Driving with Cicadas

There was a lot of driving today, up to Hampton or Lovejoy and then to McDonough (pronounced Mik don a, you news heads from Atlanta). Later, I drove down to the jail/magistrate court in Forsyth. As I exited my vehicle, I noticed the eerie sound of cicadas in the trees. Afterward I discussed the advent of these noisy flying pests with Judge Davis and his clerk. I walked out of the justice center and climbed into my car. As I reached up to insert the key in the ignition, I noticed a cicada sitting on the cuff of my dress shirt, staring at me like I had trespassed on his domain. Instead of arguing his place in the world of Central Georgia, when these creatures lie dormant in the soil for thirteen years between appearances, I shook him off onto the floor. Later, when it started making his obnoxious noise, I smashed its fairly substantial body under a plastic jar I found on the floor. Afterward, I read that cicadas are delicacies in many parts of the world, particularly in Mediterrean regions such as Greece and Provence. I offered it to Cindy for her supper. She didn't take to the concept. I was puzzled by her refusal.

Decisions in the darkening world

I am lame. My left foot is betraying me. My ankles are swollen and I keep trying to walk it off without resolution. Two o'clock in the morning is a bad time to try to undertake something of even remote significance. A brighter person or at least one in control of himself would probably determine that it was in his best interest to go back to sleep. Between the stupid ads, the lawyer come-ons and the short educational programs on television at that time of night, you will be driven crazy. Even the PBS show on at this time is talking about education in Brasil. So, I should learn from media: I should go back to bed.

Daddy

He was born in the black patch
South of Christian
Walking the brown furrows, smoking a cigarette,
Row after row, Season to season, Chasing after game,
The grey barns billowing with smoke in Autumn,
On horseback, Good morning Jud, down Butch down,
On to college, riding the train down the black,
Smoky tunnel to dimness and coal dust
First class to reach the computer age:
International Business Machines
White Plains Armonk Schenectady New York
Engineers working with NASA
To help send Neil and Buzz to find Tranquility
On to Atlanta and Coca Cola and the Braves
And "Gone With the Wind" and MLK
In "a city too busy to hate"
Chasing after children and running tractors
Because he had the knowledge, the old farm boy,
To lay the slag, sweeten the soil,
Until we all looked like Eastern Kentucky coal miners
Breathing the dust, the smoke in the darkness
Until the night arrived, climbing those stairs
One last time back to the mountains, to the Chestatee
To ride the flow of my thoughts
The Summer sun reflecting on the waters,
Riding on toward the Gulf, forever.

"Atta Boy!"

Derby Day Eve

Today was filled with partially aborted endeavors. I drove down to Forsyth and found that one of my clients is free. I called his dad and got a call from my client. He wanted me to get his money from the sherrif's office. I asked him he had called the sherrif's; he said, "no." I guess his money is only important in relation to whether I can get it for him. At any rate, I drove over to the jail and signed in to see another client, only to be told that they had transported him back to detention in Upson County. That nixed a part of my trip. As I left the jail for my car, I noticed a strong ringing sound like the ringing accompanying the advent of the alien predator in a 50's science fiction movie. I couldn't figure it out.I drove over to another client's house, only to hear it again. I asked them what it was and was told that the sound was cicadas awakening after a thirteen year sleep underground. Weird. I finished up the day with several calls and a trip to the grocery and to Home Depot. Later, I ordered supper from El Toro Loco. Now we are watching tv before I get the pork and fire ready for overnight smoking. Tomorrow should be a good day. Derby Day. The eyes of the world will set on my birthplace for the day. Not every state gets such special treatment. Not every state deserves such treatment. "You take a K and an E, an NU and CKY, that spells Kentucky, but it means Paradise."

Shadows in the afternoon

It is a magnificent day, albeit, a bit cool this morning. I feel overwhelmed a bit, although most of my angst is based on an ebbing sense of depression taking me down like a heavy wave. It comes and goes. I want to shake it off and take care of business. Be an adult. It will get better, I just have to work my way through it. Working on this mess does some good. Singing at night or on Sunday mornings helps. Being with friends and family. Going out from time to time and sometimes sitting down on the patio and sipping a glass of red wine or cup of bourbon and ice and watching the shadows of evening paint depth on day. That's what I need everyday.

No fun trips tomorrow

I was quite surprised when I found out this afternoon that I will not be crying out any foreclosures tomorrow. I don't know whether that is a sign of good times or just a glitch where the federal agencies which oversee mortgage lenders bear down on the lenders. We shall see soon, I suspect. At any rate, the dark angel will sit and work at his office tomorrow. North Georgia is safe for this month, anyway. I'll have to rely on the normal brand of darkness that a lawyer can get into on a rainy Tuesday.

Jesus Christ

The gift of God's created,
A rudely constructed bridge
Over the flood of time and
The groaning of creation
Which forced a passage
Between us and our heavenly Father.