Suiting Up
It was a beautiful day, yesterday. Kevin had the afternoon off, so we went for a drive and stopped at a favorite 50's-style burger joint, a la "Happy Days." While we were sitting in the car, waiting for our order, I noticed a man standing next to his Fat Boy Harley. It was decked out, with two big "saddle bags," one on each side, and a big travel box mounted directly behind the seat. The man had apparently finished his meal and was readying himself for what, by all appearances, would be a long stretch on the road. He took great care in strapping on his half-chaps, then pulled on his big leather jacket, snapping it all the way up. Very methodically, he pulled on leather gloves,...
Just Beyond the View
It happened yesterday, just before I left to run errands. I was washing a few dishes, gazing out the window at the view I love: lots and lots of trees, and beautiful, rolling terrain. The particular tree my eye was trained on (for no particular reason) started to tremble and shake from within. Curious, I honed my focus and watched as the tree seemed to shake itself out, finally spitting a big squirrel to its trunk...followed by another, and another, and another, until no less than SEVEN had spilled out. It made me wonder just what all else was happening in any given moment just beyond my view. I gathered up my keys and bag and headed to town, stopping first at our local UPS/Fedex Mail...
Let It Go
She stood there, wild curls charting courses of their own, and princess nightgown working its way off one shoulder. Intent and focused, she waited for the music to start, with the power of the karaoke microphone in her little hand. And then she started... The snow glows white on the mountain tonight Not a footprint to be seen. A kingdom of isolation, and it looks like I'm the Queen The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside Couldn't keep it in; Heaven knows I've tried When she sang it, though, because she was too young to read the words on the screen, it sounded more like... The snow...white on the mountain...night Not a FOOTPRINT...seen. A king...of i...ation, and it looks...
The Home of the Free
I love to vote. Regardless of the turnout (although, who doesn't want it to go their way?), I love the feeling that I get when I walk out of my polling precinct with that little "I Voted" sticker on my shirt. I feel like I've done my part, that I've played an important role in the unfolding of the American story. Voting gives me hope. A confidence in the system that was set in place long ago. Thankfulness for democracy in action. A belief that, deep in the heart of every American, a desire for protected freedoms still reigns. A couple of weeks ago, I visited Disney World's EPCOT with my youngest daughter. We walked around the "world," enjoying the "Food and Wine Festival," which offers a...
Dark Days
I've been a little sad about the lack of fall color in my neck of the woods this year. Last year was spectacular, but this year just hasn't packed much of a punch. So I was surprised when I walked out this morning and this was my view out the window: On a sunny day, it all still looks green. But there was a storm moving in and it was really dark outside. Against the darkness, the color stood out in stark relief. It was beautiful. Really, isn't that the way of it? On our darkest days, it seems that the things most precious somehow come to the forefront. Job loss? You see, right away, what you really need and what you don't. Troubling diagnosis? You suddenly view each day as the gift...