The view from the sixth floor

 If we ever move, I really, REALLY want to be sure to have a view! My home doesn't have to be fancy as long as I can stand by my window and behold. 

Today my part time job took me to a little apartment complex in the downtown area of our little city. When I looked out the window of the tiny dwelling, I stopped wiping and paused.  I could live here, I thought. With a cute little apartment and this view, I'd be quite happy. 

I imagined my favorite chair arranged just so, so that I could sit comfortably to observe the goings on and admire the view. 

Of course, I'm not really ready to live in an apartment, and I think I'd probably wither without a little bit of greenspace of my own.  Where would the grandchildren play? And where would my husband work on his car renovation projects, if not for a garage or workshop? I remember having a conversation with him a while back  about downsizing to a condo (hypothetically speaking) and he responded by saying we'd have to have a really good cable package if we did that. Yikes!  That was his way of showing a strong disinterest in the idea.  

It was fun to day dream of downsizing and simplifying, but no, we're not ready for that YET! 

~Moment~

Day 26 Moment

A life can change in a single moment, and I was freshly reminded of that this past week.

 In our small city there are two main highways which converge at one point and head up a long hill. As I was driving up from the valley this past week in my little Honda Civic, a large one ton pickup truck merged from  the northern highway. I wondered if the driver was aware of my car, as he merged into the lane of the main highway. He proceeded to keep moving into the left lane, intent on passing a slower transport truck in front of him.  I was in his blind spot and he failed to do a shoulder check! I could see him moving closer and closer to me, until he was partly in my lane, right beside me. There was no place for me to go but into the cement median which divides the highway!  

I remember thinking “This is it. This is how I’m going to go”. My instincts kicked in and I leaned on my horn like I was pounding  furiously( one handed) on a drum!  That’s when he suddenly swerved back into his lane. I could feel tears at the back of my eyes. I know how close I was to being in a very serious accident.  I felt relief, fear, and anger all mixed together.

One driver’s moment of inattentiveness could have become the moment  that would usher me into the next life. It made me appreciate my life—I guess there’s a reason I’m still here! Thank you Lord, for your angels of protection!

Nearing the end of the 31 Days of Five Minute Freewrites!  Read more about it here.

Mending Walls, Building Fences

Have you ever read Mending Wall by Robert Frost? It's a great poem to read at this time of year -- when we have just done that - built a fence and a tall one (6 ft) at that! And I wonder if this fence will make us better neighbours? Will we still chat with the little girls next door and get to know the family a little better? 

In the poem, the author wonders if it's true that 'good fences make good neighbours' and why people put up fences when there's really nothing to keep in or out. His neighbour obviously wants to keep the fence up between their properties. Here's an excerpt from the poem..

He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.'
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
'Why do they make good neighbors? Isn’t it 
Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I’d ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offense.

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,
That wants it down.'  I could say ‘Elves’ to him,
But it’s not elves exactly, and I’d rather
He said it for himself.  I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father’s saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.'

Well, one good reason for putting up a good solid fence between our yards is keeping a good separation between the neighbour's bull mastiff (who is not friendly towards us at all, although we've made effort) and this:

Little Enzo will be staying with us for a week, and maybe longer. He is the cutest little thing and I might have the option to adopt him from my sister. Small chance, because I'm pretty sure he is growing on her more each day!. When I visited my sis a few weeks ago, Enzo and I became fast friends. We shall see what transpires. 

Do you have a (substantial) fence between you and your neighbours? Has that been a good thing? 

Eeny Meeny Miny Mo or Wang Ho?

I am trying to decide which candidates to vote for in our city council election coming up on Saturday. There are so many candidates running for election, that I have neither the will nor the time to figure out where each of them stands on various issues.

So I talk to my husband. He tells me the people he definitely won't vote for and why. He's got strong opinions (He's quite conservative).  I take that into consideration, because, well.. he's pretty smart. But I play Devil's advocate just to get him a little riled up. ;)

Some hopes and dreams for the new city council and our city:

•  Have realistic expectations for government services (read: practical & affordable). 
• Candidates should look, act, and speak professionally since they are representing our fair city. 
• Keep tax increases under control, while at the same time keep essential services going.
• Think before you spend (it's OUR money you're spending). Cut waste! 
• Work hard at attracting new businesses and events here. 
• Ramp up our tourist attractions. How about that water park? Kamloops is HOT in the summer. I can't believe we can't sustain a decent waterpark!!
• Be people and community friendly.  Be known for being a city that cares for those who are struggling. Not hand outs, but hand ups. 
• Please attract more doctors. Please. 
• How about a new Performing Arts Centre? The concert I went to last week was held in our hockey rink. I (almost) got a crick in my neck from looking sideways the entire evening. Not the best place for quality sound, either. But then again, Sarah McLaughlin would sound good anywhere, being that she has the voice of an angel. 
• Encourage healthy lifestyles (more community gardens, nonGMO foods)  

Well, I don't know how realistic that wish list was. 

I have settled on a few candidates. Maybe I'll leave it at that. I haven't missed an opportunity to vote in .... many, many years. As much as I am unenthusiastic about this election, I will do my civic duty.