Ran back across the yard, unlocked the door and barreled into the house, where he stood with an “I told you” look on his face.
Found my phone. He sighed and retreated to the couch. I headed back on my way
The escalators sound like a Jr high orchestra horn section trying to prep for class. Squeaky, distracted, out of tune, and you’re pretty sure there’s some pb&j stuck in the ‘keys’ somewhere.
Either that or the makers of WD-40 are missing a huge advertising opportunity.
I got flirted with on the bus this morning.
Hispanic guy, beautiful brown eyes, infectious smile, and relentless in his pursuit of me.
I think he was about 18 months old.
My smoke alarms went off at 11:50 this evening. And apparently I need to update my renter’s insurance policy because because there is in fact a sprinkler system.
There does not appear to actually be a fire. No gas leaks. My landlord who lives upstairs is visiting family in France. He did answer my text and let me know an alarm tech will be out ASAP.
Once my ears stop ringing, everything will be grand.
1 April
Metro observations:
As I stood waiting on the bus, I watched a beautiful tortoiseshell cat approach the street. She looked at the cars, picked her moment, and shot across the street and up into a yard. Clearly she’s done this before.
I was approached by one of the locals who remembered me from my wait on Friday. Her name is Denise, she is a native Washingtonian, has lived in the neighborhood for 50 years, and has a personality ridden pooch named Gucci. Denise was very concerned I’d neglected my hat. Gucci was in a fabulous ensemble: an orange corduroy jacket with faux horn buttons and a hood.
3 April
Metro observations: (on seeing a doe pick her way down the hill behind Fort Totten)
From the platform. My train is late, thank God. I might have missed her.

10 April
I’m officially a city dweller. I just bought lunch from a street cart!
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Someone asked me for directions this morning. And I knew the right ones!
Of course it helped that they didn’t ask for street names.
And that they were looking for a cathedral.
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Why am I still up?
Well, because God has a soft spot for pyrophobic ragamuffins. Upstairs had a water leak that decided to come in to my apartment through the smoke alarm. Pro tip: if your alarm sizzles like a pan of bacon leash the dog, go outside, and call the fire department. Especially if it also starts smoking.
I’m having another glass of wine
13 April
So apparently all the girls my age keep their metro card etc on a lanyard…
Trying to decide if I want to be a joiner or a rebel
30 April
As I put on my shoes, I double knotted the laces. I said to Seamus I felt like a kindergartner.
However if it stops me having to kneel down in the Metro or on the sidewalk to tie my shoes (or, God forbid, getting my laces caught in the escalators), I’ll take it–and the accompanying post lunch nap!
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Mused to myself as I hurried to the stop that it would be my luck to be crossing the street directly in front of my bus.
Prophetic. Bless the driver for opening the door for me mid road.
2 May
I do try to not complain about the public transportation because the drivers are doing a difficult and perilous job and I’m grateful.
But I do wonder what genius decided fabric covered seats on buses were a good idea. Mystery stains and odors. And it isn’t even that hot out yet.
9 May
Saw a mom with her two boys on the train today. In her bag was a copy of Sandlot.
So many memories of watching that with my boys. I can quote it in my sleep… And probably do.
Incredibly grateful for the blessing of motherhood.
13 May
My life should be a musical. Got on the bus today with a young lady who could be a Disney princess, modernized and urbanized. Yellow boots, stockings, skirt, adorable coat and a polka dot umbrella. Reddish hair in a bun and very clever glasses. She was reading a variation on What to expect… And you could see every mother and grandmother on the bus smiling quietly while appraising her.
And next to me a loud lady was having what I took to be an animated conversation with the girl what had bright green hair sitting opposite her. Turns out, they were each on their respective phones. As the bus filled up so did the airspace with conversations–all one sided. The 21st century version of the the Music Man’s Pick a Little, Talk a Little.
We waded off the bus and I found on the platform a young lady with a vine cutting in a glass of water. A consummate optimist. Both in keeping the vine whole in the crush of the train and in not spilling her water.
And for a city scape, D.C. is actually quite pretty in a spring rain.
As I returned to the train this afternoon, an exceedingly well fed pigeon hopped out of the shrubbery directly in front of me, causing me to stutter step and beg his pardon. His response was very De Niro.
And there was a band outside the train station. No idea what they were playing but really, is live music ever wrong? Really?
14 April
Oh DC!
For reasons too complex to go into, at 5 this afternoon I had to run to the UPS store to buy a box and bubble wrap for work.
I found it on Google maps, it was supposed to be a 5 minute walk. Off I went.
Halfway there sirens began to blare. Soon headed past new in the opposite way came several motorcycle officers, a couple cars, and then came the black SUVs– one with US flags mounted on the hood. Trailing was a large black box truck that seemed ominous.
“Hail to the chief, he’s the one we all say hail to…” (Some movie about ex presidents) started running through my head.
I found where the UPS store was supposed to be… It wasn’t… Round the block. It was all hotel. Found a friendly face with a name tag. UPS was in the hotel on the opposite side of the building, on the second floor across the mezzanine.
So in I go, across the marble floors, past the myriad of conventioneers, up the stairs and into a private party that had closed the mezzanine. Back down stairs to the concierge. Nope, no other way to UPS but through the party. “You gotta do what you gotta do” she said.
Up the stairs, wove my way through the business folk and their drinks & hors d’oeuvre, found UPS. And a sign that said “Out delivering packages, call for assistance”
Sigh. I called. He came back. They didn’t have the box I needed.
Sigh back to the office.
And then on my way home I got hugged by a homeless man. He’s easily the friendliest person I’ve met in DC. We say hi and bump knuckles everyday when I’m walking back to the train. Today he asked for hug and I hugged him. He always has his cup for spare change. It’s silly but I don’t want to put money in his cup for fear of changing the dynamic–i also rarely actually have cash. I’ve considered making an extra sandwich to give him but don’t know if he’d accept it.
He reminds me that but for the grace of God and the love of family and friends… So I may make a extra sandwich tonight.
15 April
The Box saga continues… I rode the metro one stop past the usual and trekked to the UPS store that was in between that stop and my office. At that store I purchased a 2 ft x 2 ft heavy duty box. For those who pay attention to such things, that’s 48 inches by 48 inches. I am 63 inches. My wingspan is a little less than that I’m guessing. I carried this box and the accompany bag with bubble wrap (plus my computer bag and lunch box) 3/4 of a mile, through morning traffic, to my office.
Much to the amusement of passers-by and the concerned looks of a gaggle of construction workers. My elbows and shoulders are still complaining.
And then on the way home, I nearly walked with a co-worker but I made myself a promise this morning when I made my lunch.
I found my friend. I learned his name begins with M and he let me pick the rest. I said to him, “Since I haven’t anything to put in your cup, would you let me give you a sandwich? It is ham and cheese.”
He told me he doesn’t usually eat ham but since I made it for him, he’d make an exception. And if he didn’t eat it, he’d give it to someone else who would. And he hugged me again.
Today has been a good day.