It’s taken me a long time but at least I’m writing today. I’ve been in a weird social space. Since I got together with so many friends on Wednesday I have not spoken to a soul since until today and that was talking to strangers. I have not left the house much either except to go shopping. So today I went to the New York Botanical Garden, my personal Eden, and walked 5.58 miles. I keep exploring new areas but I’m happiest when walking along the Bronx River. I so rarely encounter anyone on those trails that I now think of it as personal space. My new thing is imagining it as the Shire. The fact that it’s in the Thain Family Forest makes that easy. The Bronx River is too small to be the Brandywine (Baranduin) but is perfect for the part of the water, the river that goes by Hobbiton. There is even a mill on it. Not the horrible mill that Ted Sandyman put up after Frodo and company left, but the original one. I twice spoke to people. One woman pointed out a hawk in a tree and I watched it with her for a while.
When I was on the Hester Bridge crossing the Water there were a group of young people and one wondered if it was fresh or salt water. I can’t help but jump in when I hear things like that. I explained that The Bronx River was the only freshwater river in New York City though Staten Island disputes that. Then I told them about the dam and how to get there. I want the NYBG to pay me to wander around the Garden and explain things to people. The problem is that the parts I like to wander the most are the less popular parts. I can also talk to the wandering elves who still sometimes pass though the Shire usually unseen by the hobbits. Frodo and friends ran into such a company. I hope I don’t also into Black Riders.
When I got home, I was hot, so I made a milk shake. I have not made one of those in years. I usually make ice cream sodas, but my roommate took the soda stream with her for the summer. Milk shakes taste better but are less refreshing. I’m not complaining it was delicious and cooled me right down. Last night was my first sleeping with the AC on this year. Now I’m sitting shirtless with a fan blowing on me. I need to install the AC in the living room but the longer I put that off the more environmentally friendly I am.
As I said it’s been four days since I’ve had a meaningful conversation with anyone. I’ve been alone with my thoughts, luckily, I’m good company. Yes, I get depressed, but I also have fruitful deep dives into ideas. There are times when I feel up to sharing those with My Gentle Readers. I’m feeling less confident about that now. I don’t have the mental energy to fend off those offended by things that I don’t think are offensive. Here’s a common scenario. A person makes a poor argument for something I agree with; 2+2=5 therefore we need to do more to curb carbon dioxide production. I say, “um 2+2=4.” I then get called a corporate shill, and apologist for the oil companies, and probably a racist and misogynist. I have so much to say along those lines. I’ll try to condense it. When someone points out an error in facts or of logic that’s not an attack on the person that made the error and has nothing to do with the position he or she has taken. It’s just keeping the conversation honest. I wish my conservative friends would do the same.
Last night I made a real dinner, pork tenderloin and gnocchi. That involves a lot of leftovers, so I don’t have to cook in the heat today, just use the microwave. I see that I’m pampering myself. That’s fine, far better than being depressed.
Wise Madness 