I held the quarter in my hand and asked to buy some candy.

But the old man must have heard it wrong because he poured me a brandy.

You're listening to Spooked.

Stay tuned.

Stay tuned.

You know I walk around Lake Merritt every single day.

This glorious, beautiful treasure plunked right down in the middle of Oakland, California,

a little urban oasis.

One of those fixtures like the tide, like the Bay Area fog,

always showing a different side of herself. I learned a long time ago that walking

her shoreline is where ideas come from. I love this lake, but just two weeks ago, she died.

Right before she passed away on the northeast corner walking,

I noticed a changed color, from blue to brown.

Strange.

The next day, she started to stink.

I asked aloud if she was okay.

Thought it must be the change of seasons.

Later I see the crows.

Hundreds and hundreds of them perched on a cedar overlooking the water,

these normally noisy birds silent, looming.

Then walking near the rocky shoreline.

I see two large, beautiful,

...