Morning all:

Welcome to one of the two most boring days of the year. Today is the Fall Equinox as opposed to the other, the Spring Equinox. Why boring? It’s the exact twelve hours of sunlight and darkness thing. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Fall, I love the lower humidity, the colors, the gorgeous sunsets, and the frolicking deer in the yard.” Hold on Dirk” you say, “just a minute, you live dead center in a large city.” Nevertheless it is true, I have proof.

On the other hand I guess that the Equinox can be viewed as a perfect balance of ying and yang. I think I’ll drink my coffee on that thought as I cross my legs and softly perform a Tibetan Chant.

Every day this week the temperature dropped. My morning walks started the week with shorts and a tee, moved to shorts and a windbreaker, migrated to jogging pants and the windbreaker, and eventually to a lined jacket with the collar up. Today it’s warm again, complete with a promised full day of rain. Even the dog is confused; I know he is because I see him sitting next to me scratching behind his ear.

All of this means that Marcia acquires the squirrel-like trait of “food gathering in advance of winter” syndrome. For me this will translate into many hours of museum-like sauntering through the various food aisles: my very favorite pastime.

Over the years I have applied a work-related trait to while away the time as I wander food aisles. I empty various boxes and then turn them over to check out the certification stamps printed on the bottom. This semi-conscious behavior of mine drives Marcia crazy and therefore greatly helps in speeding up the food buying process since now she too just wants to get out of the place. I just find it fascinating.

Adrianne and Tevita had planned to fly in at midnight tonight. Instead they are still strolling about the beaches of Fiji. As the adapted saying from Robert Burns’ “To a Mouse” goes; “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” In their case they definitely did. A couple of simple sheets of paper became a solid wall that formed an impassible barrier between Tevita and his flight. They were assisted by helpful people, but nevertheless, these individuals’ first allegiance is always to their bureaucracies.

Hectic moments have turned into joy as finally all has come together and Monday a visa will be issued. Tuesday they’ll leave for the US and Wednesday they’ll arrive here. I don’t think they have any realization just how many people are on pins and needles watching their every adventure. Marcia and I can’t wait for them to climb onto our shores.

Currently the politicos are in a fever pitch, so let me ‘toss my hat into the ring’ and add to it. I’ll kiss any baby in sight, put no toll roads through any county park, reprieve every Thanksgiving turkey, and allow Michael Jackson to build a leprechaun themed park in any country of his choosing. However, I will stop at nothing to prevent all terrorist rap music from being broadcast from minaret or steeple; you have my word on it. This is Dirk and I approve of this message.

Make it a great week everyone; enjoy the freedom to climb onto the shore of your choosing.

Cheers,
Dirk