141, 237, 330, and 474

Read this link...

Find those numbers.

I thought of many of you when I saw them - and they matter most to me.

474 especially - you guys are mine.

Whether Weather is Wiser than Me

I noticed this evening that there are three areas of concern in the Atlantic Basin. One tropical depression off the west coast of Florida, a miniscule piece of rain near the Windward Islands and a red zone moving toward the Bahamas and the east coast of The Sunshine State.

At the same time, I have heard from a number of people I didn't expect to hear from today. Unfortunately, Event One was not one of those people. Alas, things never seem to happen the way you might want them to. You have to take what you are given and go with it. This leads me to ask whether or not you can really go home again. This metaphor has given me pause for thought in the past but sometimes you might want to ask if you actually want to visit home again. Situations might be better elsewhere - since my house DID miss a pretty nice thunderstorm by about 9 miles today.

Dont get me wrong. Since July 4th - Ive seen some truths I didnt expect. Ive talked to people I didnt expect Id talk to. Ive had some pretty insightful conversations and Ive seen Are You Being Served? roll over back to its first episode in syndication. What happens next? Ive asked this in a couple posts before. Chief Ambassador Emeritus Alexander enlightened all of us when she asked The Question of the Ages.

Maybe Ben Affleck said it best...(which would astonish all of us)...but he said...(and guess the movie)

"Sometimes the people we meet change us forever. I've never forgotten ___________ (and you can put your name here) and I'm pretty sure I never will. Wherever [she is] you are, I really hope you are [she's] happy. In the end, all you can do is commit to the people you love, hope for a little luck, and some good weather."

Maybe Mother Nature is wiser than me, wiser than us all - its been my experience that she comes through when you really need her to. I think Ill enjoy the good weather - and wait for a little rain...like I always do.

Two Days or a Week

I went to visit a pal of mine and his family - leaving the house for the first time in a while. I had a very good time. Ive acquired a new nick name and am posting the picture here. Settling back into the house...and Ill have more later. Thanks for missing me, JPA. As for the rest of you, sit back - Im thinking and deciding the next post.

As for now...the new me...

Going out...

After a most gracious invitation, I have decided to get out of the house and dine at the home of the Regenthals this evening. I may not post again until tomorrow - which will be odd for me as posting is usually the last thing I do before bed. I know Amber and Philip's will be fun. Good conversation and good times.

I hope everyone had an excellent and to Andrew, if youre reading this from England - have a pint for me.

My Three Followers

I was looking at the right side of my blog just now and realized that I have three followers. What struck me most is that they are from what I consider the three periods of my life. Growing up is represented by my longest-known friend The Right Honorable Karen Blackburn. We have been friends since about second grade - and that was a long time ago indeed. College friends are represented by my good friend Madame President (of the WCU Honors College) Emeritus Adrianne Overbay (nee' Kirby)...we met in about 1998 at Western Carolina. Finally, representing the Fraternity Age is none other than Prime Minister Andrew B. Slike, KT - someone I initiated in 2007.

I know that there are others who read this blog and Im very glad to have you all along for the ride. For now at least, these are the three who have clicked "Follow" on the right hand side of the screen. A man is more than the sum of his readers - oh wait - thats memories. This man is the sum of a lot of Big Mac's and Doctor Who.

Later on, whether weather will wait and perhaps another treatise or two.

Deep Impact - No, I mean the movie...

Holy crap - I caught the last 15 minutes of Deep Impact. I should have listed this movie among the Over The Edge post. Not because this is a cinematic triumph - the movie itself was ok. The message preachy and the explosions large. I remember something BML told me the last time I was in Murray. He tapped me in the chest and said five words - nothing too mushy - but I forgot them. I should have remembered that while some things change - others dont.

Tomorrow is another day - with new challenges. Fear not though, my gentle readers. I'll always be right here.

Hope Springs Eternal

Far far out in the Atlantic, a mass of clouds and rain moves westward and begins to spin thanks to the Coriolis Effect. Even though the destructive power of hurricanes is horrific on a personal scale, as they begin to wind down - the massive amount of slow rainfall is just unbelievable. I think I know why I love the rain so much - at least one reason.

When it rains, plans get changed. Back up ideas come into play more easily. Opportunities to spend meaningful time together with people you love get pushed up...and that harmonious sound of the falling precipitation on the roof of where you happen to be just lulls your souls into a deep slumber away from worry and care.

You know what feels better than the most amazing love? Getting a second chance to find it again - after you thought you lost it - for anyone - whether agape, philia, eros, storge, or whatever YOU want to call it. Getting a second chance captures imagination - since it rarely happens.

Hope springs eternal...