Life is different here. Last evening, heralding the approach of driving rain with stiff breeze and a continuous and brilliant electrical display of lightning over the Gulf, which we watched from 7H porch. Predawn this morning, with a blast the fire alarm siren goes off and its announcement "An emergency ... Do not use the elevator".  Between all that, a decent night's sleep. Up to sacrifice to Father Nature once soon after midnight and back to sleep, all is well and Life has been Good. From the gospel of Luke this coming Sunday, the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Luke 18:9-14, Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:  "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a publican (tax collector). The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this publi...

Having myself as my object, contemplating myself, what I observe is not necessarily and certainly not always to my liking. Seeing, I then try to figure out "why?" and correct or change or overcome.  Obsessions and Attractions - why? And at least if I can't figure out "why?", then how to be shed of? The how-to-shed I know at least elementarily and therefore can bring about, but they always return, unconsciously until I notice they're back. At the moment, two books. Tara Westover "Education - a memoir". C G Jung "Answer to Job". No, three, Robb White "Flotsam and Jetsam". Some reads, especially novels, are compelling to stick with, can't put down. These three are good to pick up and read a section, chapter because each one stands on its on as an adventure. I learned to enjoy essay-style writing with Harry Golden ages ago. "Flotsam" is like that. So is Tara, each chapter a new and often appalling adventure in h...

An idealist might hope a House impeachment and Senate trial were the work of justice, not politics, but dream on. In criminal court, to be indicted is a legal matter, and the trial that follows. In politics, government is its usual incompetence, motives rightfully suspect, and a laughing stock. And so will be the spectacle to which you are about to be witness; but not me, buddy boy, I'm not watching, not about to watch.  As the bumper stickers say, Elect a Clown, Expect a Circus; and here we are. If the Republicans in charge were with it, instead of going off totally defensive, they would see that a Pence ticket in 2020 would be unbeatable, because he has silver white hair, a straight up bearing and a Catholic sense of morals, and press flush on the encumbent POS and go from there. But again, that'd be politics not justice at work. So, whatever. Lunch today, Sunday dinner, a martini and an elegant salad, as supper will be pig roast at church later. Beautiful salad, Engl...

In a tropical cyclone as disorganized as any I recall, a few miles off the coast, the non-center of circulation of TS Nestor* may have shifted slightly right overnight, and NHC's track line seems headed just east of Indian Pass, maybe across 13 Mile, with beloved Apalachicola getting the most rain. As is said, we needed the rain.  "Do you think we'll have rain?" Puddleglum the marsh-wiggle** says in classic English style of conversational diversion to Jadis, the Lady of the Green Kirtle, not knowing her mysterious traveling companion and protector is himself the missing Prince Rilian whom Aslan gave Jill Pole (and Eustace Scrubb) the mission to find and rescue, as his father King Caspian is aged and Narnia urgently needs the crown prince. Jadis assists them with directions to the City of Giants for the Fall Feast (where they would be the prized delicacy, the main dish, the featured pièce de résistance). And yes, we're having hard rain, in fact it rain...

"Tropical system to strengthen on approach to Florida". See, this isn't exactly what we hope for from October  and November, but it's what we anticipate. Where anticipate means expect it and prepare for it.  These things can wobble, and significantly, or even change course, but don't count on it unless you are to the right or left of the line, and then certainly do count on it and prepare.  As of right now the line crosses PCB into Breakfast Point tomorrow morning, looks like about 6 AM Saturday. We'll bring inside all our light things, keep watch, and if it stays a low-wind force tropical storm the wrought iron furniture may stay out on the porches. I may sit outside and watch it unless the rain is blowing this way - - which, coming from the right side, it should.  A sad thing is many people in Bay County are still living in tents from HMichael a year ago. Worse would be high winds, because Bay County is loaded with clusters of travel trailers...

Fall back, Spring ahead, no time change until Joe's birthday, Sunday, November 3, but Fall is in evidence this our first morning cooler outside than inside, 60F and dropping to 58F before the sun shows face. Last evening the moon over Scipio Creek and Apalachicola River & Bay from our screen porch  got several shots and I may show several before getting to one I like. What made the moon so orange, IDK, but it was. At Trinity Church, installation of the new rector liturgy with Holy Communion last evening. We came over early for late dinner/early supper, oysters (farmed oysters and as delicious as ever) at The Station that in our Time here was Pendleton's, don't recall but by the sign on the wall must have been, Gulf station. Everyone eating there looked local but who knows. After the service we went to an old friend's house for visit and, even though they'd finished supper, martinis and memories. Hoping nothing comes...

It's 80°F out here and, with 83% humidity that's a bit muggy, still a lovely morning at 7H. Sound of waves lapping up onto the shore seven stories below, so breakfast outside on the porch.  Mug of black from my magic machine, three slices toasted extra thin 40 cal whole wheat bread and my last bit of incomparable Holy Nativity pork butt, the rector's lunch for the Highlanders marching band from Indiana that played in our 10:30 worship service last Sunday morning. Yes, a highschool marching band in church, the very best the Episcopal Church can be.  The pork doesn't need it, needs only an open salivating mouth, but out of compulsion, TJ's sriracha with roasted garlic bbq sauce mixed with mayo to cut the heat and spooned on top, then forked onto the toast bite by bite. Ship passing right now just off 7H porch, heading east. Clouds coming over, with black bottoms, and the temperature seems to be dropping in the cool breeze that seems to be coming wi...