They weren't creeps or Klopeks, they were stoners! Of course! I passed the house and looked back up into the sky and the sunrise had made a huge, vivid rainbow over top the rain clouds. I was happy to be awake, in my neighborhood, hearing my neighbor play guitar, glad he was having fun.

It wasn't my thing but I knew the music it was good, like well-made. A recorded album. But as I got closer I realized that wasn't actually quite right. Someone was playing their guitar over the album playing, and they were incredible! A talent! The vibe of the house changed instantly.

I'm walking up the sidewalk and the dark brown house is in view and an absolute wall of weed hits my nose. Oh. Good morning, I guess. Then I hear heavy metal. I'm not a real connoisseur, but whatever's between power metal and death metal, that's what was playing. Are we rising or still awake?

Once there was a pile of beer cans in the backyard as high as a toddler. Fine, but what really creeps me out is that, in spite of what should make this laissez faire bachelor pad seem fun, it's dark and I rarely see the men. Just their mud all over the sidewalk, which is slippery when it's wet.

A couple weeks ago I went for an early A.M. stroll, maybe 7ish. It was chilly but clear, the sun was coming over the river and beaming west on a big swath of rain clouds that hadn't quite rolled in yet. I came closer to a house, a creepy house I don't love. It's full of men and trucks, dilapidated.

Wow. Yet another way I'm being excluded. Incredible. Always a bridesmaid, never the victim of a serial killer.

Took a little walk around the neighborhood this morning. I often do. Heard pine siskins. Someone is growing sunflowers On The Berm!!!! and lots of power tool landscaping projects. Saw 2 dogs, patted 1.