happiness is a warm bench

I don't know the exact provenance of this bench, since it's been in the yard since I first started coming down fifteen years ago, and was still here even after the destruction and construction of the houses. The stands are completely rusted, and the wood is so old that it bends ominously when a heavy person sits on it, but it is that pliability and softness of the wood that makes it extremely comfortable. I decided to drag it down onto the beach in front of the house where it can be of the best use, aimed it directly at the spot across the bay where the sun sets and put up a sign hoping people would use it (and not steal it). Then I also dragged down part of a log and we put some brochures for M's aromatherapy massages in a bamboo basket. People seem to be drawn to it. The other day (a weekday), a guy ended up sitting there for more than two hours, engrossed in his book. That's a good benchmark for how welcoming it is.