Molly Goatwax

Being useful in spite of it all

This morning after I made sure that he had scarfed up his soft boiled eggs, I carried a chair out to the very elderly man's garden on my home visit, so he could sit in the sunshine and get some vitamin D for his depression. Natural light is cheap and I don't need a license to prescribe it. I was on my knees weeding the spring onions out of his daffodil bed while he told me about the stellar careers his sisters pursued. A machinist by trade, he lamented having never gone to college and asked after my higher education. I told him I spent twelve years earning a degree in painting pictures. He laughed so hard I thought he would fall out of his chair. Vexed just a bit, I told him that one of my relatives holds a degree in Latin. And at least people are still painting pictures. For now.

The Commute

This morning my SAAB was sandwiched between a rare, classic Jaguar behind and a Maserati in front, waiting on the ramp to the expressway. As we advanced and I sped north into the suburbs, they both headed south into the crawl downtown. That side of the road was backed up to the beltway. What good is a fast car in a traffic jam, anyway? I guess you could admire the burl on the wood grained dashboard and enjoy the sound system as you lurch along, braking.

Newbie

I'm wondering what to make of the voice that announces over the intercom: "Anyone who touches the thermostat will be playing ringtoss!". Some of it was explained when I got home.

Blah

In a vile mood with sore eyeballs.

What's in a name?

Today as I was driving north to visit a fellow, spry at 91, I was musing about which colors or tints could also be used to name children. Let's see. We know Scarlett, with an unfortunate nick name, and also in the red family there's Ruby. Rose, Cherry, Carmine, Cerise, Coral and Sherry. For green we have Jade, Fern, Olive, Sage and Hunter. There's Amber, Sienna, Fawn, Hazel, Sable, Sandy and Ebony in the earth tones as well as Pearl and Ivory. I knew a girl named Heather Grey as well as one called Peaches... Although Violet and Lilac may seem old fashioned, I think they are lovely. None of these seem as far fetched as Lemony (Snickett). Can you add others to the catalogue?

The fluorescent fixture in the middle of the tunnel

Being an idiot is bad enough without the savant part. At the beginning of the week, I had my doubts of aspiring to be a vocational instructor for the developmentally inpaired. On Friday I am Molly Mortgage again. Although the man said he couldn't promise me a permanant position, the relief at having found a well paying job that I know how to do is exhausting. The first day was busy and productive and I play well with this particular team so far... Letting go of the frustration and fear of an extended search made me relax enough to sleep all night for the first time in recent memory. Now that I don't have to spend every waking minute stratagising, I can turn some attention to the many tasks neglected. Personal paperwork needs to get collected for copying. The younger daughter's shoes have worn out. There are boxes of stuff moved from place to place that have to be culled. I look forward to a renewal of energy as the season progresses and this depression lifts. The world is no longer closing in on me. I want to plant tomatoes and basil in paint tubs to place at the head of our parking lot.

Back in the fray

I had an interview today where everyone was happy to see each other and we were all on the same page. I start a new job tommorrow that may last a few months or until I'm too old to work. We'll see.

OOOgie

For two days an excess of nausea with an elevated temperature has been making my life less pleasant.

Will rent to artists

To keep from sinking further into decrepitude, I have been trying to get done a full schedule of tasks each day. Today after the morning's job enquiries, the mail brought a letter from the state announcing that I had tested into the "best qualified" rank of applicants for the position of  "Family Investment Specialist I".  Before you get all excited for me, though, one needn't have had any experience to apply. And, it entails proving eligibility for income assistance and health care coverage provided to children of indigent mothers. It did bouy my confidence, though. Then I whipped together a flyer to advertise for rent the house formerly used as a studio. It's lovely to have one's own printer/copier/scanner. You youngsters will not recall schlepping to a library or copy shop way back when, not even to mention a world of clip art for free on the web...So! I was posting one of my flyers with handy rip-off tabs at the new art supply store in the old T.V. warehouse at Howard and North when the apple cheeked and dreadlocked cashier fell in love with its description. I could see dreams of barbeques in the fenced yard form behind his brow as he compared the price and space to his shared flat further downtown. I got all giddy when he told me he didn't need a dishwasher... I hope he calls.

The return of the killer pears

If you went to college in Baltimore and moved away after graduation, you may have forgotten the flowering pear trees that then-mayor Schaeffer planted all over. While they are lovely to look at, they are fragile. They drop branches frequently. These trees are known to collapse without warning. Worse, they smell. It is a gag provoking odor that I am too ladylike to describe concisely in this space. I teased Miss Lis for having left before the blooming on her last tour.

 

Fortunately for us, the season is short and the trees don't fruit. But all that pollen will mess with your head.