A Good Friend

I had a brief but compelling online conversation with an old friend. She left my company and went back to school with the goal of helping the world become a better place. That takes great courage and its been awesome to see her progress even in a very short time. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your point of view, she wants her life to remain simple and unencumbered for now so she cut off any chance of us becoming more than online friends. That's fine with me, its been affirming to have someone who understands my dharma chats and shares my love of meditation. But I will wonder for a long time if there could have been something more from this.

Peace to you my friend, I give you back to the world

Politics, Rain and Welcome Change

I woke this morning to a fresh breeze in Washington D.C. We got our country back!!! And to make matters even better the victors are not repeating the arrogant mistakes of the past, at least not yet. Nancy Pelosi showed every sign of being a true stateswoman. Let's hope that continues. Rumsfeld resigned within 24 hours, perhaps an inevitable event but certainly a welcome one. The leopard hasn't changed his spots but he's going to have to be much better behaved now.

So what does this mean to me personally? It means I can be proud to be American again. We stood up and told the world that this cabale does not speak for us. We voted the bastards out. Now its time to do what this nation does best, rebuild with a better future. Promote hope and a positive vision for the world. We can stand for principled debate, bipartisan consensus building and national reconciliation. Instead of torturing our enemies we can reexamine the reasons for this conflict and chart a better course. And of course obey the Geneva conventions.

And the rain softly glistens in the evening air...

Fall Colors

The golden leaves outside my window flutter gently through the falling rain. Abby sits purring in my lap keeping me warm. Fall is my favorite time of year, and this month has produced the most beautiful display in memory. I went for a drive last weekend through the Elwah Valley up to the lake and the colors there were breathtaking. My only camera on that trip was in my mind so the images exist only in words. Soon the remaining leaves will fall from the trees and make way for the annual dumping of snow and ice. My fireplace will get stoked and the scent of burning wood will fill the air. Living here is good, despite the challenges and aloneness I sometimes feel. No regrets.