Grateful

Walking Mileage: 3.88
October Miles Walked: 50.42
Temperature upon departure: 56
Humidity: 44%

History and trees, that is what I think about as I roam the Kirkwood neighborhood. How it all merges together here in this little area. It is a very different neighborhood Kirkwood, as much of Atlanta and the south in general are still very segregated. Kirkwood is half ghetto and half yuppie, it's a very odd combination but interesting. I feel safe walking with my dogs, I say hello and stop to talk to people waiting at the bus stop in front of the old barber shop where the locals have gotten their braids done for what looks like generations. The old men at the auto detail garage that is tucked behind the new pizza joint stop me to ask about the dogs. Then as I walk a little further down the street I say hello to a white guy that is redoing a huge historic renovation on one of the oldest plantation style homes in the neighborhood.


Along Hosea Williams Mrs. Winners fast food is hiring for shift managers. It is next to the neighborhood "convenience store" that has bars on the windows still and plastered with cigarette signs in the windows, patrons sit outside on the curb practicing their freestyle rap skills. Directly across Hosea Williams is the new Vinocity Wine Bar where the local white people hang out and spend their money on overpriced South Australian wines. The "Getcy, Yah Yah" florist is next door with $12 roses by the stems signs, which is next to the Jezibel Day Spa with $65 massage specials. Around the corner the local homeless people sleep in the bushes behind the new Kirkwood townhouses that are now offering $17,000 in buyer incentives!


Walking along I ponder my future and how my past brought me to this colorful place with these two wonderful dogs to share this life with. I feel lucky in that I can barely make my rent this month and put new tires on my old truck. I feel lucky that I have a 'decent' job, big dreams, a great love at home waiting for me and two dogs that I am able to spoil. I am grateful that I have the means to not be hungry or cold this evening or the next and that I know that I will be able to take care of myself and my family. I am thankful that my crappy camera actually holds at least 3 out of 5 pictures of the sunsets and my dogs so that I can post them here for whomever to see and enjoy!