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Both Sides of the Fence

A Tosa resident since 1991, Christine walks the dog, raises kids, cooks but avoids housework, writes and reads, and works too much. A Quaker and The Aging Maven, she has been known to stand on both sides of the political and philosophic fence at the same time, which is very uncomfortable when you think about it. She writes about pretty much whatever stops in to visit her busy mind at the moment. One reader described her as "incredibly opinionated but not judgmental." That sounds like a good thing to strive for!

Why not?

By Christine McLaughlin
Wednesday, Sep 24 2008, 11:43 AM

During our morning constitutional, Idgy and I meet and greet people who are strangers. Whether they want to be met and greeted or not. We have decided to consider people not yet known to us as potential allies--or at least interesting fodder--and not lurking dangers.

Some random and unscientific observations:
  • The more spandex and high tech gear, the less likely a bike rider is to acknowledge your existence.
  • Men are more likely than women to respond if you insist on greeting them when they are pretending not to see you.
  • Dead body parts disappear faster in Wauwatosa than in the wilds of Brookfield, though you will encounter more critters murdered by humans in Tosa. This does not lend much support to my belief that people are good until proven bad, but life is still better if you think that way. Most of the time.

Today we were delighted to encounter some rarer sorts among the more domestic species. A woman, rather beautiful, was walking through the woods wearing leopard print satin pajamas; a white satin robe, loosely tied; major wrist and ankle weights; and a huge white Three Musketeers hat with mirabou feathers all around the droopy brim. Accompanying her was a tiny older man, neatly and conventionally dressed. I'm not sure who was walking whom, but they may have wondered the same about Idgy and me.

And why, I thought, not? Why not celebrate the day being a character you have imagined instead of the one you've checked out of the costumes-for-fading-into-crowds or the costumes-to-show-you-are-serious,-not-playing, boxes?

Today I'm going to create a job description for the job I want and then try to make it happen. I'm already cheered by the prospect.

Why not enjoy this day with less thought about coloring inside the lines? Nature doesn't, and it's brilliant.

Comments

2rottieguy   

Where do you two walk?  I'd like to see the two of you during your morning constitutions.

September 24, 2008 3:08 PM

Christine McLaughlin   

Actually, much of our walking is at the dog park on the County grounds. E-mail me and you and the rotties can join us on one of our other walks!

September 24, 2008 10:35 PM

Old Tosan   

Hey 2Rottie,

I'm thinking you really want to see Leopard Lady, not that there's anything wrong with that.

September 24, 2008 10:37 PM

danjm16   

I had the "pleasure" of living in Connecticut for a couple of years. I would say hello to the people I passed on the street, and finally one day someone said hello back. It turned out he was from Milwaukee. Most of the people would just look at me in absolute shock that I acknowledged their presence.

September 25, 2008 12:49 PM

Christine McLaughlin   

Really, shouldn't we all want to see Leopard Lady, in a sort of cosmic metaphoric way. . .

Excuse me. I just spent 5 hours at a Tosa budget meeting. I'm not myself. . .

September 25, 2008 11:23 PM

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