In search of a yellow brick road

My parents left for a few days of camping today. Tracy is working nights so my mom asked me to pick up and look after Elmo. I headed over there after Pilates around 8pm. First thing I noticed was the container of blueberries sitting on the kitchen table. Mmm. I snagged 1/2 a cup to put on my yogurt tomorrow morning. Then I turned and spotted a beautiful quiche on the stove. It was still warm as I served myself up a piece. I also cut another portion to take for my lunch. I call this, shopping at the neighbourhood Mom and Pop place.

Upon returning to my house I took Elmo out for a walk. We headed east and then turned north up Ferry Road. Not long after crossing Ness Avenue we happened across an older gentleman shuffling along. He waved so I smiled and waved back. I thought to myself at the time, "what a friendly neighbourhood!" What I didn't know was that if that poor old man could speak, he would have asked, "what's a nice young girl and her dog doing walking around these parts?"

As we carried on I noticed that seemingly every other house had a "BEWARE OF DOG" sign. One warning was simply scrawled in black permanent marker beside the front door. Another hand made design showed a picture of a cute beagle, not unlike Elmo, but with the caption, "Can you run across this yard in under 3 seconds? I can." Not wanting to encounter a ferocious hound, I hurried us along.

I don't think we're in Charleswood anymore, Elmo" I said as we passed by more derelict shacks and snarling canines.

Fear not friends, the St. James Ghetto does end at Amherst. There are no guard dogs here, as evident by the number of bunny rabbits I see scampering along from yard to yard.

For those who I haven't updated yet, tonight will mark sleep number six in my house. I am loving my new life and new space. I thought I knew myself well enough to legitimately worry that I would have a hard time adjusting to living on my own but apparently I don't know my own strength.

I haven't blogged in a while. I tried last night to summarize the events of the past week but I just couldn't get the words out. Instead I'll just throw some pictures up here and let you fill in the blanks.