Eavesdropping Continues.

Well, you know how I was saying I live in a town full of old people. Older, excuse me. Not only are they older, but a little eccentric too, like you have the gramps who looked like he was probably a mountain man back in the day, the trace being in his white bushy beard, but then he's driving some nice car with sweet rims--the kind I'd be jealous of if I had a thing for rims or knew anything about them.

Sometimes, I forget the eccentricities, and think just about the old part, which doesn't give me a lot of incentive to be outgoing, but today I was reminded how ridiculous I've been. I love older people. They have an infinite supply of good stories to tell and plenty of time to hang out. Me being one of the fewer young folks around here, if I'd be willing to give them the time of day, I could practically have all these stories to myself.

Like today I was in The Shelter from the Storm Coffee Shop, where I can be sure to hear a good dose of James Taylor (rumor is, who stayed at a healing farm himself at one point in his life) and Bob Dylan (do those two guys even like each other, I wonder) over the loudspeaker, while eavesdropping on good conversation, while the lady who works there, is always like "I know your name; What is it? Don't Tell Me; Oh I know you; Right?" (clear sign of Alzheimers) before giving up and letting me explain myself. And in order to include me in her coffee shop culture, she'll always try to induce me to enter one of her conversations.

Today it was that she had this friend who gave her this quote:

A man who works with his hands is a laborer.
A man who works with his hands and mind is a craftsman.
A man who works with his hands, mind and heart is an artist.

And she was in an argument with this ex English professor saying it was sexist and she needed to change it to make it more inclusive. So she wanted my advice about how, "They who work with their hands are laborers, etc" sounded? To which I nodded in agreement. Good thing I was there, right? She also had me hold down the shelter while she went down the street to the craft shop to buy a book on tulips that was on sale...I've really gained some trust.

And then this other grey-haired gal, who thought I was related to her German yoga teacher (I take that as a compliment) was kindly talking loud enough to allow me to eavesdrop on her conversation. She was asking to no one in particular, "What am I going to give up next?" Pause. "Love. Am I going to give up love. I've already given up wine. I don't have drinking anymore. Love is next." My life isn't so stormy as that statement, but it's interesting to see what storms these charming folks are seeking a shelter from. I think I'll stay in town more.

Although camping last weekend was fun. The weather here is PERFECT! It makes me sad to know it's not going to last. The chill in the air is soon to become winter. Phooey. Let the seasonal depression begin. Sour words to end on after such a peppy description of my day. Apologies.

PICTURES

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES FROM MY LABOR DAY BACKPACKING EXTRAVAGANZA (OKAY, SO I ONLY WENT FOR ONE NIGHT, BUT IT WAS MY FIRST TIME WITH ONE OF THOSE BIG PACKS AND ALL)...YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE FELLOW TRANSPLANTS, NICK AND MELISSA (THE TRIP WAS THEIR BIG AND BEAUTIFUL IDEA.)

The Little Ellen That Could

These are my thoughts of late: "I think I can, I think I can..." And even though I'm not totally convinced that I can or that I want to, I went ahead and paid my dues, officially scheduling myself to take the GRE on November 9th. I've had one really good day of studying, and that's as far as I've stretched. Regardless, of my puny actions, I'm thinking I can. So one of my ideas is that I conquer this irritating hooop of a test, apply to a few graduate schools (a social work program in Asheville, that will allow me to continue my work here for awhile longer, before finishing up the program in Chapel Hill), and throw myself to academia that seems a little more wolf-like than it used to. I tell you I've changed from the student I once was.

But I'm also thinking I can do some other things, but I don't want to divulge unless I settle more on one of my dreamy ideas. So I guess you'll have to stay tuned for the unfolding of my future, which I'm sure you're desperately intrigued by (I sure hope not! You've got your own future to worry about).

And what makes this all so strange, is that I'm happy and content in my current situation, having plenty of time to pursue hobbies, personal interests... I feel quite sane and fear that school might make me a little crazy. But I guess I don't have to make sense, so cheers to changing good things!