A RAMBLE

I woke up tired this Morning. I only require 6 ½ hours sleep and I had that. I had strange dreams. I don't remember them except that they had something to do with some dream version of the show Jeopardy. Anyway, I woke up like I had been working all night rather than resting. Since I am an octogenarian and prone to nap when I want, it won't make much difference.

Then with my first swallow of coffee, I noticed I had something in my mouth that didn't belong. It was a bug of some variety but it was flattened. How did a flattened bug get into my coffee cup? This time of year I need to be careful because the lady bugs and flies, of various persuasions, decide to appear from somewhere and make their presence known. It may be worse this year with the delayed Spring. The little creatures who found refuge in the walls of the house in the Autumn obey a clock that is not consistent with the weather. They wake up, they realize it is still Winter outside, but find an oasis of Spring inside.

None of the above helps me understand how the bug in my cup got flattened. It was a fly like creature. Maybe it wasn't flattened. There was a little cold coffee left over from yesterday in my cup, perhaps a fly soaking all night can appear flattened. I guess I will be peering into my cup for the next few days before I pour coffee in it. I know that experience would gross out a lot of people, but to me it is just life on Planet Earth.

It is cloudy today and cool, but yesterday it was brilliant, we lost quite a bit of snow and it looks again like Spring is a possibility. Tomorrow is promised to be Sunny and warmer and for once, the forecast looks good. The folks living South of the Twin Cities may get some snow today, but the forecasters are predicting it will be the last of the season. Let us hope so.

My youngest child from my first batch, Andrew, turns fifty today. It is hard to believe. My oldest child is Laura [57 until May] then Stuart [55] Matthew [53] Andrew [50] Noah [40] and Naomi [38]

My children are marvelous human beings and I am very fortunate and very grateful. I am amazed by their ages however, time is the most puzzling of illusions. I am happy to grow older and I am happy to be 83. Yet sometimes, I will be going about my business and it will occur to me, wow I am 83! I know I am old when I do something this body is not pleased with doing, but I don't feel old.

How can time fly so fast, I am startled by my children's ages, yet Winter creeps by in endless fashion? I was telling Jamie yesterday that I can't remember not having snow covering the ground. What is it like to have no snow? What would it be like to be warm enough to sit out on the porch or deck?

Yet I know that I will look out my window and see the pastures clear of snow soon; perhaps as early as next week.

Living at this latitude one learns to stop and appreciate Summer. I remember Fall days when I would wonder why Summer flew by. I remember as a child Summer seemed endless, and as an adult, I have had that experience occasionally, but it is momentary.

This blog is really an 'old man rambling' isn't it. I don't have much to say while waiting for the craziness to be over. I know it will be over, just as I know the snow will melt. There will be a time when Love, Peace and Joy reign on this Earth. In the meantime I will be Happy! I have learned to be happy one needs to love everything we can and forgive everything we have difficulty loving; people, places and circumstances.

Love and Peace, Gregg