i want to be alone

I am going through one of my periodic Garbo phases.


For the past month I been a semi-recluse.  I venture out to get the mail or to buy groceries or go to church.  But my usual schedule is to read all day, stay up until 3 or 4, and then sleep in until 10 or 11.


Of course, I am retired and I can live whatever schedule I like.  That is one of the joys of being retired.  Reverting to the habits of a 14-year old.


But it is not very consistent with who I am.  I tend to be both social and sociable.  Puttering around like a hermit does not seem to be consistent with the personality I have spent 62 years cooking up.


Both themes came crashing together yesterday when I picked up the tenants who will be living in the unit above me for the next three weeks.  An interesting couple.  They live in San Francisco del Rincon, Guanajuato -- he is American, she is Mexican.


I picked them up at the bus station in the late afternoon, stopped for groceries, and gave them a brief tour of the village.  I really enjoyed sharing my home town with them.


But it now feels strange sharing my home with them.  They are very quiet.  Very considerate.  It just seems odd that there are people on the property.


I hope this is nothing more than habit.  Having been on my own here since last winter, I have simply become accustomed to my cloistered life.  Because there will be a lot more people staying upstairs.  This is just the start of the season.


One day, while sitting around a Hollywood pool, Garbo turned to Cole Porter and asked: "Are you happy?" Porter paused, thought about the question, and responded: "Yes. I think I am." Garbo looked off into the middle distance and said: "That must be very strange."


In truth, I am far more Cole than Garbo.  I am happy with my stay in Mexico.


A stay that I can enjoy with people -- or on my own.