Stray Thoughts

Stray Thoughts Many things have caught my attention that I've failed to mention in describing daliy events. These thoughts are in random order. On the bus from Lvov to Frankivsk, I was struck by the beauty of the rolling hills. I have read the term "rolling hills" in literature all my life but I think it's meaning only came true for me as I was soothed by the scenery on that drive. The May Day long holiday weekend seems to be the gardening equivalent of our Memorial Day long weekend. Everyone seemed to be out preparing their gardens for this growing season. Even in Kalush, Madame Doctor was going to spend the day digging in the dirt. There seems to be a drive in humans that comes from our primitive past evolving from nomads to herders to agrarians. There seems to be an interesting dichotomy in Ukrainian behavior. There is an innate kindness and hospitality. People have gone out of their way for me over and over again, looking to my comfort and well-being. People have spend days shepherding me around wanting me to see the best there is to see. At the same time, I am often struck by the abruptness and what looks like rudeness on the part of store clerks and other functionaries. I am glad I have time to observe this and will have some time to try to figure it out. Brooms have short handles. Many gardening implements have short handles. These short handles require people to bend over to sweep the floor or dig or hoe. I don't want you to form an image of me sweeping out my apartment. I'm sure other random thoughts will occur to me. It's one in the afternoon. I am going to shower and clean up and take the first chance I've had to investigate the neighborhood and be sure that I can find my way around and back to the apartment. I may, later, take the metro downtown if I feel up to it, but I may just hang out at home.