Small town living

Yesterday was a nice hot day.  Warm enough that everything is warm, no creepycold breezes.  Not so warm that you can smell the dumpsters behind the fancy fish and meat restaurants.
Warm enough that it's good to be out but not so warm that people are cranky.  Or naked.
A perfect day for being downtown.
With a five year old.

Jake and I hopped on the subway after work and school and rode to Walnut Locust, the first subway stop that is really and truly downtown when coming up from the south.  At the top of the stairs, Jake asked if we can just stand and watch.  So we did.  Pointing out hawks circling the buildings and angels in the architecture.  We saw some people I know from work.  People who haven't seen Jake in years.  And some moms that Jake knows from school.  And then some more people.  And another who knows someone I know and don't I know you? 

Then down Walnut to Rittenhouse, to play with the statues and throw pennies in the fountain and quarters in the guitar cases and have a good run with the dogs and the rich kids.  The people who work in the stores between here and there where I sometimes shop come out and say "hello, Lora" and "you must be Jacob".

Over to the coffee shop on 12th and Locust for a lemonade, which we drank on the front steps because all the tables and couches were taken.  There goes some more people I know, headed to my gym next door or the bar up the street for a quick cold one.

Around to the burrito place on 11th and Walnut for dinner where we saw Amelia's mom- Amelia took swim class with Jake a couple years ago.  Swim class around the corner at my gym next to the coffee shop a few doors down from the bar where people were headed for a quick cold one.  A bar that Dave's friend owns.  A bar where I have a show in two weeks from today.

Catch the bus back home again.  With the neighbors who we haven't seen since the last time it was warm enough that it is good to be out.

As Jake went to sleep last night he said, "Mom, I love living in our little town.  Everything is interesting and right where I need it to be and we all walk along the same paths.  If you stand still long enough your friends come to you.  If they stand in one place for the right amount of time, you will find them".