Tough Going

I haven't forgotten how to write, I promise. But my germs-of-ideas for writing topics are simply refusing to be written. Frustrating, I call it.

Exercise is...

A trip to Wal-Mart.

How come there is never a parking place by the door, never an item you need that is near the front of the store, never a line that is short?

Or is it just me?

Some Like It Bright, Some Like It Dim

It's evening. For the first and only time in the day, everyone is together. Carrying dishes into the dining room to prepare for the evening meal, someone turns the light on. When everything is ready, people begin to gather around the table. Then, someone spots Dad heading for the room. For a moment it's quiet while everyone draws a collective breath. There is always a possibility it won't happen tonight....

But it's inevitable.

Dad enters the room and turns the light down to its lowest setting.

With a release of our breath, we smile at each other companionably. We're eating in the dark again.

"What's this you made for dinner," someone might joke to the cook, "I can't quite see to tell." "Did anyone put napkins on the table?" another might say, "Oh, here...I found it. Sorry, it was a bit dim in my corner." Still another might call across the table, "Hello, is anyone there?" My night vision is a little off tonight." "I think I hear a bat in that corner over there," another might giggle.

Dad smiles back triumphantly. "Anyone can eat," he defends his choice as adding high-class ambiance, "I and my family--we dine."

***

And so I am equipped to plan the perfect Father's Day gift. With these I figure Dad will be able to dine any time of the day or night, while, yeoman like, we can just eat if we wish.

But then again, maybe the extra culture isn't hurting me. I might be invited to meet the President someday, in which case I should surely know how properly to dine.

Up To Date

My writing fingers are rusty. Well, actually they're mostly unseasonably dry...but rusty sounds better. I'm determined, regardless, to use them again.

In case you were wondering what I've been up to lately...

Meet Josie.

My new car. There's just no dollar amount that corresponds with the peace of mind I have behind her wheel. I'm sure she's not perfect, but she hasn't broken down yet or given indication of wanting to...so I'd say she's already broken Wooster's track record. Wooster was my last car. (And I'm happy to say that my GPS--Jeeves--seems as happy to work with Josie as ever he was with Wooster.)

Sitting behind wheel of my new car is a new me. At least, my hair is somewhere about a foot shorter. I've heard very little commentary on the topic from friends and acquaintances (besides the close friends who are naturally obligated to say something), so I am content to conclude that the new style suits me.

I am slowly recovering from my illness. Also slowly, I am internalizing some of the lessons God has intertwined with this period of my life.

Gas will likely hit $5/gallon here within the next two weeks or so. On which depressing note, let's change the subject.

How 'bout you tell me you've missed me.