I've been getting the bus at the last stop before the bridge for over a month now. I noticed you immediately and have had a tough couple of weeks but you are the highlight of my day. I'll never have the guts to talk to you and I figure you have some lucky guy anyway. I just wanted to let you know that you're gorgeous and I find my heart palpitating when I see you walking down North St - sometimes I can't even look up in your direction! When we stand in the bus shelter together for those short 5-10 minutes time literally stops. I wonder what you're listening to or where you're going. I'm going to leave my ear buds out in case you ever want to say hello! Al though I'm scared I won't be able to find the words to respond! If you see this I hope if anything you take this as a compliment, which is how it's intended. —Shy #10 rider

the other day at a major grocery store, i maxed out my debit card trying to buy flour. i was all tears and grief mixed with wild abandon bawling. i am not a pretty crier, it was very embarrassing for probably everyone, if not just for myself. with hardly a word, you paid for my flour as i cried in my girlfriend's arms. she was leaving the next day and i was, and still am so fearful that i won't get to see her again for a long time. i had just blown the tube on my bike, my sole means of transportation which i could not afford to fix. going into that express lane, that bag of flour was a personal metaphor, if i could pay for this, then everything would be alright. i could manage. i could get through. i could handle it all instead of letting my stress and my grief claw at me further. i just had to get through this moment. a lot was riding on it, and when 'transaction declined' came up, it all crashed over me. until you. you were persistent in your need to help me out. then, you followed me out of the store to offer me more money. i was too tired and sad to refuse, having burned out all of my pride last week. i was and am still truly humbled. i hope to meet you again under better circumstances. i am so glad for you, and i will always be grateful for your kindness that night, it gave me strength and a way out of the dark thoughts. i will make it up to you, if not personally, i will by hopefully getting my life together and being able to help someone else in a similar situation someday. you are my new metaphor for getting by, a thousand thank yous. —floored flour girl

Great cover - Garry Neill —Cover art

I love our North End hood. I love all you folks for supporting my business and I am loving supporting all yours. Keep the business openings happening. Keep all the different types of people here- we love you all! There is major magic brewing in this community let's keep it going! —Happy Hoodster

I thought I had lost my drive. Funny thing is I didn't lose it, I just didn't have it for him. Thank you for making me realize I still have a lot of lust left to share! —The Garage Girl

A huge thanks to the kind woman on Barrington during the Pride Parade givin' it with her spray water bottle! It was a brilliant but hot day and your little rainshower was the perfect treat for those of us trekking in the parade! Cheers! —Sizzling Sambista

My daughter and I were sitting in the food court of a particularly busy mall on a particularly busy day....right in the middle of our conversation, she jumped up and left the table.....when I turned to see where the panic was, I see her taking a tray from a feeble little senior citizen, who had been trying to walk with the tray in one hand and maneuver her walker with the other, apparently around traffic that wasn't in the mood to help her.....My little girl made sure she was seated, gave her her tray and stowed her walker........on the way out, the lady stopped us and told me I should be proud that we had raised such an awesome kid.....I am....very much so.....thanks, bud...you made her day and your dad's!! —Proud dad

to all the people I interact with on a regular basis who are lightworkers, indigos, earthangels, and whatever-else-you-wanna-call-certain-spiritually-focused-people: I LOVE YOU. continue radiating that unconditional love and we will make the change we would like to see. you brighten my life. —you probably know who it is anyway. but what does it matter? :)

To the lady at a certain thrift shop in Bayers Lake who told me I have a lovely Hollywood scarlet face and shouldn't be shopping in the second-hand store, I was thrown aback and didn't have the chance to tell you that I would count myself lucky if I look as good as you when I am in my forties! You have a beautiful smile. Thanks for the compliment, it made my day! —Hollywood

I am beyond happy to be with you this year on your special day! We can make it through anything and everything, and in the end we'll be smiling.

I love you, gorgeous girl! Never stop being the beautiful fierce soul you are.

xx —bb