The
Stennis entering the harbor.
- Another
old friend died. Patrick Latham. He was part of my group of friends who helped
me raise my two teenaged daughters during my first years alone. Bill and JR, and Frankie were the
others. These guys helped hold me
together when I was drinking very heavily and knew not what I did. Lately, I would see him often in the store…usually
Mondays, but he’d also come in on Wednesdays.
As he got older and his particularities grew more, I liked him
less. Still he was a friend. Many folks remember him as the man who walked
his dog on the cliffs every day and talked about OB in the old days. There will be a gathering at Dusty Rhoads
Park September 13th at 1pm.
I’ve
been rereading the Nazi essays that I’ve been writing over the years. They are really pretty good…I surprised
myself with the quality of my writing.
Only once did a sentence have to be rewritten. Only about five times did I find that a
shorter sentence would work well instead of one long and unwieldly one. The research was well done too. Metaphorically I found myself patting myself
on the back. I have a couple more to
read then I’d like to share them somewhere besides my blog.
Suddenly
we are a very social couple. I’m sure no
one took the heat into account when planning these birthdays or
fundraisers. Friday a BBQ at the
bay. They were planned months in
advance. Saturday night, far into the
hinterlands, was a delightful ice cream social.
I love these things. In this beer
drinking age, who would have thought that ice cream socials would be in again,
but they are. Sunday is a triple potluck
birthday party. We to almost recluses
are being forced out the door and to a party.
Oh, my.
I’ve
begun sketching out the Bobbie quilt.
Bobbie is in Texas opening her latest show. Her New York agent has now scheduled her for
a Museum show opening in two years in Chicago.
Very exciting stuff indeed.
Perhaps I will title the quilt ‘Crows.’
Reading
the last two of the JA Jance Beaumont series.
Well written all around, but I think so well written that the character
has almost become real over the years.
Real, but rather dry, and humorless as he aged. LOL He
was a much more varied person when he was younger.
Hot,
hot hot….That’s the opening line of a Broadway show. That’s us too. They say the world will soon begin a cool-down,
but I will believe it when I see it. All
conversations around here center on the weather.
Himself: Feeling better he says. Off to the museum now.
Herself: Finding cool clothes to wear over
the weekend.
Reading: Jance. Wearing: Something cool. Eating: Small meals. Drinking a lot of water.
Gratitudes: The seared blue of the sky.
I cannot tell you how your post has given me an uplift. I now feel more normal and more loved and a little less crazy. I think you and I are more alike than we would think...except I am less sophisticated or intellectual. Yes, really! I am so sorry for your loss of someone who was there for you when you were making mistakes. Those friends are hard to come by. I have traveled so much in my life, which is a precious quirk I am thankful for, that all my good friends are few and far between. Thus my panic at such a sudden social life. I am glad you like your work on German history and hope you find a good place to publish. I think your time with your grandmother is an excellent subject for a chapbook or series of short stories. Yes, our lives were rich in various ways, it seems.
ReplyDeleteA cooling earth may be the only thing that saves us from global warming. But 'soon' in geologic time may not be soon in our time. We shall see.
ReplyDeleteWe have had a really good social weekend.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for socializing and getting out. I find that it rejuvenates me to be out among people. Sorry for your loss. Those kinds of friends are very special, when they are there for you in difficult times. Have a special week!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your friend. You were his angel too. I am sure of that.
ReplyDeleteSad that you lost your friend. Those that trekked through the swampy parts of our lives with us stay with us always,
ReplyDelete