random thoughts – Day 1,767 – (Friday) – fresh air and color

Because the task of putting air in the tires and gas in the tank was neglected on Wednesday and I didn’t leave the house on Thursday, it needed to be done this morning before heading to the office. Ugh.

There wasn’t time to go to the station I prefer for the lower gas prices and easy access air machine, so I went to the station closer to home. It was cold, maybe 19 degrees, as I muttered and swore at the persnickety and annoying gas tank access on the Jeep. I’m not sure if I'm just an idiot, which is totally possible, or if there is a design defect with the gas tank, but unless the pump nozzle is inserted at a very precise angle and depth, it will shut off every few seconds. It takes three to five adjustments of the angle of the nozzle to fill the tank. Every. Single. Time. This never happened with the old Honda CRV. 

After the annoying tank fill, it was a short trip across the pavement to the air machine. Not only is the gas more expensive at the station closest to the house, so is the air. It’s $1.00 at the preferred station and $1.50 at the closer station. Parking spots are marked on the pavement, perpendicular to the air machine, which is an orderly and efficient arrangement, but also problematic. The air hose barely reaches the rear tires. There was more swearing as I yanked and stretched the hose to the back tires, but I got it done.

Thank goodness the rest of the day was less annoying.

At 3:00, I took a walk. The sky was a stretch of uninterrupted blue with the sun shining. The temperature was 34 degrees, and it felt comfortable and warm compared to recent days. I boldly walked the streets with no hat on. My gloves were in my hand and not on my hands.

Color outside ALL Gallery.

The walk was mostly to get outside, but also to see a couple art shows recently hung in downtown galleries. I headed to Arts League of Lowell, where a new show called “Color Color Color” recently opened. The gallery door was locked and the place seemed closed. The adjacent art supply store was open, but the last thing I need right now is more art supplies. 

I may not have seen the color-themed show inside the gallery, but I took a minute to admire the mural painted on the building next to the gallery. It still looks great. 

From the failed gallery mission, I crossed the street to finally explore the Ma Cuisine shop, which specializes in France-oriented groceries, gifts, and take-out food. I’ve been following the place on Facebook for ages and never gone there. The only discovery for me there today was that they close at 3:00. The sign on the door told me so.

Color outside Athenian Corner.

From the two closed places, I went somewhere I knew would be open – Lala Books. There is another mural on that block, on the building housing Athenian Corner, so I got to enjoy another splash of color. 

I wasn’t disappointed at LaLa. The shop was open and staffed and ready for me to browse. I bought the book that Boozy Book Club read for the January meeting, The Berry Pickers, by Amanda Peters. I even got the scoop about how the book club felt about it. I’ve missed book club for the past several months because it’s the same night as dance class. 

I really wish technology would have reached the point where I could be two places at once, because there have been a lot of sacrifices made due to that inability. Is anyone even working on it, or are the billionaires just working on the rich people's space tourism program?