The Flood

I'm sitting in the cafe in downtown Northfield that Oles and Carls alike frequent for studying. It's called "Goodbye Blue Monday". I'm not exactly sure what the history of the name is; I honestly don't care enough to find out. I don't come to town very often, because truly, why would I? Campus have everything I really need. Since some 95% of students live on campus all four years, student life is vibrant (not that I do much with other human beings), we have our own café (called The Cage; it's a popular study spot, and I often go there after practicing in the evening for a café au lait and and egg and cheese bagel), we have many, 350 acres of nature preserve, and plenty of concerts. This is all to say that the mile or so walk isn't really worth it to me, though I do occasionally stop by the small Mexican market at the end of Ole Avenue for a tamal or tamarind candy or some dried mango with chili and lemon.

It's parents' weekend at St. Olaf (and possibly Carleton? I don't keep track), and I often find myself in town when there are lots of parents around. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe it's that I'm missing my own family? I don't think so. Maybe it's peoplewatching. That could well be it. And often, people bring their dogs which is a bonus. Today in particular I came down to see the flooding. The river is some 8 feet higher than usual right now. The riverwalk is completely submerged, and two bridges are closed for danger of more flooding. Rice county is still on flood watch, I think. It simply will not stop raining. St. Olaf is up on the hill, so we're safe, but it's very scary for the farmlands in the area.

On another note entirely, I had my first dream in a long time about my childhood church. I dreamt I was home to see a concert there in which Gloria was playing. I tried to walk into the sanctuary but was accosted by one of the clergy, who was standing in the doorway handing out programs. I had to physically fight her to get past. I didn't knock her out, but came close. I wasn't forced or even asked to leave by anyone after that—I had reclaimed the space, and I listened to the concert in peace. On awakening, I was less out-of-sorts that one might expect. I lay there and just sort of blankly stared at the window for a long time.