A Garage

Last week I wrote a slightly cheeky piece about the revival of the “fanny pack.”  The next day, while walking down my entry path, I noticed something hanging on my front gate.  As I approached, I realized it was a dark blue Patagonia-ish bag with a strap --- yes, it was ------ a fanny pack.  Some kind reader of my blog had purchased a brand-new cross-body bag (aka fanny pack)

But here is the problem – there was no note inside. Therefore, I have no idea which kind reader was clever and kind enough to leave me this gift.  If you are reading this week —- First, thank you for reading, but more importantly thank you for your thoughtfulness.  Second, if you wish to identify yourself it will relieve me of my anxiety.

Grazie --- Muchas gracias – Thank you

The Garage

I grew up in a house with a two-car garage.  It was like many garages, a depository for more than cars.  The garage is the part of the house that is going to get clean-out.  At one point, I owned a home with a four-car garage.  It was a beautiful garage.  It was always clean – had plenty of room – and visitors could park inside a garage.  Now I live without a garage.  My neighborhood has lots of cars that do not sleep inside a garage.  Therefore, I have a new daily ritual —— searching for a spot on the street for my car to spend the night.  The other day I came home to find my usual street parking space was not available.  As a matter of fact, someone left their car in “my” space for days.  Each day I had to search anew to find parking for my car.  Sometimes it was a bit of a walk – sometimes I had things I had to carry to the house.  No matter it felt inconvenient.  I have been living without a garage for five years now but on this day and the subsequent five days I became acutely aware of the convenience of a garage.  A place that was for my car, a place for my junk, a place for me to clean out.  I have gained a new appreciation for the convenience of this unappreciated space that Californians have come to regard as an essential part of a home.  The one positive----I no longer own a “nice” car.  I never have to wash my car.  I never have to clean the garage.  In all honestly, I miss all those convenient and inconvenient aspects of life --- and so does my car..  My car and I are orphans looking for a spot for the night.

It’s the little things…….