Can't Think of a Title

Today is one of those wonderful spring Saturdays....I know, it's the end of May, and in much of the country, that's called "summer". Not here. Not yet. Anyway, the air is crisp and floralized, my roses are blooming and the peonies are giving off their last breaths of scent. My pets are happy, and I've stumbled upon a nice Sirius radio channel. I've been productive in many things - writing, managing photos, catching up on emails, nailing down travel plans and wish lists, and I've even gotten a little work done on the side. And the day's not yet half over. Which is probably a good thing; I have a lot of housework to do!

I love days like these when happiness seems to drift through the air and a half permasmile is planted on my face. It's a good day!

A Simple Springtime Evening

Sometimes, simplicity goes a long way. Take tonight, for example. It’s a Saturday night in May; clear, star-filled skies carry the scent of various wood burning in the neighbor’s fire pit. The crickets have just come out from underneath winter’s weight and have begun their nightsong. The air is that perfect temperature: cool, without being cold, and the occasional breezes add interest rather than a chill to the air. There is an easy peace that has crept into the evening – there is a full moon, and the scent of freshly mowed grass mingles gently with lilac when that occasional breeze whispers through. My dog is tired out from a good, long walk and a little horse-play. The cat senses this and acts with impunity. I have placed tea lights in the metal lanterns that Sushil gave me in Nepal, and in the background is music from some Sirius channel featuring mellow tunes from the 70s. To top everything off, I still have half of a chocolate truffle blizzard in the freezer from an earlier walk with the dog to Dairy Queen. I have an ice cold Shiner Hefeweizen. All is well here with me and the world tonight.

Prom Season in NW Ohio

It's that time of year again - girls donning shiny gowns, heading to salons for up-dos, and hitting the tanning beds and nail salons pretty hard, too. The 'cruise' isn't what it used to be when I went to the prom. Here, instead of folks gathering at parks for late sun-drenched photo shoots, you see a lot of dressed-up prom-goers at.........wal-mart.

So, imagine standing in a check-out line with cat litter and dog food and Dr. Pepper (essentials only this trip). You turn to look at the inane chatter of teenagers to your right, and see a gaggle of kids playing fancy dress-up. Nothing against that, it's fun and everyone should enjoy the opportunity.

But, right behind this flock was an elderly farmer and his wife - complete with John Deere trucker's cap, just tickled pink to be talking with these preened young'uns. If I had a camera, and could have been less obvious than snapping a photo from the next checkout lane, I would have.

Forty. Finally. Fortunately.

I never thought I'd live to be 40; I've tried hard to cram adventure into my life when I can. But, I made it. And so far, it's not so bad. I was able to spend my first week of forty in Houston with good friends, good company, and family. And this year, my birthday present to myself was an iphone, which I'm still very pleased with. So, for all the hype, fear, marketing, and innuendo - it ain't all bad.

40: you're not so bad. You're not all that. You're just a 4 with a hole at the end, like every other living thing.