Morning all:

“The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true.” — James Branch Cabell

Read on and you’ll quickly realize that I am very much slug-like this morning. Not just body movement, but brain activity, even my speech is halting. I am grateful that the Tim Hortons brew has some serious punch.

Last night Marcia and I drove 400 miles into the night ending up at Paul & Dia’s home in Michigan. We’re here to help Dia celebrate her big-0 birthday. All of this wouldn’t have been a problem but for the fact that yesterday morning – 4 am – the cat jumped on my head.

I decided to let the critter live, which could have been a mistake since it was a snap decision made at a very strange hour. Apparently the reason for the jump onto my head had something to do with an overhead lightning storm. Once I was awake all I could hear was the pounding of the rain on the hallway skylight.

So, at 4:15 am I was downstairs waiting for the newspaper to be delivered. At six, with minimalist attire, but firmly clasping the umbrella, I got the paper. All this made for a very long day.

Mid week, with spring in the air, I got back into my Citizens on Patrol (COPPs) efforts. As community eyes and ears interacting with the police I do think that we make a difference. Anyway, a neighborhood started a new patrol and representatives from other parts of town did their inaugural walk as a show of support. Even the police district commander spent two hours with us as did a local television film crew.

Marcia and I use Skype to communicate with the kids in Florida and usually we’ll activate the cameras giving us a chance to see the grandkids race around the house or try to poke at the keyboard. This time Derek, five years plus one month old, says; “Opa, want me to show you my Rubik Cube?” He held up the cube and proceeded to twirl, twist, spin, and stare at the puzzle. We had just restarted our conversation when the little guy held up his cube with a solid coler on every side.

“great work Derek”, that from a somewhat deflated Opa. I have yet to solve the puzzle.

Make it a great week everyone.

Cheers,

Dirk