Riches

Saturday afternoon I helped rescue a woman being held at bay in her own backyard by a large German shepherd. It had hopped the fence from it's own yard. It didn't harm her, but was holding her by the sleeve of her sweater when I happened to pass by. The owners were not around. I found help, we phoned the police, and then threw dog treats to lure the dog back into its yard so the woman could escape. I never learned how long she had been stuck there before I arrived.

Saturday evening ghostsandrobots and I ate vegetarian at King's Café in Kensington Market, wandered around Toronto, and sat for several hours in The Second Cup on Queen Street. We talked and talked and talked, then went back to the house and chatted with bitterlawngnome into the early hours. I'm glad she got to meet more of my chosen family. They seemed to get along well, in fact she and djjo seemed quite smitten with one another. Today he joined us for more wandering, yarn buying and lunching at Fresh on Queen. Then we had to send Ziggy home to Pittsburgh. Strangely, I didn't feel sad. The visit was so unforeseen and welcome that I can only feel grateful and happy for a few hours together.

This afternoon I picked up the computer from brunorepublic, then we headed back to the house for dinner with some of the usual suspects. Danny installed an additional hard drive, so I will have a total of 100 G. Besides, it has 2 G of active memory compared to 64 M on the old machine, which I'm using now. I don't know how or why I put up with this so long, but it will still take me a few days to get the new one set up to take its place, because this week will be busy.

As I drove home through darkness, highway lights shining in rain on the windshield, I felt enormously rich. The importance of LJ came up in conversation with Ziggy this weekend: the people we've met have affected our lives profoundly. The simple pleasures and companionship of this weekend, the computer, and the warmth I bring home with me are emblematic of this change.

This is my favourite rock in the cottage garden footpath, softened and rounded by an unknown history, its surface blooming with lichen and algae like verdigris.

Serendipity

Saturday evening I spent the better part of an hour telling ghostsandrobots the story of Peter and Nancy, two friends from university whose lives have intertwined significantly with mine. They were the only Christian friends who didn't freak out when I came out. We have drifted apart since, and I hadn't heard from them in four years. A few weeks ago I dreamt about Nancy, then someone told me Peter had been ill. Then I had another dream, more propitious, which also seemed to refer to her. Talking to Ziggy on Saturday, I decided it's high time I contacted them.

It's queer identities week at University of Guelph, and this morning I helped staff a book sale at the University Centre to raise funds for OOTS. My shift was nearly over when a familiar figure—tall, lean, piercingly blue eyes, his Mennonite heritage obvious—emerged from the elevators nearby. It was Peter. He was dressed for work, and looked healthy as ever. I caught his eye, but it took him a moment to recognize me. It turns out he works at the university now, as a therapist presumably (last time we talked he was commuting to Brantford). Nancy still works at the pig research farm in Arkell. They have three children; the oldest is Brenna's age. It was a happy reunion, in fact the old chemistry of one of life's longest friendships came rolling back (we were roommates in 1985 to 1986). We both had to carry on, but I still have their number and promised to call.