Friday, August 26, 2011 — I love surprises

I think if it weren't for the surprises in life, I wouldn't find things as interesting and as challenging as I do. Of course there are the tragic, unwished for events, but that's not what I refer to. It's the everyday little things that bring sudden endorphins your way that I'm thinking of. I was on my way to the health club yesterday to do my laps and the trip along Franklin Street seemed like a funny movie. I turned the corner by Down Home Foods and there on the sidewalk was a handsome grey haired man doing a little tap dance routine with a very tiny little girl I took to be his granddaughter. I slowed way down to see as much as possible. It was a regular mini competition going on between this sturdy man, performing lightfootedly while the little one copied each move. Both had vibrant smiles on their faces. Because of cars behind me, I reluctantly moved on and they were soon out of sight. But I still had the smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart.

I kept going and when I approached the street by the Safeway parking lot, I slowed down again because there was a man slightly into the crosswalk. I still burst out laughing just thinking about the sight I was treated to. He had some sort of a grey jump suit on .... something approaching a combination hazmat and astronaut suit. He was sporting large earphones, other wires with unexplained uses and a prominent mouthpiece speaker microphone that he was obviously talking into. His eyes lit up when he saw me and I felt as if he was putting on a special one man performance for me, a one woman audience. He looked sublimely happy and self absorbed. I again had to keep going when he made it across the street and I laughed the whole two blocks left before turning in to the health club. I just sat there thinking about why it was so funny to me that I couldn't stop laughing. Who knows? As I checked in and received my towels, I still could hardly keep from laughing. That must have struck the attendant as a little strange, but he kept his cool and didn't let on.

The pool was a perfect temperature. Only three other people in the water. They included my favorite little Latina, Iris. She is now two years old but I've been watching her since she was only a few weeks old. Her family spends at least four or five late afternoons/early evenings there and it's been such fun watching this little girl grow from an infant to a very independent little person who rules the roost. I sometimes hear her really letting loose while I'm taking my shower. She's going to be a great swimmer judging by the power of her lungs. Anyway this day was a red letter turning point in her water experience. Until now, her beautiful Mama has carried her gently and protectively back and forth in the water and received her from the steps as she bravely jumped into her mother's arms from a short distance of sixteen inches or so. She's definitely a spunky little one who is sooooo comfortable in the water. This day I suddenly realized that she was gliding along in the water, out of the reach of her mother's arms. She was wearing a floatation device and looking totally at ease. I waved to her and she broke out in a hugely proud smile and waved back, obviously aware of the awe on my face. Mama was still only a few feet from her but Iris is obviously on her way.

After my laps I drove to Headlands for a Greek Salad and a little music. My friend Gin's brother is in the group that was making the house rock. Steve plays just about everything from kettle drums, accordian, clarinet as well as other horns. The pianist is a jumping, grooving player with a marvelous gravelly voice and this group stirs the whole place. I drove home with the beat still in my ear and was greeted by my sweet canine companions at the gate. How comforting. Latte has tended to follow me around the house a bit more now than earlier and when I'm writing these entries she sleeps peacefully on the other end of the sectional I'm sitting on. At almost sixteen, she sleeps quite a lot these days. But somehow, the minute I rise from the couch, she's up and right behind me. Dogs really know how to pace themselves. I learn something new from them almost every day.