In a conversation with my granddaughter, Summer, who just turned 28, a magical number by any stretch, she was telling me about a book she found at the Fat Rabbit. Now, I am a sucker for used bookstores myself, and I was infected by her enthusiasm. The book she so proudly declaimed as she pulled it from her bookbag was Tennessee Williams’, The Glass Menagerie. Imagine my surprise and happiness. The Glass Menagerie I told her is one of my favorite plays of all time. Hers too, as it turns out. I said, “You know, I have always been in love with long distance.” “I know, Big Daddy,” she shyly answered, not realizing it was a line from the play. I was lucky enough to see a production of it on Broadway a few years ago in New York. It was a wonderful production. It hit me later that the Birthday card I had given her had an image of a unicorn on it. The central symbol of the play. One of Laura’s glass animals was a unicorn representing her fragility. That gave me a chill as another moment of synchronicity had arrived. It made me happy to see Summer so excited to embrace for the first time a piece of theatre that I loved and knew so well.
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
The aim of Zen Buddhism is a clear vision of reality, seeing things as they are and that is acquired by the power of concentration. This clear vision is enlightenment.
Photo credit: Benn Bell
I’m going to cross that River to the Jersey side.
All photos by the author
Photo Credit: Benn Bell
Who packed your bag?
I packed my bag
Where was your uncle’s sister born?
Have you ever met an Arab?
-James Fenton
Any electronics in your bag?
Yes.
Take it out.
Take that phone holder off.
Take your shoes off.
I don’t have to take my shoes off.
Why?
I’m 75.
You’re 75?
Yes.
Ok. Step aside through here.
Any metal on you sir?
Yes, on my hat.
Step through the scanner.
Ding ding ding…
Rescan him.
Why do you have to rescan me?
Rescan him.
Any soreness here?
No.
OK. I’m going to pat you down.
Pat pat patty pat.
Thank you.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
-Ghost Dog
RON
Lots of cool human lizards slither at the El Chameleon – Best Dive Bar in Ajijic.
CORA
Did we go there? Can’t remember.
RON
Yes, we did. You probably can’t remember because you were in deep conversation with Captain Morgan that night.
CORA
I remember you taking me home. Couldn’t remember the name of that bar. I didn’t think it was a dive. Kinda cute. And that hot little Mexican cutie thought you were cute. Did you ever find her again?
RON
No. It’s a dive. A nice dive. But a dive.
CORA
Now I am embarrassed to show you, my dives. Hahaha. Lol! Why do you call it a dive bar? What kind of bar is it?
RON
It’s the No Chance Saloon. It’s the Bedrock Bar, The End of the Line Cafe, The bottom of the Sea Rathskeller! Although they do try to keep up appearances with all their pipe dreams of yesterdays and tomorrows, as you will see for yourself if you are there very long.
All photographs by the author
Ghost Dog 