This post originally appeared on the Facebook group, What’s happening in Geneva, IL. I’m reposting here just in case someone decides the writing isn’t as exceptional as the Campana flame wars. I mean discussions.
Guys, they’re doing fire hydrant flushing on the east side of Geneva today and from what I gather the happening is primarily in neighborhoods around the Fox River.
This is important because I’ve never actually seen a hydrant being flushed. I’ve always felt they were akin to the elusive Sasquatch and Yeti up north. Signs for this city event, sure, we’ve all seen them. But a horizontal fountain spray? Never in all my time spent living in this wonderful city.
I snapped a picture of the Division hydrant on the way home from work. It’s not the best since I applied le zoom but I was quite pleased they gave her a fresh coat of red paint after the flush!
Although, I wouldn’t really want to splash in that water. There’s a reason they flush it out. Stagnant water in the lines is a breeding ground for all kinds for gross stuff. (This is the downside to being a water treatment engineer.)
Sometimes life pounds on my door, pounds with both hands to get my attention. But more often than not it’s just few taps, barely audible, just left of center.
When I see those things out of the corner of my eye, the kind that perk my interest, it’s important that I take another look. Stay in that moment and focus. I don’t think that whatever just happened along is an accident. I need to act on those glimmers because once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Time keeps ticking away whether I do something or not. And the odds are against me when I hesitate. If I wait too long it’ll be all but impossible to go back. I can’t rewind and recapture the magic from a moment ago. Magic’s got a shelf life. Unfortunately.
Sure, in almost all cases those left of center taps don’t amount to anything. I don’t always get to find a rabbit in the hat but I never regret at least looking, looking to see what was making that sound.
Ya know what I don’t like? Wondering what would’ve happened, what could’ve been. If I’d just taken a chance, taken a risk, and not necessarily jumped through that window, but at least said, “wait, what was that?”
I’d rather have the thought “well, that was nothing” than my heart murmuring and longing for something that I let slip away. Something that was knocking gently on my door and I ignored. That flicker I just walked by. There’s been too many times where I just kept walking. Just kept driving…
Or that guy I only briefly talked to in high school. Or that pirate ship1 I never got on. Or that barbershop I never went in. Or that phone call from Brazil I never answered.
Somebody told me a few years back that I was meek. And it pissed me off to no end. Because it was true. I hate when my submissive, unassertive alter ego holds me back. Ugh.
Thank you, Thank You, Thank you. Both of you.
T: sometimes I hold off on reading your stuff not because I’m too busy or not interested. just the opposite. i’m saving it to savor later.
it’s like Ferris said, “sometimes you gotta…”
Interesting. I’ve never heard/read about synesthesia. Way cool though, I feel like I’ve been living under a rock and missed out on the perceptual color palettes.
A visionary editor who for decades threw lavish parties at his home, the Playboy Mansion, Hefner lived a glamorous Hollywood life, sharing time and photo ops with a diverse cast of celebrities, civil rights leaders and journalists.
The memories, condolences and even some jokes that people shared after Hefner’s death reflect the complicated legacy of the founder of Playboy magazine, who died at 91.
I don’t think Hefner and “civil rights” have ever crossed my mind at the same time. I’m not saying he wasn’t behind all that or that he wasn’t a strong supporter. I guess I’ve just thought more about bunnies when I have thought about him.
Yep, there was a time when I used to lift her up onto the garage. Last night I looked out the window and there she was all on her own, enjoying the view.
tism
jimi hindrance experience
keamoose
I snapped a picture of the Division hydrant on the way home from work. It’s not the best since I applied le zoom but I was quite pleased they gave her a fresh coat of red paint after the flush!
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If that story doesn’t make people’s days better, I don’t know what would.
Although, I wouldn’t really want to splash in that water. There’s a reason they flush it out. Stagnant water in the lines is a breeding ground for all kinds for gross stuff. (This is the downside to being a water treatment engineer.)
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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. These writings have improved my day (noc) on a day (noc) that needed improvement.
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keamoose- I yep, after your comments on the retention pond I tend to shy away from public water in this fashion. 😊
jimi- you are most welcome!
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