Kitty Walk

Took Hubble for his first "walk" today in his little red kitty harness. He basically skulked across stoops and rolled in dirt and mulch. All the while I stood over him with leash in hand. He did really well with his inaugural walk and was very patient for Mom while I strapped him in. He's a good guy.

Everybody's Writing

There are books, books everywhere. Written and discovered. Written by people I know and people I don't.

When I was younger I used to ride my bike home from the library with the handlebar basket piled high with books. I'd read everything and anything.

I'm older now and much more read. It's rare I find one book anymore that really pulls me in, let alone seven.

What's cooler is the books I do find often have a personal connection.

My sister Leslie Meehan's s thesis is now a book. "Our Birth as Holo Sapiens: Navigating Our Passage through Climate Change."

My friend Pamela Douglas has two books out now: "Back to Life," about her experiences surviving a very serious surgery, and "Writing the TV Drama," which has fast become the "go-to" book in Hollywood for writers who care about their craft.

I discovered Dave Housley's work from a small boutique on 36th St in Baltimore. His first collection of stunning and snarky short stories is out: "Ryan Seacrest Is Famous."

I'm sure my friend Janice's book about her life and the creatures/humans she's loved within it will be published soon.

I've referred "Everything Matters" by Ron Currie, Jr., to just about any smart, serious reader I know.

So, basically, I'm just saying that it's nice to still find books that I would consider stacking into my handlebar basket and peddling home to read. That books are still a source of discovery achieved and quests fulfilled.

Yea!

Little Things That Change

I'm looking at my life statement about being all about questing and inspiring and connecting through writing and advocacy and action.

Whew. I'm just exhausted reading that.

Maybe not so much action anymore.

I'm older. I'm allowed. Things change. :)

Oh, and Kyle Chandler won an Emmy for "Friday Night Lights". As did writer Jason Katims. Yea. Thankfully, things changed and they finally got recognized.

Oh, and did I tell you my cat Hubble now only eats fish-flavored cat food? He used to eat beef or chicken flavored stuff, but he stopped. It's kind of weird because I'm a pescetarian (vegetarian who eats fish). Is he channeling his owner? For him, his tastes have changed.

And today I got a new office chair. Thank God that that thing changed.

And I could go on and on and on, but then, nothing will have changed.

So I won't.

Blown Away

A man who holds a cooler door closed with a bungee cord until he's ripped away by the tornado. Twelve others inside survive.

Another man scours the wreckage of a hospital emergency room, flashlight held between his teeth. 

A woman covers her child with her body.

The world continues down its current path of extremes.

From the most extreme devastation comes the most extreme dedication.

From the most extreme horror comes the most extreme heroism.

From the most extreme chaos comes the most extreme caring.

From Tuscaloosa to Joplin and many places in between, I've been blown away by the power of human nature that rises in response to the power of Mother Nature.

As I go through the tasks of everyday life -- feeding the cat, driving around on errands, working on the computer, vacuuming and dusting, doing laundry and dishes, watering the flowers -- I realize that thousands of people can't do those small things right now and won't be able to for a long time.

So, a thought, as you go about your lives this coming week, do one thing on behalf of a "citizen of Joplin." Take your dog on a walk, for Joplin. Grill a hamburger, for Joplin. Tie your child's shoe, for Joplin. Take a yoga class, for Joplin. Make a presentation, for Joplin.

Let's live our lives and get our work done and I have a feeling they'll sense it, in Joplin.

Experiences

Played my flutes yesterday morning at the Cathedral prior to a lecture by a Benedictine nun. There's nothing better than playing to an audience of the receptively converted. Meaning, they were open to the experience. I had twinges of nervousness when I felt many eyes focused on me (at Labyrinth, nobody's paying any attention to me, not really), but I soldiered through. And had a few folks come up afterwards with questions and asking for cards. Gotta get that CD done! And I contacted the NICoE about possibly playing there, so that thread is starting to be woven. So, feeling more motivated and inspired to pursue all of this further. 

And was out riding my bike this afternoon. Was on my way back and came upon this little girl walking her dog. Suddenly she dropped the leash by accident. The dog got away from her and went running down the sidewalk, she running after it and yelling and crying. I followed her and passed her and followed the dog who somehow wisely ran just on the sidewalks and not in the street. I yelled ahead to people to "stop the dog" and waved at cars. A couple of black SUVs passed me and they'd try to turn across the sidewalk in front of the dog but she went around the car a couple of times. We were getting closer to a much busier intersection and one of the SUVs swung into a driveway with some hedges at a house and the dog went into the backyard. Some people were also chasing on foot. The whole neighborhood was rallying! An older gentleman caught the dog and kept it in the backyard while the girl, Griffin, came sobbing up the sidewalk. She was *so* upset. I think her parents must have jumped in a car because there was a man and woman who went to her and called her by name and comforted her. It was pretty intense! But, it was nice to see everyone spring into action. I passed one of the SUVs on the way back and he asked if we'd "got the dog" and I said we had. So, that adventure was over with.

So it's been a weekend of experiences of all kinds. The kind of weekend that leads one to get in her car and head to the coffeehouse before the day is done. So, off I go.