In the neighborhood

Love Conspiracy?

What is it about the world anyway? I was determined to feel bad today. Determined. I have some justification here, some warrant. Newly divorced? Check. Unemployed? Check. Relocated? Check. Death in the family? Check. You can just keep listing most of life's major stressors and I've signed on.

Today however, strangers worked hard to engage and be kind to me. One beautiful soul gave me my change today by taking my hand, and putting one shining coin at a time in it while he looked into my eyes. He overflowed with joy. What could make someone do that to a sad, bent twig like me? Professionals complimented me. Dogs licked my hands. Nice things happened and got me back on my path.

I have always believed in small signs, good and bad, mostly bad. Nothing so grand as clouds parting, hand-of-God stuff, but signs, all the same. Signs of love were right in my face today. Right there, blazing in front of me. Ideal me wants to think that there's considerable love that can come one's way in this random, grinding universe. Cynical me couldn't help but smile that Ideal me seemed to be right today.

Understanding the Mar 28, White House Shakeup

So, the President's Chief of Staff, Andy Card is stepping aside. Laura Bush is stepping into his place. Josh Bolton becomes the first lady. The Olson Twins become the Bush Twins. The Bush Twins are sold off for parts and the proceeds go to those in the 1% tax bracket. And Andy Card is being cloned and will soon be the Olson twins. I think I've got that right. My apologies if I've stumbled here.

Sweet Small Sense

In today's Metro Diary in the NYTimes:

"After a school break in February, Laura, my friend's daughter, reflected on her first day back to the third-grade grind: 'School is hard. Tons of Paper. And one small hand to do all the work.'"

Mouths of babes. Could ee cummings do any better? Heck, most can't. I've spent years writing and whenever I've approached something so tender, I'm thrilled. Hats off to you, tiny thing. I hope that your hand is strong and always holds onto what is dear.

Fish Gotta Blog? Really?

Yes, stop harrassing me! That the name! I'm just another one of the blogging millions with a tiny tense story (my own) of hardship, nachos and redemption. Pull up an monitor. I'll slap some words on the grill, we'll chat some and that's how it's done.

These sticks, dots and swoops will be all mine, honest-to-Oprah. Maybe a bit bent and out of true, but honest. You've read enough of these already to know that the earnest sod will kill you quicker than the United States bringing you democracy. Hey wait, don't go yet, I promise that I will soon be blubbering about my daily epiphanies. Who doesn't what to read about that! Nothing like a car, upside-down on the highway, to remind you that you're alive. Pass slowly, look closely, and you'll see me hanging from my seatbelt.

Boil some water, get some sheets, here it comes.