The Cyclical Nature of Humans and Planetary movement

 Happy solstice, everyone!  This is the day that, despite your or anyone's religious, cultural or political affiliations, its raison d'etre remains the inevitable clockwork movements of the Cosmos. Congress cannot shut it down, or control it by moving it sooner or later, or render it irrelevant. Each and every human being on our planet can only experience it and note its passing. I find it humbling that this simple mechanism is so profound -- as life evolved, starting with the very first multi-cellular life forms, it has experienced this rhythmic day/night pulse and its variations that are punctuated by the solstices.  Enjoy the day and the season with any celebrations or traditions you deem most appropriate and satisfying, know that you are not alone, and brace yourself, those of you in the northern hemisphere, for the whiplash of winter weather yet to come. (There is hope. It will pass.) 

Now, as my neglected blog is at this point a vast, unfilled container for mundane trivia, I proceed:

I'm in Kansas City. Yesterday the Chiefs football organization posted a description and picture of Mahomes, our quarterback's clothing and accessories as he entered the stadium for the game. A white puffy jacket, black T, black pants, gold chain, whatever, with the caption, "Ice cold, QB 1."  OK, OK, I get it, but . . . just throw the ball, dude.

Don't I feel stupid. About three days ago I started thinking about an Internet friend from way back, someone with whom I've corresponded in the past, and thought I would try to re-connect with them. I did so in a casual email--a Christmas greeting and a general query about everyone's well-being. I got no response, but I'm not too upset. It's been that long ago.  But two days later in a conversation with someone about the Internet in general I said I get emails from people who never write to me with very generic messages in them like, "I thought you would recognize the people in this picture!" along with a long, weird looking link. It's phishing, I always think, and never respond. Then I thought, damn, that's what my email to my old Internet acquaintance must have looked like, because I didn't include anything specific in the body of the text. Duh. 

Then, unrelated, yesterday I got a strange text. It said, I know this is going to sound strange, but are you the XXX XXXXXX who lived in the old house on Liberty Street?  Well, I am, but that was 44 years ago. The text continued: if you are, please contact me! 

I was immediately suspicious, but curious.  I googled the phone number and saw it connected to someone with the last name the same as the buyer of the old house when I sold it back then. Further googling connected the first name the texter gave me. I pondered for awhile and figured, I gotta respond just to find out what this is about. I'll be careful!  

Turns out it was the buyer of my house, still living there after all these years, and she only wanted to ask me what I knew about the history of the house. We had a pleasant 15 minute phone call, gossiped about the neighbors (still there on either side) and the call ended with an invitation for me to come by and see the place any time. 

So, I was glad I overcame my natural paranoia, and my faith in people is somewhat restored, if only provisionally. 

And around we go.