Solid gone

Beloved son actually managed to leave as early as he had planned, which was good since he had to go pick up the two friends who were traveling with him. I had a horrible sleepless night, I guess due to anxiety over his impending trip. He also slept poorly, he said, but his next night's rest will be in a beautiful setting, chockful of rock formations and Joshua trees. He also has people to share the driving, should he get tired. Adding in time for an oil change somewhere along "The Five" - I-5 - they'll arrive tomorrow morning about 6 or 7 o'clock.
While doing some errands in the University District this afternoon, like rounding up more Elizabeth Bowen work, I passed by a clump of homeless men, one of whom had... a pitbull! It had a leash attached to its collar, but no one was holding it. It leaped straight up in the air just as I passed by, as high as one man's shoulder, as high as my face. Cold fear and anger ripped through my gut. Then as I reached a house not far from ours, a huge pitty-looking dog lunged at me, thankfully stopped by an ugly spiked metal fence, barking loudly and snarling. You know, I grow weary of large horrible dogs...
A better image was the rustling I heard in someone's big garbage container: When I glanced over at it, a squirrel popped out, carrying a Hershey Kiss in its mouth. It proceeded to expertly remove the silver wrapping, and greedily ate the chocolate.
Somehow I have agreed to go out after 9:00 pm to hear some music.