Sometimes, riding the bus can be challenging to my privacy.

The bus has become my private work station, a place to relax with fun reading, a chance to play a few games of solitaire, or a moment to simply look out the window at various sites passing by.

The bus driver and fellow passengers are most like the friendly bartenders who listen to all their customers’ woes of the world. I often distance myself from bus chat.

It’s a struggle, some days, as I know there are those who are lonely. I’m a loner by nature and I’m content. But there are some days I do push aside my own personal interests to listen, but there is also the very selfish side that wishes to be left to my private moments.

I do, however, enjoy listening to the conversations of others while riding to my destination.

This morning the bus driver and an elderly lady were engaged in a delightful discussion of old movies with Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and another actress I didn’t recognize. I now know my bus driver loves Turner Movie Classic / TMC.

The past two weeks I’ve had my summer break. It’s been gloriously quiet. I’ve loved it but it’s now time to return to what I love doing, teaching music and sharing the joy of music with my students.