TYPICAL COFFEE TALK

I figure it is time to get real. If you have followed my blog for a while you need to know that life at The Home if more than gossip and infighting. It is certainly more than my moments of inspiration to wax wise about some philosophical thing. I confess, some are written to fill space as nothing exciting happened. But here comes the truth.

On a typical non-gossipy and non-fighting morning there is a routine that precedes the interesting talk. There are typically 3-5 arriving for coffee from my building to the commons room (dining room) of the larger building. The general conversation begins the same with each of us. Its cold out there! You see in general conversation it is always best to start with the weather and as of late it has been cold here. Since a small group from that building is already present, they will hear this conversation 3-5 times. They may even finish the comment. Then there are times when each new arrival will be egged on to repeat what everyone already knows. Someone will probably say, how’s the weather out there? Needless to say, this goes on longer than necessary. Two of the women who come will comment on how cold it is out there until temperatures reach the 80’s.

When the sun comes out there is great discussion about what it is, where it came from, should we report the bright light in the sky or should we hid. Someone will say it is the sun and others will ask what that is. It’s an important part of old people humor. We always laugh (but it is getting harder). Wind is also a discussion point and lately we have talked about snow. We get our news from the other side of the largest inlet. They have been warning of snow all week. So we talk about whether we will get snow. We have had snow, but it is exceedingly rare. We are about five feet above sea level. The other side is mostly hills and mountains.

Weather talk moves on to water. You see, there is a body of water across the street in clear view of our commons room. We are at the end of a large inlet. Its ocean water that comes from a larger inlet and that from one even larger and finally from the largest inlet that gets its water from the Pacific Ocean (have you got it yet-get a map and you might be able to find me). The talk initially centers on the smoothness of the water or the height of the waves. It may include whether the tide is in or out. From there we talk about the quantity of the ducks and whether they are local or just visiting during their migration one way or the other. Any stranger in the water is noted and discussed endlessly. Finally one asks if anyone has seen our eagle. He lives in the giant evergreen across the street and you can see him fishing from time to time.

Conversations then switch to the empty lot next to us. Usually it is about the squirrels running the fence or looking for food. In the summer the lot will be filled with blackberries. It should be a good crop this summer since the owner chopped them all down to the ground at then end of this past season — a county legal enforcement.

One time we watched a mama raccoon and two babies playing right at the fence. The area where they had their home had been cleared away so they were off to find a new place but were having one last romp before departing. They were a kick. We talked about them for weeks.

At the fence line is a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Its root is right under the chain link fence. When it is windy the tree is nearly flat to the ground. It stands straighter on calm and patriotic days. Many have talked about “we should tie it up” but no one does it. Volunteers you know. There are none. Someone else should do it. I don’t have string so don’t ask me.

The last normal items are health reports. Some residents are asked about and new illnesses are reported and then there is a round of personal health reports. Of those gathered I have had the worst time lately so the focus has been on me. I can hardly wait for that to end. I’m fine. Yes I’m really fine. Yes I would tell you if I wasn’t. Yes, I’m wearing my ankle brace. Yes, I’m taking my medicine. Yes, I avoid salt (I just finished my bacon today). Yes I’m losing weight (I doubt anyone can really notice but I did wear a larger sweatshirt today). No, no, I am really OK. I see the doctor again today. They will eventually check up on the habits and practices of all that are present. The mother doctors are in full attack mode. Since I am a helpless man who cannot take care of himself I really need their help. Lord, deliver me.