Toy Story

Adapted from an April 1, 2020, scribbling

I think it was 2015 when I began dropping out from much of my social life (due to my ongoing health adversities), which wasn't that expansive at the time anyway. Since then my "social" companions have become mainly trees and wildlife and inanimate objects, like my stuffed Baby Groot plush toy who goes with me on all my driving errands and daytrips. I want to figure out a way to take him on my bike rides. I think maybe Matt at the bike shop could help me with that. Tylin who works at AIC said if I get the material she'll make him a tiny jacket. I think I can design a helmet out of a small plastic container.

But all that could be just another idea that I never get around to.

My other friends include my Groot good-luck block. A small wooden block, the size of a cigarette pack, with Daddy Groot's gentle face painted on it. He travels with me too, in Sir Edward the Explorer, another inanimate whom I talk to on my drives. I pat Edward on his dashboard and let him know how much I appreciate him.

I often tap on the wooden Groot, whose home is in Edward's console, as I think of animate friends and family...that they may have strength and happiness through their day. I prefer saying "tap on Groot" instead of "knock on wood," because knocking may not feel good to my Groot block.

Other inanimates are my bikes, Olivia and Bleu. Bleu travels with me most of the time now, in back of Edward the Explorer. Olivia stays inside the house on the trainer.

I find meaning in the simplest of things. Like when I make my bed and place the pillow just right so that the butterfly on the floral print pillowcase is able to fly free. Lately a (live) bumblebee, sometimes with another bumblebee, visit outside my bedroom window. I'll say "hi" to both of them.

I think maybe when a person, for whatever reason, is faced with the reality of their limitations, and having to adjust, or completely release, their life work or dreams, they have to find meaning in seemingly insignificant things. They might notice more detail, things they didn't pay much attention to before.

I don't make my bed every day, but I at least straighten it up a bit. The days I do make it, which are many, I am making bedroom art. I wrote a piece about making my bed. Perhaps I'll post it sometime.