Random Comments and Observations

I haven't been very productive lately in any area of my life.  I'm just going through one of those phases that feels more like the slow speed pace of the cats in this hot weather than mimicking the rush of the oil gushing out of that well in the Gulf .  It happens once in a while and I'm not too worried about it.  It's pretty logical considering the pace life had been going for us in the last couple of months and the emotional toll that pace brought with it.  So, I haven't been doing a whole lot of heavy thinking or creative writing.

Some non creative randomness for your summer reading pleasure:

1.   I'm reading the cover story on this week's Time magazine  about only children.  The article so far seems to be saying that the common stereotype of a "lonely, selfish and maladjusted" (Time's words, not mine) only child is not proven by research--  that single children are just as maladjusted as the rest of us (my words, not Time's).  Of course, Mom was an only child in a time period where that was actually more prevalent than other periods in history due to the Great Depression.  But I never thought of her as an only child.  That isn't how I defined her.  So as I read the article I'm thinking of Mom. 

2.  I went off to go find a picture I have around here somewhere of Mom at a dance in college that I intended to include here and I came across her letters from Ted Marchibroda.  I've always wondered if his family would be interested in having them back.  What do you think?  Can't find the picture I want, of course, because I am looking for it.

3.  I had jury duty last week.  It's called jury DUTY for a reason.  I consider it to be part of my responsibility as a citizen to do my part when it's my turn.  Of course, it's one of a very few duties that come with legal repercussions for ignoring and citizens are treated more like prisoners than celebrities--nevertheless it's part of life in the USA.  Voting is a citizen's responsibility also, but those notices don't come in the mail all decked out with red alarm notices and dire warnings. 

Anyhow, I got there on time but the courtroom did not open for us until 40 minutes late.  120 responsible citizens were jammed into a lobby with about 30 chairs and barely enough standing room dutifully waiting for the doors to open.  Apologies all around from the court staff were stuffed among the thank you for showing up statements.  They showed us a cheesy video and dull pamphlets were pressed into our reluctant hands by the elderly staff.  We have been sitting there finally underway for an entire 30 minutes when a break is declared.  By the time things really get going, it's running at least an hour behind.  Somehow even though I was tired of being thanked for being there, I still didn't mind sitting there holding my place as a cog in the machinery of the justice system.  Maybe I would have felt differently if I'd ended up sitting on the jury, but I was deemed unfit to sit in judgement of others.  A message I I plan to try to remember.

3.  Jim will often point a car out to me to describe its traits as a potential purchase or similarity to someone else's vehicle.  He might as well be pointing to a wheat field and saying "See that Acura Stang V202 over there" like it's any different than any other wheat stalk.  But, to be fair, it's the same response he has when I start talking about his ancestors "Look at this 3rd cousin once removed that I found!"

Thank you for showing up!