty years later and Azim and Ples still visit schools together, talking to students and spreading their anti-violence message. As far as Azim is concerned, the night of his son’s murder, there were victims on either side of the gun. Through a foundation he started in his son’s memory, the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, he’s already reached close to a million children with his mission to stop kids from killing kids by breaking the cycle of youth violence. He really is a Local Hero making a difference.

Finally, I’m packing for a trip to Chicago to visit my daughter. One long weekend with nothing to do but shop, chat, explore, and hang out together. After all, you’re never too old for some quality time!

Which begs the question: What are your plans this Mother’s Day weekend?

 

 

15 thoughts on “Train of Thought”

  2. You are full of grace, beauty and wisdom Monica… age is a limit the world likes to bestow on us; silly world I say.
    I loved reading about your park. We’re moving next month and there are two parks near us. We will be making much use of them. I run twice a week around a park with lakes and swans. I can’t imagine not saying a happy ‘Good Morning’ to other runners and walkers. I enjoy it so much. Allergies however, have become the bane of my existence.
    I am sorry they are so bad for you with being in the Windy City and all. We’re much the same here.
    I’m off to Astronomy Camp tomorrow with my daughter’s 6th grade class. Flying closer to you… Well, Idyllwild that is. I hope you had a glorious weekend with your daughter – a perfect way to spend Mother’s Day.

    • I still have four months to go before the Big One. I’m not aware that Lucy’s been found. It’s always so sad when I see these Lost Kitty signs go up and I see them about once a month. When I take my dogs out for our evening walk, I keep on the alert for coyotes for Oliver’s sake. He’s small enough to be of interest to them. Sigh.

  4. Happy upcoming birthday, Monica! I don’t believe a LADY ever needs to divulge her age (except at the doctor’s office, where they’re woefully inconsiderate about letting you whisper your birth year, ha!)

    Enjoyed the train ride — your park sounds remarkably like the one near me. Perhaps it’s the lure of walking a dog, but I can hardly step outside without running into folks eager to put their hands all over his furs!

    And I think I saw that same missing cat poster here, too! I’m pretty sure coyotes didn’t get kitty, but who knows? It might have been hawks!

    Enjoy your trip to the Windy City — hope you packed your Flonase, for everybody in the Midwest is suffering with allergies right now!

    • It’s a good thing our dogs are receptive to all the petting and even thrive on it. My dogs, too, get that all the time. I love how pleasant life is when strolling through the park. :).

      Btw, you are so right about allergies here. I didn’t sleep a wink last night. The allergies got the better of me. Yikes!

  5. There is no such thing as a ‘milestone’ birthday, there is only another year to celebrate all the richness life can bring. Consider, you are here, you are mobile, your brain is still brimming with creativity; sounds like you have great wealth.

    Love your station, thanks for sharing. Have a lovely Mothers Day and fun in Chicago.

    • Thank you, Val, for your words of wisdom. I wish numbers didn’t mean anything and that I didn’t get so hung up on them. But there you have it. Hope you’re having a wonderful Mother’s Day. May the feelings of warmth and love last all year long!

  7. Lovely post Monica.

    I would never dream of divulging your age, which after all is but a number. Bearing in mind of course that we both share the same number.

    Have a great time with your daughter, quality family time is always good. Not mothers day weekend this side of the pond.

    As for enjoying your park, I work weekends in a park which is where my station is located. I love observing people who pass or come into the station, they are always interesting, we have boats passing on the river as well, it’s a very relaxing place.

    • Thank you, Robert. Parks are a lovely respite and I enjoy them wherever I go. My daughter lives by one and we traverse it every time we need to take public transport. I enjoy the lush beauty of it.

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