This morning started with a jolt—and not the good kind that comes from coffee.
Around 3 a.m., I woke to the sound of a blaring fire alarm next door. Heart racing, I jumped out of bed, threw on pants, grabbed Kenobi, and ran outside. Kenobi was confused but cooperative, which is honestly all I can ask for at that hour.
Turns out… the neighbors moved while we were away.
I could see through the window: no fire, just that relentless red light and screeching sound claiming otherwise. I figured it must have been triggered by the utilities being shut off, so I didn’t call the fire department. Instead, I left a voicemail and sent a text to the property manager. Several hours later, he called and asked, “Did you call the fire department?” I just blinked into the phone. How exactly did he think they’d get in?
Enter: the landscaper turned action hero.
Around 10:30 a.m., the landscaping guy showed up, tried the key the manager gave him—and of course, it didn’t work. Next thing I know, he’s pulling out a ladder. Yep. He climbed up, removed the AC unit from a window, and—with the help of my broom—retrieved the keys from the counter inside. Then, he climbed down, let himself in, and finally silenced the alarm.
A true neighborhood legend.
Meanwhile, I had already made and consumed my coffee, walked Kenobi (still a bit dazed), and noted that you could hear that alarm from halfway down the block. There’s nowhere to go at 3 a.m. in Jacksonville. Oh, to be back in Chicago or New York, where something—anything—might be open.
The rest of the day was quiet by comparison. I tried to track down flowers to revive the death baskets, but every garden center I visited was completely bare. What happened while I was gone? It’s like July hit and all the blooms disappeared.
But there was one bright spot.
While we ignored it on the North Shore, today is our 11th anniversary—Kenobi’s and mine. So I made our traditional dinner: steak, broccoli, and sweet potato. This year, I added cauliflower to shake things up. And let me tell you—Kenobi was thrilled. Big smiles, tail wags, contented sighs. He’s my little buddy, my road trip co-pilot, my muddy-booted, lake-loving best friend. And seeing him happy? That’s always the best way to end any day.
So no, today wasn’t peaceful. It wasn’t productive. But it was real. And full of love.
Another adventure behind us, and another one already on the calendar. We’ll be heading to Champaign, IL soon—and something tells me that story will come with its own surprises.
Until then: rest, a little replanting, and maybe just a tiny bit of quiet.
On the Trails with Kenobi 
Leave a comment