Jacqueline
I want to tell you about my friend Jacqueline.
I don't remember how we met many many years ago. I do remember that we first became friends when she just knocked on my door, having come unannounced to visit. Nobody does that anymore! But Jacqueline is not like everyone else.
Somewhere along the line we became friends. Like real friends.
Some of the things I adore about Jacqueline:
For one thing, she does what she wants! She loves to watch tennis. Instead of watching the matches on TV this summer, almost without notice, she just picked herself up and went to Wimbledon by herself and had a most wonderful time. She could have waited all her life for a chance to go, but she didn't wait.
She went and got her M.A. Creative Writing degree in Prague in the Czech Republic. How many people do you know who do this?!! How many people even know that such a writing program even exists there? This was out of the blue. It's not like Jacqueline has roots there.
Jacqueline and Lauren, my daughter, and I have been walking two miles a day together, weather permitting, which it hasn't much lately. Too icy.
Jacqueline usually comes here, and we walk in Chatacqua Park nearby, or we drive to the Reservoir or to Lamson Woods. Jacqueline often comes early, and I'm in the middle of something important, maybe writing an entry for this blog, and I don't want her to come early. I'm so comfortable with Jacqueline that I can open the door and say first thing without thinking, "How many times do I have to tell you not to come early. Don't come early." I really say that or something equally ungracious. Don't you wish you had a friend you could talk that way to, and she would just smile, come in, and make herself at home and wait, not minding a bit.
Jacqueline is the friend who would bring me pumpkin flowers, probably my most favorite food. You can see a photo of Jacqueline here.
Right now, as I finish writing this entry, it is early in the morning, and we have had ice storms. The trees are covered with ice, and the ice sparkles like diamonds in the sun. It's magic.
I had more magic this morning. A sand fairy came to my house and spread sand on my sidewalk so it wouldn't be so slippery. And I know who it was. It was Jacqueline. She was silent, not a word, but I know who it was. That is a friend.
Comments
Very sweet! Thanks for an upper!
That is a wonderful entry, and we are lucky to have a friend like Jacqueline aren't we?
No Lauren. You are not Lucky You are beautiful and you attract beautiful friends. To be beautiful is not lucky you create that yourself. It is so nice to have friends even if you see them seldom. Have a nice walk,Ice in the trees, no to cold for me. I walk with my two friends along the river and look at Platypusses. Live is beautiful Love light and Laughter. Jack
Dear Gloria,
Thank you for all the effusive praise. You are a fun friend for whom arriving early is always a joy!!
(Friends, Gloria is notoriously "in her own world" and Lauren and I know this and plan accordingly.)
Also to clear up the facts:
My decision to earn an MFA degree was anything but "out of the blue." I had planned for 10 years to go back to school to earn a degree in creative writing. The timing was perfect to grab the chance when I did.
Also it is an MFA, not merely an MA, which is absolutely different, and by the way (pat myself on the back), it is considered equivalent to a PhD. in the arts. And believe me - the three long years it took me to finish all my requirements made it seem as if I were writing a PhD. dissertation.
That said, my decision to jump at the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing Wimbledon in person, was almost "out of the blue." Again I planned it for one month.
But I do love the fiction you have created by painting me as this "spur of the moment"-type. I think it seems that way to you because I do not share my first hazy thoughts with anyone. I always know what I am going to do when I act. The indefinite planning part I keep to myself. That way I get to do what I want, as you put it.
You, Gloria, are a delightful, loving, giving, amusing, real, intelligent, childlike, optimistic, expanded, intellectually discriminating, intuitive, decisive person. You are also many other things as we all are.
When you leave with Santhan and the gang for Argentina, I will miss you. And Lauren and I will talk about you behind your back. (Ha Ha - but we will only say good things.)
Love ya and do not slip on the ice!
Ms. Jacqueline, yes, Masters of Fine Arts. That you were going to go to graduate school wasn't the surprise! It was where you decided to go! So you, Jacqueline.
What do you mean I'm in my own world?!! Once I had my shoes on when you came!
Ms. Gloria Tatiana,
Yes, it's true! You did have your walking shoes on once when I came on time as usual......