Dear Maria,
You will be happy to know that a former colleague called me
out on my slackened pace for posts and short fiction. I claimed that as old
rhythms may be slow to disappear, I was in summer vacation mode. She did not
laugh either. Some of my lack of desk time is due to more time outdoors. We had
two overcast mornings that were cooler and demanded being in the yard or
walking Max out at the school.
I do wish I were a painter—or at least a photographer--so
that I could capture a flight of snowy egrets Saturday morning. Max stood stock
still with his tongue hanging out after the ten birds were flushed by our
approach near the pond beyond the practice fields. Against the pines in that
gray light was quite the show as first five went one way and five the other and
then all began what appeared a controlled pattern of spirals over the water.
Exquisite.
Was fortunate enough to have lunch with one of our young
friends yesterday. Between courses, we were trying to recall hearing any
moderate on some issue screaming—perhaps just seems so to me, but how is it
extremists are the ones that must shout, must contort their faces into
something somehow less than human. I try to imagine grabbing someone by the shoulders
and screaming “You’ve got to shut up and listen to other viewpoints in a calm
manner!” And, if you can’t? I’m going to make your life miserable until the end
of time.
Of course, I am well aware that certain groups want enclaves
that would mean no one like scientist Athene Donald will be possible in their
societies. I don’t get that kind of thinking. I’m no idealist, but the desire
to subjugate everyone under one ideology and believe that will be the way of
the world—for all six or seven or nine billion of us—won’t prevail.
The human race is a marathon.
Okay, summertime and the 4th near at hand and the
beetle invasion repelled. Life is good.
My very best to you and yours, srk
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