Bus Report #1082

 Last night I meandered home.

Stopped to water my garden plot - everything suddenly growing, everything looking good - then walked back out to catch the 22 the rest of the way out to Geary. Crowded bus. 

Lots of kids with first day of school clothes, new backpacks, and some of the little girls had fresh hair ribbons tied neatly around pony tails and braids. Twins in matching outfits but different, bright pink sneakers. Adorable.

I stopped at the studio and picked up a couple pieces fresh from the kiln. On the way out, I saw a familiar figure strolling down Clement.

It was Alain, the Frenchman, who used to take the 33 in the morning with me and Olga.

"Hey, hey," I said, grinning.

He looked up, smiled, and opened his arm for a hug. "Ah, hello!" and we hugged.

We walked.

He told me he'd just returned from visiting family abroad for the first time in three years.

"Was it lovely?" I asked.

"Oh yes. So wonderful," he said. He looked at the two newly-glazed bowls in my hands, laughed.

"I was doing the same thing last year," he said, gesturing down the street at the other studio down the block. "But these are better."

"You're very kind," I told him.

We caught up a bit more, had a laugh, and parted ways. 

"I'll see you soon," I said.

"Take care," he replied.

Bus Report #1081

 After work the other night, a hot late afternoon.

Crowded 22 Fillmore, but not so crowded that there wasn't room for Jeannie when we pulled in to her stop.

She sat across from me and we chatted, discussed the weather (too hot), caught up on our summer plans (my travels, her local adventures), and talked about work (fine, busy).

I asked her if she thought the bus was faster these days and she agreed, and when we hopped out at Geary to wait for the 38 there were two headed towards us.

It was fantastic. We got on and stood in the back.

Total commute that day? 50 minutes. Shocking.

I'm glad the 22 cut a couple of stops, and even gladder that the 38 now has fast lanes all up and down Geary..