Flow and time are sporadic and come in patches. I feel like a crazy quilt.
But there was a trip to M's house across the water. Leaving the city and all of the things behind for a day.
Soon it felt like another world.
(Except for one moment... There are signs everywhere stating that masks are required inside the ferry, you may be outside on deck or in your car without one. Also, multiple announcements are made stating this, and that masks are available if needed. The man sitting across from me did not have one on. We moved to another part of the boat. A while later the man was walking throughout the ferry, still without a mask. We watched him pass one of the pursers, who was walking towards us.
Yes, I am a rule follower. Yes, I think everyone else should be too. Yes, I am a bit high strung these days, with things feeling somewhat out of control. Yes, I may have been desperate to control something, anything. Yes, I called out to the man, "You need a mask!" Yes, I was ignored. Yes, I called out to the purser who was sauntering by, doing nothing about the unmasked violator, "That man needs a mask!" His eyes smiled, seemingly thinking I was just admiring his epaulettes. I waved him over, "Excuse me! That man isn't wearing a mask." He then patronizingly began to explain to me that there was nothing he could do, other than offering a mask and a reminder of the requirement. "Well, did you?" I was met with a questioning confused look. "Did you offer him a mask and a reminder of the rule?" Silence. "Do you have a mask to offer him?" (I probably should add exclamation points to my last three statements to convey the tone I was using.)
"Uh, yes, I can go find one..." and he quickly scurried away.
"Sorry if that was too much," I said to M.
"Nope. It was just you being you. Let's go down to the car."
The rest of the day was wonderful.
She gardened. My height and long arms came in handy for dead heading the sunflowers threatening with their weight to break the stalk before the rest could finish blooming.
Inspired by beautiful gifts (Deb, Jude, Tina), I stitched for the first time in days.
It felt so good to notice beauty everywhere.
We wandered through a flea market. So many pretties and memories. We found sets of our childhood dishes sitting right beside each other in one display. A very good day.
Autumn has arrived. Bright glowing days and crisp air. There are things to look forward to soon.
"Imagining Beyond"
