The Lost Month

February has been one very long month. Cold, wet, totally intolerable weather. I have spent this past month beneath my covers, nose to the computer, redesigning my web site (http://grannygrafix.tripod.com/).

The sun has finally decided to peek out from the clouds, and all of the birds are flocking around our treetops, wondering when the next cold blast will drive them from their branches. Bewildering as the weather has been, we and God's creatures seem to adapt to it in our awkward fashion.

Someone once said that if there isn't anything else to say, just talk about the weather.

I did.

The Great Carsoni

Several days have passed since my last post. Thought of writing about the cold weather that has hit us nationwide, since the old adage is that when you don't have anything else to say, talk about the weather. Then, Fox News splashed us with an alert. Johnny Carson, NBC's king of TV's Tonight Show, has passed away at age 79.

Johnny was a fixture in my household for thirty years. I never went to bed without first watching his show and listening to his newest puns and gags. I laughed with him, and I cried when he stepped down from his throne at NBC. Bette Midler did nothing to quell my tears, with her sincere farewell song on that night in 1992.

I join with the entire entourage of Johnny's friends and fans, world-wide, in wishing him "God's speed" toward Heaven's Gates. And, as he leaves his beloved audience behind, he'll turn and say, "Be right back..."

Reading Habits of Smalltown, USA

To gain insight to this small community, here are the best-selling books listed this week.

1. 3rd Degree by James Patterson
2. The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands
3. The Last Juror (GRISHAM, JOHN)
4. Deliver Us from Evil by Sean Hannity
5. The Purpose-Driven Life
6. Deception Point by Dan Brown

"3rd Degree" is a mystery tale, involving a serial killer and a possible connection to one of the members of the town's Women's Murder Club. I hear there's a new local organization forming here . . .

"The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" instructs wives in maintaining a happy hubby. This came on the heels of Amber Frey's new book release, "Witness For the Prosecution of Scott Peterson."

"The Last Juror" is set in 1970's Mississippi. Racial conflict, murder, and revenge against members of a convicting jury present an interesting, albeit time-worn, plot. And maybe refreshes some old memories here and about?

"Deliver Us from Evil" is Sean Hannity's interpretation of history in motion and our responsibility as citizens to help keep our country free. You probably won't like this, if you're a liberal Democrat -- or Hollywood celebrity.

"The Purpose-Driven Life" could be called "The God-Driven Life." Rick Warren, the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, takes the reader on a 40-day spiritual journey toward understanding life and God's plan with you in mind. I'd sure like to get a look at His daily planner . . .

And, so you have it. Elsewhere in the world, people are reading books about financial success, healthy living (weight-watchers anonymous), all things ethereal. Only thing ethereal being looked into here is living with God in the Afterlife. Otherwise, most folks are interested in solids. Mystery, mayhem, patriotism. You know, the stuff life is made of.

Dr. Diabolique

Is it just me, or is someone trying to sabotage all of the exotic and fun resort spots in the world? First, Florida, Haiti and and the Gulf Coast were battered by multiple hurricanes of epic proportions in late summer 2004. More recently, happy vacationers and residents in southern Asia were swept into the ocean at the hands of an indifferent tsunami. And, now, chunks of the California coast have been chipped away, to become mud and sludge, as they slide and slither to the bottom of cliffsides. In all of these unfortunate natural disasters, death and destruction have been emblazoned in our memories, and ugliness and corrosion have replaced the once awesome and pristine shorelines frequented by those able to afford the holiday luxuries they held.

Maybe nature is just reclaiming its own natural landscape, tearing down the manmade hotels and shops designed by man. Or, maybe it's some guy who hasn't been able to take a vacation to offset the drudgeries of daily struggles. Suppose he transforms into this comic book hero, Doctor Diabolique. He designs this machine that creates horrendous storms, and he aims them at his hated rivals, who are having more fun than he is. Or . . . maybe it's just the boring earth cycle explanation, since these phenomena have hit before.

But, the Dr. Diabolique theory would make a neat movie. Hollywood, anyone?

Bible Lessons For Sale

A glance down the shelves at the book store revealed a publication entitled "Bible for Blockheads." Since I own nearly all of the "xxx for Dummies" manuals, this one particularly caught my eye. I picked it up and found that it was, indeed, a teaching guide for those interested in learning more about various chapters and verses contained in the Christian Bible. I guess calling us "dummies" for wanting to study biblical material wasn't considered politically correct. Better to call us "blockheads." I haven't quite come to any satisfactory conclusion on this. Maybe someone else has a theory. If so, feel free to send your comments. I wonder when and if they'll release similar books on the Koran and Tora. We could all use some understanding of other religions, before we expound criticism. Without this understanding, they could rightfully call us dummies OR blockheads.

Blessed are the Grandkids

Grandchildren are a constant source of pleasure. Mine keep my daily routine anything but routine.

Back in school, after the holiday season, 11-year-old Steven was at his desk. While Ms. Smith stood before her classroom, explaining the lessons for the day, Steven was engrossed in a new library book. (His favorite pastime is reading, and he takes pride in the number of books he has consumed over the past two or three years.) Disturbed by his apparent lack of attention to matters at hand, the teacher stopped at Steven's side and quietly cleared her throat. No response. She spoke softly, "And, what are you doing, Steven?"

"Reading, Ma'am," said Steven, not glancing from the page before him.

"Did you understand your assignment for today?" asked Ms. Smith.

"Yes, Ma'am," he nodded.

"I find that difficult to believe, since you have been reading throughout this session."

Steven looked up and smiled, his blue eyes sparkling. He replied, "Yes, Ma'am. I'm practicing the art of multitasking."

Out of the mouths of babes ...

Robins in the Rain

I think the robins in our yard were grounded by today's sudden deluge. Either that, or we're in for an early spring. But, the Almanac says we're going to have some b-a-a-a-a-d weather in February, so I'm afraid our feathered friends will have to take their soaked carcasses elsewhere for a few more months. Nice to see them, though. Meantime, I'll just return to hybernation and await the sounds of sprouting new greenery.

Have a sunshine day, y'all!