Last weekend I was outside doing some yardwork, and two neighborhood elementary schoolgirls were doing laps through the cul de sac. First, they came buzzing through on scooters. Then, a couple of circles around on bikes. Next came rollerblades. Then once again, with one of them on a bike, towing the other (somewhat perilously, with a bungee cord) on old-fashioned rollerskates. Every time through, they waved and said “hi,” like they hadn’t seen me in hours.

It was wonderful, keeping me entertained as I was digging in the pipes for our drip irrigation system and winter flowers, and cursing under my breath at the number of tree roots I had to hack out with an ax. [Read more…]