Waking up to my first full day in a new apartment

I went to go find my new local grocery store.  It is laid out so strangely but sells all my favorite things so I imagine I will get used to the new layout.  I bought enough food for just this weekend - sandwich fixings and snacks and so was surprised when the total came up to $82.  None of the prices I looked at looked higher than what I was used to but then I thought through what I had purchased.  

I guess I was in a "fancy" mood.  I picked up a 2 cup container of pomegranate seeds already shelled from the fruit and when I walked down the snack aisle, the Macadamia nuts called to me, and the little bottles of rose prosecco seemed so appropriate for this weekend and although I've been experimenting a bit with real cheese lately, I just didn't want to chance it this weekend and bought the expensive vegan cheese.  Although, in hindsight, it's a bit funny that I couldn't bring myself to buy the $4 half gallon of oat milk for my coffee because I knew I wouldn't finish it.

It's a nice six block walk though, over pretty well maintained sidewalks and so my grocery cart will do well.  Although, as I write this I realize I walked down stairs to enter the store and didn't see elevators at the entrance I used.  I should have paid more attention to that part.  My cart won't do well on those stairs but there has to be a more accessible way to enter it.

I also walked past the MARTA station.  It's only five blocks from my new home.  I want to find time this weekend to ride it and get familiar with it as that will be how I get to and from work.  Maybe that will be my excuse to check out the Presbyterian church downtown tomorrow.

I walked to the botanical gardens this morning in the rain.  It was quite amazing.  Rainy days are my favorite days to wander a garden and photograph flowers because of how vibrant everything becomes and how much detail raindrops add.  Plus, there aren't many weird people like me so I get the gardens to myself.  😁

I haven't made it to the Jazz Festival yet.  About the time I thought about walking over the thunder started and I saw social media posts that they had to pause.  It sounds like it is back up and running now so maybe I'll walk over soon.

I'm kind of just enjoying though listening to the sounds of my new place.  There are no trains which I think I will miss.  The birds seem more vocal all day long.  It's quieter overall but there are still faint sounds of being in the middle of the city.  The fire station is only a block away.  And there are a lot of people around.  Plus I can sometimes hear sounds from the festival being held at the park.

It's an interesting contrast to step out back into the nature of a park that makes you forget you are in a city and then to step out front into the hustle and bustle of the city.  I feel like I'm on a dividing line.  To the east is nature.  To the south is residential.  To the north and west is a vibrant, active city.