Slow Burn Friendship

I had an incredible lunch yesterday -- really a wonderful afternoon.

This friendship has been a super slow burn. We met when she applied to adopt a dog I was fostering about 6 years ago (didn't work out because of her cat). She wore a t-shirt from Refuge Coffee and I commented on it and we were off ... ever so slowly. 

She actually transferred out of the area and back again in those 6 years. 

We talked for almost 3 hours and have a lot more in common than I knew. We'll continue letting the relationship be what it is -- no pushing, but I hope it continues to grow. 

We sat and talked so long, the owner brought us warm cups of tea -- how lovely was that? She said, so we could linger a bit longer in our conversation. 

That's the energy this woman brings to things -- she's warm and kind. She walks the walk like no other person I know. Very inspiring. 

After lunch I walked to a new coffee and sandwich shop -- two brothers, one Michelin star chef. GF bread coming soon. It's really a nice vibe. It's the furthest point in town from my house, but still walkable. I'll be checking out the food when they get GF bread. 

Then I walked across the street to a  hole-in-the-wall, no frills, Indian restaurant. Recipes are from the owner's mother. No English so it was hard to figure out gluten -- it should be naturally GF, but sometimes flour is added to bind. I got a lentil stew for dinner takeout. Absolutely delicious. 

Usual coffee meetup this morning.

Then lunch with my aunt.

And ... ta-da ... first rock painting gathering with her.

She's an artist so I'm starting with the best.

I need to experiment with setup and such.

How much should I prep ahead, etc. 

Pictures to come.

Last note ... I talk about all the little things that are making me happy or sad or frustrated AND the country is a shit show. So much suffering and hate. Awful, awful things. Scary beyond measure. Heartbreaking. 

I'm feeling all that.

I'm taking action.

I'm not sitting quietly. 

But, I don't want to talk about it here (often) because I need moments it doesn't touch. I was signing off to say, have a happy Friday, and that felt wrong. How can any of us have a happy day? But happy can live in small moments and focusing on them helps. Look at the memorial service in MN -- beautiful, joyful, kind. We can't let them take that from us.

We're in this together and we need that connection and those little moments. 

So I'll say, let's find that today AND let's take action.

We can and must do this. Later gators.