*I had to take my kitty (Mr. Tinkles, aka Brahms, aka Buddy) to the vet along with his sister (puss puss). So I put them in a cardboard box, for lack of a proper cat carrier. A few minutes into the half-hour trip, the box was no match for claw-laden paws sticking out the flaps, and I had to let them out about my suburban.
The never did like car rides :) So they start panting (the only time I ever see them do it) from the excitement of watching things go by at 65mph, and move all about the vehicle with a low mrrrrrrrow. Trying to calm him down, I place Mr. Tinkles in my lap and try to relax him with my voice, and by soothing his obviously ruffled fur.
Next thing I know my leg feels exceptionally warm, and he has just peed ALL over my lap. Great. Nothing like cat pee. So off he goes to another part of the vehicle. Next I try to calm his sister. Another warm feeling. Yep, she peed on me too. WHAT DO I LOOK LIKE A FRIGGING CATBOX!!!!!
Oh man. Had to roll the windows down a bit after that, and find something to partially dry myself. At highway speeds. Mind you this is all to the great amusement of my good friend and foreman Doug Campbell, riding shotgun.
Next thing I know I catch a whiff of the most awful smell you can imagine. Yes, puss puss had dropped a load somewhere in the car. Windows went down farther. Great amusement, I’m sure. I had to cover my nose it was so bad! And I might add it took me a long time in the aftermath to finally locate the doo.
So finally 10 minutes later we get there, and thank God there was a thrift store next door, where I bought some jeans for a dollar and threw the other ones away. !!!
So why is this a great experience? It sounds downright awful!
Because when I came back in to check on my kitties, I got to be there when they were anally violated by the vet with a thermometer, with disgruntled looks about them, to my great joy! Ah, the temporary joy of righteous retribution. !!!!!!!!!!!!
*I went to Vermont in late October, and sat with Sarah on a swinging bench along the lake champlaign waterfront. The day was mysteriously windy and grey. We talked about everything under the sun, from a child and long life, to happiness and loved ones. All the time swinging in the breeze. And just as we resolved what we were talking about, and smiles came over our hearts, the clouds parted over the lake, the winds ceased, and the heavens opened, with bright beams of light shining through.
I know God follows me with irony and humor, but that day He opened the heavens for us to show the happiness that is forever there, regardless of how we obscure the sunlight with mortal clouds within us. It was the most beautiful thing; the most peaceful thing I'd felt in years.
During my time in College in Elsah, IL:
*I once slept out on a 'beach' (really a sandbar) on the Mississippi River with my then girlfriend Audrey, and fell asleep under the stars, wrapped in each other's arms, with the sand perfectly form-fitting, and work up naturally with the warming sunrise, which was the most peaceful awakening I have ever had. No alarm clocks. No noisy people about their morning business. No cars. No nothing. Just the sun, gradually warming and awakening. If ever I have awoken to pure peace, that was it.
*One of the most remarkable things I have ever seen came during a sunset I watched from the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, which I watched with my friend Allyson. Because of atmospheric distortion (which occurs the most visible near the horizon), the setting sun was about triple the size that I have ever seen it. If you were to hold a softball at arms length, and look towards the horizon, you would get some perspective. And there it was, this huge glowing orb, making its daily pilgrimage as we spin through the cosmos, and this beautiful experience brought tears to my eyes.
*I once ate dinner along the river with my friend Lili, and afterwards, I found a piece of styrofoam that was about 2 feet thick, and about 4 feet by 4 feet square. Just big enough for two people, Lili and I found two old boards (paddles) and we paddled half way across the Mississippi river (close to a mile) before paddling back. Imagine paddling across a river that is frequented by huge barges on something the size of a lawnchair. That was great fun.
