Pest Control

A while back we had a rat in our house. It came in through an opening or forgotten hatch, a weakness in the foundation. A place that offered an opportunity to let in this unwanted guest. The rat moved about the house, seen only a few times. Then it was found in a bedroom and the landlord was called. This rat had made itself at home within our own comfortable little space, it never asked to share. It just came in and took it. For this it was killed and sent into the next life, just another dance to take in the universe. We never missed it or regretted the loss of life. We were happy to see it leave, upset that it was ever there to begin with.

Another thing happened similar to the rat. Just the same sneaking about to find a weakened place in the foundation. The same stealing action and declaration of entitlement. There were tears and a broken heart, but the landlord can't be called to take of this mess. Not this time. It won't be as easy because though it happened unexpectedly and without an invitation, I was happy about the way it happened. Then I had to begin the journey to sadness and back again, which can take quite a bit of time and isn't always easy.

I can choose to be happy though. I can see this as just another part of the dance and lean into it, because just after this will be the fun part. I can dwell on how much I miss the lightness of what turned so heavy, or I can laugh and learn a little bit more. There's a ton of other stuff to be happy about anyway.

So today as the city turns dead quiet with more snow I can smile and be happy because I'm having adventures and can turn the most painful things into a story told through bouts of laughter with friends in the kitchen at a house party.

I thought of sealing the foundation a bit more and maybe building another wall to keep them all out, but where would the fun be? The disasters are always more fun to tell, otherwise it gets boring oh too quick.

Laugh, Love, and Drink Liquor

This is the time for parties and friends and family.

Last night was a send off for a wonderful person who has caused a great commotion. The type of girl that knew how to let go and free herself to the possibilities of the moment. We all hate to see her go, but can't wait to see what she will make of her life somewhere else. She's moving away, but will be back again before too long.

Life, after all, is a series of meetings and partings. We'll see each other again and she will always be in my life. So even though she won't be available for drinks after work, she'll still be there for a phone call. We've spent the last couple of years running around this town laughing till it hurts and coloring outside the lines. I'll miss her and can't wait to see what else is next.

The evening we spent together was a gathering of old friends and a wide variety of the circles this girl travels. All of us beautiful and heartbroken at losing such a huge spark. There was dancing and laughing and a keg of micro brew. It even snowed. It was a good time with a great group of friends and stories, I was sorry to see it end even though t was three in the morning.

The night on my way home was cold and dark, the wind had picked up and there were a few flakes floating through the air. It brought me back to the town I grew up in, the late nights spent with friends in warm houses while the air outside lay frozen. I shivered as I picked my way up the sidewalk and remembered to take a few pictures of what winter really looks like at night. Everything was blanketed in the silence of snow and ice, muted by the late hour and also by the magic of a soft white blanket.

I happily slipped into bed and drifted off thinking how wonderful the evening had been. A little bittersweet, but celebratory all the same. There was love and laughter and drinking, we gathered and in a small way helped he revolution come a bit quicker.