A Downtown Day

I seem to mention a lot here that I rarely go downtown. Well yesterday was a Downtown day for me.

I had my first real experience of navigating the road closure at Little Patuxent Parkway. I wanted to go to FedEx/Kinko's to make some color copies for work. I wasn't sure what to do at first, but it was a fairly uncomplicated cut-through route via the Mall.

Having left my work to be done at the copy place, I decided I'd return my overdue book at the Downtown branch rather than driving over to Ellicott City. Hmm. After a bit of reconnoitering I found the Mall exit and made it to the library. And the parking lot was packed. As it always is. That place is a hotbed of humanity on Saturdays. . Had a "wow, we really are multi-cultural" moment.

I returned my book, paid my fine, gave profuse apologies. The forgiving clerk actually thanked me for my donation. (!)  Headed out to the parking lot. How on earth could I get back to FedEx? I ended up taking a right and going almost all the way home again. Possibly not the best choice. Passed Whole Foods. Thought, "Ooh! Lunch!" Kept on driving.

For those keeping track at home, I'm on my second enormous loop through Downtown.

While waiting in line to pick up my copies, I met Laurie Lundy, the admin of Addiction Support in Howard County and also of the blog hcCircleofAngels . She was picking up posters for the yoga classes she teaches at the Serenity Center in Oakland Mills on Thursday nights. Mentally awarded myself extra cool points for real human interaction during my Downtown trip.

Back on the road again, I decided to yield to my urge to get lunch at Whole Foods. Saw so many families with young children. Had that "wow, we really are multi-cultural" moment again.

So I went Downtown. I got every thing accomplished on my list and I even got lunch. And, although there was still snow on the ground, it was a sunny and beautiful day. All around me were signs that Columbia will soon be in full bloom.