At the swimmin’ hole July 25, 2006
Posted by Duncan Brook in : Fight cancer , add a comment |
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Me, out-of-focus in the photo and in real life, at the Lab School pool this morning after our weekly 5:30 a.m. group swim practice.
Who’s afraid of the big, black cat? July 19, 2006
Posted by Duncan Brook in : Fight cancer , add a commentI’m pouring sweat and trying to get my wits about me. After a ride at Hains Point, I drove home, changed into my running shoes, took a few swigs of water, inhaled a packet of goo, and set out for a run in the dark. Now I’m back. Why I’ve ended up at the computer, I couldn’t tell you, except to concede that the friendly nearby A/C may be playing a role.
Good lord; it was hoo-mid as all get out out there. I need a coaster for my body.
There was a black cat lying ever-so-silent in the middle of a shadowy black asphalt path. Just before I came upon it, I glimpsed its silhouette. Reflexively, I … clapped my hands? Who does that? Why do I have such strange reflexes? Who claps? I mean, really. Anyway, I clapped my hands, and it leapt up in a great, panicked rush — and I nearly died right there and then, of various cardiopulmonary troubles.
What I mean to say, and what has been suggested that I say, is that I was a tough, strong man who scared the cat away by merely looking in its direction and barking deeply (apparently, I was a tough, strong man with a streak of dog in him).
Really, though, when shadows with eyes throw themselves at you, you do the best you can.
I mean, it was a very big cat — but that shadow could well have been a gorilla, or a black mamba, or … a squirrel! A black DC squirrel! Lying in wait for me … the horror.
Where are these cold chills coming from? Must be the air conditioning…
