Organic Glitter

Since I'm growing tomatoes for the first time, I've been obsessed with inspecting the plant daily to make sure I'm not killing it. Today, as I was doing a little pruning, I realized the leaves seemed to be shimmering in the sun. 

As I looked closer, I couldn't get over how beautiful the leaves were.  It looks like someone dusted them with gold glitter.

PS - I know he looks thirsty. It was noon and almost 100 degrees.

June 12, 2016

Today will be marked in history forever.

Forty-nine innocent people were killed in a venue some may have considered the only place they felt safe.

I was traveling today and didn't learn of the tragic event in Orlando until I made it to my airport gate. So until then, my day felt pretty normal. Breakfast with family, chit chat on the way to the airport and then a moment that made me smile.

As I was standing on the curb, re-shuffling my luggage and searching for my ID, I noticed a Lyft car pull up to drop off a passenger.

The driver - a 20-something, adorably awkward man - stepped out to help his passenger with her luggage.  She appeared to be in her late 40's, dressed for business and kind. As he removed her luggage from the trunk, she walked around to meet him finishing a sentence she had already started in the car.

They smiled at one another and I could tell they were saying things like, "Lovely meeting you" and "Have a nice trip." The driver extended his hand to shake her's goodbye and as she reached out and grabbed his hand, she quickly pulled him in for a hug. It was ever so slightly longer than an average we-just-met-hug and I couldn't help but wonder what conversation they had to inspire a hug between strangers.

It made me proud to be human.

Kindness

I was running, head down, cursing today's workout when I realized a girl in my class had stopped running ahead of me.

When I looked up, my fellow Crossfitter was carrying groceries behind a very short, lovely elderly woman. I watched as the woman opened the gate and lead her into the yard and then her house.

As I turned to make my loop back toward the gym, the young woman was coming out of the house kindly waving good bye to the elderly woman. I could sense her get back into step behind me and as we ran back to the gym, I wondered if she could sense the smile on my face.

Neighbors

Almost home for my daily walk with June, my neighbor (whom I've never seen after living here for a year) came hurrying out of his gate, "Excuse me, miss.  Excuse me."

I slowed down and met him half way as he approached me.

"Is that your car parked in front there?"

He was pointing at my un-driveable car I've had parked at the end of the block for almost a year. I smiled and nodded my head and waited for him to complain about it being there.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you knew your registration is expired. And they can tow it if it's just sitting there."

I was shocked.

And then he continued, "I've been keepin' an eye on if for you though. Even shoed away some young people trying to make love on it. So, don't worry, I'm watching it for you."

I thanked him profusely and explained I was waiting on my new stickers in the mail. We chatted for a few more minutes about dogs and wives and the desert.

I walked away grateful for his kindness and excited to prove to my boyfriend there ARE nice neighbors in Mojave.