Men on the Metro

Two men walked onto the Metro and that’s when I entered their story. 
They sat across my sleeping boy and I. In their sack the carried Vodka and so were careful when they put it down on the train floor. They argued in hushed tones and one implied feeling sick. I couldn’t help looking at his cracked lips as he said so. He was soon sleep and this left his fellow traveler with red eyes and sporting a clinic’s bracelet to stare about the cabin for a while. 
We left each other’s gaze at about Downtown LA and what will become of them I do not know.

A Mighty Query

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under an understanding….And hence the side eye looks my other half and I share as our kids turn ever older. 
Should we delineate? We then thus pivot towards an auld lang syne when one subscribed to an elder rotund Elf? I couldn’t, shouldn’t, wouldn’t rob him of the fantasy. Or is the time now? 
I use coded intricacy in language to mask my query. I trust other parent folk to get my meaning and share their sentiment wisely!

A Pointed Tale

I don’t think anyone is a fan of a super thin, cold and piercing needle coming at your warm vein. It’s always disconcerting the moment the point touches the skin and callously penetrates into the flesh and hungrily seeks out our inner red liquid. At the other end of it a vial receives our essence and in seconded engorges full. It’s an unpleasant scene but I learned a long time ago that I’m the type to not look away. 
I face it so it won’t scare me next time. Weird eh?

Guiding Light

After picking up some dry cleaning and making my way to my truck a very tall and quite muscular young black man and a companion walked towards me. He seemed lost in thought and didn’t seem to notice he was in my direct path. As we neared one another he was tugged forcefully by his UCR Blue shirt and in a second snapped by into reality. He apologized to me and with a smile I told him not to mention it. As his much shorter mom and him walked on I overheard her scolding him to pay more attention and he gave out a respectful acknowledgment. 
That’s the power of good Moms I suppose

To the new Stewards

I know very few of you who voted for our next President because in my immediate circle there are almost none. Today you rejoice and I understand why you would. With that said, in a few short months a man will take the helm of this Country and work to reshape it to a shared vision. As this happens remember of what the original promise of America was and is supposed to be. Think of the women and men who may not look like you, who may not speak like you or who may not share your faith but who still contribute to the greater good. Do not erode the pillars that always made this Country great. Remember that though the highest seat is filled with someone you agree with that he is a servant of all the people in the land. 
Stewardship isn’t easy…be responsible.

Election Day

Come what may I promise to celebrate but not gloat. Should it not go my way I’ll commiserate but won’t despair. In either case I am Thankful for the right to cast my choice just like the rest of you good people. Times ahead may be easy or they could be a tough beat. But I have promises to keep, and miles and miles to go before I sleep

Musing at the Amusement Park

My mama would wake us up way early and while my Squid sisters and I got dressed she finished packing the egg-tortas and stuff into the cooler. My pop made sure he had a couple of VHS tapes ready and the camera was fully charged. We drove a while and parked at either at the Donald lot or Chip & Dale. I think Cars land now lies atop our old spot. The day was long and worth it. We do it different now. I can’t imagine my dad ever hunting for a specific nerd shirt to wear. 
Fingerprints now get you in the park. King Kong is digital and most kids don’t know who Boris Karloff is. Then again…lines can still get long, hot is hot in California and most things are way too expensive. 
Oh yeah…and New Yorkers still stand out in a crowd!

Fine Dining

I don’t know much about a heaven but let me tell you about my afternoon. I cut into the flank steak that had been grilled to just medium-well before I got home from my business meeting. Glasses of delicious water at the table, a Cider drink for her and a full glass of Red wine resting. Steam rose off the black beans and I crumbled Blue Cheese a top them vigorously. Baby carrots were an option and though I don’t care for veggies I caved and had some with a dab of Italian dressing. I contributed Santana’s Supernatural playing off our old Crosley CD player. We dined talking about the day as the light from the kitchen shifted from glowing to contemplative. 
Dessert ain’t coming because it’s a school night but you won’t hear me complain.

Your Truth vs Mine?

I surmise that a great tragedy of our times is that we believe our own personal truths to be self-evident and that those of others aren’t equal. That while endowed with so many opportunities to share we sometimes fail to really listen. I’m guilty of it though I strive for better because I realize that “our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”