The Other Side of the Tracks, Wisdom of the Ages, & a Change of Heart

Taking a walk today, I chose a different route and parked near a downtown railroad crossing. Heading south on the bike path confirmed that old lamentable stereotype ‘the other side of the tracks’. Each rundown residence rather depressing, I noticed the nearby senior center’s HVAC units surrounded by a heavily chained and padlocked fence topped with razor wire (!), no doubt to thwart scrap metal thievery. I’ll stick with the familiar northern path in future.

If I do return, it will be to help the wary cats teaming near one pitiful intersection. That area needs someone like dear Strayer intervening.

Our pampered Jezebel won life's lottery.
And she's blissfully clueless

In a striking moment of foolishness earlier, I struggled to open a powdered drink mix before realizing I still held a fork. The tines were pointed toward my eye. I had to chuckle and wonder if my wisdom stems from growing cynicism and a dark sense of humor rather than aging.

Either way, I’m happy to say both my eyes and eyeglass lenses remain intact.

Meanwhile October is coming to a close and, as Pam of The Whimsical Way kindly noted, for many years I’ve engaged in a month long writing challenge each November. The current state of our world decided me to skip this year. Then it dawned on me, a focus on writing prose is just what I need. I even started a new short story three times before stalling. Now these new characters will have a chance to tell their tale, which has a title but no actual plot.

Do you have any special November plans? Are you, unlike me, the type to organize before undertaking a new project?

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