I'm sitting on my front steps having a glass of wine. Very relaxing after a day at work. The squirrels are playing, chasing each other. One decided he should visit me. Ran all the way up the steps and stopped three steps down. He stood up on his hind legs as if to say, hello, what brings you out to play today? The he sat back down and just watched me for few minutes before scampering off to rejoin his playmates. The stray cats are playing in the street as well and they think the squirrels don't know they are there. They don't realize that as they crouch down to the ground preparing to pounce, the squirrels are communicating in sign language, warning each other of the pranksters about to engage them. And just as they pounce, sure they are catching their prey unaware, the squirrels run away, chattering to each other in what must be their version of our high five. While the cats pull up bewildered, wondering what has just happened.
A yellow jeep drove past that took me back several years to a time when life was confusing, yet becoming strangly comfortable. My friend and neighbor had a jeep like the one I just saw. I found myself in a memory of us in search of party music. Her and her partner, their roommate, and me. Top down. Radio turned up. I became honorary family that night. Little did the others know that I would soon be telling them that it wasn't just an honorary title. I was full fledged family. Every time I see a yellow jeep or hear John Denver sing "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", I think of that night.
