Jun 03 2010
Rainy Errands
The usual
I sloshed some errands yesterday in the pouring rain.
Among them was a trip to the library, where I discovered that my faithful library bag, the gift of a friend, had torn slightly from all its use. I’m hoping to keep it going for a little while longer, but I’m afraid a replacement will have to be found sooner rather than later.
I did my good deed for the day (or possibly the year) while I was there. A young man asked the librarian if he could use their phone, since he was from out of town, his cell phone didn’t get any reception, and he couldn’t find a pay phone (I think pay phones are rapidly becoming a thing of the past – apparently, they are no longer replaced when they break down). She said that it was against policy, so I asked him if he’d like to use mine. He lit up with happiness. The librarian said he’d have to go outside to use it, so he gave me his driver’s license (which revealed that he lives in LA, sparking a remembrance of visits past and a longing to go again) to hold and went outside.
When he came back in, he was grateful out of all proportion. I wished him a happy visit and felt like the Hooterville goodwill ambassador.
As I write, it’s still dark and rainy, and the weather forecast is gloomy. I’ve been waiting for a clear day to do the laundry, but at this rate, I’m going to have to put it in the dryer, propane bill be damned. It looks like my birthday barbecue will be rained out just like Megan’s, for the first time either of us can remember. There’s a bet I would have lost. My birthday BBQ was to be chicken tikka masala, and I was planning to put it in its repulsive yogurt marinade today in preparation for tomorrow, but now it looks like I may have to come up with a Plan B. And possibly a Plan C, D, E…