Saturday, January 3, 2026, 6.7* F, 68% RH, 0734
Like a puzzle with missing pieces, the wooden top of my desk appears in random places. The monitor, mouse, metal pitcher of drum mallets I almost knocked over, reaching to turn on the computer, ceramic coaster of a modern bird, stapler, hole punch, tape dispenser, book holder will stay once all the things I won’t list are put away. The smiling duck, a bright yellow, the remote to turn on the floor lamp next to it whose switch no longer works, and some other things too will remain.
What puzzles me is A Love Supreme with parts 1 through 4: Acknowledgement, Resolution, Pursuance, Psalm. John Coltrane’s music inspired Bruce. I just don’t know why it’s on my desk. On the back of the white CD envelope, red ink, Bruce’s writing: Back 12:15 – 15.1 miles – 23 minutes; Front 12:44 – 19.5 miles – 27 minutes. There was a statistician in that man, though he never studied. He made notes on what was at hand. Red ink faded now but readable by someone who can decipher. He was comparing time and distance to reach a certain destination – that destination isn’t included.
When I opened the microwave, the handle of my coffee cup faced me. I smiled again thinking of Bruce precisely placing his coffee cup for reheating so at the end of 45 seconds the handle would face him. I just put my cup in unceremoniously.
Intimacy is remembered in the everyday of living.
Photo: LJ Austin
