Friends and Neighbors

A bit of planning and a bit of serendipity this weekend.

Visited former Post-Gazette colleagues whom I've kept in touch with via Facebook. We chatted for more than an hour, catching up and sharing news.  Margi and Rick. Thank you for letting me borrow the drill and for the coffee and conversation.

Later in the day, during my walk through the neighborhood and off my usual course because of road construction, I came upon another set of colleagues – one current and one former. Anita and Bob, outside and enjoying the late fall sun. We had such a nice chat; Anita brought down a couple of glasses of red wine while Bob tended to the weeding.

There is something special about community. Kind of like family ... you are born to it, but you can find it and make it as well.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Social media is what the information world is all about these days, but I watched something very basic, and very comforting today, that reminded me of the power of real human connection.

My living room has a picture window and late in the afternoon I sat down for a brief break from chores to enjoy the view of the fading day. Across the street, a red truck pulled in to my neighbors' driveway. Everyone got out and the younger folks dropping off my older neighbors stayed to chat briefly. Conversation, hugs all around and the kids drove off.

What struck me was the connection and the communication: The wrapping up of the day in the driveway at the end of an obviously nice afternoon, the warm body language.

No Facebook or any kind of online connection will ever replace the social bonds of spending time with people you love and like. There is nothing nicer than spending a dinner hour or a long weekend, cooking, eating, talking, walking with the people who occupy your heart.

So, I had coffee with a good friend this morning and wandered about the little mall we met at after. There is an Anthropologie store there, which I love to wander in just for the design. How cool is it to use embroidery circles as a design feature? Pretty darn. The picture is of a dress with a scarf. That I would have loved to have bought. Perhaps after Christmas!

Election

At 6 a.m. today, the sky was inky blue and jeweled with constellations. Twist and I took a frosty walk; I had a flashlight but didn't really need it. There was no traffic, no noise; just a horned owl hooting in the distance.

Made it to the elementary school to vote by 8 a.m., with only one candidate (Democrat) in sight and a big make-do sign composed of smaller campaign signs for the Republicans. Ran in to our next-door neighbor on the way in, then greeted our across-the-street neighbor, who's a volunteer at the polls. The lady who took my ticket told me she didn't recognize me without my dogs (she lives on a neighboring street where we usually walk). She was sorry to hear Holli is no longer with us.

Touched the screen for my candidates, hoped it took, then slipped back out into the hall for the PTA bake sale, my favorite part of the general election. Bought two bags of scones (chocolate cherry and blueberry, and small!, not those mega-calorie bricks they sell you at Au Bon Pain), headed to the car and work.

Scratch that favorite part. Not true. I love that I can participate in a process and know that my neighbors and friends are doing the same thing. I hope that where I vote is reflective of the rest of the country. That is, we set aside our differences and participate in a peaceful process. And buy really delicious baked goods.

I thought about taking a picture inside, but the school has such a nice little learning garden for the kids. I snapped what looks like a milkweed pod instead.

I ignore all the coverage of running tallies. I don't care about exit polls. Count the votes and tell me who won. And keep the Supreme Court out of it.