tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57598443114792129572012-02-16T20:02:10.058-08:00bfbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306801024274309286noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759844311479212957.post-21734666969903651162009-04-25T06:28:00.000-07:002009-04-25T08:21:18.050-07:00I decided to walk home after work, enjoy the city now smelling of mulch and breathing of spring.  A few blocks in, I needed to stop beside the Free Library on 20th Street, just north of Callowhill, fish out a paper towel from my handbag, and create a ready-made bandage for my second left toe.  I was breaking in my new summer sandal and scowling to myself that a 45 minute walk home wasn't, well, one of my better ideas.<div><br /><div>As I was stooped over my toe, a hardy "Great Weather, don't you think!" was cast my way.  I looked up to a professorial type - not altogether tidy (I would've paired a different jacket with the pant), but not altogether unfashionable either (for a professorial sort).  He seemed in his mid-sixties, much too old for the shoulder length salt-n-pepper hair, and, of course, he wore most sensible shoes.  His smile was broad, his shoulders lean.  "Lovely", I replied.  He nodded, still smiling, and walked along.  I looked after him for a few seconds, finished my task, and thought to myself:  how wonderful to experience that absence of animosity and mistrust so indicative of city dwelling.  Ah, spring.<div><br /></div><div>Mother Nature has her hand upon the city at the moment.  A small respite from cold rain, high utility bills, and, yes, just-new sandals.  Soon enough we will complain on the heat.  And utility bills anew.  And we will have tired of the now-new shoe. But today, there is an obvious joy, a warmth.  To me, it seems, in everyone.  As I stood up to continue my walk home (the bandage come undone within just a few steps), I noticed my professor at the newstand.  He had placed his book to the side to get a dollar from his wallet.  I was curious and so glanced down at the book's title.  </div><div><br /></div><div>It read:  The Wise Master Builder.<div><br /></div><div>April 24, 2009</div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5759844311479212957-2173466696990365116?l=clownbird.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>bfbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306801024274309286noreply@blogger.com1