day 4: the first day of summer

Woke up and went to work at noon. I work in the library of a law firm on the 18th floor of the State Street building. The views are spectacular, but I can't see them from where I sit. If I lean to the left I can see the sky through the window of Roger's office. Still, its not a bad place to work. I walk around a lot and stare at the city as I pass the windows.


Today Paula said she wished she looked like me: tall, tall, tall and beautiful. I thought that was nice of her. My outfit must have emphasized my height: long pleated grey skirt, loose black blouse, brown wedge ankle boots. Everyone I work with is a fair bit older than me. We celebrate their 50th birthdays with cake in conference rooms. We talk about how they had babies at 40 and how their teenagers hate to wear coats no matter the temperature ("coats are just not cool mom"). I like these conversations. I like the people I work with. Paula has dyed-red hair and goes home with flowers she buys off the street vendors. She wears stiletto heels and reminds me of poppies and public gardens. 


I was home before six and ran a loop around the Longfellow bridge. I walked a little by the Athenaeum, but I felt better than yesterday. When I came in the door I tried to make kettle corn. I've never popped popcorn in a pot, but Elizabeth left some here so I thought I'd use it. It burned while I was in the shower and filled the kitchen with smoke. When I got out of the shower I opened the window and made it again. I got dressed while it was popping, tossed it in a yellow bamboo bowl, threw sugar and salt on, and ran out the door.


I caught a bus to Elizabeth's house. It was book club night and we were supposed to discuss Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine. In a classic Courtney move I got lost near the Thirsty Scholar Pub. I turned right at The Biscuit, ended up at the skate spot near Dan's work, looped around until I came to Olecito, went right again on Cambridge Street and eventually called Betty for directions. I was an hour and a half late, but I did see some new parts of Sommerville. All in all, I didn't mind. It was a good night for walking.


Aubrey drove me home and I gave the leftover kettle corn to the Wangsgards. They were watching biggest loser on the couch.


It was 40 degrees yesterday and 80 today. It must be the first day of summer.