A horrible day which ended well

Much of yesterday was not my favorite day. I have recently been determined to buy a new bicycle, but I seem to be foiled at every turn. For most of my life, a bicycle had been my primary means of transportation, and after my last one gave up the ghost a few years ago, I delayed replacing it. I had gotten used to walking, driving, or taking the bus. Seattle is not a great town for cycling, as it seems to be one huge hill after another. Nonetheless, I love cycling, and have been missing it. I read about the Dutch Oma bicycle, and I desperately wanted one. I guess that has been my stumbling block. Being an Oma myself, I felt that I needed this bicycle and no other would do. However, it was prohibitively expensive, so I kept not getting one. Then, looking at the website of the Dutch Bicycle shop in Ballard, I realized that there was a similar version which was way less costly. I decided to get that one. I daresay that you, my faithful readers, know how I hate to drive. But I geared myself up and ventured off to the wilds of outer Seattle. Ballard is a long way away. I had looked at the map, and getting there seemed pretty straightforward. However, nothing having to do with “getting there” is ever straightforward for me. I made it to “very close,” but then got lost. I called them up for directions, and the man said they were closed for construction. Arrrrrrgh. He would make me a special appointment on Saturday. Well, I wanted a bicycle today, and making that arduous journey twice was too much, so I said “No Thanks!” Then on the way home, I thought about it. So I called him back and said I would come on Saturday. Did they have the model I wanted? No, they did not. It would have to be special ordered. Well, that is like buying a pig in a poke. Foiled again! I pouted some, and then decided to go to the more local cycle store and get an inferior bike. Whether to walk or drive? If I walked, I could ride my new bicycle home, but if I didn’t find one I liked, I would have to walk back, and time was tight, since I had a date with my aunt to go to an art opening. So I drove. I found a bike to buy, and moved my car closer to the store so the woman could put it in. And while backing into a parking space, I backed into another car. Fortunately, no damage, but shattering, even so. Then it wouldn’t fit in the car! !@#$%^! So I drove home, bicycle-less, only to get a phone call from Pauline saying that she was ill and could we go to the art exhibit another night. I had a tentative date with Ana if the date with Pauline didn’t materialize. It had been up in the air because Pauline had to coordinate with her children who are visiting. Soooo, I called Ana and we scheduled dinner and a movie. Then Pauline called back and said she felt better. Sigh. At this point, the day took a turn for the better. I fixed dinner for Ana, and we watched several episodes of Doc Martin. The dinner was good, the movie was relaxing, and the company was nice. So a pleasant end to a dreadful day. And now I still have the art exhibit to look forward to.

This photograph is an metaphor for the day. I haven’t quite figured out how, but there seems to be a definite relationship.