French cheese and American mice.

Guest in the garbage. An uninvited furry guest that I wanted to kill but could not. I just stayed there, watching in disgust as it jumped on the floor of the kitchen and hurried behind the dishwasher. In two seconds, it was gone.
The traps I bought are for "catch and release" so I don't have to kill them.
"Mice are not an endangered species" my mother remarks calmly when I show her the traps. She gave me French cheese for the bait. The cheese was still there this morning. I'll try peanut butter if the traps are still empty tomorrow. After all, these are American mice...

Gentrification

It's gone. The sign that greeted me every day on my way to work.
Painted over to please the new neighboors. The end is near.

Swimming Pool (IV)

At the pool tonight after a relatively short swimming session. I was getting dressed when the aquaerobics class came back in the locker room. About 10 women between 50 and 80 years old, talking of anything but Michelangelo.
I hear a compliment on a swim suit and the answer comes "Well, thank you. I found out since I bought it that it is a mastectomy swimsuit, so I feel like I am taking it away from someone who really needs it".
I can't help but taking a peep at the woman who just spoke these words. She is among the youngest of the group. Maybe around 50. She is holding as a demo, a wet swimming suit, showing the part of the breast-cup that is designed for women who have had mastectomies. I can see something that look like a double slit, extra clothes. It is not quite clear how it is supposed to work and how it looks on a woman who still has her two breasts large and hanging.
I hear another woman saying "Be happy you don't have to wear these for that reason".
I walk out of the door to enjoy the cold but refreshing air that greets me.