Fresh

In the familiar, freshness exists. I do everything, every habit, every routine, every known place and thing and action, with newness. Every thing is for the first time, in that moment.

Things live forever. Yes, they do. And, they cannot be undone. This is not simply the sentiment of Jeremy Renner (playing Hawkeye in Avengers: Endgame) when he mourns the loss of Natasha – “It cannot be undone”.

Natasha is gone, for ever. Did you expect that?

Each thing is thus new, unique, fresh. From the same mould, the same ingredients, the same process. Yet, new, fresh real. I wear a shirt, shorts, shoes, glasses, rucksack that are familiar. I go on a journey that is familiar, to places that are familiar.

Yet, they are all different, because today in not the same day as the most recent day when I wore or used any of these. Today is different. It is now, here.

Today – why is it a familiar day, in many ways? Trains, to London. Walking, together. To the Market. Familiar glass of bubbly, moving to my new favourite of the Rose Prosecco, both of us. A meander around, see some stalls, be part of what is here. These are the activities, the shared doings, the collective wanderings, which we have come to know well together and do frequently.

This familiarity is very useful, probably very beneficial. It enables me, us, to be in familiar and comfortable ways. With lots of ease, without much effort. Leaving the empty coffee cups and their unpleasant dregs away, somewhere else, to one side, put down if not disposed of.

…………………………………

One day, Milly will come with me, on a train journey. That will be truly new.

What will Milly have to say? “Where’s my window seat?” or “What is a seat?” I envisage her accepting only a pair of table seats, as one seat is too small for a girl who sleeps in a big bed, or a big armchair.

At ticket inspection, I see a look of disdain, and a speech bubble – “Tickets are a human thing, so ask a human, please.”

So far, on the Beer Mile, I have seen few dogs and no doggy treats. Doubt that Milly would be impressed, so perhaps I need to invent a new Milly Mile. The beer mile for discerning dogs of distinction.

She would be impressed with the cool and slick Kernel taproom. Probably comfortable with Partizan (especially the pizza, which has a fabulous bready crust), ok with Anspach & Hobday, and accepting of Brew by Numbers as my comfortable favourite.

Need to take a good selection of different treats with me though, and keep plenty of water near at hand.

Could be a truly splendid day out, us 2, together.

Maybe. We dream.