Why Civilians Must Acknowledge the Individual Cost of War: War Letter Collector Andrew Carroll

Why Civilians Must Acknowledge the Individual Cost of War: War Letter Collector Andrew Carroll

I think for today's dinner, a sort of Louisiana-style Swiss steak with black beans and rice. Leftovers should freeze very well.

I did something spontaneous yesterday.

There's a nice park about 3-1/2 blocks from the duplex where I live in Monroe, LA. It has tennis courts and diamonds and bleachers and playground equipment for kiddos.

I stopped by on the way home from a trip for milk and took some time on a swing. Yes, an old-fashioned chain link swing.

Did it ever feel good. And the milk was still cold when I got home.

The Swing

How do you like to go up in a swing, 

Up in the air so blue? 

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing 

Ever a child can do! 

Up in the air and over the wall, 

Till I can see so wide, 

River and trees and cattle and all 

Over the countryside-- 

Till I look down on the garden green, 

Down on the roof so brown-- 

Up in the air I go flying again, 

Up in the air and down! 

Robert Louis Stevenson

She doesn't know it yet, but Lucy also likes Peggy Lee's I Am a Woman:

Lucy likes Santana:

Lucy likes Chicago's Make Me Smile:

I think Ariana is cute as punch:

Well, hellfire.

 I bought some new speakers for my desktop in May. I thought they'd gone out, so I bought some new ones -- cheaper and better. Turns out it was the sound card in my computer. Lyman's is fine.

The bipolar disorder is a little disconcerting, sometimes.

Economist cartoon

Post by Willy Foo - Photographer, Marketer, Technopreneur.

Lyman's cousin, Sharon, is coming to dine on lentil soup, homemade cornbread, and green salad this evening.

My very first dinner guest in my new home. Isn't that exciting?

Has a little something going for her, don't you think?

I guess you all need an update. I have chosen to take my master's in occupational therapy, and am signed in and paid for classes to begin Monday. I love my beautiful young woman adviser, and am happy in the town I'm in. Life couldn't be better, but it could be cooler. More later. Oh, for Lord's sake, not that way.

Oh, Lord. The scarlet lady is at it again. Lucy has a new admirer. He's the bartender at Enoch's, an Irish pub down on Louisville -- 10-12 blocks from home.

Lucy needs stimulation beyond me, and it's a good source for the rare gin-and-tonic. Today was Lucy's second visit. John gave her due admiration and another French fry. The handsome man knows how to go after a girl's heart.

She bitched all the way home.