Today I went for a little walk to clear my head, a therapeutic stroll if you will.  I’m still on this detox til you die kick and a daily 100% fruit Boost Juice from the local Bondi Boost Juice is on the menu.  A delightfully refreshing break from hours upon seemingly endless hours of essay writing.  It’s the end of the semester (as I’ve mentioned) and that means loads more work.

I float over the .6 miles or 1 km to the juice stand.  I’ve walked this route so many times that my body is on cruise control, my mind is free to roam.  I take my iPod and listen to a relaxing mix of Joshua Radin, Ingrid Michealson, Ray LaMontagne, and others which now includes my new favorite, “Little Waltz” by Basia Bulat.

“You and I, we make a grand salute.  Stare at each other, like lost little birds across the room.  And I remember the way you looked.  I learned how to dance, but I’d never shown it to you …” – Basia Bulat – Little Waltz

The song floods me with nonspecific nostalgia, I listen to it on repeat.

“A watermelon crush with lemon please.  Yes with lemon please.”  I always ask for lemon.  It’s not supposed to have lemon but I ask for it anyway.  I like it tart.  The watermelon is for my kidneys.  Well – it’s supposed to be good for my kidneys.  I like to keep my kidneys happy.  It was they who helped me to discover 5 months ago that I’m gluten intolerant.

I detour on the way back and walk along the beach.  It’s a lovely 82F and there is a subtle ocean breeze that takes that tiny little edge off the heat.

I wonder if the women who were inspirations for the famous grafitti strip along Bondi Beach know their images are enshrined there.  “Chloe who wears a flower in her hair,” it says.  One of my dogs is named Chloe.  I tried to put a flower in her fur one time but she barked in protest.

My thoughts wander to my girls.  I smile.  I can’t help it.  I keep my feelings and thoughts hidden most of the time, but when I succomb to daydreams and memories I can’t help but to wear my thoughts and emotions for the world to see.  I have to be careful, I have found myself chuckling out loud.

Like the time I caught little Duchess pulling fat and bumbly Chloe (who was upside down and on her back) around by a tug rope.  Chloe was growling but was too lazy to do anything about it.  So she just let her sister drag her around – upside down – fat speckled belly exposed to the world.  I always laugh out loud when I remember that.

I like this alone time – this time for myself – this time to myself.