I need a hammock between two palms

A crazy event happened last night. I was home alone and bored. What to do? I packed up my laptop and headed to the nice shopping center across the street from Arundel Mills Mall. I bought a grilled veggie burrito from Baja Fresh and sat at an outdoor table next to Panera's, right next to a nail salon. There was one empty table next to me, closest to the nail place. I couldn't get Internet access from Panera's (for some reason), so I was editing my pictures while I ate. I sure do love that burrito, especially with mango salsa on the side. Two employees came out of the nail place and sat at the table next to me. They left the salon door propped open which I wasn't crazy about because the air was laden (nice word Cheryl) with the smell of acrylic nail chemicals. Soon I saw a white car pull out of the first parking space and park along the curb of the parking lot. I heard my table-neighbors say something about the car in English, but they were mostly speaking in an Asian language. I was looking down at my laptop when all of a sudden I heard a chair fall over and people screaming. I looked up to see a violent fight starting at the table next door. Employees streamed out of the nail salon as I ran away, leaving my purse and laptop behind. I ran to the doorway of Panera's as customers from there crowded into the doorway trying to ascertain where the violent sounds were coming from. I saw some kind of martial arts sticks flying. Someone was throwing a chair at someone else. Glass was breaking. It looked like there were at least 10 people involved in this. It sounds like I was watching all this, but I really wasn't. Just taking glimpses. I didn't want to see anyone being hurt. I didn't want to see blood. It was over very quickly. The person/persons that were attacked must have been dragged back into the nail salon. Shaking, I asked a man if he could go over and get my purse for me. He brought it along with my laptop. I heard someone say "gang-related". Another person saying they got the license plate number of the white car. Deciding I had nothing to contribute to the story that would be told to the police, I got in my car. Eventually the police arrived and I left. I know there's crime at that mall, and I never go there. The shopping center across the street that I do go to has Coldstone, Baja Fresh, Panera's, Starbucks, Safeway, etc... Lots of outdoor tables. Lots of people inside and out. Will I ever feel safe there again?

To change the subject, I just had a confrontation with my next-door neighbor. I'm still shaken. I came home last night to see that the little 'greenway' (is that the word?) between the sidewalk and the street looked like this after he mowed:


This 'greenway' is about 6-7' long. My property is the un-mowed section on the left. I was shocked! In all the years he's been my neighbor I've mowed this and his part of the side yard we share, though most of my yard is garden. I'm not a person for confrontations, but this is my neighbor and I felt this needed to be addressed. Heart pounding, I just went over there. I explained that I don't like confrontations, but that I was shocked to come home last night and find the greenway mowed as it was. He said, really? Then he went on to tell me how un-neighborly I am. How critical I am of him and his house. He made it sound like I attacked him about his garage doors when I nicely told him I thought they were an eyesore when he asked if they bothered me. I know that sounds bad, but I really did say it in a nice way. He brought up the shrubs I suggested he trim differently last year because he was cutting away all the greenery and leaving exposed deadwood all along the side. Being non-confrontational, and knowing that this is an otherwise nice person, I told him that I would never say anything critical again. He didn't seem satisfied. I said, I'm apologizing. Will you accept my apology? Finally he said yes. I'll continue to mow his part of the lawn when I mow. I'll continue to say hello whenever I see him. It won't ever be the same. Oh, and I did mow the lawn this morning before this conversation.

On a brighter note, here's some things that make me happy:

Little garden gnomes from Cape Cod.


Vincas in May.

Vincas in August. See the 12" rabbit peeking out?


I hope today is a good day. I did get out at 7:30 this morning. I watered the whole garden. I mowed. I dead-headed flowers and weeded. I swept the garage. I was done by 9:45. Today will probably reach 100 degrees and I'm so glad I got this done. It was a stress-reliever too. Emily and I are ready to head to Annapolis Mall. We need to return stuff to Land's End. And eat. She works at Rita's later on, so I'll be getting her to and from and seeing my friend Kit in-between. Sounds good to me.

Happy Sunday!