Hi Guys! It's me again; Princess Grizzelda. Have I ever told you how much I love Parks? Any park; especially just at dawn. I guess you can't fully appreciate my sentiment, unless you've spent most of your life in a little white room five stories underground. I get there just before sunrise, and take a seat on my bench. I listen as the light creeps across the world, to the surrounding city waking up. I watch the people as they pass by me. There are the work-a-day folks; trudging forward in their uniforms, carrying their packed lunches. Their faces filled with resolute determination, like soldiers into battle, as they head off to grind the salt for their employers. There are the business types; men and women decked out in their "oh so expensive" outfits. They constantly check their I watches, and multiple phone screens. They stride like they are Kings and Queens, and they know it. And yes there is always the occasional creeper,, that will sidle up to me and attempt to sit next to me. But as you well know I have a wicked tongue, tipped with acid so I verbally dissuade them before butt ever touches bench. Then, there are my favorites; my regulars. First comes the gazelle. she emerges from the east before anyone as the sun is breaking. She is a young twenty-something, who runs seeming to defy gravity; dressed in her Lulu Lemons. ( a different color every day!) She always gives me a determined nod as she passes, and I return it. Then she's gone like a phantom, back into the mist. There is Ms. Hernandez, dressed in her scrubs, and walking with her little daughter Tia. She always smiles at me, and says good morning. I happily return the salutation, then make a goofy face at Tia, who always giggles and waves. Then there is Bob. I call him Bob because he claims his name is this cacophony of phonetic sounds I cannot begin to replicate,, let alone write here. Bob is a man of possible middle age, who dresses in a very old pair of red coveralls, which are adorned with,, what I can only imagine are accessories from cast off kids Halloween costumes. He wears a bike helmet festooned with glitter, and old rabbit ear TV antennas. Bob pushes his ship (looking suspiciously like a Target shopping cart) past me every morning. He gives me a huge and genuine snaggle toothed smile, intoning "Greetings Earth child!" and proffering a Vulcan prosper sign. Bobs' a scout for his Planet, who are going to conquer Earth with Love Joy, and Café Lattes. Bob's ship runs on them you see; so I always give him five dollars for Starbucks. We nut-bags have our standards, and stick together. Bob's cool in my book. Then there are my favorites. Ethel and Vera. They are two women of such advanced years I won't even speculate. They shuffle very slowly down the park path, arms around one another's waists. They seem to lean on one another as they go. Their perfectly groomed hair having long since lost it's color is now like fresh snow. Their tissue thin skin is covered with spots like the pelt of a leopard, and their faces lined with lives well lived. They dress in clothes that were high fashion in some decade of the last century. Most would at a glance, assume they were old friends or siblings out for a morning stroll. But you have to look; to see them. They are two souls in love; who have been in love long before such love dared be spoken of. When Ethel sees me she always exclaims loudly with a smile " There she is! There's our pretty girl!" as though I were a golden retriever. We exchange good mornings, and then they offer their daily life advice to me. "You stay in school." "Don't let those boys push you around" "You should wear dresses, a lovely little thing like you." "I love her hair! Don't you love her hair Ethel?" "Be patient with your parents. They're trying their best." "Never come here to the park alone at night young lady. It's too dangerous." They are nothing short of incredible... and adorable. As you guys know, I lament the species as a whole, But individuals? There's nothing more beautiful. Love ya Kids.