A proud moment here in the household. We just got back from a football banquet and awards ceremony during which the boy was named the freshman team’s most valuable player on offense (he had a few nice runs this year). The coach had some very kind words for the boy, saying that he envisions big things for him in the coming years and calling his work ethic second to none.  Considering that I’ve watched the boy go from couch potato’ing it with me on Sundays watching the Jets to making it a serious passion I have to say it was all a little surreal. This kid will even go to Varsity games and be the waterboy just to be a part of it all. My goodness time is flying. Peewee leagues, midget leagues and now his first high school season split between the freshman team and the JV squad… anyday now he’ll be playing out his final Varsity year!
Here’s to more banquets, more awards, more prideful moments and a continuation of the quality work ethic. Â
Watching this report made me a little ill. You’d think that there should be a parade and a national holiday because this kid managed to shoot a bear dead. I’ve never much admired hunters (the shotgun/rifle toting variety). You want to kill something and make it sport? Great, how about you go out there with a spear like true warriors of old and hunt? How about a bow and arrow? Most of these bastards have to play possum in a tree stand because they can’t even walk a mile into the woods to track a kill. Now this poor five year old thinks he’s a hero because he managed to hit a bear with a bullet. Can this kid read? Can this kid write his name? Does he know basic arithmetic? Who the hell knows, and worse, I don’t think his grandfather really cares. This guy had tears streaming down his face because this kid managed to squeeze one off and hit something the size of a couch from 90 feet away? I wonder what this guy is going to do when this kid learns to drive. I bet he’ll crap his pants!
I suppose they’ll have to add onto the trailer to display this “trophy”… what a humiliating way for a majestic giant to go out.Â
Peace is something to be savored, because it just can’t be summoned. It arrives unannounced and departs when the realization of it comes to mind. As soon as you’ve thought  isn’t this peaceful, it’s already gone. Some will say that meditation brings peace… to them I say it’s only a facsimile of the real thing. When the mind is truly quiet it’s special.
This morning I sat and stared out into the backyard. The french doors were open from the bedroom and I was hypnotized by the swaying of the trees and bushes as a cool breeze blew through. It sounded like the ocean. Thousands of tiny leaves shaking in unison. The big jasmine just beyond the patio seemed to tremble.  Just last night it had been alive with its sweet scent, the whole of it wafting through the house and setting a tone as we ate dinner outside. Now in the day, it hid away its secret just a faint reminder carried off with the wind.
I was drawn out onto the patio and stood watching. That dopey kind of “mouth breathing” watching. Looking at nothing in particular, yet I’m sure I appeared to be intently gazing. A creaking of branches from the right. Beyond the patio the honeybell tree sagged under the weight of its bounty, those are near ready for picking, don’t want to waste any this year… the tree will need trimming too… poof and the peace was gone. Another chore, another “to do”, but still a true instance of peace until that moment. Just me, the trees and that familiar autumn breeze was all it took to conjure. Similarly a stupid thought was all it took to send it away.
*Shrugs*Â Anybody want some citrus?Â
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