Today I went downtown, a name that conjurs an image that decidly mismatches the reality. But in any case, I was there. And so was Jun. I was just standing gently observing one of the harbors, basking in the afterglow of a sugar scrub and tub. --Note to self, DH has ruined me for showers. Must have tub.-- Anyway, back to Jun. I happened to glance left and saw this young man approaching me, certainly about to kill my buzz. I have become fearful of young men, with pen and pad who walk up and say "Hi. How are you?" But as I am discovering, I have some ability to control my reaction. While it is not immediate, it comes more quickly here on the island. I disconnected my ears from my shoulders and smiled and said "Fine. How are you doing?" And the shoulders relaxed and on went the conversation. For 20 minutes. At least.
Jun (his "fake" English name as he calls it) is on sabbatical from university in Tokyo attending an ESL school in Victoria. He is here on SSI for a month with a host family, further perfecting his english. His assignment every day is to walk around and talk to 100 people, learn their names and write down one new thing, phrase or comment in english next to their name. I was number 76 and it was just before noon. He had been very busy already. What a joy. We chatted about all sorts of things and I taught him "I bet" and "Sabbatical." He taught me that there are still places where fear is an inappropriate response to a young man in a big coat walking toward you.
Sunset From My Deck
Scout and I had returned home from the afternoon "stroll" (that is as funny as "downtown" but probably only to me). I had started dinner and turned to see this view out the back of the house. That clump of thinnish trees just to the left of center...I used to think they blocked my view. Apparently, they make it. This totally doesn't suck.
I Heart Lichen
Each day, one of the two walks we take is in the woods. There are some established trails and some travelled fire roads and some thinned out thicketed spaces asking to become familiar paths, so we help them along. This was shot from an area adjacent to the cottage. We'll be going there in a little while. After I talk with DH and before I talk with KP. Boy she must have been tortured at sleep away camp.
PS. Picking up hitchhikers, knowing it is safe, is one of the great secret joys of life. Service, encapsulated interactions and painless goodbyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment