The Last August Sunday

Already here.

Damn.

Where has my month gone?

Gonna grill later.

Chicken & Burgers.

More later...

Took a walk downtown to send myself a file from my old work PC, and get some exercise.

My friend Renãn had told me about a stairway between Miller Dwan and the funeral home that leads to Superior St, so I thought I'd try that route today. It was a bit warm out to walk in mid-afternoon, but I dressed for the weather and brought along a small bottle of water to make it a little more enjoyable.

When I reached the stairway, I followed it down to 1st st, then again further down, but ended up in a bit of a odd area behind the clinics which was above and parallel to the freeway below. I had no choice but to walk along it, hoping that no one dodgy was back in that alley. It was broad daylight, but stranger things have happened. Nothing did and I made a note to talk to my friend about it.

Anyway, I made it to another set of stairs leading down to the area of Superior St that comes out by the Pickwick's parking lot, and the Vet Center. From there I continued walking to the office. I fired up the PC and retrieved my file, got some more water, and a few pieces of candy for the return ride home; one for me to put a new taste in my mouth, and several chocolaty ones for my friend as he'd be driving my bus home. I reckoned he could use an afternoon treat.

In no time the bus was due, so I locked up and went to wait. There were two girls (0ne obnoxious and large white mouthy one, and one more quiet black one) there, one with a small child (of 2 or 3?/mixed race), who were having some candy and hiding it (quite unsuccessfully) from the child. The child knew. The larger one, who turned out to be the little girl's mother, told the child to "beg" the other girl (they were old enough to have children, but certainly not acting than more that a girl would act - so I hesitate to use 'women') for her candy, saying, "Tell XX - Gimme a bite." I had a headset on and missed the name. But the little girl didn't and repeated like a parrot everything her mother said. The larger one also told her friend that "my little girl is smart, and not gonna miss anything your dumb ass does." Nice language. I just shook my head. Both noticed. Good. Their language and behaviour was so inappropriate for the Transit Center as well as to speak to a young child.

I was glad to see my bus come just after that, and boarded, saying hello to my friend - but he was rather quiet - the whole ride. I continued to ride past my stop to have perhaps a bit of a chat with him, and to check on him as it seemed he'd gone all melancholy again. At the rest stop, come to find he had. I thought about just walking home from there, but decided against it as I felt that it was good to check on him, give him a hug and just talk about other things for a bit to give him a little different focus beyond all the issues that were troubling him. Whether it helped or not, I don't know, but I am sure the hugs did. They did me anyway, I always like his hugs.

** Note**

While we rode, we went through the UMD campus and those sunflowers I had taken pics of looked so bad. They were all drooping. I was so glad I took that walk earlier in the week when they looked so lovely and proud. I may go home for lunch with my friend and take the camera, and just double check how they are, as I had hoped to get a morning shot of them in the sunlight. I have a feeling that time has passed. Go back to Monday's post to see them in all their glory.

Later I sent him a text inviting him to Sunday dinner, letting him know he is always welcome to visit and share a meal. (¡Abrazos you!)

Returning home I sorted the food for dinner so it'd be ready to cook around 7, and then dug into my paper due tonight, only to find in the discussion forums that the dropbox had closed at 11:59am rather than 11:59pm. Several others besides myself seemed to be unaware of this as well and questioned it - but no response from the instructor. I emailed him and also attached my paper to the email, and the discussion board, and will check again later before the 'normal' due time to see if he has realised the mistake, or perhaps left a message that it was in fact, a correct closing time. It was only worth 10pts, so not such a big deal...yet.

As I prepared the end of my paper, I lit the grill. It is such a gorgeous night. I hope he has a change of mind like last week and decides to come, it would be a very nice evening to sit outside and talk, and maybe have a fire.

**Later (9p)

Just finished grilling. Mmm it was so YUM. I even ate outside.

Chicken breast, some large prawns, and a couple of burgers for during the week.

Made up some potato salad from some of my little Farmer's Market taters.

Sliced up some fresh cucumber, and also a few celery sticks.

Grilled some more veggies. (summer squash, zucchini, asparagus, and a patty pan squash)

Had a bit of fruit too. (cherry tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, grapes and melon)

It all blended together marvelously if I might say so myself. Crispy, crunchy, sweet and savoury.

After the food was done, I tossed a few sticks on the coals and am sat here having a bit of a fire.

What a night.

No bugs (well only one skeeter so far - earlier)

A very slight breeze, just enough.

The smell of the grill - coals and firewood.

Crickets chirping.

An awesome meal.

My work done, my blog here sorted.

Some company would be nice to enjoy all this with me, but such is life.

The boy went back to school on Thurs, the girl is in her own world,

and my friend is hiding from the one outside his own. For now.

Quite the contrast to last Sunday for sure.

Ah well, we can only love them, and let them know we are here.

They'll come round when they realise they need the love in person.

¡Abrazos!