Another day, another book, I think I will have to stop eating beans?

The soup was delivered. I drove to the Co-op and gave her a call, letting her know what the three soup de jour were. She picked quickly, then ended the call. I had to call back to learn what size of container she desired. Large, as usual, she says. I load the containers, pay the fine, and walk free to my vehicle. She answers the door a little weak and tired looking and sounding.

I ask if she would mind sharing some of the soup, so that I might then go right on out and hike rather than returning to the cave for a bite. Plus, soup would be liter fare than I have available. Well, she thinks, sure she says. But she admonishes me to remove my boots and to figure out how to accommodate my meal seating arrangement. Certainly, I assure her. She, while I remove my boots, removes herself to her kitchen area and begins to pluck the bowls and spoons for her very rare guest and herself. We discuss a few things, about the trip, yesterday, and the foods we are exploring. She finishes ladling the soup and decides to direct my facilitations for the meal and passes the instructions to me. We both take our places, and I am just about to ask her if she wishes to be included in the grace, but before I have more than a moment to ponder, she springs up and asks me about the same. We, as I do with her, mother, or any guests who know me, hold hands and I lead the simple prayer. Once complete, she returns to her place and we begin to consume.

The soup was fine. It was a tomato, chicken, steak, sausage, well spiced affair, with several vegetables. Though watery, the textures of the meat and tomatoes with the hot but not lasting spice made it just right. A little more conversation intervened the beginning and finish of our breaking of bread, so to speak. The conversations through out the visit were light, sporadic, and soft in nature as she is ill and I wished her to be more at peace. After finishing, and I finished first for a change, I arose to place my implement and large soup cup in the sink. She finishes as I am doing this, so I collect her spent dishes and set them in their place.

I notice she has dishes, so I ask if she would mind if I did these few things and straightened up a bit. There was surprise in her voice as she said she had no objections. She does this at my place, from time to time, albeit as a form of payment for using my laundering facilities, which saves her a fair coin. As I am doing this, she begs my attention in providing one of her popsicles, a coconut flavored one, for her dessert. I do this and remove the wrappings and dispose of those. I finish with the dishes washing, drying, then putting away all but the camping plastic silverware as she prefers these to air dry. I take care of her coffee pot while I am at it, clean the cutting board and the area a bit, and then speak to her a bit more before heading out.

I decide to drive out to my usual, to this point, hiking trail. There are several people, perhaps even others I cannot yet see, so I think about other spots. Realizing it is a Sunday and many will be out today, that my funds are limited and my gas is therefore limited, I decide to return to my cave.

On the way home, I decide to try and find a shorter and perhaps more relaxed regular rout. So, using what I know and what I think I remember, I begin taking a different set of paths. I set upon a way that is looking perfect. I have to turn around a time or two, as I arrive at places I do not think are favorable or pass a turn which I believe might prove to be more favorable. Sure enough, I strike on a path that is both shorter, less traveled, and quicker to boot I do believe, than those several I had been using up to this point. Ha, but it takes me right through that little secluded campus area.

Now, whether it was chance, whether it is a normal function, whether the locals actually read my blog and worry, or whether someone there spotted my vehicle and called it in, I will never know, but after driving through and heading back on the last stretch of my new path, and shortly after leaving the quiet intellectual secular cloister, I see a patrol car heading the opposite direction and back toward the secluded campus. He eyed me fairly closely as we passed, though, so I have my suspicions. If they are watching me, their eye is not on the ball. All I can say is, “Duck”.

I was going to buy milk on the way home. The Q.O.D. had returned some of the money I had spent on the soup, while almost tearfully, and a bit in a panic, realized she owed me for this, that, and the other thing. A few dollars mean more to her then me, even when I am broke. So, I assured her it was fine. Whenever and what she could pay. Though as I reflect, I will probably forgive most of it. I will keep enough of the debt and favor that she strives a little and does not become complacent. Anyway, perhaps I will go out for milk now. Two gallons a week is my goal. It has kept my bones and teeth so very strong that even through negligence, accident, and hard treatment at times, I have yet to break a bone. Oh, and the taste. I see documentaries where Africans mix milk and blood (cattle blood and milk, but it used to be the blood of enemies until Christianity crashed their party, for good or ill). I can think that would be the only thing better than pure milk. I would buy unpasteurized milk, if I could. Hmm, rather than pull the X’ter out, I might just wander over to the store. It is only a block or three, and I have a minor old pack that would allow hands free transport of my white honey.

I am not sure what to do today, with the traffic and crowds. If it would rain, I might go out and do the trail as I am almost assured to be alone and I am well equipped for such eventualities. It is not that I am anti-social, truly. It is just that in certain places, I go to let out and be myself. Sometimes I see it as my path, but other times I see it as their path, whoever they may be. It offers some perspective and allows me to think more deeply about how to treat others while I am on our path. I am a bit tired, but that is to be expected with my varied sleep the last few days. It would be nice to get the body a bit of a work out so we might sleep together tonight and wake up refreshed tomorrow morning, in time for a shower, shave, breakfast, my menu of blogs, news, and tinkering, then to church, and the climbing wall to top it off. Let me think on it while I retrieve my milk.

I have not been able to make telephone contact with my Mum. This always bums me out a bit. It can be days or weeks, but when I feel the need to check on her, share my day and news, or just hear her voice, it is time sensitive, stressing, and maybe a bit distressing to not be able to find her. Her battery may be down while her charger is somewhere else, she travels to her love’s place as her and his needs and her moods dictate. She is also a busy woman, and purposefully stays that way while she is hale. It is a good thing that I cannot find her, a good sign most surely. But knowledge does not cut through emotion, so I stew and fret.

I really do have a wonderful little life. My needs are handily met, my wants can be and are being supplied with a little work, planning, and sacrifice, and I am finding great satisfaction in that endeavor. I have a wonderful imagination and sense of humor for my own consumption, since I have few to share it with. My circle of friends grows, though, here and in the world, as I expand the boundaries of my world in real terms and in terms of interests and activities. My family may be coming together again shortly. My thoughts are clear, my memory is very functional, my chivalry is alive and handsome and only becoming more alive and true with time. Romance is something I am enjoying, with many women, in a chaste and joyful way. Yes, an elder blossom, a young girl, a woman, and even my Mother receives this chaste sweet sort of affection in her own special way. As well, I am becoming a strong and proud freeman, a silverback in my particular world. And more, I know it. I cherish this life. Even should you hear me cuss, rage, shout, doubt, and fear, know too, I now associate with the Source of Wisdom in such a way as to overcome my emotions and doubts, I have the bravery to face my fears, toils, and failings, and I have the strength to live and die rightly. I only hope He is pleased with His work.