After my ritual morning bike ride, I join Jo Ann and our two dogs for a nice walk around the block. Lately, during the walk, I've been hearing strange sounds. Metallic. Repetitive. Maybe like someone rattling a marble in a tin can. Or a rattlesnake on steroids. Tap, tap, tap. Clunk, clunk, clunk. What is that noise?
This morning I found the answer. I glanced up and saw a woodpecker perched atop a metal streetlight. He was trying to peck a hole in the thing. Granted it was noisy but not very effective - and possibly not too good for his beak.
I confess I identify with him. I have never been a political person, but these days I get so outraged over the situation in Washington that I have to let off a little steam. Or to get back to the proper metaphor, tear a hole in something that I can't do a darned thing about. So I make a little noise, expend some energy and get about as far as my feathered buddy who honestly believes he can get things done by chipping away and doing what comes naturally.
It isn't that easy.
We belong to the Blockbuster DVD by mail program and consequently are able to regularly see all kinds of good movies. Foreign films that only played distant art houses. Academy award winners that stretch back to our childhood. Films that we loved and have long forgotten. Entire works of actors and directors who are of special interest to us. It's a wonderful trip for those who love cinema but aren't into the excesses of the seldom understated contemporary movie houses.
Last night we revisited "Tender Mercies" with Robert Duvall. Seldom has there been a film so deeply satisfying on so many levels. At least to us.
As the credits rolled and the country music closed out the movie we both spontaneously broke into applause.
Right there in our family room.
Yes we did.
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This photo generated quite a response on my pixyblog. Thought I would share it with those of you who didn't see it.
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Whatever develops in the immigration issue, certain issues must be included. The Times put it well this morning.
Global economic change.
A workforce that needs immigrants.
Immigrants who need and deserve a clear sure path to citizenship.
A nation that needs to be true to its laws and to its decent welcoming self.
Bravo! All the phony wailing over "amnesty", the endless posturing of legislators and the building of walls can't finesse the basic laws of humanity.
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Immigration reform? Dead.
Racial integration? Badly set back.
Investigation into White House corruption? Killed.
British support for Iraq adventure? Gone.
Surge in Iraq? On last legs.
All this in last 3 days. Is the law of retribution trying to say something to our out of control nation?
I do think so.
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But for how much longer, I don't know.
This morning's paper reports that mothers and little girls from 4 to 10 are in great tension these days. It is the youthful feminine style that is the issue here.
The stores are promoting highly suggestive clothing for tots and , of course, the little kids just love that. The older kids all do it. Doting mothers think it's "cute". They can look like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan and their ilk plus having 2 "graduations" behind them before they get to Junior High School.
Good mothers are wringing their hands and searching in vain for a shop that handles children's clothing without a highly sexed Hollywood agenda.
It's good to be old.
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I'm a long time Apple fan. Apple is, as everyone must know, this week expanding its world of wonders, pushing beyond the IPod to the IPhone.
I won't expose my ignorance by trying to describe the IPhone (which I haven't seen or learned much about) except to say that it is apparently an amazing combination of telecommunication tools packed into one small, typically Apple, luscious package.
And that I won't be getting one.
I hope Apple won't consider me disloyal. It's just that my life is moving toward simplicity and minimalism as opposed to sophisticated complexity. That isn't to say I am not impressed - or won't drop by our Apple Store to lust after the IPhone. I most surely am and will.
But my next cell phone, if I ever get around to getting one, will be a Jitterbug. My Nikon D80 takes better photos than any IPhone ever could. The PDA feature is wonderful, I'm sure, but give me my Filofax date book and a trusty pen any day. As to email, checking the internet and instant messaging, well, I'd just as soon stick to my PowerBook and work on such matters at home.
All these things in one neat little package? Well, I'd just as soon have a different place for everything and keep everything in its comfortable and homey spot.
Add to this the expense of adding the phone and its related services and the time required to learn it and set it up...
I think that I'll leave the IPhone to my kids and those who really need more efficiency and high tech in their lives.
Not that I don't wish to hell I had one.
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We had a call on our answering machine the other day from a fellow who breathlessly told us that our entry into a contest to win a new Cadillac Escalante had come across his desk and it was extremely urgent that we call him right away to work out details.
Fact was we hadn't entered any contest for a new car or anything else. To add to that, though we drive two 2000 cars, we aren't in the market for a new one. Ours are paid for and run just fine. He can keep his Cadillac. We deleted the message.
The issue underlying this comment, however, is how most of us have come to view any unexpected contact that comes through our email, telephone, mailbox or even front door with deep suspicion. We no longer trust these unknown people who invade our space with offers, promises and good news. And for good reason!
I do like to trust people.
I don't like to feel that there are opportunists out there trying to get the best of us.
But I do.
Isn't that sad?
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This is one of those extraordinary weeks that come along now and then when many issues and events of a rather personal nature - now hard upon us - will play themselves out day by day.
We can remember moments when the starter's gun was in the air, when the curtain was about to rise, when we got ready to run proudly out on the playing field, when the organ prelude was about to sound out... and we smile.
Nothing of great significance; but much of high interest to us. Some of it will be fun and superficial, some more serious and challenging. What seems appropriate I will share. The rest we will anticipate, get with and enjoy the ride. And smile.
As for now, it is 6:30 AM and my bicycle awaits its daily nature trip and just after that Oliver and Dickens will receive their daily jaunt.
Great time to be alive in the desert!
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