thoreau

Coming Down Duboce from Buena Vista Park

Katey and I took an hour long walk around Buena Vista Park this morning.

Sunrise in that park is an amazingly magical time of the day. The dancing of light through the trees - the different dogs and owners sipping coffee. This morning there were a pair of giant poodles frollicking over tennis balls thrown by a small woman about half their size. Miss Kate and I wondered up on the scene and the two poodles did a fast, furious drive-by

sniffing and then right back to their tennis balls. Later in the walk was the procession of the pugs - literally five pug owners in a row. Pugs have that grunting sound they make and nobody seemed to disapprove of Kateydog coming the other direction on the path. Then we encountered "Sweety" a little puffball biscuit dog who was all the way out on the end of his leash pulling and barking at every dog he encountered. His owner was saying "Sweety, no" like a parent who knows that his words are falling on deaf ears. It was humorous to hear Sweety barking all the way the hill after passing us - and echoes of "sweety, no" coming down through the trees.

Katey then ran up in the bushes and said good morning to a guy that had camped in the bushes overnight. I was at first alarmed - she just suddenly jumped up into the bushes. He was sitting up in his sleeping bag eating a granola bar. His tone of voice when Miss Kate appeared said he was happy to see her - then he and I exchanged good mornings. We both agreed that the warmer temperatures and sunshine were welcome signs of warmer nights. I was glad Miss Kate hadn't helped herself to his breakfast.

I really struggle sometimes with the homeless problem in SF - leave alone America. and Miss Kate and I counted our numerous blessings after bidding the man a good day. Part of my struggle - is that I was chatting with a homeless guy that hangs out in the park by the house. He talked about his history - and literally - like I might talk about jobs - he talked about what cities had the best foodbanks and clothing pickups. He said he stayed three winters in Poulsbo on Bainbridge Island west of Seattle because they had the best foodbank and an almost gourmet soup kitchen - - and he could pick up good odd jobs from the folks building McMansions in the woods there. Everyone has their path right? It's just a real "wake up Muriel and smell the coffee" moment when you hear a story like that.

Speaking of coffee - Kona is brewing.