charlene raze i stepped outside singing "oh! susanna". i didn't think anyone was around. before i could get the "na" out, she leapt onto a cement block and gave me a look that said, "it's you!" "charlene!" i said. every time i speak her name, it sounds like i'm surprised to see her. i guess because i am. it's always the kind of surprise that makes me smile. this morning i opened the front door and saw her peering up at me from the bottom of the stairs. i don't know how long she was waiting there. i almost expected her to come in and ask what was for breakfast. "meet me out back," i said. she did. she scaled the tower of floof and pulled up a proverbial chair. i set half a walnut down in front of her. "don't tell anyone," i said. "but you and sammy are my favourites out of this whole backyard gang. don't get me wrong. i love you all. but there's something special about the two of you." when she was finished, i gave her an almond and another walnut piece. she got so excited, the almond shot out of her mouth and rattled into the damp grass. she ate what was still hers, undeterred. 220913 what's it to you? who go blather from