That Place You Love: Real People. Real Stories.
Round-Up on Coincidence; Next-Up Natural. Past theme posts & new links!
I always enjoy my morning dog walk.
It reminds me of the song from Sesame Street.
Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?
I may run into the bakers, Ana & Antonio, and pick up a loaf of walnut & olive oil bread. Or, I could step into their Despacho de Pan (Bread Office) to be gifted a misshapen, yet totally delicious, Magdalena muffin.
I may run into Chispa, who has the noble weimaraner to talk about dogs.
(I talk to a lot of people about dogs.)
I may run into our local doctor, Nieve, having breakfast and buy her a coffee.
I may run into Lobi on Wednesdays, setting up his fruit & vegetable stand. He’ll toss me an apple ‘muy buena’ and ask about my mother.
The list is endless and always a joy.
This morning I ran into the local hairdresser who does cuts & colors in her garage. She stopped me and said,
“You look so good with your hair natural.”
I had recently cut about 5-inches off my hair and had it dyed my natural color.
“But this isn’t natural,” I said.
“It’s my natural color, but it’s not natural.”
She laughed, “Of course not. We all have heads of gray under our natural color!”
She can say this with certainty.
Most of the people that frequent her salon are over fifty.
I’ve gone through phases when I’ve wanted to make it clear that my hair color wasn’t natural. I also enjoy the under-the-radar natural look, but it seems to get attention, too.
Like this morning.
Maybe it’s the contrast that gets attention. When people see you in your neighborhood every day, a change from long hair with blonde streaks to a brown bob is enough to make an impact.
It’s natural!
If you’ve missed a week or you’re starting to feel like you might have a story to contribute, click on a THEME LINK to write 150 - 200 words on:
I always include new posts with unique links in the Round-Up.
Round Up: Coincidence. New Theme: Natural - below!
If you’re reading this for the first time…
And want to know more about the ZINE’s mission, go to ABOUT or FORUM on the Substack platform or read the introductory post I WAS AN EASY LIAR.
4 Contributors weighed in on Coincidence:
I wrote about the coincidence of standing in a row for a photo and later dying in that order and the fortunate coincidence of doing something out of the ordinary to encounter true love.
Carole D recalls the coincidence of suggestion, a book to read that she knows she has, and once found she discovers passages notated by her father years before.
Tabitha B notices the serendipity of running into friends & family in places and at times neither person should be there, including a past ‘hook up’ on holiday.
Zig tracks the love connection that took four years to occur, thanks to the stars, new technology, and the space that opens up in our lives over time.
Intact Animal acknowledges the Christmas miracle, the gift that keeps on giving, and the coincidence that arrived in the form of black fur named, Ragazzo.
READ & HEART this week’s writers & SHARE your own story in the comments.
Contributor Kiah S went back to PERCEPTION to expose the difference between a Gen X and Gen Z child’s awareness of a parent’s chore ritual.
Contributor Zig went back to CATS to write about beloved Kee-Kee banished to the basement to save the fabric of a fancy sofa while breathing warm asbestos.
(Click on the unique theme hyperlink above to read their stories).
Next Up: NATURAL
You’ve heard it before… “You’re a natural!”
We most often associate Natural with something good. Or something one is good at doing. Or a state of appearance, a smell, a sound, a taste or flavor. Sense of humor.
Where does Natural take you?
Read & Share on Monday in 150 - 200 words!
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More to come on Monday….
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely, for real.
Michelle