I learned how to drive in New York City, at the age of 18. I had a book of matches and scribbled on it was the name of a Driver's Ed company. I called them, they put me behind the wheel of a car and directed me to East River Drive. Terrifying! But, I took in the lesson of defensive driving and it served me well. I'm 71, I have crisscrossed the country many times, indeed, I've crisscrossed Europe many times, with its demonic Italian drivers and wrong side of the road British drivers, and German speeders, and congested cities. And I surely drive a lot now. Though I am human and have made blunders (oops! sorry car in blind spot!), I never once had an accident. Defensive driving means you anticipate other people's mistakes and distractions. But the thing is, there are some car movements you cannot anticipate and yesterday's crash was one of them. Once I was cleared to make a left turn, my eyes should be on the road ahead and not on weird car movement from the bus lane.
And still, perhaps because the kids were in the car (and Sparrow did bump his head), yesterday's crash rattled me. So much so that I had some wakeful times at night thinking through it, trying to understand how I could implement even more defensive strategies in the future.
By 6 in the morning I was done with pretending to sleep. And that's a good thing, because this morning is crazy busy.
By 6:30, I am at the downtown farmers market. What a grand time to be there! Street parking is free until 8, the crowds are so thin that you can actually walk without bumping into another human being. And the selection is tops! I used to shop at this time for L'Etoile restaurant when I was their "forager." The best of the best, on full counters at every stall.
I circle the square, starting with my flower grower. Where have you been?? -- she asks me. Well she might wonder. I'd grown slack last year and I hadn't been picking up flowers this year yet. But now we are in business again! (She loads me with an extra bouquet of tulips, for free -- Happy Mother's Day, she tells me.)
I pick up some pastries at Far Breton...
... lettuces at Snug Haven, asparagus at one unfamiliar stall, but it could have been from any number of them. It's the hot market item this week.
Home again, I feed the animals...
... and fix breakfast for the two of us. With lots of tulips at the table. (Kitchen, because it's a cool morning.)
And now I have to go pick up Snowdrop at the Young Shakespeare Players auditions. I'm a tad early, so I stop off at nearby Bloom's Bakery, where I run into my daughter, who had just dropped off Snowdrop. We live in a small town! With some very good bakeries!
Okay, Snowdrop is done.
I pack her into the car and we drive to the park where there will be a bridging ceremony. If you've done scouting, you'll know how this works: kids move from one level to the next with some pomp. Snowdrop bridged from Brownies to Junior Girl Scouts.
Parents are there to watch, but her parents are totally occupied this morning. One is presiding over some university graduation ceremonies, the other is dashing between Sparrow's dance performance and the airport to pick up a friend who is coming for a visit. So it's me and the Girl Scouts and their parents. Good! As the girls play after the ceremony...
... I can let off steam about the car crash. It makes for a good story!
I'm supposed to take Snowdrop home then (a babysitter is minding Sandpiper. Complicated? You betcha!), but the girl begged for a Culver's fish fry lunch (her pescetarian status is going strong!), so we drove up, picked up her food, and came back to the farmhouse for some calm Atlantic cod and book time.
She is back home now, kids are enjoying the gorgeous day I hope, because really, it is one lovely day!
And I could do with a nap, but who naps when it is so very beautiful outside. Ed and I go for a walk in our local park. Shoes off, barefooted. I finally let out a very big exhale.
(the prairie is coming alive!)
(wild lupine)
Okay! Back at the farmette -- ready to weed! And to return to a calmer day.
