My world of concrete isn’t as strange as it seemed two summers ago. 1135 square feet on the third floor over looking the city deck has replaced the ranch home in a quiet sedate neighborhood with overgrown trees that shaded the summers sizzling heat. No more walking out the back door with a book and cup oh coffee to sit and linger in that shade. Here it’s three stories down an elevator,(you know that elevator could get stuck?),out the lobby around the building to the deck . Now before you even think of leaving with my book and coffee, do I have my keys?, what about my hat…..not much shade here during the day better grab a hat and sunglasses. Maybe I want my chair in a bag. How about a snack? The carry out is mounting one more trip to the bathroom , its a long way back up if you have to go LOL. Hmmm, did I remember phone? Do I need a sweater, can’t just stick your nose out the door to check. I take one anyway can always sit on it if you decide to sit on the hard deck benches.
The cacophony of all new sounds, beep beep of the garbage trucks at 5 in the morning emptying dumpsters over flowing from a crazy weekend of music and food out on the deck, a ship with a blast that makes you jump a foot off the couch making naps at a premium during shipping season. A bridge tenders reply with a few more blasts. Horns blowing , sirens blearing in the background are all sounds that I’ve grown accustom to. Before it was the chirping of birds early in the morning from an open bedroom window.
well….enough of that stuff. Now for the good stuff that has turned my life around in 2 year. A walk up the river path along the Fox, trees in full bloom in the summer, Hugh planters with beautiful annuals everywhere I don’t have to water. sculptures depicting river life from many years ago. Places to stop and eat my breakfast on a bench by the river. Can always fine a shady side because of the buildings as I walk the city to see more planters.
i need a lemon, go across the hall knock on my neighbor’s door, he’s sure to have one. A root beer float, walk a little further down the hall my son is sure to have root beer in his refrig. Im hunger but nothing looks good in that measly mess in my refrigerator or in the freezer always Subway, Kentro Gyroz, China Place ,the Buzz, Erbert & Gerberts just to name a few.
The river replaced to backyard pool no rubber ducky float’n about. Big ships glide through the bridges seem so close you can reach out and touch them. Meeting the variety of people that change nightly and then some that become familiar as the sun lower into some of the most gorgeous sunsets over the water, cooling down the deck and making it a pleasant place to meet the your neighbors or a friendly chat with stranger.