I saw the man and woman walking almost everyday together. Year in and year out, it was obvious that they still loved each other's company. They were always happy and they had a bounce in their step. Across from the Circle K, near the old mobile home park, the one we vote at.
He had to be about six foot seven and she barely touched five feet. Looked kind of funny but opposites attract. Now he walks alone in the morning. I want to stop and talk to the guy, find out why he's walking alone, maybe she's just not feeling really well, fearing the worst...but the truth is that we are absolute strangers. Yet I almost know him because he fills in such a regular spot in my visual canvas. That ought to count for something, you know.
***
Speaking of the Circle K, I noticed that the right side hallway is now blocked so that you can't walk through. I asked the guy on the night shift and he said that they had three different guys run out of the store with a twelve pack that week alone. Another guy did it at Bonita Foods. These kids nowadays.
***
I have to take a picture of the letters delaminating off the sign at Young's Sushi, the place that closed down. The synthetic letters are peeling and dripping like a Dali clock. Very trippy looking. Twisted logic, twisty letters. The entropic disintegration of our epoch is not going to look like any past efforts. They caught a whale the other day that had choked on plastic bags. They did an autopsy and she had swallowed fucking plastic bags. Man is the most dangerous and backward of beasts.
***
A bar buddy died a few weeks back. You might have heard about the poor guy. Had a few too many and hit his head. Nice guy, I understand he had a lot of dough. But he had been hanging around with hookers, word has it. Fellow said the other day it was the Viagra that finally got him. Guy always was smiling. Tough luck.
***
They got to get my dad out of the nursing home. She says he is too strong. The rest of them just sit and stare at the wall, like vegetables she said. Got to get him outta there. She said he asked about me last week, a rare lucid moment. Last time he felt ashamed that he didn't remember my name. He floated back in for a brief second. I get to see him next week. God bless my stepmother. She is past the breaking point yet still there and in love with and for him. None of the rest of us can carry the weight.
***
Lot of friends are having problems with their parents these days. That time in our lives. JH wrote me about the battles with his, called his wife a b-i-t-c-h and is playing the anxiety diorder con to create a little drama at the home. My mom is in a home now too, and she is working the room, being a great communicator. Says it's like summer camp.
***
This is the first time in my life that we don't have a dog. Over thirty years. We had a chain of great dogs, they trained each other. Two pyrenees/lab mixes. Many large mixed breeds. Then we got the dog from hell, a yellow lab from the eighty year old friend of Leslie that died and let the dog do whatever. Maddie was lovable but a con artist that liked to have extended overnights with the neighbors. Jumped fences and ran a lot. I would always have to drive across town to fish her out of some koi pond. Thankfully, J&J took her off my hands and told me that she is turning into a really great dog. They have really worked with her and given her the attention that she needs. Buddy says that Labs are goofy until about four or so and then they straighten out. No more pure breds.
When the economy sucks and you have to work your business, it is not an optimal time for dog training. But I sure miss having a dog.
