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Musings from the Laundromat: The frail man
The frailest man was filling a machine and I stood staring, unable to look away. I knew I had to photograph him – no matter who saw me do it.
Here he is.
His pants are at least 3 sizes too big on him. He shuffles. He gingerly filled his laundry detergent cup and of course, I instantly wanted to wrap him in soft tissue and put him in my pocket.
He’s shuffled outside now, where he went, I don’t know. I’m just glad it’s not windy today – he may be blown off course if it were.
He found his way back – we exchanged a smile after he transferred his small load into a dryer.
It was the most lovely smile.
Then I took some more photos. I’ve decided to name him Marvin.
Musings from the Laundromat: Twirling Umbrellas and Alien Babies Edition
Someone is twirling the rainbow umbrella furthest from me.
Sitting there and just spinning it.
When I walked in there was no one at the twirling table.
No one at all.
I had the place to myself again for a while.
I saw this sign and after filling my machines, had to take a photo of it for you.
I saw the figure and thought, “It doesn’t look like it fell. Looks like it’s relaxing on the floor.” Then I thought maybe it DID fall, but then was trying to play it off like “I meant to do that.”
If I fell here, I’d hope to look as nonchalant about it as that little figure.
Twirling lady has left. There’s now just a man at the counter chatting with the laundry lady.
I remember loading the machines and leaving. Taking the opportunity to run errands. That was before I mused for you.
Oh, I got my car back Wednesday. And Friday it was back in the shop after overheating.
Got it back the same day, but I’d be lying if I said I’m driving it with any confidence.
I feel like I’m hemorrhaging money when it comes to my car. The fridge is pretty empty.
We DID have leftovers in there for a small time – from my son and his girlfriend. They had been to Vegas and stopped at red lobster.
The leftovers had since run out of ‘time’ so I put some of the crab in the cats kibble bowl. Then I thought I’d do an alien hand thing – and my honey created this. Cracked me up.
The look on Butter’s face is classic.
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Just went and refilled my coffee and was stopped by the laundry lady. We had a little chat.
She made coffee last week for me and I didn’t come. How sweet is she?
“I reset the WIFI and made a pot.”
“Yeah, I was out-of-town.” (Which, is technically true as I was across the river in another state.)
She then told me about another regular that she’s worried about.
She didn’t show up either – she’s undergoing chemo.
“You should get her number next time she comes.” I said. “I bet she’d like having someone check on her.”
“Yeah, I should. I’m the only one she let’s do her laundry.”
I can see why.
I love my laundry lady. ‘My’ laundry lady lol.
But she is mine. Another person I adore in my collection of people I adore. I treasure her. I love that I’m ‘her’ regular too.
Musings from the Laundromat: Empty Rooms & Promises
“Where is everyone?”
“I know, it’s odd. You’re the first. I made coffee, I think it’s too strong.”
“Coffee can never be too strong.”
And I’m still the only one in the laundromat, it is delightfully quiet and calm.
It’s already been a busy morning – nice to have this reprieve.
Let me start at the beginning.
Friday, yours truly got a raise. I was shocked and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Oh, I STILL don’t have my car by the way – apparently the part, that is coming from New Hampshire, must be coming by carrier pigeon. A PCM is too heavy for a pigeon! Don’t they know that?
Yesterday my mom came over to collect myself and my honey to stay over at one of the local casinos and to see Pat Benatar in concert. My parents treat for us.
That woman can still sing. Not just sing, but she belted out all the favorites – nailing every one of them!
Her husband and guitarist Neil ‘Spyder’ Giraldo was just as amazing. Playing around with some Led Zeppelin licks in between songs. Getting the crowd pumped up.
His skills on the piano were just as great.
Other than laughing with those around us at drunk girl, who insisted on standing when NO ONE else was – of course, right in front of us see pic:
Anway, OTHER than that, my favorite part was the version they did of Promises in the Dark.
I’ll see if I can find it. Hang on.
There you go. And, coincidentally, she was wearing that exact outfit last night too.
I love that they threaded stories throughout the songs. I love the story behind Promises – it was the first song they actually wrote about their relationship.
When the lights came up, you could hear everyone agreeing that she still had her pipes and smiles were everywhere.
We headed in to find food.
Stood in a bonkers line for a burger and fries and headed up to the room.
Now, all this time, Butters was home alone. I waited until the last-minute to take her out before we left, and prayed she would ‘hold it’ like she is prone to do.
We got up at 6:30 this morning, threw clothes on and headed back to our pets.
Butters HAD held it – and was ecstatic to see us. Good girl!
So, after laundry, I’m up for a nap!
Here’s some view pics from our room.
Have a great Sunday everyone! I’ll be sipping my strong coffee and staring at an empty laundromat.
Musings from the Laundromat: The Color of Blue edition.
Today the outdoors smells like a forgotten load of damp clothes in a dryer.
Musty.
Dank.
Airless.
The ground smells so different that Butters has refused for two days to venture across it to her normal ‘potty’ spot. Adamantly halting on her leash and not crossing some invisible scent line.
The laundromat floor is peppered with termite wings – a common occurrence out here in the desert after we’ve been slammed with a storm.
Yesterday our power went out and we technology addicts sat, sometimes paced, until we found something to entertain ourselves with.
Me? I finally picked up a book my friend Betty loaned me long ago, back when I was reading at least a book per week.
‘The Color of Water’ by James McBride.
I made it half way through by the time the electricity returned, after my initial relief at the ‘WHOOSH’ of the A/C – I settled back to the book.
I’m feeling, ‘off’.
My color today and most of yesterday is blue.
No one reason in particular.
I think a combination of the stifling breezeless humidity, the fact that I still don’t have my car, and an aching mouth could be major players in this mood of mine.
I’m just out of sorts.
It was humbling to have my boss bring me home Friday after work.
I have such a stubborn streak, and hate to be dependent on anyone for basic things like food, transportation or money.
My son and fiance went grocery shopping Friday, and for some reason, I don’t feel comfortable eating the food. Which is ridiculous. We support each other.
I feel like a stranger right now, even to myself.
I drove to the laundromat in my son’s car, nothing feels the same. Off kilter.
I was glad to get lost in that book yesterday, because it took me out of myself and my own bad atmosphere.
I’ve just been so tired lately. Tired and worried about this and that. This funk – I must shake. And I will.
Almost smiled when I discovered half of my Friday lunch in my purse this morning – cucumber and cheese sandwich. Tucked into its little sandwich bag. I’ll have to remember to toss that.
Poor thing. All prepared and didn’t end up getting to serving its purpose.
Yes, I still feel for inanimate objects. Even when I’m blue.
Musings from the Laundromat: Displaced Glaucoma Man Edition
Me: Would you be a lamb and reset the WIFI?
Laundry Lady: I just did – I figured I’d get your coffee going first.
Me: Awwww!
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This was not my first interaction in the less than 10 minutes I’ve been here.
First we discussed fireworks, or rather, the lack thereof from our most local casino.
I guess we were both outside when night fell, drawn out by the distant ‘POP! POP!’ sounds only to discover it was tourists on the beach and not an official display.
Then I noticed her hair.
Me: Did you dye your hair??
Laundry Lady: Yeah.
A small smile played on her lips and I was SO glad I noticed.
I shuffled away like Igor to my machine, heavy basket dictating my gait.
Glaucoma man found me as I was filling my machines. Actually, he came up on me whilst I was snapping a bra closed before flinging it in.
He was disturbed. (Not about my bra)
Him: He has my machine. (He glared over toward his usual spot.) She opened the back door first today and let him in.
I glanced over towards ‘his’ machine, and sure enough, an unfamiliar face (attached to an unfamiliar body) stood near it.
Now, I’m NOT going to knock him for this discomfort. We all know how my weird little OCD’s send me into a tailspin when I’m stuck under the weird rainbow umbrella instead of the seats I like – or how frustrating it is to find all ‘my’ machines in use.
I get it.
We all have our little routines and rituals.
Him: She must know him.
He said it like it was a conspiracy. I couldn’t help remembering her telling me “sometimes I make him wait.” and stifled a giggle.
But Laundry Lady is not cruel hearted, I decided probably she just happened to open the back door first, and was not making Glaucoma man suffer needlessly.
Me: Well, technically she doesn’t have to open until 8 – she’s sweet to do so.
Him: How is your husband?
Me: Good. (I didn’t correct him)
He went on to talk about how Laundry Lady is grumpy. Which is so not true. Then shared with me that she isn’t well.
This made me sad. I didn’t push for all the details – I figure if someone wants me to know something personal about themselves, they’ll tell me.
He shared anyway.
Him: Yeah, she has that COD.
Me: C.O.P.D?
Him: Yes.
Me: Me too
Him: You do? But you always have a smile on your face!
I wanted to tell him so does the Laundry Lady. For me anyway. I think she just runs out of patience with some patrons. I mean, I wasn’t going to tell him that part.
The bottom line though, is that if you’re kind, you get kindness back. If you smile, you receive one of those in return too.
And if you are consistent about it – you get a friendly weekly chat and a fresh pot of coffee.
Debauchery Soup 