entropy

here are some things that unfailingly obey the second law of thermodynamics:

• our front yard in summer,
• teenagers and husbands,
• Dog's general odor, and
• the inside of the refrigerator.

chariots of fire (1981)

that's a movie you should not grow up without ever watching, i tell the J's. it is really a rather simple production. all low fi prettily unspoiled scenery lots of lofty cathedral shots absolutely straightforward story line and a stirring positive ending all to the accompaniment of gilbert and sullivan. that iconic signature tune, on actual observation, only plays at the very beginning and at the finish.

call me simple then, but i freely admit that this seemingly guileless movie moves me every time. it transports me back to my university days with our own hall dinners and traditions. it brings back the angst of youthful friendships and young courtship. it reminds me that it is very good to live by principles rather than by popular opinion. and with time and age, that soft scottish brogue becomes quite, quite agreeable.

other people's stuff 4

here is a recent discovery. it's the some time diary of a younger equally peripatetic singaporean family that has currently wandered into our vicinity.

precious mem'ries

waiting at dulles
movie marathon nite
four at dinner
breakfast at the diner's
drives 'n' conversations
cheese bread and wine
the line at the dmv

hopes

J1 shows us his physical fitness award. he hopes to make it to officer cadet school. barrack gossip has it that the toughest will make it from there to the commando and guards conversion courses. and the mother of all arduousness, they say, is scout training. it would be cool, he thinks, to be able to take tough.

HOM rummages through his old storage box and retrieves his scout beret and his guards tab. but, he says to his son, i never got the physical fitness award. the old scout is proud of his young pup.

abundance 2

we are a vagrant troop, the bunch of us. a dozen abodes in a dozen years, give or take a couple. people accumulate stuff we have ruthless giveaways. we are expert at finding a spot and making acquaintances. Dog would have frequent miler status if he wanted it. we settle in quickly but we never settle too fully. in conversations about hometowns the J's acknowledge none. when HOM and i talk about retirement no place springs to mind.

and yet, for his first break from military life J1 comes home, and he means come home to us. wow.

abundance

he has much to tell us. he and J2 have lots to talk about. we hear the sound of new songs. the fourth seat is taken. supper is glad and protracted. Dog is happy. J1's home for a visit.

thanks for roses by the wayside/ thanks for thorns their stems contain

thanks for pray'rs that thou hast answered/ thanks for what thou dost deny

- august l storm/ carl e backstrom

question of the week 2

the answer is no.

days of fervent stand-off and plenty of self-righteousness and the national deficit is shaved by a drop. talk about losing sight of the trillions for the billions.

passing out parade

J1 telephones leaving the parade grounds. he has completed basic military training. it's a milestone we are grateful for. not to be mushy an' all that, but a man's gotta learn to serve his country, personal opinions aside.

he wants to follow in his father's footsteps. i'm proud of both my men.

current affair

tonight, the word on the announcer's lips, within minutes of turning the idiot box on, any channel, every time, is shutdown.