Just Cured - Experience Fine Foods

At the other end of my block, there are two older women who often sit outside for much of the day.† The first is always well dressed in casual clothes, usually with a bit of sparkle to an accessory, glitter here, a sequin or more there, a group of rhinestones somewhere else.† We speak almost every day.† Pleasantries mostly, but I am often tempted to stop and visit a while.† That she has but one chair outside her building makes me pause when I think about chatting.

The second, a few doors closer to my work, has been crocheting an enormous afghan this week in bright orange and black.† At first I thought she or a family member was a football fan (snide comment about that not being football unnecessary).† Then I thought it was to be a Halloween gift or decor.† Today, two younger women were talking to her as I walked past.† I overheard her telling them “no, I simply found these two colors of yarn in the back of the closet and decided to make something with them.”† I am sure that afghan will keep her comfortable as the days continue to get cooler and her little sliver of sidewalk receives fewer minutes of sun.

Wednesday must be car washing day in the neighborhood.† I counted no fewer than a dozen cars in various stages of wash, wax, buff, polish or vacuum on a rather short walk this morning.† Interestingly, I saw no evidence today of the young guy who has a little business washing cars where the owners park them for the day or of his wagon of supplies.

I walked past two very young gentlemen who were just greeting each other.† As I made eye contact with the one facing me (as I try to do with all I pass) and nodded, he exclaimed “Yo, b***h.”† I kept pace, sure that he was greeting his pal, and he continued “What you lookin’ at, b***h.† Yeah, you cracker.”† His strings of cracker this and m-f that receded into the normal sounds of the city over the remainder of the block.† It occurred to me that this was the first instance of a person’s speaking to me with any sort of disrespect in the neighborhood since I began spending every day there.

At lunch today, another regular of my favorite place gave me a sport shirt bearing his new logo.† This young entrepreneur is selling a line of jeans incorporating patches of sting ray skin on the pockets and also repping a line of athletic shoes emblazoned with references to Bible verses.† Today, he was sporting a pair bearing witness to Philippians 14:3 (“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength”).† I am not sure of the etiquette in this situation; do I return the favor with a piece of Just Cured embroidered clothing?† Buy a pair of jeans?† Or shoes?

Thanks Stephan!† Oh, and eat your heart out, ds.