Cool Breeze

The sun was high. Hot. The cloudless day teased us with its lack of shade.

We both were wet with sweat. Backs warm with the reminder of the packs we had just shouldered on the long uphill climb. Our skin covered in a thin layer of dust. Attempts to wipe it off resulted in small dark smears.

In the distance, we could hear a vehicle approaching. The crunch of the gravel road. The low sound of the motor. I squinted in anticipation at the spot where the car would soon appear.  We stuck our thumbs out in tandem.

The silver mud-covered SUV crested the hill and rolled into sight, rocking like a boat on choppy water, avoiding the many potholes marking the road. We donned our friendliest smiles. Slid our sunglasses over our eyes to shield us from the upcoming mini dust storm to be kicked up by the vehicle that ultimately, like the last one, would pass us by.

The driver peered at us through his windshield. His passenger gave a flick-of-the-wrist wave. And they drove on.

The heat enveloped us. The humidity like a blanket.

Two German Shepard pups -- brothers -- noisily hopped out of the nearby riverbed, splashing, biting each other in play. Both covered in water. Mud.

He glanced at his watch to check the time. The sun reflected brightly off its face.

I sighed. Defeated. Waiting.

Then.. We heard it before we felt it.
The trees in the distance hinted with their rustling leaves. Their swaying promised respite.

It was slow at first. A slight breeze that barely cooled the neck beneath my hair. And it stopped after barely a few seconds. I sighed, resigned to heat.

But, lo. It blessed us again with its glorious presence. More prolonged. Invigorating.

It brushed our skin with its coolness. It blew strands of hair from my sweltering forehead. Like that first refreshing sip of ice cold water after a long thirst. The kind you can feel as you drink it. The way you can follow its chill as it hits your mouth, slowly melts down your quenched throat and then settles, happy, in your contented belly.

It covered us head to toe. Like a new blanket. A blanket of relief. Soothing. Cool.

And suddenly, for just those few minutes I wasn't even aware of the road. The ride we needed. The sun. The dust. The sweat.

Suddenly, for that brief moment, I took the time to appreciate a cool summer breeze.

Letting Go.

(Day 30: React to this term - Letting Go)

Sometimes you hold on to things. Memories. People. Hurt. Love. Fear. Pain. Joy.

Sometimes this can be great. But sometimes.. it can be best to just let it go.

Inspiration.

(Day 5: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends.)

I don't really have a lot of blogger friends.  But one I have loved and admired for years has been Truen at: hello from wow

This amazing woman is an artist, a writer, a comedian and an all around beautiful soul.  

Though we haven't been in touch much lately, there was a time in my life when I was traveling blindly, searching for home and searching for myself, when she was a huge inspiration for me.  She sent me tidbits from her life and home that made me realize I wasn't alone in this journey and I am ever thankful for that.

Today I still love to catch up on her life.. in pictures, prose, and ramblings.

Everything In Its Right Place.

(Day 2 of the blogging challenge)

Hmm.. Something I know a lot about or something I am good at.

This is a toughie.

I don't have a whole plethora of knowledge about one particular thing. .. . But that mural over there?  Oh, it was painted in the 1980's by a group commemorating the annual Carnivale celebration that San Francisco celebrates in May.  Why May instead of February or March as tradition dictates?  Because the City wanted to take advantage of the wonderful Spring weather.  Wouldn't want those scantily clad women freezing on those floats!  

The torn down theater?  It used to be one of the many single house theaters lining Mission Street.  Currently, it is to be remodeled and reborn as a new 5-screen cinema with hipster flair -- serving eclectic foods and alcohol akin to the new MBC and the forth-coming mini-golf course.  Next door, they are putting up more condos, though these promise to be affordable housing for those displaced by raised rent and higher cost of living.  The old theater across the street?  It will be resurrected as two things: a restaurant and gym -- hopefully somehow mixed together!

. ..  

So scratch that.  I guess there's no fountain of knowledge here.. 

But what am I good at?  .. .. . Also.. Long pause.

This may be a stretch and it also may be a slight form of OCD, but I'm organized as hell.  I am awesome at making sure everything is done, everything is clean and everything is in its right damn place.

So I make damn good coffee!  My station is clean, my stock is full.  I'm constantly aware of what my co-worker's need and what the store is wanting.  Your made-just-for-you cup of coffee?  I brewed that with just the right amount of beans, just the perfect amount of water, stirred and waited the exact amount of time.  Cream and sugar need adjusting?  No worries!  Hand that back and I'll make it just right!

So I give damn good tours!  My vendors are ready for us.  My route is set. My local lore is up to date.  I make sure the food we sample is something my taste buds crave on a regular basis.  I make sure I know what new murals are up and what's interesting about them.  I keep track of my monthly billing.  I keep track of my out of pocket expenses.  I keep track of how many people I show around -- what day it was, what they liked, what they didn't.  I learn from my experiences and I only get better.

My room is clean (read: presentable) and my home clutterless. Spreadsheets? I got that! Lists? Checked off and completed!

As for my life path. ... That still is unknown journey.  

Throw me a curveball; I got this.