Jumbled Randomness

A week in my life

Random Conversations is a newsletter for those who believe in the power of a positive perspective and the joy it brings. It champions intentionally honoring ways of being and promotes the belief that we can change our world, one interaction at a time. Choose the change wisely.

Photo by T.J. Breshears on Unsplash

I had a thought as I walked in my neighborhood this past week. Building on my post about embracing my inner flâneur,¹ it occurred to me that it would be wonderful to have you walk with me.

Each day unfolded into quite a mixed bag of sorts – mostly good. I’ve been trying to find a through-line – something that connects individual snippets into a cohesive whole. It occurs to me that just maybe the picture that forms is an experience of my world, a view through my lens of positivity, a window into who I am.

Let’s take a metaphorical walk together and explore.

Disaster

The week started with a computer disaster. A Microsoft update corrupted Windows 11 and I could not get past a forever-spinning circle. Microsoft was not helpful. I’ll come back to that. In desperation, I opted for help from the Geek Squad, which required leaving my laptop with them overnight.

Cutting to the chase, as they say, the Geek Squad was great! They wiped my computer clean (the thought of which still terrifies me), gave me a new Windows 11 operating system, and restored all the major elements of my computer life. I couldn’t have been happier with their work – and their patience with a whole lot of unhappy customers.

The person ahead of me at the Geek Squad started describing my same problem. I later asked one of the Squad how many she had seen with this issue since the update went out. She thought about it and said I was the fifth person that day. The fifth?! And that was only one location in only one rather large city.

And here’s the point about Microsoft that I wanted to come back to. I discovered that they rolled out this update in April and it had the same effect. Why would they roll it out again in May without fixing it?! One of the Squad explained that Microsoft used to roll out updates to a test site, but they stopped doing that. Well, thank you, Microsoft, for saving yourself a few dollars and wreaking havoc in my life!

My trust is deeply damaged. But I have gained respect for my local Geek Squad, and that makes me happy!

Silver Linings

For such a rocky start, my week unfolded into something quite wonderful.

I stopped by L’Appartement 4F in the West Village for one of their tahini chocolate chip cookies. This is a tiny outpost of the original Brooklyn restaurant which started in the owners’ apartment – 4F, of course. By tiny, I mean that they have a window that opens to the sidewalk for people to walk up to.

After waiting my turn (there’s always a line), I ordered my cookie and watched as it was taken out of the warming oven for me. It was immediately followed by a second that was placed in the same bag and delivered with a big smile. (I ate them both.)

This was not a first for them. My previous visit, I asked for their sourdough baguette – my favorite baguette in the City. After placing it in a bag, I was asked if I’d also like their sourdough loaf for free. (Yes, please.) As it turns out, they start giving away what’s left as they run out of products to sell. But I have to say, they were not running out of their products when a second cookie made its way to me.

BTW, I was also gifted a free coffee soft serve from an ice cream store not far from there – a different day, a different week. The person behind the counter had gifted me one last year, as well. They are the only place I know that makes a coffee-flavored soft serve ice cream and it is delicious! He always seems genuinely pleased to see me, and that is gift enough. Though the ice cream was delicious and much appreciated.

Gifts of Laughter

I had a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday. The elevator in her building opens to a foyer which leads to a hallway to the right. As I walked to the corner, a woman rounded the same corner from the hallway and we almost bumped into each other. As I tend to do, I smiled, laughed, apologized, and went on my way.

And then I heard a disembodied voice loudly call out, “Thank you for smiling!!” I wish I could remember what either of us said after that – two voices echoing down an empty hallway. I know I burst out laughing. I think she commented on people not smiling anymore, or we need more smiling, or something like that.

Since I so recently wrote about the power of a smile and a hello, I loved this faceless exchange all the more!²

Heartening Comments

I truly love this Substack community! I have met so many incredible people and consider them to be an integral part of my life. Most of us chat via comments on one post or another, and a special few of us catch up on Zoom calls. And soon, my second in-person meeting will take place here in NYC!

The comments people leave on my posts lift my heart. They are wise and caring, and some bring me to tears. They enhance what I write, taking it to a new level. I greatly appreciate each of them!

This week (as I write) was especially profound for me. First of all, my post on Wednesday was a celebration of the birthday of a dear friend who passed in 2003 – which seems more like just yesterday to me. Not only were the commenters meeting my friend and sharing in the joy of our years together, they also shared their own deep relationships and how they celebrate them. How wonderful to read them all!!³

I often say that our words and actions create ripples that go out into the world. This week, a boat-load of beautiful ripples radiated out, and I couldn’t be happier!!

I feel very, very fortunate!

Apples on Friday

Friday always includes one of my favorite farms at the Union Square Farmers Market. They spoil me by setting aside a bag of my favorite apples (Evercrisp apples – a Fuji / Honeycrisp blend). I love knowing they will be waiting for me. Their asparagus is now in season and a bunch is also set aside for me. And throughout the summer, they always tell me when there’s something so delicious that I have to try it. They are never wrong.

How did I get so lucky?! Restaurants in the area buy directly from these farms in great quantity. I am only one person, buying a not-so-extravagant amount of food – yet they have offered me such special treatment the past 3 or 4 years, every Friday.

Another farm grows my favorite tomatoes (Purple Cherokee) and we are already talking about how “my tomatoes” are doing. (Very well in the greenhouse, thank you.) My favorite egg farm is each Wednesday – though I suppose that is more appropriately a chicken farm. They fill their dozen cartons with eggs from 4 or 5 heritage chicken breeds and they are all delicious!

I love these connections with such delightful people and their incredible offerings. It’s a feast for my soul.

A Reflection

Reading through these snippets, I am aware of what I have not mentioned. The conversation I had with a woman holding her dog. The kind couple who softly asked if I was OK after a bicyclist and I almost collided. (A rookie mistake of looking right when I should have looked left.) Eyes brightening and smiles appearing as I made my way through my neighborhood.

I could have easily held onto my Microsoft-fueled anger throughout the week and beyond. I witnessed that long-simmering reaction when my parents felt wronged. I felt it myself in years gone by. This week, however, I focused on the ease with which the issue was resolved and the peace of mind in having found a good source of help a ten-minute walk from home.

Choosing to focus on what went well, on what brings me a feeling of wholeness, on the joyous beauty and inspiration that surrounds us all waiting to be embraced, a window opened that brought so much beauty into my life. And that has made a world of difference.

A Question

What do you love about your neighborhood that you can share? I’d welcome reading your thoughts in the comments.

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