At the end of last week, some people on the street asked me to get into their van, and I did. Maybe it’s just been too long since those safety seminars and scare videos in grade school.  Or maybe I’ve just given up and was throwing myself, along with caution, to the wind.

Or another possible explanation is that I was meeting up with my penpal and her boyfriend, stopping in Seattle to meet me during their road trip. As they awarded me the honor of shotgun, I commented on my age and that I still hadn’t learned this basic personal safety lesson.  She said:  “And we don’t even have any candy!”

I went into this experience with my usual dose of anticipatory anxiety, but it was all unwarranted. A good time was had by all (as far as I’m aware), and communicative sympatico was easy and effortless. Our discussion, seated at Beth’s, of whether cups or silverware were carb heavy (cups yes, silverware no – more likely high in minerals), the necessary talk of bacon.  And of course, zines.  I have another whole ranty diatribe on that subject, but suffice to say that they have impressed me with their creative efforts, some of which arrived in the mail to me along with the invitation to meet up.

We also side tripped to the Couth Buzzard, a look around stop to show them one of my semi haunts, but I was too ADD to peruse the merch, and was more interested in gabbing away. Before long, though, it was time to drop me back off at home. After our too short visit, as they were headed on to meet more new and interesting people, she fished out a handful of some of the other zines they’ve put together.  So many!  It is inspiring, and daunting. I want to be them when I fail to grow up.  Also they give good hugs.

At this point I have only read sparingly of my new paper treasures.  The weekend was wall-hitting time, practical efforts demanded energy, and so forth. But also, I don’t want to rush.  I’m doling out the inspiration carefully; rationing it.  The slow burn of endurance would suit me better than the flash fire that leaves me sprawling and unconscious with little to show for it.   Something like that.

This was a good thing.   And today, after days of gloomy rainy poop weather, the sun is out and the sky is blue, and I am thinking that maybe this is the start of the waking up season. early, early spring.  Who needs candy?