Finally, at last, after eons of time the new Trader Joe's opened today in downtown Monterey. We all have been waiting.

The city had an opening ceremony at 8:30 this morning and this afternoon when I walked to the store I realized that once again the parking lot was filled with cars maneuvering to get the elusive parking space.

Perhaps T. J's is really owned by an auto body repair consortium and is designed to increase business.

Maybe selling cheap apples and flowers is not the point.

Maybe

Driving by El Estero lake this afternoon I saw a large group of Canadian geese poking through the grass. I looked a second time and realized there were also many small fluffy babies imitating the adults. More Canadian Geese.

They live here year round, crowding the parks with their presence and their poop.

I love how they look and wish they could be welcomed into our community but they are considered pests and many people want them to start migrating again. They need to return to the Arctic where they belong.

Sigh

This morning I attempted to print out the labels and it worked, the names were lined up on the label page. I don't know what I did right this time.

Last night I had planned to go to the movies with friends but as the time got closer I didn't feel I could go. I flaked out and went to bed early and slept well.

I printed, folded, stamped and labeled 120 fliers to send out tomorrow, only three days late, but hey, they are done and I am going to bed early again tonight.

I was flooded with rage today as I tried to make my printer print the labels I needed. Over and over again I push the same print button and the same misaligned page emerged. The printer would not bow to my will and I could not see the reality of the situation.

Hours later, when I had calmed down I could laugh a bit about this rage. Where does it live in my body?

Tomorrow I will try again or maybe I will just address the many envelops by hand.

Sigh

On the Hopkins marine station beach, scores of glistening harbor seals have pulled themselves onto the sand. You can see them through the chain link fence along the PG trail. I want to think they are females giving birth but I couldn't quite tell. There were some small ones and some large ones. A few were playing in the waves and the rest above the tide line.

I walked along the trail avoiding dogs on leashes, watching for Winter birds arriving from the north.

It was a beautiful day and yet my mind was restless trying to create a story accounting for the harbor seals on the beach.

Sitting in a room full of people. The words brush past me and my eyes are watching the trees outside. Little boys are climbing a tree yelling dares to each other.

I breathe in and out.

Some days I just don't want to listen to anyone.

I was too early to meet with a friend in Santa Cruz. I took a walk in a neighborhood of old stately and rundown houses.

At first my body was stiff from the drive and then I loosened up and could look closely at each wonderful house.

Something about looking at homes is refreshing and endlessly interesting. I no longer wish I could live there, it's more a curiosity about the lives in each house.

Feeling satisfied I went to meet my friend.