Tag Archives: cities

It was a fall day recently, the kind of day when a crisp and clear morning precedes a pleasant afternoon of reading a book under the shade of a broad-leafed tree. She sauntered out from her house in the southeast corner of this sprawling city, a glass of tan liquid over rocks in hand and a cigarette dangling from what must have been parched lips. Following close behind, or attempting to stagger ahead, came an ancient black Labrador, pausing stiffly and frequently to examine the recent calling card of a canine friend. Age had reduced the lab’s temperament to congenial mixed with a side of senile. Fortunately, I was deemed worthy of a brief nose pressed to the hem of my jeans.

The cool drink and I exchanged pleasantries and doted on the topic of this aged lab that continued to seek out evidence of his furry friends in the block-by-block park. I continued on with the page of my book while the filtered smoke returned to the company of two companions, both of whom also had their hands full with drink and smoke. I don’t recall it much past two in the afternoon on a recent Sunday; a fact that had me smiling as, apparently, it is never too early for a sturdy liquid and a filtered puff. Thinking little of this encounter, I emerged from the peaceful, shaded park cove and carried on with the business of the day.

As I look back on moments like these since arriving in this West Coast city, I can’t help but wonder if the simple exchange of pleasantries is common among the city dwellers. Do we acknowledge the existence and presence of others as we live life side-by-side in the midst of this quaint metropolis? The city scene to which I am drawn is one of quality coffee, retro clothing and laid-back attitudes seemingly embracing the differences among us, yet I understand that this is just one facet of many in the confines of this diverse spread of people…. Read more…