Outside My Condo

Here's a picture of how it looks outside my condo, taken between the vertical bars that provide air and light and hold up the screening. I guess the bars were meant to be discouraging of thieves in the night and also I would guess they were part of the architectural plans to make this a very hip looking place in the mid 60s, which it is, in my book, in 2009,

However, bars and cool mid century looks aren't the only thing outside my condo. Off our courtyard, there are seven doors that lead into seven homes, one of them being mine. I know by sight all of the other six condos' occupants, and have had multiple conversations with three of them. One of those three is a a woman in her late sixties, I would guess, retiree, who volunteers on the Plaza weekly for something I am not quite sure of; one is very fun and interesting older woman, whom I am told had a several-year-long close relationship with the drummer of a long time jazz group here in town; and the third is Eddie (and Rebecca)--They are right next door; Eddie works for Children International and this is a very nice couple.

Somewhere out there (actually I know where they live) are my condo neighbors. If you look closely at the picture you will see that there is another patio/porch that is like mine, but smaller, across the courtyard. One day a month or so ago, when I was home in the afternoon sitting out on mine, I heard the TV across the way---a televangelist preaching. I thought, hey, there's someone out there (actually the blond woman in her thirties who seems quite nice but I don't know her name) who finds some meaning in the Gospel, or at least may be just trying it out right now. Enough to start a conversation on, I must say. And I didn't but I will. I will have willpower, not won't power. Lord keep my ears and eyes and heart open. Amen