Dahlia

The lumbering bear is in dire need of moving around a bit to stretch, so after making a payment at my dentist’s office, I park on the street next to the beach. I am careful to observe the rear view mirror, in case there are any lurking meter maids, as it is five minutes to 11 o’clock, and there is street sweeping here today until said time — the sign informs me. From the looks of the street, the sweepers have already passed, but due caution is always advised in such matters.

Today is June 21, the start of summer! A few days ago, a beautiful dahlia from my small garden opened up — that’s a sure sign of summer, if there ever was one. It reminds me of my mom’s dahlia garden in Germany.

Having taken off my glasses, to put on a baseball-style cap that my youngest son gave me, I meander to the beach, where I take off my flip-flops, for a long walk along the water. To my left are some rather well-nourished seagulls, who keep a respectful distance. In front of me, I see a bright neon orange plastic starfish mold, an incentive for a kid to produce sand starfish, and plenty of them too! A starfish colony, perhaps? Starfish are beautiful creations — I’m always amazed at their feel, which is not unlike sandpaper. I see a kite in the sky; surprising, considering there is almost no wind today. But upon closer observation, the kite moves north and turns out to be a Southwest Airlines airplane. What a doofus — the glasses would have helped clarify this sooner; I chuckle.

At the end of the beach, I decide on some lunch, and enter a Japanese restaurant to have their bento box lunch special. A few tables away, I see Captain America (he is wearing his t-shirt) eating lunch with his two small children. They seem happy, that dad took them out to lunch. I have been observing the girl who has been seating people at their tables, while eating my lunch, and I am amused by the way she walks — it looks like she is sleep-walking. After paying my bill and as I leave to exit the restaurant, I tell her of my observation, to which she giggles “oh my gosh”. Adorable.

OK, time for the loooong walk back to the car.

May God fulfill some of your summer dreams this year,

Matthias Leue