Not What I Meant to Write

This morning I left a copy of Native Speaker, by Chang Rae Lee, out on the sidewalk a house down from mine. I wrote a note and stuck it inside, telling the recipient, “Enjoy and Peace.” It made me happy to free a book so close to my home (although I talked to Mom, and she had an AMAZING idea – she was going to release a book in the local hospital waiting room – two years ago today while I waited for her to come out of recovery, I would have appreciated that. My mother is the coolest).

I have to admit, though, that I sat looking out my window after I put it on the sidewalk. I wanted a glimpse of the person who picked it up, even though I knew that probably wasn’t a good idea. I sat and sat and sat; no one walked by. This is strange, as my neighborhood is always full of people walking and riding bikes, and it was seven in the morning. Prime time in my hood.

Instead, I saw a green car pull up in front, and a brown-haired girl sat inside for a few minutes pulling kleenex from a box on her back seat. She sat for another minute, then got out her cell phone and dialed. A minute later, Doug from upstairs came running down to meet her. She got out of the car, came around to its front, looked up at him, and wrapped her arms around him. They stood like that, without saying anything for at least a minute. Maybe two. She gave him a tissue, he got in, and they drove away. Doug moved here from New York a year ago. I noticed he was wearing a NYFD tee shirt.

I decided then I didn’t need to know who picked up my silly book, and that I had already seen the day being honored. I went to bed.

**
This is NOT what I meant to write. Not even sure where that came from. What I meant to write is about how blocked I feel as a writer lately, but I don’t feel like talking about that now. I’m going to the writers’ conference with the little mama this weekend, and I’m going to use that to spur me onwards. AND, I get to have donuts at the beach and clam chowder in Pismo. I’m going to finish my booga noro bag (ooooh! Mom has hot water in her machine! I’ll felt!) It’ll be a good weekend.

I revamped my list of sites to the left – I’m leaving only a link to some of my favorite links, and one to Bethany’s page (she’s in Cody, Wyoming!). I have too many sites (and people) that I love and adore, and there are more everyday. Sometimes I just groan when I find more writing that I enjoy. I don’t NEED this many pages to hit. But I do. We do. It’s a grown-up version of pen-pals, this time with pictures! And knitting!

Today’s a day to love. Sending you all of mine. Enjoy each other.