Serendipity On-the-Go

What's That Mean?

Courage: *The heart as the seat of feeling, etc; disposition, nature. * What is in one's mind; purpose; desire, inclination. *The quality of character which shows itself in acting despite fear or lack of confidence.
Zaftig: Of a woman having a full rounded shape.
Watershed: *The line separating waters flowing into different rivers, basins, or seas. *A turning-point in affairs, a crucial time or occurrence.
Serenity: Contented tranquillity of mind, temper, countenance, etc.; inner calm; tranquillity or peacefullness of conditions etc.
Passion: *The sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death. *SUFFERING (obsolete). *The state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces. *EMOTION, emotions as distinguished from reason; intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. *Ardent affection; LOVE; a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept; sexual desire; an object of desire or deep interest.
Hedonism: The doctrine or the theory of ethics in which pleasure is regarded as the chief good or the proper aim. Frequently now also, devotion to or pursuit of pleasure.
Labyrinth: *A structure consisting of a complex network of tunnels, paths, etc., thru which it is difficult to find one's way, a maze. *A complex or confusing situation; an intricate system; a complicated arrangement.
Mesmeric: Pertaining to, characteristic of, producing, or produced by mesmerism; hypnotic, fascinating.
Quagmire: An awkward, complex or hazardous situation.
Metal: *Material, matter, substance; especially earthy matter. *Molten glass before it is blown or cast. *Hardened clay, shale; rock met with in the course of mining.
Wisdom: Knowledge, especially of an abstruse kind; learning, branches of knowledge.
Antinomian: *One who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation. *One who rejects a socially established morality.

Sunday, March 16

As Seen Saturday: "broken glass" by 'graceful cat'

Friday, March 14

Thursday, March 13

Little Yellow Blossoms Beckon Spring

Tuesday, March 11

This Bush Clearly Has a Coke Problem

I know, I know... Really though, what would you say?

Monday, March 10

Sunday, March 9

As Seen Saturday Nite at the Baruch College Performing Arts Center

Not Your Average Chamber Music

Friday, March 7

There is Light at the End of the Tunnel

Thursday, March 6

Wednesday, March 5

Tuesday, March 4

My Favorite Field Trip: The Park Avenue Tiki Bar

Monday, March 3

Makings of a Happy Commute: Arriving in the Station Just as Train Does

Watching the Drivers in Traffic from my Train

Watching the Train Head Back in as the Sun Sets Overthe Skyline

And Finding This Door Propped Up As I Rounded My Block

Sunday, March 2

Sunday Supper: Saurkraut, Beef Franks & Baked Beans

Saturday, March 1

Meet MoneyPitt the Cat

Love him, but he is gluttonous health care consumer.

Friday, February 29

There are a Million Stories in the Big Apple: This One is about a Cigarette.

Veering right at the last moment, I headed out the doors of Grand Central instead of going down into the subway. I hadn't had a cigarette since morning and I suddenly wanted one before I got on the train home.

I turned, walking past several other commuters satisfying the same desire, and stood looking in the windows of a designer store. I took in the clean lines of simple yet elegantly designed clothing.

By contrast the kid standing next to me was in cargo pants and a flack jacket over a beat up sweatshirt. Shaggy from sandy blonde head to sneakered toes.

He turned and apologetically asked to bum a smoke.
I obliged, commenting that no thanks were needed as I believe in Smokers' Karma. And besides, my ultra light brand not being preferred by any guy, I knew he must be desperate.
At least, he smiled, they aren't menthols.

We inhaled, exhaled and looked around at the Friday evening traffic for something to say.
Did I mind his asking if I was a college student?
My turn to smile. Thanking him, I allowed as how I was not. By a long shot.

Inhale. Exhale.
He explained that I didn't seem cold or heartless, and in his experience in this City that meant I had to be either in college or born and bred elsewhere.
Which I was of course, and told him so.

And where was it he went to school?
Manhattan College, located ironically in the Bronx. Close, but not quite what he'd hoped for from the name. Good engineering program - not that he was in it.
Quite the opposite, in fact. Philosophy/Sociology major. Math not really being his thing.
Between the glasses and the theory I should have guessed Philosophy.

I felt in my coat pocket for my cigarettes. Removing my lighter I confirmed there was still one cig left in the pack.
I was saying how I'd considered Sociology, but ended up an Art major instead. Which was why I now worked in an office.
He'd been in the middle of saying that was cool when my smirk interrupted him. We both laughed.

Inhale. Exhale.
I took my last drag, dropped the butt and watched my foot grind it out. I reached back into my pocket as I stepped to the right towards the door, passing in front of him.
He looked down at it as I handed the cigarette pack to him, saying that there was only one left, but as I had a carton at home...

He looked up. Looked me straight in the eye. Looked at me in utter astonishment.
That, he all but whispered, is a truly generous thing.
Happy Friday, I said, now unable to stop smiling. I hoped he'd have a really lovely weekend.

About a yard away, walking sideways now. He'd gone back to looking at the pack in his hand, but realizing I'd kept walking his head snapped up.
Hope yours is great too. Right in the eyes again.
Nodding thanks, I turned and headed towards the doors.

Neither of us had asked the other's name.
The entire exchange lasted perhaps 7 minutes.
But I walked away with a genuine smile and a warmth in my heart.

Seven minutes. A single cigarette.
A small act - a small generosity - a small wonder.
A moment.
A memory.