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7:30 a.m. Ana's in control of the wheel. I lean over and, with a giddy excited voice, say, "We're finally going on our own road trip together!" Onwards we zoom down the highway towards Richmond hitting no tunnel traffic along the way. Both our bellies are full of wholesome warm Oatmeal with Maca Powder (for extra energy), Strawberries, and Blueberries. We had to rise very early this morning, not something I'm accustomed to but I can pull through a before sunrise awakening when necessary. I was flustered when cooking in her kitchen cause I didn't know where certain things were and the range heated quicker than I expected causing the water to boil over making a mess and, well, whatever. I got it done and now we're set for the rest of the day. I look over at Ana driving – so focused and attentive – wearing all black – so slick – so beautiful...
I doodle an image of what I see with pen in a mini journal she has lying around. The moving car makes it a bit difficult to keep the pen steady. I show Ana the sketch. "Oh so cute," she says. "It looks like I'm in a black hole."
I pull out a couple of Bananas for us to enjoy. She's got a special spot on the dashboard just below the speedometer where she rests her banana peels after eaten (she supposedly eats about two a day). "You're just like a little monkey," I tell her. She explains how her coworker claims that she'll live to be 100 from eating bananas every day.
We arrive early at the VCU School of Dentistry in Richmond. I scheduled our appointments at the same time. And we actually end up getting looked at in cubicles next to each other. The unpleasantness of going to the dentist doesn't really hit you until that squealing water jet tool turns on and your jaw is locked open for what seems like an eternity. My teeth have been extra sensitive as of late so every now and then I experience an excruciating discomfort. But I clench up and sit through it like a man. Ana seems to get right through her visit like a charm. Dental fun!
Afterwards, we soothe our mouths with exotic berry Tea and a light lunch at Ipanema Café off Grace Street. Eggplant Reuben with Sweet Potato Fries for me. She settles for a hummus tofu wrap.
Spending a significant amount of time at Diversity Thrift Store, which is mandatory anytime I visit Richmond. They have the greatest collection. Ana and I use a shopping cart to snag anything we see that could be functional like new plates, glass jars, bowls, pictures, etc. I locate a decently tuned antique piano in the back and play through Beethoven's Minuet in G Minor and Mozart's Turkish March as best I can. Even though I've played these songs many times before, hearing it now being played through a different piano gives it a fresh perspective. People take notice and a few clap their hands when I close the piano lid.
We continue our adventures here by visiting the Edgar Allan Poe Museum down near the James River. One of the buildings on this historic property is claimed to be the oldest surviving structure in Richmond, built around 1740. We walk through the different exhibits studying all the artifacts, Victorian furniture, and writing. Two black cats appropriately roam about the enchanted garden. While strolling through it a man walks out from behind a gate carrying an empty black coffin. "How fitting is that?" I exclaim.
We conclude our time in this city at the Sugar Shack. I mean, where else would you go after seeing the dentist? This is probably the worst place for our teeth. Considering both our diets rarely consist of anything with added sugar I think it's okay to have the occasional treat. We've heard great things about this place and don't have one in the 757. Treating ourselves to Chocolate, Espresso, Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, and Coffee.
Ana drives us back while I take a power nap in the passenger seat. I'm glad we took this trip together. We'll have to schedule another appointment to take care some fillings another time.
Back home. I rush to the Seatack Rec to burn some of those donut calories off by shooting some hard hoops in the gym.
Leftover Lentils, Kale Sprouts, Carrots, and Quinoa.
Watching Stretch (2014).
Sleep 2:30 a.m.
[i] Images by me.
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