What Thomas Saw

Picnicking in Style

Being a mellow type of guy, Thomas found going on a picnic with wife Penny was pure hell. Penny planned the details right down to salt and pepper, while Thomas would have been quite content with Kentucky Fried and extra coleslaw.

So it was then that Thomas stated in a firm voice to Penny, "I will go for a walk now, just to let the air clear and you to prepare the spread." 

Penny just waved him away and Thomas took off at a fast two-step. Free, free at last! Thank God... 

Go, Bob! Go!

When he stopped jogging, Thomas settled down on a grassy hill.  Below, in a field, Thomas recognized one of God's gifts on a dull picnic day.

There, some guy opened a side door and two dogs leaped, really leaped out.  

The Guy took out a tennis ball and boy, oh boy, those dogs jumped and bounced.  Big strong black lab leaped up nearly five feet, no kidding. "Here you go, Bob!" And Bob's muscled hind quarters then propelled him about eight feet ahead as he raced after it.

Meanwhile, a black and white border collie watched The Guy with soulful brown eyes, please oh please...The Guy clicked, "Go getter, Jimbo!" And Jimbo took off like a bullet.

By that time, Thomas saw that Bob had already grabbed the ball with big teeth and was on his way back, tail swishing in the wind. Jimbo paused in his sprint, and trotted back to The Guy. Bob lifted his nose. See, Jimbo. In your face.

The Guy hit the ball and sent it whizzing out. Bob and his hind legs took off with all those muscles hurling him out.  Jimbo trotted out about half-way and crouched down.  Watching Bob's dance of victory, Jimbo's eyes followed him speculatively.

nicepik.com

Thomas leaned forward in anticipation, sensing there were politics at play here.

The Guy gave that ball all his youthful training had taught him.  Bob took off, ears flapping.  Jimbo trotted out midway, crouched down, watching Bob. This went on two or three times.

Oh boy, Bob, you're in for it now, Thomas chuckled. 

The Guy hit it again, and Bob took a flying leap, but by this time, Jimbo had the ball and was dancing back before Bob even reached the end of the field. A very confused black lab ran back and Jimbo headed out to rest, again.

The Guy hit the ball, Bob took off and Jimbo came back with the ball. Again and again, Bob gave it all his black lab muscles had, while Jimbo merely danced back.

Thomas counted, Come'on Bob! Get a clue."

At the fourth throw, The Guy hit that ball and Bob merely watched as Jimbo sauntered from his midway post, retrieved the ball, and scampered back. And then another hit, another Jimbo win.  By then, Bob lay down, eyes closed.

The Guy whistled and walked to the car. Both dogs slowly trudged back, with Jimbo jumping up into the car. The Guy gave Bob an extra boost. Off they drove. Defeat and victory.

Thomas smiled and heaved himself up, promptly twisting his ankle.  Well, that's a heck of a thing." 

By the time Thomas hobbled back to Penny's picnic hell, friends had shown up and showered him with sympathy. Penny's eyes sliced and diced him, not saying a word.  

From his perch with his foot elevated and wrapped in ice, Thomas watched from the sides, watching his wife speculatively. She was in her element, the queen of the feast. Thomas was in his, a Jimbo at heart.

P.S. I saw this at a park and was enthralled. I'd have a border collie any time. My dad had one, Cindy, after his children workforce grew up. I swear Dad and Cindy could have handled the livestock by themselves. Smart dogs. Our family had a black/chocolate lab, Buddy. Strong dog, good with our kids.  Whenever he came running at me, I braced.

Rolling down the River

what can be said?

I grew up between two powerful rivers, the Illinois and Mississippi. Numberous creeks (criks) meandered around towns and farm, all heading to those rivers. Powerful. 

Never underestimate what rivers can do: destroy towns, wipe out fields, wash away forests and trees. We waited every spring for the rain and snowmelt from up north. If all the preparation for such rolling powerful water was adequate, mostly all would be survivable.

But what happens if the levees can't hold back the water? What happens if the flood walls are not quite tall enough? What if. What if.

This year floods have hit many states with horrendous destruction. Here is mine, in Illinois, where my people and towns are.

Near Florence, IL  We've eaten at this restaurant. Best grilled bologna sandwiches.

Rte. 100 Grafton, IL City has washed away ?? times. FEMA paid many residents to
relocate to higher ground. Some didn't take the offer. Have driven through Grafton
for years when I was growing up.

Water level is at 34 ft.

The juncture where Illinois River joins the Mississippi River will cause the water level to rise two more feet in the next few days. Grafton won't survive this much. 

Climate change? I don't know. These two rivers have a history of flooding, but not like this. Back in 1993 when I visited, the flood was historic. Now? New records are being set.

Note: The floods that flowing across plains states will prevent planting crops, raising livestock, etc. Expect costs of food and goods to rise.

WE are THEY.

Hope for the heart

The world-wide political and humanity situation has become untenable.

  

Iran---what is the next move? Who will make it? What then?

Syria—just saying that country’s name brings shivers throughout. Just because the name isn't on front page news anymore doesn't mean there are no atrocities. 

Benghazi—will the truth ever be known? An ambassador assassinated while propriety is discussed? Does anyone now even remember something that happened six years ago?

Pedophiles—how can a person who preys on children be allowed to mingle with an unknowing public? How can the Catholic Church know about the pedophile priests and simply relocate them??? Why did it take so long to force the Church to admit responsibility?

Racism and Anti-Semitism--how can any intelligent human being support such hate?  How can such hate be kept below the radar for so long? Does the slaughter of six million people mean nothing to current generations?

THEY should do something about these issues.  THEY cannot allow these issues to continue.

Who are THEY?

a reflection from a very old mirror

I just looked in a mirror, and I think I saw one of THEM in there.