florida

There are a pile of young, green coconuts on my parents' table. Josh and Beka brought them up from West Palm Beach, where Josh cut them out of people's palm trees while Beka kept watch. Nice work. My first time drinking the water from a green coconut was while visiting B this past spring: Josh cut it from a tree, cut the top off, and that was that. I have to say, it was probably the most refreshing thing I've ever drank. And I was standing by the ocean, which made the experience even more vivid. That whole week had some pretty vivid moments, actually, particularly when in the everglades for a day. Lots of alligators, and a green heron catching a fish, and "herping" (which I have learned is the technical term for snake-catching, not "snaking"), and other things.

ouch

Yesterday I visited the local pet store, which I think is called Fish n' Stuff. It's pretty great. They have lots of fish and corals and reptiles, and rodents. I like looking at the crazy colorful fish; the problem with them, though, is that they're not very good for holding. But rodents! So soft and small! They had this one little guy called a Spiny Mouse, which kind of looks like a tiny hedge hog only without spines and just some bristly parts in his fur. I was quite taken with him, and the owner let me hold him for a while. It was all going swimmingly and I was having thoughts of doing something impulsive like taking him home with me right then. Unfortunately he and I didn't seem to be on the same wavelength and he let me know by gingerly taking a bite of my finger. Ouch. My finger, now punctured, bruised and bloodied, was only a representation of the real damage done to my small animal-loving soul. Maybe Spiny was just having a bad day. I hope we can be reconciled.

tickled

Isn't it great when unexpected things happen? When I opened my eyes yesterday morning and peered out from my blankety cave, what greeted me but beautiful SNOW! It took me completely by surprise and immediately I started laughing. I'm not sure if I've ever woken up laughing before, but I'd like to more often. What a great way to begin a day.

eyes

Today a former resident came to the house to get some of her things. It was funny, because I had just been thinking about her and her son, wondering how they were, where they were... uncanny how often that happens. I was suprised and glad to see her, but also saddened. She just looked crushed somehow, defeated. Her eyes had pain.

She's going far away, and I don't suppose I'll see her again. It's so strange how we step in and out of each other's lives. I'm not sure what to do with that.

I love this picture of the four of us. A sister sandwich. It's from Thanksgiving 2006, I think.

I had plans to lie in front of my parents' pellet stove and sleep, but got distracted. Even though that didn't work out, the most delicious nap still came over me this afternoon. Then I woke up and my mom and I walked through the candle-lit streets of Granville. Pretty but cold. We came home and I talked her into making caramel corn (she had been asking me what special cake or dessert I wanted for my birthday and I couldn't even think! Caramel corn seemed right. Thankfully I still have tomorrow to make that important decision). I plan on eating large quantities of it very soon. Unfortunately I forgot to add peanuts...