badosworld

2007-08-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

Swingin'
So, turns out, the Booglet is a little daredevil. Once she found out she could go on the swings, she was all over it. I told her the g-forces (that's right--used g-forces) were good astronaut training.

Now of course, her mother (Calamity Jane), won't have anything to do with a ride like that, so Daddy gets to do all the stomach churning. You can just see my elbow as I'm climbing in for fun fun fun...

Hard to believe the Booglet is soon to be four. She's in a good stretch right now, and lovin' her Daddy.

One of her favorite quotes:

We are the music makers,
and we are the dreamers of dreams.
Willie Wonka

2007-07-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Who's the Watermelon Girl?

From our boating adventure last week.

2007-06-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

And so the Booglet said...

"Daddy, you're the bestest boy ever."

Oh man. If only you knew sweetheart, how sweet that sounds to Daddy. Earlier tonight she said, while we were playing Candyland,

"Daddy, have you been waiting for me?"

I couldn't help but say,

"All my life."

Happy Fathers Day.

2007-06-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

Fishing

That's not Old Henry...that's his brother.

2007-06-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

Election Primer

The 2008 election is in full tilt now, some 18 months before the actual voting. Even though Diebold has already decided who will win, there's still going to be lots of teevee on this so, think of this as TV Guide for politics. Here now, as a public service announcement, is a primer on presidential candidates:

First up: Republicans...

Mitt Romney

Pros: Devilish good looks, good at going door to door, no Jennifer Flowers problems

Cons: Mormon, Flip-Flopper, Being confused with the Grecian Formula Guy...

Odds at being elected: 3:1

Comments: If only he were Amish...

John McCain

Pros: Vietnam POW, Experienced politician, "straight-talker",

Cons: Old. Very old. Older than Reagan old; Experienced politician (like Abscam); Bush sucker-upper (campaigned for W in 2004...)

Odds at being elected: 7:1

Comments: This guy missed his chance in 2000. Sorry WALNUTS, but the time of your time has come and gone as Steely Dan used to say...

Rudy Guiliani

Pros: 9/11, 9/11, 9/11

Cons: Press conference divorces, cross-dressing, egomaniac

Odds at being elected: 10:1

Comments: Wait till the rest of the country realizes the mess you've made of your life...

And now the Democrats:

John Edwards

Pros: Great hair, a Southerner (see Bill Clinton), Mill-worker's son, did I mention great hair?

Cons: Trial lawyer, how can he ever expect Merk & Co. to get on board?; accent; too many "Breck-girl" comparisons...

Odds at being elected: 4:1

Comments: I actually met this guy and liked him. But can we keep him away from the freaking mirror for 18 months?

Barak Obama

Pros: Can say all the black jokes he wants without the FCC getting involed (eat your heart out Imus), doesn't have a Senate record which will result in crap like "I voted before the bill before I voted against it", most buff.

Cons: He's ah, um...he's a negro (Note, this only applies in the South or wherever NASCAR is really big), middle name--OSAMA!, and he's a former? smoker.

Odds at being elected: 5:1

Comments: Dude, smoking gave you that voice--stick with it. And more Def Comedy Jam please...find your peeps!

And of course,

Hillary Clinton

Pros: Bill, first serious woman candidate for president, Bill

Cons: Every single snaggle-toothed redneck will come out to vote against her ensuring a Supreme Court which allows no redress for anyone unless you have a last name of Bush or Reagan, and a generation of control of the White House by two (2) families...

Odds at being elected: 2:1

Comments: May God help us all...

So I hope this helps. Yeah, I know there are some other people running for president but they don't have enough money to justify searching for their pictures. Now that Fred Thompson, he's got gravitas...

2007-06-01T20:42:00.000-07:00

Blue Moon

Full moon tonight. One due at the end of the month too, making it a "Blue Moon." Two full moons in one month: rare because the moon revolves around the Earth every 27 days and...oh, you know. It's rare. I guess like my entries.

Vacation.Was so much fun. My favorite picture, which is currently being withheld from me no doubt for a Father's Day enlargement, is a great shot of the Booglet, in a rare reversal of roles, making her best "funny face" while her daddy justs smiles behind her--absorbed in joy with her and her mother out on the grass flats.

Where we saw...

a....

shark Charcharhinus limbatus, sea turtle Caretta caretta, and lightening welk Busycon contrarium. The Booglet caught a fish, we explored Fort Crooked Tree, and did some body surfing in Shady Pines. I really need to write about the shark encounter. That was a big fish...I realized my excitement about it's size just as Calamity Jane gave my the look and the Booglet simply said, quietly, "Shark?"

Work. Is non-stop. I'm not complaining--just baffled. Where is time and what have all you bastards done with it? How does fifteen minutes here and next thing I do conquer years? My Mom just retired and I remember teaching her Plumbum in college. My neice, who I put to sleep by walking around with her on my shoulder, just graduated from college. My own little Booglet grows bigger. And yet, oddly enough, I remain 13, excited by finding a horned toad Phrynosoma wigginsi on our nature walk.

The garden is starting to come in. I'm especially proud of the blueberry production this year. At least a cup of home-grown blueberries every night for a while now...the Booglet has her hands full trying to drain the bowl I keep full of them. That's food I know is safe...it's grown in the acre kingdom.

2007-05-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

We're Going On Vacation
To play on the beach like this river otter (Lutrinae Mustelidae). And yes, that's the Gulf of Mexico behind him. Surf's up!

2007-03-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Sparkle Girl

At the beach near the house last week.

2007-01-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

OH. MY. GOD.
Just finished reading this. 21,500 more troops? I don't think it will matter. Read it if you have the stomach...

2006-12-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

Perspective

It's a big universe. We just have a skewed perspective. We look down at our feet, worry about the petty pursuits.

Have a happy new year. I'm going to go bounce with the Little One.

2006-12-18T06:07:00.000-08:00

So You Want to be a Rock and Roll Star...

At the Christmas party. Performing this song by the late great Warren Zevon:

Lawyers, Guns and Money
Well, I went home with the waitress
The way I always do
How was I to know
She was with the Russians, too

I was gambling in Havana
I took a little risk
Send lawyers, guns and money
Dad, get me out of this

I'm the innocent bystander
Somehow I got stuck
Between the rock and the hard place
And I'm down on my luck
And I'm down on my luck
And I'm down on my luck

Now I'm hiding in Honduras
I'm a desperate man
Send lawyers, guns and money
The shit has hit the fan

2006-12-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

Go Gators!

This was at the award ceremony as the Arkansas faithful were filing out to go lick their wounds.

2006-12-12T19:40:00.000-08:00

Travel Day

Off for work--flying high in the sky while Mommy and Booglet sleep quietly. The Little One observes every new present under our big tree (brought to you by Bubba) with the eyes of an IRS auditor. The rain is falling over the bay and the night is still on the porch.

Some thoughts then...

The Omnivoure's Dilemma, I told you guys. It was picked as one of the NYT's best books of 2006.

The Garden of Eden. I wasn't kidding, see Gloria Jahoda's The Other Florida, find it yourself...you won't be disappointed.

The Gators win the SEC! I was there...pictures to come...I promise. Now just to get past those pesky Buckeyes. Funny thing is, U of F and Ohio State are so much alike. Big diploma factories. Tens of thousands of hopefull world changers. Wait till you guys have to clean the poopy diapers of the real world. It's tedious and exhilarating at the same time.

Loons on the bay, calling their funky call as the rain let's off...Chester on the couch next to me waiting for the rain to subside so we can go walking dawgs...maybe Pup...we'll see what the weather does tonight.

So James Baker swoops in with some advice (remember when the 'grown-ups' we're gonna take over in 2000), and no one listens. It's like telling your child to eat her vegetables and her telling you back she doesn't have to...except this is the leader of our country and HIS daddy didn't like brocolli and in two more years this will be someone else's problem and he'll retire to clearing brush and keeping Cindy Sheehan away... Meanwhile back at the bank they're lookin for their $8.6 trillion dollars.

I guess when I'm gone they'll ask the Booglet for the money. That's the reckoning our government is assiduously avoiding talking about.

My prediction Sugarbear...in twenty years a Bush supporter will be as hard to find as a warbler, or a Nixon supporter, or a manatee (don't worry, we'll go see them before they're killed off entirely by boaters rushing off to catch the sunset). But the US government will still be asking you for money. Your Daddy isn't politically connected. It will cost you one day. Still, you wouldn't want Daddy dealing with those people anyway...they're yucky.

But meanwhile, while we're all still here...Daddy's gotta put together the trampoline Santa brought. And for Mommy, Santa has a special package...

2006-11-27T07:27:00.000-08:00

Camping

We went to the Garden of Eden. The Booglet brought her guitar so she could be in the band.

I just love this picture.

2006-10-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Good Bear Day

It's one of Zack's favorite holidays...

2006-10-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Santa

I've been good. Fairly good. Okay, I haven't been bad, or too bad. Do you think you could see your way to putting one of these in your sleigh? 12", UHTC, GPS...

In other news:

The trial is over, resulting in a small Plaintiff's verdict. Still, for those of you keeping count at home, that's three trials this year, three plaintiff's verdicts...are you listening Santa?

Calamity Jane starts having a weekend day off next week...now we can have normal family days off together. The Booglet gets bored with just Daddy around all day Saturday and Sunday.

Looks like there may be some changes in the next few weeks with our Guvmet...meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

I need to get that picture up I took of the hawk sitting in the back yard the other day.

Took the family out on my boss's yacht two weeks--that was fairly sweet. I'll see if I can't dig up those pictures too.

2006-09-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

Oh Yeah? Where have YOU Been?

7 Figure verdict, thank you.

The Booglet had her third birthday...

She said to me the other day, "Daddy, I'm growing up." Is it possible to be incredibly happy and sad at the same time? I guess that's what's called bittersweet.

These guys are back...

Zack got married. Guess who was the flower girl...

I have another trial starting October 9th, so this may be the last post a while, depending on circumstances. I quietly zoomed past the one year anniversary of this little project. My Sugar Bear, this was started as an attempt to put into words the joy you have brought. I can't promise too much more. There's just too much going on to devote time to navel gazing. You and I can discuss this on our trips to the beach if you want. Anyway, I'll try to update if I have something to say.

Three books I should quickly recommend:

1) Salt, A World History, Mark Kurlansky
2) The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan
3) The Omnivoure's Dilemma, Michael Pollan

I got to meet John Edwards, saw Steely Dan, and just got in my new solar telescope.

And I keep running after this one....

2006-08-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

Waiting

The evidence has been entered and arguments made. I need sleep. Waiting now, for the verdict. Hold on Sugar Bear, Daddy will be home tomorrow for the big weekend.

2006-08-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

Stormy
I got home too late tonight to put you to bed. Like your Mommy said, I was helping the animals. But I saw the storm. What may have caused you to turn and sigh through your little girl sheets I watched unfold from the porch. The rain, at first threatening, then as it settled in, welcome, rained down on our little hamlet, caught in Nature's paparazzi, lightening, and came down.

I've been so busy--not too busy for you I'd like to think but you may disagree. You see my Sugarbear--I'm caught between the rain and the lightening--and the rain falls down. On sinners and saved alike.

I know you missed Mommy and Daddy when we went to our "meeting." You are getting so big. You question why Daddy isn't wearing his "play clothes," and sometimes I question it too. Just know now that Mommy & Daddy's big trip included seeing Steely Dan and doing things mommies and daddies do (You'll understand hopefully one day when you find your special someone--who likes Steely Dan.)

And understand Daddy is with you every step of the way--even when the way is unclear.

So the storm subsides. But everyone is still scared. Let's you and me ride the ferris wheel again, this time in the orange seats. Let's fly up like a bird, and drop on the big wheel but you're not afraid. Let's soar and drop--watching the clouds form that separate between the rain and the lightening.

And know I'll keep walking beside you, until you -- I can't even think to say it--don't even need me...I'll love you still.

2006-07-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

Passion of the Iraqis?

Is it just me or does Mel Gibson look like Saddam Hussein?

2006-07-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

Travel Day

South Florida, paradise lost. My birthplace has become overpopulated, destroying the very beauty people came here for in the first place. West Palm Beach's water tastes like dirt.

Oh my little one, Daddy misses being home but will kiss you goodnight tonight assuming there are no major malfunctions on the way home. Daddy's been busy and hasn't been able to do much writing--at least not writing about you and me and Mommy and Chester.

I have been writing quite a bit for an appeal which got sent off yesterday. If it gets reported in the Southern Reporter, your Daddy will achieve an immortality second only to seeing you walk around. I'll be in the books and remembered until people stop looking at them (which could be a while). You'll be able to Google Daddy and see that case. Heady stuff I know but not nearly as much fun as taking the Puppy down to the beach is it?

Here's something I've noticed Little One; there are a lot of children out there. Maybe I'm just seeing them now because of you. There are a lot of parents out there too that are carrying on like they're not parents. Your Mother and I are older and the more I see, the more I think that's a good thing. We had our wild times and had pretty much settled down when you arrived. This is not to say that we can't still have fun (see you in Tampa Calamity!) but we're not going to be dragging you out to tag along on our ill conceived adventures. You won't be (as I saw in Atlanta Hartsfield International) sitting outside the smoke filled smoking lounge waiting on your mother to finish her Marlboro. Seeing that cast a pall on my evening--I can't stand to see innocence bruised and battered. I can't stand to see the small Lebanese children face down in the dirt either. It breaks my heart. Children paying for the sins of adults. Where are the adults these days?

Anyway, the middle part of this year was relatively calm but it appears the last half will be more hectic. Trials abound and, even though they may get resolved once the courthouse steps are looming as this last one did, they take up an awful lot of time. I hope you forgive your daddy and know he works hard because he is so happy with you and your Mother and he doesn't want to ever jeopardize that arrangement. You see my little Sugary Bear, life is a struggle. You didn't hit the "sperm lottery" as Warren Buffet calls it--but it could have been worse. You are insulated now and your mother and I work hard to provide the cocoon for you where you can be a child. We enjoy doing it. It's all we can do--care for you until you're ready to leave us. And hopefully one day you'll look back and say it was a fun childhood.

At the very least, we just want to make sure you don't incur any therapy bills in your future... I think you'll figure it out okay. I'll be around if you have any questions.

See you tonight.

2006-07-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

More Words

[As I'm telling the story of "The Three Little Pigs" to the Booglet, her mother announces she's going to walk Chester.]

"Mommy, are you sure you won't get stuck?"

Calamity, "Stuck sugarbear?"

Booglet, "Because it's dark."

Mommy and the hound leave and the Booglet and I curl up in the bed facing each other. Same eyes, one set bright and clear, the other strained from a day of depositions. Still, this is the happiest I could imagine.

"Once upon a time there were three little pigs..."

2006-07-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 9, 2006

"Daddy."

"Yes Sweetheart."

"My balloon's stuck in the sky."

Oh how I love those one liners.

2006-06-28T06:31:00.000-07:00

Flag Burning

For those of you who don't keep up with politics (or, unlike me have cable TV so are distracted with other inane pursuits), the Senate of the United States narrowly defeated a measure to amend the Constitution to prohibit flag burning.

The flag is a symbol. It stands for the freedom to express views which, although repugnant to others, are nonetheless tolerated in our ostensibly open society where all peaceful views are welcome. The symbol should never become more important than the ideal.

Orin Hatch (R-Utah) spoke yesterday and said there was nothing more important for the Senate to be doing at this time.

Blink.

Are you kidding me Orin? Let me just tick off a few.

War, global warming, oil addiction, zero savings rate, trade imbalance, Iran and North Korea with nuclear arms. Any of those ring a bell?

How do these yahoos stay in power?

Discuss.....

2006-06-26T06:34:00.000-07:00

View From The Porch

(Saturday night, June 24)

I hear the bombing on the air force base across the bay and it reminds me of my dream.

It's quiet in the country tonight after a much-needed thunderstorm. Even now in the distance I see the flashes of lightening--the promise of more rain--for sinners and saved alike.

My dream? It was a helicopter, but big. Really big. Scary big. Doing flips. Flying more recklessly than I've ever seen a helicopter ever fly. Coming too close to the ground and thundering as it went--like some misguided Jabberwocky. It disturbed me to dreamily watch it. I wondered who could so recklessly fly such a machine. But it didn't appear to be piloted by a person. At least not anyone I would want to meet.

2006-06-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

Can't Write....Must Work

Another trial heating up so posts are rarer than a rainbow flag at a Southern Baptist Convention. A thought which I can leave you with: we are breeding a smarter faster mosquito by slapping the slow stupid ones (if you believe in evolution that is).

Also, the purple martins are gone and the sunflowers are raging.

Also, today is the summer solstice--the longest day of the year.

2006-06-16T06:28:00.000-07:00

Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms

Made it home last night just in time to put on the trunks and go down to the water with the Booglet, Calamity and Chester. The Booglet and I waded out into the water as Mommy threw sticks for the hound. The water was cool. The sun was sinking. Mullet were jumping everywhere.

I sat down and the little one sat on me. We rolled back and forth in the small waves generated by the late afternoon sea breeze. She laughed and laughed and everyone had so much fun. So simple are the things we usually enjoy the most. No toys (except sticks for the Pup), no TV, nothing but Mommy and Daddy and the Booglet.

Afterward, we chased each other down the beach. Little squealing mixed with Mommy and Daddy genuinely laughing, full of her contagious mirth. I picked up two new books after a deposition yesterday and we read those. Then, I carried the little warm thirty pound bundle into her little girl bed. Surrounded by her stuffed animals, I kissed her goodnight, smelling the clean baby smell.

2006-06-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

War

War! huh-yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh

War! huh-yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again y'all

Thinking after dropping off the Booglet today--we've been at war all her life. And she doesn't even know it. I wonder if the same could have been said for a child her age during World War II. They made sacrificies back then during times of war.

I'm tired of arguing about it. I want it to end.

2006-06-06T06:23:00.000-07:00

New American Lawn Ornament

I've never seen so many in all my life. Recently, I had a client who was also a real estate broker in my office. She was trying to sell her property which is in an area described as "red hot" by the pundits (for all that's worth). Her comment,

"Nuthin's sellin."

So, as Donald Fagan said:

C'mon snakehips, it's all over now
Strap in tight cause it's a long sweet ride

2006-06-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Activist Judges

Is that just what we call judges who don't do exactly what we want?

2006-05-31T06:33:00.000-07:00

Moral Imagination

I heard an interview with Al Gore last night where he used this term. What does "moral imagination" mean to you?

2006-05-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

Silence

On the way to a BBQ party yesterday afternoon. In Calamity's car I had the radio on. Calamity turns it off:

Calamity: "Let's talk. We never get to just talk." Turning to the Booglet, Honey, do you want to talk?"

Booglet: "Sure. Can I ask you a question?"

Calamity: "Sure sweetheart."

Booglet: "Do you have the Doobie Brothers?"

2006-05-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

Weather Report

"If I heard the Lord right about 2006, the coasts of America will be lashed by storms...there well may be something as bad as a tsunami in the Pacific Northwest."
Pat Robertson

Pat, can you tell me if the weather's gonna be good enough to go fishing tomorrow? Heck, can God tell you if I'm gonna catch some fish? 'Cause, if not, I'll just stay around the house, you know, maybe mow the lawn.

I also love the part about "if I heard the Lord right." Pat, I don't know if you and I worship the same Lord, but mine seems to have no problem with communication. It's not like Moses had to return to the burning bush to clarify any of the Lord's communique...

2006-05-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

My Barometer

Sat in a house (or on a screened-in porch) obediently expanding and contracting. That evening it really contracted, squeezing itself past any previous mark. It wondered as the pressure dropped and dropped whether this would be the end, the cataclysmic Big Crunch, lately thought impossible as the universe appears flat--that is, destined to slowly dissolve like a soap bubble into lonely hydrogen molecules.

So it sat there, squeezing and tightening under the steadily dropping pressure. It was an existential barometer, functioning even though there was no one to witness, following the laws of physics. Outside and all around the winds screamed like hundreds of spectres wailing in distress. As its coils were taunt, the water came. At first it was a small trickle, hardly noticeable. Then it became more insistent, pressing the walls around with its own pressure. Finally the waves came in, relaxing the coils with their relative coolness, freeing the faithful instrument from further witness of destruction.

My barometer floated out and headed for a new home.

2006-05-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

Travel Day

Q. How best is it to depose an engineer?
A. By degrees.

2006-05-17T06:24:00.000-07:00

You Might Be A Redneck If...

Calamity came to me and said, "Honey, why do you have sunflowers growing in the back of your truck?"

I don't know. Because I can?

I also just downloaded some vacation pictures. Here's a sunset shot I got by taking the picture through my polarized sunglasses.

And here is the Booglet getting every ounce out of her slide...

and enjoying the bay.

Oh Sweetheart, we had lots and lots of fun didn't we?

2006-05-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

I'm Back!

And after I get through these 300+ e-mails, I'll post some great pictures of the Booglet and her Mommmy and Daddy.

2006-05-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

Out of Office Reply

I'm out of the office from May 8th until as long as I can possibly stay out. Bear with me: you see, there are some fish that have been talkin' trash and swaggerin' round further south. They must be dealt with--with extreme prejudice. The Booglet and I have some explorin' to do, all sandy-toed under the live oaks and pines.

I'm out of the office, chasing sea turtles, lightning welks and horseshoe crabs. Walking in the early morning squishy cool water's edge with little feet padding behind in toddler time. I'm motoring out to the grass flats, snorkeling in the cool waters, scouting the good scallop beds for when the season opens later this summer.

I'm out of the office sneaking a quick furtive feel off my wife of almost eight years. Remember Calamity that night I came home telling you I had just seen for "miles and miles and miles"?* I had no idea how much further the universe could go. Now I see it's unlimited. You say you found a special spot on the island huh?

I'm out of the office. So, unless your hair is on fire, I'll speak to you later. If your hair is on fire, please e-mail me. I promise like a Republican to turn the Blackberry on one time next week for one (1) hour. I'll try to respond thoughtfully to your question, especially if it's about springtime redfish lures.
-----------------------------
* Pete Townshend

2006-05-04T06:11:00.000-07:00

Dream

Last night I dreamed I was on the shore of a swamp. An elderly couple asked me what a spreading black stain in the water was from. I looked to a boat ramp a few feet away and saw a blob of oil seeping into the water, swirling and beautiful in its terrible way. Looking further into the hardwood swamp I noticed first one, then several deer sitting motionless under the canopy. The oil slick was spreading further and further into the water, curling into fantastic shapes. It was a paisley pattern of petroleum.

That's all I remember. I do recall being helpless and wondering what effect this would have.

I didn't remember this dream until driving to work this morning.

I rarely have dreams I remember. Calamity dreams all the time.

2006-05-03T06:36:00.000-07:00

Soundtrack

Songs we listened to on our way to school this morning:

Without Love, Doobie Brothers

Early to Bed, Morphine.

Bump Thump Thump Bump, down the road in the car.

2006-05-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

6:00 O'clock Monday

Booglet, "Hey Daddy, let's go play cards with Ticklebug."

It's hard to explain to a little one things like work and Monday morning. That's why I always wave at the playroom window when I leave. I can't tell if she's watching or not, I'd just rather never have her watching and me not wave.

2006-04-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

View From The Porch

It's a calm cool (68 degree) evening. Mommy and the Booglet are asleep. The night slips in with a new moon pass. This time next week we'll all be singing Van Morrison's tune, stolen from Alan Watts "Cloud Hidden, Whereabouts Unknown." Excuse me for just a little while--I have some fish to deal with. And a little girl.

Sweetheart, I write this for you, knowing that you may read it far in the future. So know this about our wild adventure--your Mother and I used to roam Cape San Blas with little on either. We used to both romp around naked, playing in the surf. Now we need to show you the grassflats, the oysters, the majesty of nature...

Sugary Bear, there are other forces at work--forces we don't understand or appreciate--but none of them will stand in the way of our time together. Time for me to look in your clear brown eyes and say, "let's go play."

That is the greatest gift of all: that time you give me. It's all I could have ever wanted. It's more than I deserve.

2006-04-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Cost of War in Iraq

This makes me sick. I think of the schools that could be built, the teachers that could be paid, the interest that could be spared.

And this is just the monetary cost of this war.

2006-04-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Musings

* The more I think about it, I would rather fight the "terrorists" here than across the globe.

* Finally some rain here. My squash, cucumbers and sunflowers will make it yet.

* Driving to pick up mexican dinner Monday night, I went through a hollow. Everywhere were fire flies, like swampy Will-O-Wisps. Nature just knocks me out.

* Just two more weeks before our special adventure.

* Booglet back in school today for the first time in two weeks. We bumped thumped to school listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival...

2006-04-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

Nature's Swim Lessons

My job sometimes wears on me. The things I'm asked to do for people--the trust given. It can be overwhelming at times--everyone in need of something. Lawyers have become the priests of the 21st century. People come to us to confess and to find relief. Sometimes it seems like too much.

And then there are days....like yesterday.

I get a call from a defense attorney for a railroad company. The railroad company is replacing a bridge over a local bayou. I'm on (yet another) board--an environmental group founded by R. Kennedy Jr. We don't like the fact that the company is proposing to leave the 40 year old creosote pilings in the mud. The company ignores our letters so...we...file...a...(wait for it)...lawsuit. Now I have the Short Line Railroad's attorney calling me. Apparently our request for subpoenas from DEP has stirred someone.

"We will remove the pilings." He says. I'm e-mailing our proposed agreement.

The Short Line is agreeing to remove all the pilings, even the ones from previous bridges possibly going back as far as the 1880s. This is a huge win.

And so I drive home feeling like I've affected the world in a positive way today. As I'm pulling in, I see the Booglet and her Mother heading toward the bay. The Booglet turns to me and waves--even through the car I hear her squeal, "Daddy!" It's the best sound in the world. It's why I like spitting at big companies trying to cut corners with the public's inheritance. She's picking (and eating) blackberries on her way to the bay. It's good to see her back to normal.

I promise to return in my new red swim suit Mommy got. Promises to little girls are never to be broken. Not by me sweetheart--not today.

We're down at the bay. The south wind is sending easy rollers in as we splash out "deep." We spin around in the water, the little one is laughing, I'm smiling, Mommy's watching (regretting she doesn't have the camera). Don't worry my sweet Calamity Jane--you and I saw her laughing as the last red rays filtered through the pines. We'll remember her laugh, her skinny legs kicking and splashing.

The Booglet gets braver and braver in the water, kneeling till her body is submerged up to her neck in the bay.

I look at her. It's the moment of truth.

"Let's go underwater," I say.

"You go first." She replies. So I do. It's still a little cool but the air is warm. I slip my head beneath the waves.

She's watching when I surface.

"Now you go."

"No you go again," she's smiling. So I do it again, pinching my nose closed and laying back, letting the cool bay wash over me. I surface. She's still watching.

And the rogue wave hits. I'm two feet from her, a former lifeguard, and I watch her lose her balance and slip under. I reach out and grab her, pulling her back up. She's scared and exhilarated. I choose the latter.

"You did it! You went under!" She's looking at me, her eyes wide with fear. But there's something else there too--something wonderful. She didn't want to do it--she wasn't going to go under. But nature, in its own unique way, threw her into the mix.

I look straight into her big brown eyes, "When you go under," I said, "close your eyes and hold your nose." I'm smiling at her wet face, wiping the droplets from her eyes. I'm very close to her, "I'm so proud of you."

Later, after dinner, I think it's good advice for myself, or for anyone who gets overwhelmed by the daily dunkings.

When you go under, close your eyes and hold your nose.

And you'll be fine. You can do it. I'm so proud of you.

2006-04-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Musings

After all my preparations, my trial date was lost. I now have two days (count them) with nothing on my calendar. Nature abhors a vacuum, so I'm sure something will come up.

What came up, literally, last week was everything my little Booglet ate or drank. She was so sick we didn't get to wear our Easter dress, or look for eggs, or play. Like The Cat and the Hat, all we could do was sit sit sit sit, and we did not like it, not one little bit. It got so bad that eventually on Easter Sunday there we were, sitting in the hospital emergency room. I held her and she just sat there listlessly. And while holding my little one, surrounded by the din of hospital speakers and watching the walking wounded of the waiting room I thought about this saying, "God so loved the world that he gave his only son."

Easter Sunday, when the Christian world celebrates the resurrection, and I'm sitting here with this warm little girl in my lap, wrapping my arms around her, smelling her hair and trying to keep her engaged by commenting on the various little children sitting around us. And I think:

There's no way in the world I could give this child up.

When Isaac asks his innocent child question of Abraham, "where's the lamb for the offering?" and Abraham says God will provide, his faith has outstripped mine. My little one looks up at me and says "Daddy, I don't feel very good" or, after throwing up again says, "I'm sorry," and I realize there is no way in hell I could part with this child. I realize that I would move mountains to protect her, that I would hold her as long as she is sick, comfort her as long as I have breath, and God help anyone who got in my way. In just over two years, this little one has yanked my heart out and taken it over. I am a willing conspirator–she can have it as long as she stays around.

Christians view the crucifixion, with Christ's last words literally being "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 as God offering up his child as the sacrificial lamb for all his creation. That's a love I can't get my head around. That's a mystery I can't fathom.

And it illustrates to me on a whole other level the passion. My Easter was different this year, but it was profound.

The Booglet got a IV (no crying about the needle) and slept through the next hour while her mother held her. Our whole little family there in a room, huddled around this 30 pound beautiful creature that neither her mother or I dreamed could ever make us so happy. We left and drove home, exhaling finally and knowing the worst was over. Our little child was re-hydrated and Mommy and Daddy put her to bed. Everyone slept late the next morning, including Chester.

When I got home last night she was hopping around so the worst is over. She's starting to eat again and we went for a hike along the bay late yesterday afternoon. She's asking about Saturday's swim lessons and we're getting back to normal.

2006-04-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Taxman

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat,
If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.

And you’re working for no one but me,
Taxman.

The Beatles

Oh well, at least I'm helping spread democracy...

2006-04-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

It's Funny...and Scary

2006-04-12T06:04:00.000-07:00

Spring in badosworld

The acre kingdom is bouncing back to life after a winter's slumber.

Wisteria. I planted this about two years ago. It's an exotic (not native to the Sunshine State) but I enjoy the flowers so much I can't resist.

Iris. These were planted by Calamity and I shortly after we built the house. They come up every year to remind us spring is here.

Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea . It's the best shot I could get of this little guy. After a strong front, usually you'll see a number of neo-tropicals like this one, riding the weather to parts north. He reminds me that the hummingbirds are on their way too so I juiced up the feeders and am waiting.

Booglet, Boogleta maxima, enjoying the yard and suffering Daddy's camera.

On a more somber note, I have another trial coming up in two weeks and will not be able to do much with this site. I'll try to post what I can and certainly be back on the other side...for now, I hope everyone has their gardens planted and is enjoying the nice weather.

2006-04-07T20:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes You're The Window Shield, Sometimes You're The Bug
Booglet sick today, with long recovery estimated for the weekend. Told Zack I'd have to brave the video store to get some movies. So I wander around for a few minutes before seeing a lull in the checkout line.

"Hi. I need to get a few movies. I can't find them. I'd like a few."

Video Girl, looking amused, "What movies do you need?"

"A couple of Disney films. Beauty and the Beast (Belle is on her pull-ups) and, do you have Jungle Book?"

Video Girl. "We have Jungle Book II."

Blink. "They made a sequel?"

Video Girl, smiling, offering no information.

"What about Nemo?" I add hopefully. We went to see that on ice.

Video Girl, "Okay." Asks someone to get these two movies I'll be watching on the couch tomorrow if she's still too sick to do swim lessons (she is) or the big party.

Video Girl, arranging the 2 CD's, "What's your card number?"

I don't know, my wife rents movies... "Can I just buy these?"

Video Girl looking at the computer, "Can't sell you The Beauty and the Beast, we only have one copy. Do you have a card?"

I don't. I got ten plus cards on me--none of them a Video Store card. I bet Calamity Jane has one...

"Aren't you guys nationwide?"

"Yes!" Say Video Girl proudly.

"So, can't you find my wife's card number somewhere? Can I buy the other movie?"

Ignoring me, "Do you know the store?"

I'm lost in these transactions.

"Near the Walmart," I volunteer (of course--so is this store). "On 98..." I add hopefully. "Listen, my daughter is sick and needs movies tomorrow while her 30 pound body works out a stomach virus."

She looks at me. I'm wearing a tie because I had a hearing today. Now I realize I'm way out of place.

"Let me call." She picks up the phone.

Oh please, let all the computers hook up. I wait.

Girl Video Store operator, "Okay."

"That's it?"

"Yep, these are good for one week. Hope your daughter gets better."

"Thanks."

2006-04-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

Why My Head Hurts

"Let me just say something about leaks in Washington. There are too many leaks of classified information in Washington. There's leaks at the executive branch; there's leaks in the legislative branch. There's just too many leaks. And if there is a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. And if the person has violated law, the person will be taken care of."
President George W. Bush, September 30, 2003

2006-04-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

Yoga Anyone?

Look at the language circled in red--years of practice huh?

Or maybe just a few beers...

Mad props to Calamity Jane for sending me these pictures. Thanks honey.

2006-04-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

Caption This...

2006-04-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

Driving With Daddy

Tunes we listened to on the way to school today.

Down on the Corner--Creedence Clearwater Revival
Fortunate Son--Creedence Clearwater Revival

and of course the old standbys--Boogieman and Just Got Lucky.

Groovy baby...

2006-04-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

Go Gators!

2006-04-03T06:36:00.000-07:00

Books

Books in the stand next to my bed. Most read, and waiting for relocation to the study shelves. Some just waiting...

Glider Basics, Thomas L. Knauff
How to Start and Build a Law Practice, Jay Foonberg
Hen's Teeth and Horses Toes, Jay Gould
Hugs for Dad, John William Smith
I Married a Communist, Phillip Roth
Straight from the Heart for Couples, Richard Exley
A Lay Minister's Guide to the Book of Common Prayer, Clifford W. Atkinson
The Gnostic Gospels, Elaine Pagels
Truman, David McCullough
Chronicles, Bob Dylan
Gliding Safety, Derek Piggott
Holy Blood, Holy Grail, Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln
[These, by the way, are the authors, and the book they wrote, who are suing Dan Brown for writing The DaVinci Code]
The First American, the Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin, H.W. Brands
Mostly Harmless, Douglas Adams
Seek My Face, John Updike
Behind the Oval Office, Dick Morris
The Divine Comedy, Dante
Harper Study Bible, Revised Standard Version
The Cosmic Landscape, String Theory and the Illusion of Intelligent Design, Leonard Susskind
1776, David McCullough

Plus the last 4 months' of National Geographic and this month's Astronomy magazine...

2006-04-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

Of Fighting, Writing, and Wondering Where We're Heading

Long day of fun and chores with the little one. Now watching an excellent heavyweight fight at Bobalouie's. Lamond Brewster v. Serge Lahovitch. Lahovitch wins after twelve rounds in a unanimous decision. And Bobalouie den time assures some writing time.

Picked up the camper today, fresh from sprucing up and retuning. We got this because I took Bubba to pick it up basically. It was in pretty bad shape when I retrieved it; I had to fix a flat just to haul it off. But, after some repairs, I gotta say, it looks ready to go.

Here's the closet picture I could find--not ours. Ours still could use some cleaning on the outside but everything functions now like when it was rolled off the assembly line...

I'm lookin' to pile into this after a long day of killin' trout. I want to hear the waves crashing on the Gulf while feeling the salty breeze. The Booglet just likes playing house in it. This will be her first camping trip. To think her mother and I used to canoe out with all our food and water, and not see anyone but shrimpers for days so long ago. More people, less room to stretch out. When I was a kid, I used to wonder when I heard there would be six billion peopple in the world (now 6.5-6.5 depending on who you believe):

Where will they put all of them?

Now I know.

Everywhere.

By the way, anyone want to interpret this graph?

Are they saying world population growth is going to suddenly start declining? I haven't seen anything in my lifetime to support this. Is someone at the
U.S. Census Bureau not telling us something?

Still I'm excited. I forget sometimes she's only two. Oh Little One, I hope one day to show you so much--wait till you see the sharks and seaturtles on the grass flats, when we watch the horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus, burrowing into the sand, when we eat the fishes Daddy caught that day. It's all coming soon and it's just the beginning.

I had to go to a mall today. Oh man, nothing depresses me more than going to the mall. People spending money they don't have for things they don't need. And everywhere the lure of sex. Young models' pictures pushing, what? Cellphones? Bath oils? Jeans? I can hardly tell anymore.

Oh no! I've become that dude...I'm working on crochety.

But seriously, Got gas today (for Bubba and the shuttle) $2.69 per gallon. Uh, how are the people still driving these BUSH/CHENEY 2004 SUV's paying for their gas? Oh wait, I forgot.

The tax cuts.

Silly Daddy.

2006-03-31T06:02:00.000-08:00

WWJD?*
I’m going to talk about religion. If that bothers you, tune in tomorrow and there will be something different.

I started thinking about this a week ago when my Dad asked why so many people who feel they are religious are turned off by “in your face” preachers like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, James Dobson and others. I thought awhile and it became clear, to me at least, why that is.

The appeal of Jesus was his charisma. People followed him because they loved him, wanted to be near him, wanted whatever it was he had. They didn’t follow him to be successful in life or to avoid purgatory. In fact, I don’t think you’ll find Jesus talking about Hell in the New Testament, even though he has his encounter with the devil. He does speak of loving your neighbor. He heals the sick and drives out demons and generally hangs out with “sinners and tax collectors.” But he never threatens to do things his way or else put on your best asbestos suit and get ready for the mother of all barbeques.

In Matthew, Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” 7:13-14 Still, here there is no screaming, threatening and bloviating on the dangers of eternal damnation in the fiery pits of Hell. There’s just an observation—hey, you want some of this? Follow my Father’s commandments and walk in life. Turn away from him and there is only destruction. Your choice baby…your choice.

If the early Christians were led by someone like Pat Robertson, the movement would have died an obscure Jewish cult. It would be long forgotten today. People wanted to follow Jesus, not out of fear but out of love. Pat Robertson frankly gives me the creeps—I wouldn’t want my child anywhere near the man who, on national television, advocated killing the duly elected President of Venezuela. Can you imagine Robertson's Sermon on the Mount?

I go to church almost every Sunday. The Booglet has been going since she was toted about in a carrier. She gets to visit with her cousins, go to children’s chapel, and have lemonade and cookies after the service. About once a month, I take the Eucharist out to nursing homes, read the Old Testament lessons and say prayers with people who are frail in body but strong in spirit.

In short, religion to me is more than a ticket to some fantastic condo in the sky, or insurance that I get sucked up in the rapture while the rest of the world wallows in pain and suffering. To me, it’s the environment I’ve grown up in—the men in my church I saw as a child lead by example. They worked hard, they supported their families and were respected in the community. They’re happy, not continuously fearful of what others are or aren’t doing.

In other words, it’s not like accumulating SkyMiles for my reward and looking down on others who aren’t yet Platinum Medallion members—it’s a quiet haven where I know my daughter can roam freely and she’ll be safe and among people who, while not perfect, are striving to walk through the narrow gate.

And I guess I’m distressed that this concept, to love your neighbor as you love yourself (and let’s face it—that’s a lot) has been so twisted that now all that comes through for many is do it this way or face the wrath of my God—and by the way, my God can kick your god’s butt! Love replaced by fear, joy replaced by guilt, peace replaced by shrillness. I don’t think that’s what God intended. I firmly believe he would, as any parent, want us to have fun while we walk through this life.

In short, I think he’s a loving, gentle Father, not a hard disciplinarian.

Couple that with the rise of political power and the attempts to impose what is someone else’s version of God’s will through a secular framework, and it’s even more distressing.

Okay, I’m done now.
______________________
* What Would Jemison Do?

2006-03-30T14:25:00.000-08:00

Family Values

I love it. Hey, I'm no angel but I don't tell people to f-off with the eucharistic wafer still stuck in my teeth.

What would Jesus do?

I'll write about that tonight if I can keep me eyes open long enough...

By the way folks, that's Justice Antonin Scalia--arguably the most conservative Supreme Court Justice of our generation. Let's put it this way--he hunts with Dick Cheney (and lives to tell about it).

Torture? You bet. Abortion? No way! Government spying? Ab-so-freakin-lutely.

2006-03-29T06:25:00.000-08:00

Chester Farms

My dog Chester, being the international entrepreneur he is, decided in 1999 to launch a wine bearing his name. He of course enlisted me to pick the blackberries, (it takes five pounds to make one gallon of wine), mix the berries, rack the wine, bottle the wine, and do all the clean up. He lended his name and "special ingredients." Because he's such a damn fine good one, I agreed.

So, all of these

eventually, after the Champagne yeast is done eating the sugar and excreting the alcohol, become this...

And, the first person who replies with an address (P.O. Box is fine--I'm not stalking anyone) can get a bottle of Chester Farms, Wildberry III wine sent to them. You'll thank the good pup.

2006-03-28T06:25:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Morning

And I stand with my face uplifted, eyes closed, letting the sun beat down on me, warming me with the photons departed from its surface some eight and one half minutes ago.

Then off to school with the Booglet, singing I'm your Boogie Man and Joe Jackson's Just Got Lucky.

2006-03-27T09:30:00.000-08:00

Sweetheart, Stay in Your Chair...

Given her proclivity, I wouldn't be suprised if this were the Booglet in fifteen years.

2006-03-24T19:20:00.000-08:00

Friday Night

This afternoon was beautiful. Sharp blue with a brisk northwestern wind. I was out on the beach but stuck inside a conference room. Still, walked out during lunch and spied the emerald waters, clear as a bell. Ahh spring, bring it on baby. The Booglet is eyein' her blow up pool and starting to get antsy to stick her toes in the water along the bay. I'm with ya sweetheart...and yes, this summer we'll go deep.

Interesting conference--but even better I got out at four pm and, instead of fighting traffic to get back into town for thirty minutes of face time at the office, I cruised leisurely home just in time to catch the afternoon nature walk. Down to the beach, through the woods, down the red road (that's right, some of our neighborhood roads aren't even paved). And then came Mommy.

Dinner, play time, tickle bug, tubby time (with Mr. Bubble), then Olivia, Good Night Gorilla, and Africa before off to bed. Sleep tight little one, tomorrow is swim lessons....

So beautiful, days like today. As the afternoon lengthened, and the red sun rays crept up the pines on the still little acre, I sat on the porch, looking over the garden, hearing the little one giggling while swinging and sliding down her slide, and thought,

How cool is this?

The world may have to stop tonight and tomorrow. I'm busy with a little girl and her mother.

2006-03-24T06:39:00.000-08:00

Just This Quick Note

And then I have to run to an all day conference. I think it is absolutely precious that the Booglet calls McDonalds "Old McDonald's." It's just that sort of innocent viewpoint that she brings that warms my spirit.

Last week, when Calamity was working late one night, we went to a Chik-Fil-A restaurant. Normally, when I'm alone at a fast food restaurant, it strikes me as rather sad. Impersonal decor, cheap food, etc. Still, the Booglet had such a good time watching the other boys and girls playing on the slide and, after she was done with her nuggets, sliding herself, that the whole experience became something wonderful.

I love being the Daddy...

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Perhaps I can catch up on musings at Bobalouie's this weekend after swim lessons.

2006-03-22T07:10:00.000-08:00

Flying High

Last Saturday I took my father out to a local airfield and he got to fly in this plane, a Texan TA-6, also known as the SNJ. It was used as the primary trainer for naval aviators for years and years following WWII. My father went to school as a young boy on the navy base and walked past these trainers every day. He never thought he'd get to fly in one and I really think he enjoyed himself.

His pilot was a genial former fighter jock who left the Marines after ejecting at low altitude from an A-4. The two of them flew along the coastline and did some acrobatics.

As we were leaving the airfield, I apologized to my Dad for the cramped space in the back seat because of the babyseat. I said I would be happy to get that thing out of the car eventually. He said, "don't rush it. Next thing you'll know she'll be forty years old and taking you riding in an airplane. You'll wonder where the time went and how come you didn't do so many things..." That's close to an exact quote. It was tinged with sadness and even now it's hard for me to remember the tone of his voice, as if he had regrets for things we as father and son didn't do.

Don't worry Dad, you have always been my hero. You have always been a giant to me. There will be no regrets from me as long as we are both still here. And there is still time to do things, the only difference now is I get the bait, gas up the boat and make sure there's lunch in the cooler these days and you just come out and hop in...

I don't mind. It's the least I can do for my father. And who knows? Maybe next time you'll do the loop. Maybe next time we'll land that monster redfish or trout. It doesn't really matter--just like my little one, I'm happy just being with you regardless of what the activity is.

2006-03-21T06:06:00.000-08:00

Springtime is Back

And everywhere are the pale purple-white flowers signalling where the blackberries are going to sprout up.

Did I mention I make wine from blackberries? Chester Farms...world famous. Chester adds his "special ingredient," I think that's what makes it good. Chester thinks so too...

Used to be, before the Booglet, I could go out on a Saturday walking the Pup and picking blackberries. Now I may have to settle for picking a few and buying the rest. Oh well, always there are trade-offs.

2006-03-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

What Will We Do?

This weekend? Well, Daddy and Mommy know where a carnival with a merry go round is! And we have to plant our little sprouts in the garden so they can start growing and take a nature hike and play "I'm your Boggie man" on our way to church. What else? Did I forget something? Oh yeah, Saturday morning swim lessons!

Have you been getting used to your goggles?

Oh yeah, I forgot.

Silly ole bear.

2006-03-16T05:48:00.000-08:00

Travel Day

I'll check in this evening if the wireless network here in ATL stays up. Meanwhile, leave me a note with the most interesting news story I'll miss today.

UPDATE (8pm back in ATL)

One more flight my little one and Daddy will be there when you wake up. Hey, you know what Daddy likes? Deponents who lie but don't realize Daddy knows it. You know what I don't like? Having to take a depo with a translater. Good Lord! It takes forever!

You know what Daddy really likes? Sky miles upgrades to 1st Class.

Sleep tight sweetheart. I'll see you in the morning...

2006-03-15T06:31:00.000-08:00

Everything I need to know

..about human nature I learned from my 2 year old. We think we're different but we're not. From the mightiest politician to the person cutting you off in traffic. We're all little children inside. We may not cry when we don't get our way but I've seen grown-ups throw temper tantrums.

With 2 year olds, at least I learned from the various magazines Calamity puts by my nightstand, their emotional restraints aren't fully developed. Any variation from how they've expected reality to be can set off emotions so raw they surprise everyone, including themselves. We're no different--we want our way. Or else.

We have elaborate societal structures put in place presumably to allow us all to live alongside each other in relative harmony. Yet daily I see conflict and strife. Someone didn't get their way and, instead of taking it like a man/woman/adult, they go running to the police/courts/media.

Everyone's the victim: no one's to blame. We have somehow been lulled into a sense of entitlement; bred to believe our profligate ways are our birthright. Trent Lott, former majority leader in the Senate, and well-known foe of trial lawyers, was quick to "lawyer up" when he realized his hurricane insurance policy wasn't gonna cover the loss of his beachside manor along the Mississippi Gulf Coast because there's a rising water exclusion. He isn't getting his way and he's mad mad mad.

Even our President, a failed businessman and no lover of lawyers either, assembled a small army of them to go to Florida in 2000 to make sure he got his way. Now, like a child caught red-handed, he can't reconcile reality with his inner 2 year old. He hasn't done anything wrong. Just keep doing things his way and the good times will continue.

Bernie Ebbers, Ken Lay, Scooter Libby. The list goes on and on.

God Almighty! Give me strength to endure this world of ill-begotten children. And keep my eyes open for those adults out there who will keep their heads up even in adversity, who will do what's right even if it doesn't further their own agenda, who will tell the truth and who will look upon others with wisdom and compassion.

2006-03-14T06:39:00.000-08:00

Glory Days

Calamity found this picture of me and the Arkansian Surfer. I showed it to the Booglet (who now wants to be a lifeguard). I miss Kevon. May he rest in Peace.

I've been meek,
And hard like an oak,
I've seen pretty people disappear like smoke,
Friends will arrive,
Friends will disappear,
If you want me, honey baby I'll be here...
Bob Dylan

2006-03-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

Monday Morning Musings

Outside all weekend and the Booglet and I both got some sun. Tilling the garden again and mixing in the magic potion--mushroom compost. Bubba hauled a load for us and we mixed it up. Sunflowers planted and peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons and squash are sprouting up in their trays for next week's transfer to the garden.

Quick (without looking) what color are the President's eyes?* I thought about this several days ago, guessing that blue eyes are probably more prominently represented in our past presidents. This has been hard to confirm though (the search has taken a lot longer than I thought). Still, it appears that blue eye color is strongly represented in our past presidents (around 33%) as are, oddly enough, gray eyes. (James K. Polk–cold gray eyes; Franklin Pierce–penetrating gray eyes; Abraham Lincoln–gray eyes; Grover Cleveland–gray eyes; John F. Kennedy–cool gray eyes). So who's gonna be the next President? I dunno--but I bet he'll (she'll?) have blue eyes. By the way, although there are some gaps in my record of presidential eye color, the only president listed as having brown (not hazel) eyes? Richard M. Nixon.

Eyes. They're really just extensions of our brains. People don't say look into a person's mouth and see their soul, or ear, or even more private parts. It's the eyes that are called the windows to the soul. People's eyes are given characteristics, playful, dancing, sparkling, etc.

And no, I don't know why I think these things...
_____________
*Answer: Blue

UPDATE: the percentage of blue-eyed presidents is even higher than I thought, 46.5% after I discovered every president since Nixon has had blue eyes...

2006-03-10T07:59:00.000-08:00

Words to Live By

"Look at me,
look at me,
look at me now.
It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how."
Dr. Seuss
Hope everyone has a good weekend.

2006-03-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

Astronomy 101

So I get home the other night and the first thing out of the Booglet's mouth is, "Daddy, how come we can see the moon during the daytime?"

Oh Sweetheart! You sure know how to make your daddy happy!

So I get a globe, a flashlight, and her play tomato to demonstrate how the moon revolves around the Earth and the Earth revolves around the sun. She played the moon, turning the tomato/satellite around the globe. Later we looked through her astronomy book and she named the planets...then counted them in Spanish.

This weekend, if it's clear, we'll break out Daddy's big telescope, okay?

Okay.

Wait till Daddy shows you the galaxy cluster in Virgo.

2006-03-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

My Travels

Saw this and thought I'd try. Here's the result...

Now that I see the map this way, I really need to go to New Mexico and Maine. Oregon would probably be cool too.

2006-03-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

I Remember 1984

So this picture is shocking and saddening to see. When exactly did Eddie Van Halen become a sea hag?

2006-03-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

Caption This

2006-03-06T06:16:00.000-08:00

View from the Porch

Sunday afternoon, the Booglet sleeping in her bed snuggling with her favorite blankie. A southeast wind is blowing and the sun is cooking things up to a gourmet 68 degrees.

[Lord of the wasps, I killed four of your people. I know, I know. Hey! No…no...no, remember me last time telling you to stay off the porch? No, don’t give me that instinct crap, your subjects know exactly what they’re doing. What do you mean double standard? Oh, the carpenter bee. Well, he just hovers and buzzes. I have never been stung by a carpenter bee. I have been stung by one of your subjects. No, I don’t think it was an accident. Well listen, I don’t want things to get any nastier okay? You’ve been warned. Further construction or even suspicious loitering will be considered a capital offense.]

Seriously, the weather is a foretaste of spring today. I’m getting in some much needed porch time before leaving again tomorrow for another three days. The bay is stirring with the scrubbing of a fresh wind, not to white caps but moving with a purpose. The mourning doves are acting like a cheap x-rated movie so I guess there will be a good crop in a few more weeks. Stupid birds they are, but good food for the traveling raptors. Even now the osprey are patrolling the shoreline, surfing the breeze like airborne sentries. Good thing for you guys they just like fish.

Chester lifts his head occasionally from his nap to growl at imaginary monsters. The purple martins gurgle their unique sounds while ferrying bits of material to furnish the tiny condos we set up. The sun beams down on us all and the little seeds Daddy and the Booglet planted in their trays yesterday are stirring to sprouthood. Later we’ll put them in the garden, tilled now like an earthen blanket waiting to nurture our summer vegetables, and watch them grow. You watch them my dear little one, and I’ll be watching you as you grow. It’s become my favorite thing to do—besides tickle bug of course…

2006-03-02T06:34:00.000-08:00

Tubby Time

Daddy's got to go on a quick trip. But don't worry my little Sugary Bear, I'll be back in time for swim lessons Saturday morning!

2006-03-01T06:11:00.000-08:00

My Daughter

"Take another little piece of my heart now, baby!"
Janis Joplin

So this is my Daughter, the Booglet. The one who comes bounding into the bedroom in the morning and running up yelling "Daddy!" when I come home at night. That's her Pooh Bear (Silly Ole Be-ah) chair and you can see some of the vast library behind her.

This, folks, is what it's like to have a part of you walking around in the world. This little piece of my heart goes to her school two times a week (pizza day today), she plays out in the yard with the Puppy and Kitty, she swings on her big girl swing, or she plays in her room.

I just sit back and watch...

I'm going to be busy the next few days; I have another picture I want to share and hopefully I can write something substantive soon. I've been thinking a lot but writing very little.

Well, writing stuff I want to write very little.

2006-02-28T07:10:00.000-08:00

Winter Pup

Chester in all his magnificent winter plumage. Damn that's one handsome dawg!

That's his favorite stick too...

2006-02-27T06:24:00.000-08:00

Swinging Before School

Because the Booglet came bouncing in on the bed at the crack of dawn (actually, I think she beat the sun up) we had some spare time this morning before embarking in the car for school.

So we went swinging in the cool morning air. The sky was brilliant blue and sharp.

And she asked me:

"Daddy, you remember when I was a little baby?"

"Sure, Sugar Bear."

"And I was in Mommy's tummy growing?"

"Oh yes I do." I say, pushing her in her blue swing. We're watching her shadow which I told her was probably very happy it got to go swinging so early in the morning before school.

"I was there when you came out." I say, pushing her again. Sweetheart, I'll remember that day for the rest of my life. Your mother said she could look into my eyes and see my soul. I think because part of my soul went to join you.

"I'm a big girl now." She says.

"You sure are."

And then off we went, playing KC & The Sunshine Band's Boogie Man all the way to school.

2006-02-25T20:16:00.000-08:00

Good Bye Barney

And thanks for keeping Mayberry safe.

2006-02-25T18:31:00.000-08:00

Of Swimmin', Women, and the Mountain in Waiting

The Booglet and I went to our first swim lesson today at the Y. I had told her the pool was inside and it would be nice and warm. Her face lit up and she said, "Daddy, I like this pool." I had to laugh out loud at her enthusiasm. We played and splashed and kicked our legs for over an hour. Every now and then Daddy would swim down and back, showing her how it was done. The lifeguard was totally charmed by the little one, offering a seahorse and fish toy and a noodle float. She said she was a fast learner. We had so much fun, taking a warm shower and putting our warm dry clothes on before going home to lunch made by Mommy. The Sugar Bear then crashed out for a nap--Daddy laid on the couch on the deck and enjoyed the afternoon breeze. Now she can't wait for next Saturday. Me either...

My women. They wear me out and fill me with such love and warmth. I do so like being Daddy.

The pool was also a good bit of exercise for me. Looks like Zack, JLA and I are making our move for the only one of the seven summits we can reasonably tackle. Zack is already heading to Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin on a reconnaissance mission. Be careful Buddy.

I need to get moving with my preparations--stairmaster and squats. And some more swimming.

2006-02-24T12:28:00.000-08:00

Euphemism

euphemism n. The act or an example of the substitution of an inoffensive term for one considered offensive.

Like "sectarian violence" instead of civil war...

2006-02-24T06:29:00.000-08:00

Signs of Spring

Frogs, the return of purple martin (Progne subis) scouts, and the verbena blooming. Next comes azalea, then wisteria, then the gardenias.

2006-02-23T06:10:00.000-08:00

The Zone

It comes without warning. You can't plan it--but you know very well when you're there. The Zone. It's how I've come to appreciate moments with the Booglet. They are impossible to predict--it may start with something as simple as playing with Play Dough--working together to give the lion a tail or putting a different color on the dolphin's fin.

It's a moment so special, when you realize the two of you are connected doing something you are both enjoying. The little one's face will be pursed in concentration, working alongside Daddy. Conversation flows easily, little soft hands and older, callused ones, intertwining, moving. Where do I stop and you start my precious Sugary Bear? Sometimes I feel like I've known you all my life, like you are a part of me that has always been here waiting to come out.

2006-02-22T06:37:00.000-08:00

So Who Can Intercede (or Review) the Actions of the Executive Branch?

"In December, Congress passed and President Bush signed the Detainee Treatment Act, sometimes referred to as the Graham Amendment, which removed from the federal courts jurisdiction to hear challenges brought by Guantánamo detainees to their confinement and treatment." NY Times, February 22, 2006

Did I miss this? So will those guys just rot there? The Administration says they're still obtaining intelligence from these people...uhm...how different are things now than they were four years ago? How many of Al Qaeda's number 2 or number 3 guys have we polished off? Wouldn't that necessarily require a certain re-tooling of the ole organizational chart?

But I guess my real shock is that federal courts (let's face it--the home of conservatism lately) are excluded from reviewing any of the detainees' status (stati?). So I ask again, who is left to check the power of the Executive Branch? See, our Founding Fathers were all about the balance of power. Now, with a self-declared (by the Executive Branch)war with no end in sight, and ever-frantic calls from the White House for unfettered power, what has happened to checks and balances? Does anyone think that Congress, which has abdicated it's role with the passage of this legislation, is suddenly going to grow a backbone and stand up to this?

This has all the makings of a Constitutional crisis...

2006-02-21T18:45:00.000-08:00

Reasons Why I Feel So Lucky

My wife told me the other day something the Booglet had said:

"I'm Daddy's Sugarbear."

2006-02-21T06:05:00.000-08:00

When I was a Little Boy

I used to see horned toads (P. cornutum) in the woods around my house.

They're no longer around.

I researched them on the web and found that the species above was introduced into Florida around the turn of the century.

Where have they gone? The website said they've suffered loss of habitat.

2006-02-20T06:17:00.000-08:00

Happy President's Day

2006-02-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

Driving with the Judge

Two hours on the road at the crack of dawn to deliver a former judge to a hearing where I was to be essentially a potted plant.

I spoke anyway.

Come on weekend. Daddy's tired.

2006-02-16T05:56:00.000-08:00

On Nights Like These

The moon skitters among the clouds, still generous after full. I think of Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon. Now there was a goddess; she wasn’t the skipping down the forest trail goddess. She would lift your wallet or run off with your best friend and leave you with the bar tab. Artemis would trick you with moonlight; Selene would turn you in on a trick gone bad. She was trouble. Nights can be calm and gentle. They can also be stormy and foreboding. In the immortal words of Van Morrison, “that just depends on wherever you’re at…”

I’m thinking this while walking Chester, the damn fine good one. Pup, I gotta tell ya, a boy couldn’t ask for a better dog. Large and handsome—a real badass as you’ve shown time and time again with the neighborhood dogs (is there any dog in the whole range, from Stinkville to Ethel and James Memorial Gardens, who would even bark at you? I think not Pup. I think not).

And I know times have changed. I remember when I could outrun you—you were an eager but undernourished little pup—grown up on the outside but still a pup. Then you could outrun me.

Now I’m pretty sure I could outrun you again Pup. And I know one day we’ll have to say good-bye. And it breaks my heart.

But it’s not tonight. And when the time comes Chester, don’t worry. I will be there.

2006-02-15T06:36:00.000-08:00

Huh?

The Secretary of Transportation criticizes pop star cum Mummy Brittany Spears for driving with her baby on her lap and Vice President Cheney wings a fellow hunter? Who is in charge of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms? Is that person planning a press conference? What about the head of the NRA? Surely they support hunters being licensed and careful?

I wonder if Charlton Heston is too far gone to be wheeled out to comment...

2006-02-14T14:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day

And Daddy makes it back just in time for swing time, bumpy road, tubby time and evening stories.

Then you Mommy...

2006-02-13T04:43:00.000-08:00

Travel Day

Down in the land of Mickey and Minnie but definitely not for fun.

2006-02-10T06:19:00.000-08:00

Evening Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep

I hear those words coming from the Booglet's room. I am transported across time and space to my childhood bedroom.

If I should die before I wake,

It must be an old prayer. I can envision children reciting it to parents long since turned to dust.

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

What a perspective time gives. To a small child, with your whole life ahead, what is more terrifying than dying in your sleep? And as you grow older, does the thought of slipping silently under the waves of consciousness, never to rise again really sound so bad?

Amen

2006-02-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

Monkey Bars

Sweetheart, I was driving home tonight (you were fast asleep), and I heard on the BBC of a new study that found that old people and children alike enjoy playgrounds...

Go figure...

2006-02-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

25143 Itokawa

This image was captured by a Japanese space probe Hayabusa. Objects lacking a critical mass don't "go spherical," and so this asteroid looks like a space potato.

The asteroid, measuring no more than a few city blocks,(540 × 270 × 210 meters) was named after Hideo Itokawa, the father of rocket science in Japan. It was discovered in 1998 by NEAR. There is a chance this asteroid will strike the Earth within a million years.

Hayabusa used an ion drive (doesn't that sound so cool) and deposited on the asteroid the names of several thousands of individuals.

2006-02-07T06:27:00.000-08:00

Calamity Jane

When I first met Calamity Jane she was wild as the wind. I saw her twirl into a party all smiles and long red hair. I was mesmerized. She didn't even know I existed.

They said she lived alone in the dunes, bathed in sea foam, used shark's teeth to shave her shapely legs, and porcupine quills to brush her long luxurious hair. Men fell under her spell like Odysseus with the sirens. They tore their clothes and plunged into the sea never to be seen or heard from again. I watched quietly, biding my time.

I ventured out onto her island cautiously at first, just here to snap a few pictures of the lovely beach, my sweet. Care to come along? My plot worked but I had to be careful; always, she was like a wild creature, willing to watch with interest but never get too close for fear of capture.

I fed her delicacies, lobsters caught from deep in the emerald waters, blue crabs we both captured splashing about in the grass flats, and blackened redfish pulled from its briny home and quickly thrown onto a sizzling fire. She responded and our relationship soon resembled a dream that smelled like patchouli and sounded like the Cowboy Junkies. Together we explored the wilds--she taught me how to spot a hummingbird from fifty feet, showed me the verdant back alleys of her wild home. We splashed naked in hidden lakes surrounded by shiny little fishes. We fell deeply in love.

Little by little I coaxed this nymph from the wild and into my life. At times she was jittery, anxious to stay close to the waves and misty woods. I slowly taught her how the warm blanket of domesticity was just as exciting as the cool afternoon breeze on your salty skin--just in a different way.

One day I asked her to come and stay with me. Forever. She looked at me with those big blue eyes and I knew we would be together. Now we've mapped the solar system, explored the reefs, and even soared among the clouds.

Somehow, in all this, a little wild cub sprung up. Now the expedition is complete. Now the Booglet gets to learn from her Mommy how the butterflies migrate through to warm tropical climes, gracing us with their confetti parade. Calamity teaches the little one secrets from her wild days, and the little one grows strong and independent and beautiful like her mother.

My girls. I am the luckiest man I know.

My wife, my companion, my soulmate. My crazy little nymph brought from the wild. I love you.

2006-02-06T06:29:00.000-08:00

Clarification

Just so we're clear Mr. President. You weren't elected and didn't give an oath to protect the American people. You pledged to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States. There's a distinction to be made here because my daughter will be around long after you and I sir, and I'd really like her to have the same Constitutional protections I enjoy.

So please, get with the army of lawyers you have at your disposal, and ask how we can uphold this two hundred plus year old document in a fashion that will continue to bring people from all around the world to our great country to enjoy our blessed freedoms.