Sunshine, Killer Bees, Graduation and Broccoli: Days 4 and 5

"Inspiring"

 

 

Thursday (5/19)

 

Waking up to partly clear blue skies, I do my daily morning routine and then in a t-shirt, jeans and flip-flops, I grab David Matias’ book of poetry and my camera and climb over the dune- down the other side to the beach.  On the bluff to my left, outside the Tasha shack, I see a man at his easel painting.  Behind his shack, clothes hang out to dry- blowing in the wind.  We are both intent on taking advantage of the good weather while it lasts.  Funny enough, I don’t drive out to the beach in L.A. all that often.  Yet I’d make the trip from my place downtown out to Chrissy Field every day to walk my dog, Jake, when I lived in San Francisco.  I love the water and here in Provincetown it is just a short walk or bike ride away from any point in town.  On the sand, I sit and soak up the morning sun after four days of cloudy and rainy skies.

 

Finishing David’s hauntingly beautiful book(tears blurring my vision through most of it- especially “Madre”), I lie back- looking towards Europe(or Spain or someplace- I’m so turned around) and think about Kathryn’s graduation ceremony taking  place tomorrow night.  The sun feels so good and the empty beach is absolutely spectacular.  Listening to and watching the water’s movement is a great meditative tool for me, so I just sit for awhile longer before gathering my things and heading back to the shack.

 

It feels warm enough that I decide to give the shower a try.  I climb up onto the roof of the garage storage area to check the water supply and open the valve of the large plastic drum.  The hose is hot, so if I’m quick, I can get a warm shower.  Then he appears, determined to stop me.  Over the roof, like a B-52 bomber, he comes at me ready to strike.  This is no honey bee, this guy has bulk and speed and wears an intimidating jet black and bright yellow outfit.  But it’s just one bee and I won’t be intimidated, so I go get my towel, soap and shampoo.  Just as I am about to drop trou, he shows up with two of his buddies and they’re not shy either.  Their buzzing and diving and hovering right in front of my face tells me that they want me out of their space.  The first sunny day and the chance for a warm shower after three days of sink bathing, and these thugs won’t let me be.  From inside my shack, I stare them down through the kitchen window and hope for more rain.

 

I write for the rest of the day.

 

 

Friday (5/20)

 

The second day of cloud breaking blue skies,  I eat a Kellogg’s Special K strawberry breakfast bar, an apple and three slices of fried Italian salami with melted cheese before I sit down to write.  I try several methods of brainstorming ideas and write all afternoon long.  It is my most productive writing day.

 

By late afternoon, I make my “conGRADulations” sign for Kathryn and write a post dedicated to her while listening to the silky smooth timber of John Tesh’s voice.  So this is what happened to him.  Between each musical break, John offers up important information on how to improve the quality of one’s life, including three questions to ask yourself before getting married- as if to suggest that by answering these questions honestly, you’ll know whether marriage with that certain someone will last.  Way to break it down John.

 

As the sun goes down, I pour a glass of wine to toast the shadows in honor of Kathryn’s graduation that is taking place now- somewhere in the San Francisco Bay.  I lean against the wall in my bedroom, embracing the quiet and think to myself, “It’s been a really great day.”  Then after a moment, I smell the aroma of cooked broccoli– only, I didn’t cook any broccoli.  On this warmest day of my stay, with no cool breeze or heavy winds, the compost toilet seems to have gas, oh shit!

 

 To Be Continued…